I have set up some computer workstations down here at MCS at 1001 Hwy 71 South (across from Fatman's) for public use! I've been planning to get this set up for months now, but with the recent disaster I decided to double my efforts for folks who are now without their computers or electricity. With email communication being so prolific now, I'm sure some people have no way to contact their "contacts". Those who are without their computers due to the tornado can come and use a computer for an hour to contact their friends and loved ones at no cost.

I have 8 public stations currently set up, with lots more on the way. I'm not running primo equipment right now because of my time constraints on this project. Three of the machines are running Windows 2000, the other five have XP. Three of them are new, taken off my shelves to put out for public use, and have CD/DVD burners, media card readers for your camera chips, etc. I'm selling blank CD and DVD media, and will help you if you want to burn a disc of pictures from your camera. All of my computers are connected to high speed internet. I'll be upgrading to brand new equipment as time and money allow. It's first come first serve for the new ones, and paying customers have no time limit.

My rates for this service are fair; I'm asking $3/hr to use one of my computers or to connect your laptop to my encrypted WiFi. Starting next week, I'll be offering bottled water and soft drinks. Based on demand, I may serve coffee and do the whole "cafe" thing as well. I will also be offering training classes where you can learn what you WANT to learn, not what the college lessonplan wants to teach you. I'll post class schedules and topics to MenaForum when I get started!

So if you're in town and need to check your mail, do some research, burn a disc, chat on IM, or just wander the internet aimlessly (that's me :D ), come on in and see us. Like I said, they're all on high speed. Lots of people, including me, are sick of dial up. Tomorrow (Wednesday 4/15) is our first day open, and our hours will be from 10:00am to 6:00pm.

Good job, I think this a wonderful thing your are doing. :thumb:

Thanks so very much, Mitch! I know we are all very appreciative of your thoughtfulness and generosity. :hugg:

People were down there today using them! :thumb:

please make one of your classes on Web developmet. I will be there

Eve

Hey Mitch....how bout putting in a Starbucks coffee shop??? :coverlaugh:

Your doing a good thing and your prices are very fair! Thank you! :thumb:

I would love to! Unfortunately, corporate controls franchise pricing. And I don't think I could sleep at night charging $7 for a cup of coffee! Ohh, I miss Starbucks. :crying:


It's getting busy down here, remember it's first-come-first-served! I've already upgraded a few of my machines to meet the demand.

Good for you! I am glad you did this, and hope you do very well!

Any update on "days of week open" (got the 10-6 hrs.)

Also looking forward to any announcement regarding classes offered.

Still sorting out bugs before the grand opening! The soft opening was a good idea, having a few problems here and there. The only advertising I've done so far has been here on the forum.

We're open 10-6 Sunday through Friday and closed on Saturday. I run a lot of house calls so I'm not always here, but the folks next door who sell produce are savvy enough to help you get started!

It's quite time-intensive to get classes going, haven't been able to get started with that though. I expect to have them started by mid summer.

My ideas for classes so far:

-General computer use
-Internet advertising
-Web Development
-CD and DVD Authoring (Burning)
-Paypal and Ebay

Let me know if you can think of anything else! Thanks!

Way to go! I am definitely going to be sending some business your way as a result of your stepping up here..

:thumb:

If anyone is interested in learning how to buy or sell on ebay, please post here or pm me. That way we can get an idea on class size and if we can do it all in one group.

Thanks!

Any thought to expanding such a hypothetical course to simply buying and selling online, maybe not fully encompassing all possibilities, but including half.com (also and ebay company) as well as Amazon? I mention this knowing that many folks I know are disillusioned by ebay now and have been looking for other outlets..


BTW a note to all.. If we do not want government interfering in our lives, taking our hard earned money, our time, and our labor, we need to step forward like these guys are, but also we can step forward and support efforts like this public access to computers by using businesses who make these sorts of services available. I do not need public access, but I will need some other computer services in the near future, so because of what these guys are doing, they will get my business. This is a very easy way to help each other and to pick ourselves up without using the weapon of government..

Sure we could do some class or classes on just "buying/selling" online.

Half.com is great, I've bought probably 75 books thru there. :thumb:

I wish that I could have kept my total down to merely 75.. :)

I keep meaning to sell some books online, but how does one ever part with a book? :scratch: :)

I'd like to thank everybody for their support on this project. We have had quite a bit of attention and I'd like to think we've helped a few people out.

Haven't had time to plan classes. I'm going to be calling in help for some of them. If you are an avid ebay buyer or seller, PM me!