I post from the library. I cannot afford my own computer, not even WebTV. (I don’t even have my own telephone.) I am poor. I have at least one mental disorder (chronic depression) and, I suspect, at least one more, autism (to what degree, I don’t know) and maybe PTSD on top of that. I live on Social Security and SSI, which comes to a grand :rolleyes: total of $800 a month. My rent is half of that. Take away the money I spend on food and there ain’t much left.
Due to the popularity of the internet computers at the Downtown Central Library of the LAPL, they are going to start enforcing the rules concerning how often someone may use a computer. They plan to limit each user to only two hours per day. This rule has always existed, but there was no way to enforce it at the Central Branch because it has seven floors, each with its own bank of computers; there was no way to know if a person had reserved more than one computer at a time. But starting tomorrow, they are going to enforce this rule somehow (and I don’t know how).
If I can be on the boards for only two hours a day (reading AND posting), and with the boards behaving so slowly M-F, I don’t see much reason to be here anymore, except, maybe on Saturdays when the board operates more swiftly.
So no more all-day sessions for me unless I come into some money somehow and can afford my own WebTV. (Let’s be realistic; anything more expensive than that is beyond my ability. Even used computers are too expensive for me and the ones I’ve seen in pawn shops don’t look like they are worth buying.)
I hope someone posts on this thread today because I won’t be able to come back here till Monday and, again, I may have only two hours to read your responses and reply.
I wanted to curse and swear when I started to do this, but not now. I just feel tired and depressed. Swearing can be hard work.
I’ve seen decent quality used systems for as low as $350, and the one I’m posting from right now wouldn’t sell for even $150. How strapped are you? Web access can be had for free from a number of sources, if you’re willing to tollerate banner ads. Ask around, someone is likely to be able to give you a hand. Don’t surrender so easily!
Here at my library, patrons get have to sign on to the internet with their library card number and a PIN. They get 45 minutes at a time, which resets after an hour. If we’re not busy, we can sign them on for another 45 minutes so they don’t have to wait. You can’t save info between sessions, however.
It can get to be a pain in the ass, and we staff bitch about it profusely, but despite its drawbacks, the system tends to work out best for everybody. The regulars can usually spend twelve hours a day on the internet if they want to, but on really busy days, (like Sunday) we won’t sign them on so that people with legit research purposes can get on.
Last summer I had no access- but IA had a friend who attends the university here- he gave me his logon and password- univeristies also have usually the best connect around.
I was free to go to the computer labs all I wanted, day in day out- within their hours. Till I got another job- via internet.
Jab: I have a few ideas, I hope that maybe I can be of assistance?
I think there is some program with the phone company here (not California, sorry) where you can get a telephone for medical reasons if your medical professional deems it necessary, and I think it’s either free or cheap or something. (It might be that you can only use it in the case of an emergency, though. And on that income, even $5 a month isn’t cheap.)
Can you use the computers in other libraries besides the Central Branch of LAPL? Any others that are close enough? I’ve been known to go from library to library, or computer lab to computer lab when their 30-60 minute Internet intervals weren’t enough to satisfy my desire to use the Internet.
(Somewhat tongue-in-cheek.) If you have any really nice friends or relatives, have them buy you an old computer and pay your phone bills, and then get a free ISP
Yeah, there are other libraries around, in Chinatown and Little Tokyo. I haven’t quite given up, but right now, I’m feeling stressed 'n depressed. Maybe when I feel better I’ll figure out what I should do.
It’s really cool that your library can do that, black, but here that would be impossible. In LA, there’s an enormous demand for public-access internet computers. LAPL’s policy is actually the most generous in the county; the 80-odd county public libraries (as opposed to the various city systems, of which LAPL is obviously the largest) typically limit patrons to one hour per library per day, and some can only give half an hour per day.
Even so, the county computers are virtually always in use, even on weekends and holidays, and at most libraries the signup sheets fill as soon as they open, three days in advance. There just aren’t enough computers to go around. Some people still manage to get in a lot of internet time, but they do it by signing up at multiple libraries and hopping from place to place.
But even though I completely understand where LAPL is coming from - this year many libraries are having to cut down on computing-related services, and it was only a matter of time at the main branch - I also sympathize with your problem, jab. Don’t give up just yet, though - two hours is longer than it seems, and you may find you’re not as curtailed as you thought. (For example, two hours is longer than I can spend here during the days when I actually sleep.)
You may also want to look into some of the local NPOs’ computer resources. Most of them offer what amounts to computing classes and job training, but some also offer free time on their computers when classes are not in session. There may be a place near you that does. You could try calling the United Way and asking for referrals to agencies with computer programs. An even better way might be to sign up for a class or two at a community college - AFAIK, all of them have computer pods that are free for students, and as a CA resident you’d only have to pay about 15 bucks per semester per class.
I’d like to make a suggestion, jab. One of my best friends was also in a no-cash, no-internet-at-home situation recently. Her husband has a “decent” job, but she has a 2-year-old at home and daycare would have cost her more than she could have paid out even with a regular job. We don’t always have time to talk during the day, so I thought emailing would be more efficient.
I happened by one of those rent-to-own places on my way to the grocery store (Aaron’s Rental?) and saw a big sign saying they were clearancing previously rented merchandise. I went in thinking I might buy a vacuum or stereo speakers. I found a WebTV plus with keyboard for $49.95 and bought it for her birthday. It was in perfect condition. I think she pays $25 per month for the service. She loves it. It’s not a Presario, but it does what she needs it for - email, sending pictures of the grandkids to her parents, etc. For her husband’s birthday, we bought him a printer for it.
Just a thought. I don’t post an awful lot, but I lurk daily. I have always thought you were an intelligent, insightful poster. It would be a shame if you had to stop.
Thanks for the compliments. (I’m finding out I had friends I didn’t know about.) I guess I just have to hunt around to find something used that’s in good condition. Unfortunately, because of my disability, I don’t like to leave the house. I prefer to be alone. Riding buses make me nervous. However, I have my good days and my bad days.
Listen, if you look around you can find a crappy old pentium running w95 for free, or perhaps for under $200.00. I assume all you want is to be able to use the internet, and perhaps write a bit. Well, you can use wordpad for anything you’d like to write, nobody really needs msWord. And you can find a pentium dirt, dirt, dirt cheap. Since you don’t care about processor speed or hard drive space or RAM, you can get a computer for almost free. The monitor will be the biggest expense.
But if you’re on disability, see if you can get some business or charity to donate an old system to you. These things often end up in the dumpster when people upgrade. I’m sure you can find something for nearly free.
The other problem is internet access. Well, if you can tolerate banner ads and slow speeds you can get free internet access. That leaves the expense of the phone line. Do you already have one? If you already have one, problem solved. It won’t matter that people can’t call in, since you are currently out of the house at the library during the day anyway. If you don’t perhaps you can get local-only service, no long distance. That might save you a few bucks a month.
With a little work, you might find yourself in a much better situation than you are now, especially since you hate going out. If you can get a super-cheap system you won’t have to go to the library anymore.
