I thought I'd take a quick stab at debunking the reasons given for not wanting a computer. This isn't to suggest that everyone has to have a computer, but is meant to show that the internet access can mean a lot of different things to different people.
1. Those who work on computers all day at work who do not want to spend time with a computer when they get home. [Not all sites can be surfed from work: http://www.monster.com] 2. Those with large families who are exhausted between work and family responsibility [Get some time back by using the web to pay bills. http://www.discovercard.com] 3. People who have two, three or four jobs, and/or work double shifts because they need to have them to survive, or want to have them, to save money for something or pay bills. [They could further their education online in the limited time they have. It doesn't sound like they'd have time to attend classes in person. http://www.capella.edu] 4. People who spend the major part of their free time as care-givers to family members, friends or with charities. [Donate to charities online. http://www.redcross.org Research ailments your family members may be suffering from. http://www.webmd.com] 5. People who have time consuming hobbies like hunting, fishing, playing or watching sports, carpentry, sewing, home improvements, pets, etc. [Research where to hunt http://www.huntnshack.com, what fishing equipment to buy http://www.capellas.com, follow your favorite sport online http://www.skinnyski.com, learn some do it yourself tips online http://www.doityourself.com, download sewing patterns http://www.sewingpatterns.com, watch a video on http://www.HomeDepot.com on how to install a ceiling fan, and figure on how to train your dog whttp://ww.loveyourdog.com/tricks.html] 6. Serious alcoholics, drug addicts and criminals who spend much of their time in anti social behavior [The web's a great place for anti-social types. They can interact without interacting.] 7. People, mostly immigrants, mostly older, who can't read. [With help, download or steam news programs in their native language. http://www.hmongradio.tv] 8 People who can't afford the WIFI apparatus, the seriously poor and homeless. [Those don't qualify as reasons for not wanting it.] 9. People who are television addicts [Who like to keep up on their favorite shows at http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com] 10.People who love to read books [And find out what other books are available from their favorite author, or other related books worth reading on http://www.Amazon.com] 11.Elderly and handicapped, who are living longer because of better medicine, an increasingly larger percentage of the society. But they are not necessarily living active lives. [Who are looking for tips on how to live frugally http://retireplan.about.com/cs/lifestyles/a/aa_tips_a.htm, interact with people without necessarily leaving their home http://seniorliving.about.com/mpboards.htm, and want more in-depth news coverage than TV provides. http://www.huffingtonpost.com. Of course, the most obvious is keeping in touch with friends and family by email.] 12.People who can't read well or at all because of the lack of a good education. [Reading makes a person a better reader. Chances are pretty good that just about anyone could find something interesting enough to read online to keep them interested. http://www.dunation.com , http://www.drudgereport.com , http://www.democraticunderground.com/] 13.People who are mentally deficient (IQ below 80 or so) [Probably not interested in subscribing to the Wall Street Journal online, but there is likely appropriate content available. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/services/nis/] 14.People who can't type well [Did you mean Minneapolis: http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=mozclient&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&q=mineaplis ] 15.Blind people who have not yet been accommodated by the computer industry. [There are plenty of screen readers available. The web is likely more accessible than many other forms of media to the blind. http://www.hicom.net/~oedipus/blind.html#adapt ] 16.People in religious communities or other institutions who are not allowed access to computers. [http://www.amish.com/] The common themes are: easy access to a diverse array of information, entertainment, and communication. If Minneapolis had no internet access today, what would Minneapolis look like? If everyone has reliable and affordable access to the internet in Minneapolis, what would Minneapolis look like? - Ed Kohler Responding from a T1 Connection from Eden Prairie to a post read on a web enabled phone while riding along I-494 from Maple Grove before heading home to a cable connection in Cooper. REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 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