a question

[Thomas W. Perrin]

If a program is obtuse, extraordinarily hard to use, or otherwise user
unfriendly, it really doesn't matter what the speed of your processor,
what kind of line you are sitting on, or whatever. It's still slow,
slow, slow.  If we are trying to educate our patrons to use computers,
use the internet, I think we have at least a minimal obligation to
provide them with a program that does not have these defects. If, on the
other hand, our purpose is to censor what they receive, discourage
computer use, and otherwise waste the funds we are expending, then by
all means Lynx is to be recommmended.

Thomas W. Perrin



Camille Del Vecchio wrote:
> 
>         We use Lynx for Internet access and it is lightning fast.
> Unfortunately it is obtuse and extraordinarily hard to use.  Many sites
> are for graphical browsers only and the others, while usable, require
> great wellsprings of ingenuity and resourcefulness to conquer. It CAN be
> done but only by the few and the brave.
> 
>   "My method is to take the utmost trouble to find the right thing to
> say, and then to say it with the utmost levity." G.B. Shaw
> 
> Camille DelVecchio
> Penfield Public Library
> 1985 Baird Road
> Penfield, NY 14526
> 716 328-5278
> 
> On Wed, 2 Jul 1997, Thomas W. Perrin wrote:
> 
> > I can tell you that Lynx (text only) on our Dynix system is the slowest,
> > most frustrating, useless piece of software going.  It's quicker to go
> > home, use my own browser, and come back the next day with the
> > information I need. Of course, that is the equivalent of 1960's
> > technology, when we had to wait overnight for any data from our massive
> > IBM 1401.
> >
> > Thomas W. Perrin
> >
> >
> >
> > Dspp at aol.com wrote:
> > >
> > > A question for no one in particular: If libraries would utilize text-only
> > > browsers, would there be a need for filtering?
> > >
> > > D.S.P. Popeck
> > > Lakewood Library, Madison Branch
> >