Hmm, interesting. On the one hand, that sounds lik...

2006-06-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

Hmm, interesting. On the one hand, that sounds like one of the worst public libraries I have heard of. When I moved to where I live now, I had to go apartment hunting and a couple other things. The public library was able to give me a guest log-in just fine as long as I had an ID (any ID. I think I showed my out of state DL at the time). They were very pleasant overall.

Having said that, I can give you a share of reasons to have your machines protected with passwords. Security being one of them. I always bristle a little at people who just want to leave the computers wide open to every Dick, Jane and Harry that can walk in and do who knows what in the name of open access to all. Maybe I just don't have that much faith in people. Maybe, I have seen my share of problems when there are no limits, which I have. We recently had to put time limits on our express terminals. Not because we hate patrons, but simply because there was abuse of the system. In conditions where resources are limited, sometimes severely, limits are often necessary for fairness as well as consistency. I just have to wonder at times why is it when this is needed, the advocates have to be labeling the limits as "impediments" to progress? Full freedom may work in the ideal world of 2.0, but there is the real world where most of us operate.

Best, and keep on blogging.

Heidi -- good luck at the Apple Store. Since I've...

2006-06-04T17:15:00.000-07:00

Heidi -- good luck at the Apple Store. Since I've just moved to a new city and do not yet have an Internet connection at home, I've also had to go scrounging for open internet access.

With regards to open logins, the Queen's University Library doens't password protect the machines in any way. Anyone can walk in and use a machine for as long as they'd like. The university is located close to residential areas and downtown Kingston, so townsfolk do come and use the computers. Aparently this hasn't caused enough problems for the library to start password protecting the machines. Great! However, you do need a university id to log into the wireless connection.

The Kingston Public Library is a different story. It requires a library card to log into machines, and you can only use them for one hour a day. No guest login is available, but there are four express terminals that don't require any special ID, so I was able to use them to check my email. They have a 15 minute limit and then the machine times out, but you can keep using them again and again if no one else is in line.

Interestingly, the public library does NOT require you to have a library card to connect to their wireless network; you simply need to ask a librarian (or use text messaging on your cell phone) to get a connection token that's valid for a week.

As I settle into my new apartment, I don't know what's worse: not having any furniture, or not having an Internet connection.

Comments on quiddle: Diary of a patron

Hmm, interesting. On the one hand, that sounds lik...

Heidi -- good luck at the Apple Store. Since I've...