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March 12, 2001
Past Editorials Click here! |
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Webtv for our computerless friends |
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About Town Dave Uphoff  |
Viewership of Minonktalk has steadily increased since its inception in January. However,
there is an inherent limitation to its viewership because of the limited number of people who
have internet access in the Minonk area. Most of the people in Minonk do not have a computer. There
are many reasons for this. The main reason is that they really don't need one. Another reason is
that there are a lot of people who are afraid of the computer or don't have the patience to
cope with the frustrations of a computer. Can't blame them for that.
With the advent of the internet those people without a computer are missing out on a lot of information. So how do we get noncomputer people to get on the internet? Many people have chosen to use webtv as the solution. I think this makes a lot of sense because it is probably the most user friendly method and does not require a lot of technical mumbo-jumbo to set it up. I know that I am probably preaching to the choir when I plug webtv on the internet. The reason I am advocating webtv to you the viewer is so that you can suggest this as an option to your computerless friends who feel left out. Here's what you can tell them. First of all, you need to buy a webtv receiver from Best Buy or some similiar place for $129.00. Then you put the receiver on top of the television set and run a telephone wire to the back of the receiver. That is the technical part. After hooking up the receiver you need to be able to dial in to the internet. Because you live in Minonk you have to dial a long distance number to access Microsoft's webtv internet service provider. This costs $21.95 a month. However, you can elect to hook up with a local internet service provider such as Maxiis or Dave's World who have local phone numbers. This would cost you $20 a month plus you can pay webtv only $11.95 a month instead of $21.95. The total monthly cost would be $31.95. |
It would cost more per month to access the internet through webtv than through a computer
but then you are only paying $129.00 for the equipment versus paying at least $1500 for a new
computer. In addition, you won't have the technical headaches associated with computers. You
also can send and receive email with webtv.
If any of our viewers are using webtv, I encourage you to email me your comments on your experience with webtv. Your endorsement may encourage others to follow suit.
Why not suggest this as an option to your computerless friends so that they too can join in this
great new invention called the internet?
One of the benefits of writing an editorial is being able to publicly voice your gripes. For years I was on the verge of writing to Ann Landers a letter voicing the following complaint. Why is it that those people who insist on driving slow in the left lane of traffic are usually driving vans? These people cause other drivers to pass them on the right and take other chances that they shouldn't have to. If there are any drivers of vans out there who take exception to my comments, please write and give me an explanation of why you feel it is ok to drive slow in the left lane of traffic. Until next week all you van drivers out there, watch out behind you. It may be me. |
| To reply to this editorial please send your comments to duphoff@minonktalk.com. Only letters with a valid signed name will be published in the email section. |
