Free Internet at Your Expense for Low Income Families

[Indeependent]

Coming soon for Low Income Folks. . . .Free Internet access and Other Perks

So what do you think? Is it a good use of your hard earned tax dollar to provide free internet access, computer instruction, and low cost computers to folks while you are busting your butt to keep a roof over your head, food on the table, and you pay for your internet access and full price for your computer as well as whatever you need to use it?

Or will the payoff of better skilled and trained people be worth it?

Would you approve of all porn sites, shopping sites, gaming sites, Facebook, Twitter, etc. being blocked by the internet provider to ensure that the computers will be used only for research and educational purposes?

Please discuss.

The Tampa Housing Authority has secured a $2.1 million federal grant to provide broadband Internet access to 23 public housing sites. Details are being finalized with Bright House Networks, which will provide the service, and residents will be connected beginning March 1.

The project will be the first such one in Florida and one of the few in the nation.

Internet access will be available to about 3,400 residents for free for the first two years. After two years, residents will be able to pay for the access for the next three years for $18.35 per month.

In addition to having Internet access, the housing authority also will make available a selection of computer training options, including basic computer and Internet keyboarding, Microsoft A+ Certification and an online computer curriculum for school-age children.

The program also will help residents get computers of their own by offering 1,000 computers for only $125 and will install almost 200 computers in two communities to offer residents a designated work space. The authority also will launch a website for residents to provide information on housing, employment opportunities, and the like.
Coming soon to Tampa public housing: Free Internet access

This has been going on for years in NYC and on LI.

 

[Indeependent]

Free internet is available at your public library.

And at most Krogers and Safeway grocery stores.

And it is available for a $1 at McDonalds.

This is unnecessary.

Overloading modems is not too difficult.

 

[Foxfyre]

It is the right thing to do.

End of story

What is?....Free WIFI?
Says who?
Are YOU going to pay more and higher taxes to fund it?
Be my guest. There is NO SUCH THING as FREE....somebody has got to pay. If I have a vote, Ain't gonna be me.
Appears to me you're another one of these people who believes access to the internet is a constitutional right.
Check this out....It is NOT.

I suppose once everything is done wirelessly, free wifi for all, paid for by our taxes, is a possibility on down the road. That would be great some will say. I say that I can't see an upside to the government having total control over what we will and will not be allowed to see or do. I much prefer the government enforcing anti trust and RICO laws but otherwise allowing the free market to prevail.

And it is for sure, given the history of free people, that when some service or product becomes oppressively expensive, that only opens the door for the better, more affordable mousetraps. Comcast can't charge as much as it would probably like to, even though it is the most popular internet, cable, telephone provider in our area, because there is DISH TV, Direct TV, et al also ready to provide service at such time as Comcast prices itself out of most household budgets.

So how much over the last 7 years did this free internet for the poor cost you personally?

No idea. What difference should that make in a universal principle?

 

[Foxfyre]

Coming soon for Low Income Folks. . . .Free Internet access and Other Perks

So what do you think? Is it a good use of your hard earned tax dollar to provide free internet access, computer instruction, and low cost computers to folks while you are busting your butt to keep a roof over your head, food on the table, and you pay for your internet access and full price for your computer as well as whatever you need to use it?

Or will the payoff of better skilled and trained people be worth it?

Would you approve of all porn sites, shopping sites, gaming sites, Facebook, Twitter, etc. being blocked by the internet provider to ensure that the computers will be used only for research and educational purposes?

Please discuss.

The Tampa Housing Authority has secured a $2.1 million federal grant to provide broadband Internet access to 23 public housing sites. Details are being finalized with Bright House Networks, which will provide the service, and residents will be connected beginning March 1.

The project will be the first such one in Florida and one of the few in the nation.

Internet access will be available to about 3,400 residents for free for the first two years. After two years, residents will be able to pay for the access for the next three years for $18.35 per month.

In addition to having Internet access, the housing authority also will make available a selection of computer training options, including basic computer and Internet keyboarding, Microsoft A+ Certification and an online computer curriculum for school-age children.

The program also will help residents get computers of their own by offering 1,000 computers for only $125 and will install almost 200 computers in two communities to offer residents a designated work space. The authority also will launch a website for residents to provide information on housing, employment opportunities, and the like.
Coming soon to Tampa public housing: Free Internet access

This has been going on for years in NYC and on LI.

But that doesn't answer the question presented in the OP does it.

 

[Indeependent]

Coming soon for Low Income Folks. . . .Free Internet access and Other Perks

So what do you think? Is it a good use of your hard earned tax dollar to provide free internet access, computer instruction, and low cost computers to folks while you are busting your butt to keep a roof over your head, food on the table, and you pay for your internet access and full price for your computer as well as whatever you need to use it?

Or will the payoff of better skilled and trained people be worth it?

Would you approve of all porn sites, shopping sites, gaming sites, Facebook, Twitter, etc. being blocked by the internet provider to ensure that the computers will be used only for research and educational purposes?

Please discuss.

The Tampa Housing Authority has secured a $2.1 million federal grant to provide broadband Internet access to 23 public housing sites. Details are being finalized with Bright House Networks, which will provide the service, and residents will be connected beginning March 1.

The project will be the first such one in Florida and one of the few in the nation.

Internet access will be available to about 3,400 residents for free for the first two years. After two years, residents will be able to pay for the access for the next three years for $18.35 per month.

In addition to having Internet access, the housing authority also will make available a selection of computer training options, including basic computer and Internet keyboarding, Microsoft A+ Certification and an online computer curriculum for school-age children.

The program also will help residents get computers of their own by offering 1,000 computers for only $125 and will install almost 200 computers in two communities to offer residents a designated work space. The authority also will launch a website for residents to provide information on housing, employment opportunities, and the like.
Coming soon to Tampa public housing: Free Internet access

This has been going on for years in NYC and on LI.

But that doesn't answer the question presented in the OP does it.

You are correct.
My paycheck is sucked dry so politicians can gain votes.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

It is the right thing to do.

End of story

What is?....Free WIFI?
Says who?
Are YOU going to pay more and higher taxes to fund it?
Be my guest. There is NO SUCH THING as FREE....somebody has got to pay. If I have a vote, Ain't gonna be me.
Appears to me you're another one of these people who believes access to the internet is a constitutional right.
Check this out....It is NOT.

I suppose once everything is done wirelessly, free wifi for all, paid for by our taxes, is a possibility on down the road. That would be great some will say. I say that I can't see an upside to the government having total control over what we will and will not be allowed to see or do. I much prefer the government enforcing anti trust and RICO laws but otherwise allowing the free market to prevail.

And it is for sure, given the history of free people, that when some service or product becomes oppressively expensive, that only opens the door for the better, more affordable mousetraps. Comcast can't charge as much as it would probably like to, even though it is the most popular internet, cable, telephone provider in our area, because there is DISH TV, Direct TV, et al also ready to provide service at such time as Comcast prices itself out of most household budgets.

So how much over the last 7 years did this free internet for the poor cost you personally?

No idea. What difference should that make in a universal principle?

It makes a huge difference, because we live in the real world, not the world of platonic ideals.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

In terms of the real world, it's a worthwhile investment.

It's nearly impossible to get a job today without internet access.

 

[Indeependent]

In terms of the real world, it's a worthwhile investment.

It's nearly impossible to get a job today without internet access.

How many of those people with free internet have a ghost's chance in hell of getting a prestigious position?

 

[theDoctorisIn]

In terms of the real world, it's a worthwhile investment.

It's nearly impossible to get a job today without internet access.

How many of those people with free internet have a ghost's chance in hell of getting a prestigious position?

No one starts at the top.

 

[Indeependent]

In terms of the real world, it's a worthwhile investment.

It's nearly impossible to get a job today without internet access.

How many of those people with free internet have a ghost's chance in hell of getting a prestigious position?

No one starts at the top.

I work in some of these neighborhoods and they don't use their free smart phones for job hunting.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

In terms of the real world, it's a worthwhile investment.

It's nearly impossible to get a job today without internet access.

How many of those people with free internet have a ghost's chance in hell of getting a prestigious position?

No one starts at the top.

I work in some of these neighborhoods and they don't use their free smart phones for job hunting.

Did you do a survey?

I'd love to hear the methodology you used to come up with that conclusion.

 

[Bonzi]

Coming soon for Low Income Folks. . . .Free Internet access and Other Perks

So what do you think? Is it a good use of your hard earned tax dollar to provide free internet access, computer instruction, and low cost computers to folks while you are busting your butt to keep a roof over your head, food on the table, and you pay for your internet access and full price for your computer as well as whatever you need to use it?

Or will the payoff of better skilled and trained people be worth it?

Would you approve of all porn sites, shopping sites, gaming sites, Facebook, Twitter, etc. being blocked by the internet provider to ensure that the computers will be used only for research and educational purposes?

Please discuss.

The Tampa Housing Authority has secured a $2.1 million federal grant to provide broadband Internet access to 23 public housing sites. Details are being finalized with Bright House Networks, which will provide the service, and residents will be connected beginning March 1.

The project will be the first such one in Florida and one of the few in the nation.

Internet access will be available to about 3,400 residents for free for the first two years. After two years, residents will be able to pay for the access for the next three years for $18.35 per month.

In addition to having Internet access, the housing authority also will make available a selection of computer training options, including basic computer and Internet keyboarding, Microsoft A+ Certification and an online computer curriculum for school-age children.

The program also will help residents get computers of their own by offering 1,000 computers for only $125 and will install almost 200 computers in two communities to offer residents a designated work space. The authority also will launch a website for residents to provide information on housing, employment opportunities, and the like.
Coming soon to Tampa public housing: Free Internet access

Eh.... low income peeps have computers and/or lap tops? Ever heard of the public library?

 

[LoneLaugher]

I favor free internet access for everyone but only at sufficient speed to read books or news. No movies, no youtube, no videos.

Fund by closing existing libraries, now obsolete and but a haven for street bums.

Why can't poor people have entertainment? Is it a ******* disease that you creeps have?

 

[Remodeling Maidiac]

Everyone has access to free internet. It's called the library. Not only that there are free hot spots on every corner these days.

 

[Lewdog]

In terms of the real world, it's a worthwhile investment.

It's nearly impossible to get a job today without internet access.

How many of those people with free internet have a ghost's chance in hell of getting a prestigious position?

No one starts at the top.

I work in some of these neighborhoods and they don't use their free smart phones for job hunting.

That's pretty sad that you are jealous of an Obama-phone.

 

[NYcarbineer]

It is the right thing to do.

End of story

What is?....Free WIFI?
Says who?
Are YOU going to pay more and higher taxes to fund it?
Be my guest. There is NO SUCH THING as FREE....somebody has got to pay. If I have a vote, Ain't gonna be me.
Appears to me you're another one of these people who believes access to the internet is a constitutional right.
Check this out....It is NOT.

I suppose once everything is done wirelessly, free wifi for all, paid for by our taxes, is a possibility on down the road. That would be great some will say. I say that I can't see an upside to the government having total control over what we will and will not be allowed to see or do. I much prefer the government enforcing anti trust and RICO laws but otherwise allowing the free market to prevail.

And it is for sure, given the history of free people, that when some service or product becomes oppressively expensive, that only opens the door for the better, more affordable mousetraps. Comcast can't charge as much as it would probably like to, even though it is the most popular internet, cable, telephone provider in our area, because there is DISH TV, Direct TV, et al also ready to provide service at such time as Comcast prices itself out of most household budgets.

So how much over the last 7 years did this free internet for the poor cost you personally?

No idea. What difference should that make in a universal principle?

You're the one bitching about it.

 

[Foxfyre]

It is the right thing to do.

End of story

What is?....Free WIFI?
Says who?
Are YOU going to pay more and higher taxes to fund it?
Be my guest. There is NO SUCH THING as FREE....somebody has got to pay. If I have a vote, Ain't gonna be me.
Appears to me you're another one of these people who believes access to the internet is a constitutional right.
Check this out....It is NOT.

I suppose once everything is done wirelessly, free wifi for all, paid for by our taxes, is a possibility on down the road. That would be great some will say. I say that I can't see an upside to the government having total control over what we will and will not be allowed to see or do. I much prefer the government enforcing anti trust and RICO laws but otherwise allowing the free market to prevail.

And it is for sure, given the history of free people, that when some service or product becomes oppressively expensive, that only opens the door for the better, more affordable mousetraps. Comcast can't charge as much as it would probably like to, even though it is the most popular internet, cable, telephone provider in our area, because there is DISH TV, Direct TV, et al also ready to provide service at such time as Comcast prices itself out of most household budgets.

So how much over the last 7 years did this free internet for the poor cost you personally?

No idea. What difference should that make in a universal principle?

It makes a huge difference, because we live in the real world, not the world of platonic ideals.

Whatever free services Tampa or New York or any other place that isn't here provides for the people who live there does not affect me at all, other than maybe a few cents included in the federal grant, unless the federal government has to pick up a tab that Tampa or wherever incurs in the process. That is one of the reasons I so strongly support states rights. If one place screws things up it doesn't screw everybody else up. If the federal government screws up a national program however, it hurts, hinders, offends, and/or costs everybody.

The cost to me, therefore is not the issue unless it should become a national thing in which ALL poor people everywhere were provided free internet at all the taxpayers' expense. The question I posed all those years ago when this thread was created, was whether those programs were a good idea or not?

Note: I do know two people who have received free "Obama phones" who desperately needed them and I can't feel in any way resentful that they got them. It is HOW it is done, therefore, that is the primary question.

 

[Indeependent]

In terms of the real world, it's a worthwhile investment.

It's nearly impossible to get a job today without internet access.

How many of those people with free internet have a ghost's chance in hell of getting a prestigious position?

No one starts at the top.

I work in some of these neighborhoods and they don't use their free smart phones for job hunting.

Did you do a survey?

I'd love to hear the methodology you used to come up with that conclusion.

You ever work in an area for 7 years and see how the same people show up for the same low paying job for 7 years?
Methodologies are for agendas.
I believe many people in poor areas use their Internet to find better/good jobs; they simply don't get them in the droves they need to change their neighborhood.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

What is?....Free WIFI?
Says who?
Are YOU going to pay more and higher taxes to fund it?
Be my guest. There is NO SUCH THING as FREE....somebody has got to pay. If I have a vote, Ain't gonna be me.
Appears to me you're another one of these people who believes access to the internet is a constitutional right.
Check this out....It is NOT.

I suppose once everything is done wirelessly, free wifi for all, paid for by our taxes, is a possibility on down the road. That would be great some will say. I say that I can't see an upside to the government having total control over what we will and will not be allowed to see or do. I much prefer the government enforcing anti trust and RICO laws but otherwise allowing the free market to prevail.

And it is for sure, given the history of free people, that when some service or product becomes oppressively expensive, that only opens the door for the better, more affordable mousetraps. Comcast can't charge as much as it would probably like to, even though it is the most popular internet, cable, telephone provider in our area, because there is DISH TV, Direct TV, et al also ready to provide service at such time as Comcast prices itself out of most household budgets.

So how much over the last 7 years did this free internet for the poor cost you personally?

No idea. What difference should that make in a universal principle?

It makes a huge difference, because we live in the real world, not the world of platonic ideals.

Whatever free services Tampa or New York or any other place that isn't here provides for the people who live there does not affect me at all, other than maybe a few cents included in the federal grant, unless the federal government has to pick up a tab that Tampa or wherever incurs in the process. That is one of the reasons I so strongly support states rights. If one place screws things up it doesn't screw everybody else up. If the federal government screws up a national program however, it hurts, hinders, offends, and/or costs everybody.

The cost to me, therefore is not the issue unless it should become a national thing in which ALL poor people everywhere were provided free internet at all the taxpayers' expense. The question I posed all those years ago when this thread was created, was whether those programs were a good idea or not?

If you had read one post farther, you would have seen my answer to that question. Yes, I think those programs are a good idea.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

In terms of the real world, it's a worthwhile investment.

It's nearly impossible to get a job today without internet access.

How many of those people with free internet have a ghost's chance in hell of getting a prestigious position?

No one starts at the top.

I work in some of these neighborhoods and they don't use their free smart phones for job hunting.

Did you do a survey?

I'd love to hear the methodology you used to come up with that conclusion.

You ever work in an area for 7 years and see how the same people show up for the same low paying job for 7 years?
Methodologies are for agendas.
I believe many people in poor areas use their Internet to find better/good jobs; they simply don't get them in the droves they need to change their neighborhood.

Yes, I have worked "in an area for 7 years". I'm not understanding your point.

What insight into the personal use of smart phones by the locals does that give you, exactly?