Re: [tlug] Wifi hotspot access in Tokyo

[Benjamin Tayehanpour <benjamin@example.com>]

On 18 March 2014 15:20, Raymond Wan <rwan.kyoto@example.com> wrote:
> The library *is* paid for by the people but it doesn't mean the people
> say how it should be run.

Um. Yes it does. That's the whole point of a democracy. Obviously not
that individual people can use it according to their individual
tastes, but if there is a significant movement towards wanting to be
able to use laptops in libraries, the libraries should consider it.
Sure, there may be hurdles, such as the power consumption mentioned,
but that's a minor bump in the road, not a broken bridge. You discuss
such things and propose ways around them. You don't say flat-out "no"
without even giving it some thought.

Anyhow, let's not dwell on the politics. Let's have some fun thinking
up solutions to the various problems which could arise from allowing
laptops.

For instance, you could charge patrons for the use of electricity. The
technology for accomplishing such a thing is readily available and
dirt cheap, and it would encourage people to run off battery power,
which in turn would encourage people not to sit around doing nothing.
You could have either a tab or a pre-paid solution, and you could use
existing library cards (or whatever it is you use) for authentication.
It is certainly doable, and would benefit students and researchers
while still repelling leisure-surfers and people who just want to bum
some power.