As I'm getting used to working from home I'm exploring fun places to take my laptop and work. I was taking my wife to the airport yesterday, so I took advantage of the situation to stop by the new Santa Monica Main Library. The building is fantastic. Notice the melding of indoor and outdoor space, really nice.

I found a "Quiet Study Area" that was looking over the courtyard (did you see the stream going through the center?) and fired up the laptop. Found the "City Wi-Fi" and I was pretty pleased with Network Manager. Couldn't find the mail server. No IM servers. Hmm. Ah, web click through agreement, I always forget those. I guess some people use the web first so that makes sense, click through. Still nothing. Errrrr.

So I started searching the library website for information and came across the WiFi brocure with this quote:

Why can't I check my email?
Only web-based email access (webmail) is available at the Library. You must go to your email provider's website to check your email.
Seriously? Apparently that is all you can use the Internet for at the library anymore. I miss gopher. (okay, not really) I guess I'm going to have to set up an SSH tunnel VPN using Proxytunnel. Seems like a lot of work to be able to use the full Internet at the library.


posted Nov 15, 2007 | permanent link