Chat on public access Internet

[Joe Schallan]

At 4:37 PM on 2/12/97 PST, Kathy McGreevy wrote:

>Short of a software solution I'm unaware of or an electronic cattle prod,
>it doesn't seem like there's much we can do . . .

At our library we implemented what I believe to be a unique
solution.  Our Internet PCs are on long, high tables with
sturdy, comfortable, all-metal bar stools affixed to the floor in
front of each workstation.  The stools have been wired to
a power supply via raceways under the floor, and the current
to each stool is controlled from a panel at the reference desk.
The power supply has variable control, giving us four
settings on our control panel: OFF, TICKLE, PROD, and
SMITE.

We like to begin with TICKLE, unless we see that the patron
is a known hard case, in which PROD is usually the best
starting point.  Note, however, that a full SMITE delivers
only enough current to cause pain and a rapid vault from
the stool but not permanent injury.

This has been a great success, especially for zapping
junior-high-age boys hogging the workstations with
MUDs.

Patrons with pacemakers have been problematical,
however.

Joe Schallan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Joe Schallan, MLS                             jschall at glenpub.lib.az.us
Reference Librarian and Web Page Editor
Glendale (Arizona) Public Library                        (602) 930-3555