Davis, CA Wifi

July 6, 2010

Where to get Public Access to the Internet in Davis and Free Wireless Hot Spots in Davis by Davis Wiki

UCD Libraries  Public Library  City Hall  Teen Center  Senior Center  ARC

Davis has a lot of free public access. This page will tell you how to get it, which access points are heavily used, and what the rules are so you can do what you want without getting in trouble, and perhaps losing your public access privileges.

UC Davis Libraries

The UC Davis library system has lots of public access and you are welcome to use the library even if you are not associated with the UC Davis.

The 3rd week before finals of Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters the termials are heavily used, because that is the week that students tend to finish term papers. Perhaps all the computers will be used, but I have never observed that myself.

There are rules for using the computers you can find them here.

University Library hours
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Public Library

The public library has 14 public access computers connected to the Internet. You are limited to two sessions a day. On the eleven regular adult Internet public access computers the sessions are at most one hour. On the two express computers the sessions are limited to twenty minutes. The express computers should require less waiting. There is also a childrens Internet computer. In addition to these there is one adult computer not connected to the Internet where you can do word processing and other basic computer applications. You can get prints for a fee.

When the library moves back to its old location the number of computers will doubled and the machines will be new.

In the past one reason for having libraries was to encourage people to learn to read and provide them material to practice reading. Public access to the Internet not only provides more reading material it also gives people practice writing, particularly e-mail. So now the library facilitates the whole range of language skills not just reading. E-mail should be seen as educational. Writing e-mail is far more educational than reading the latest best seller if you are an adult who normally spends an hour or more a day reading cheap novels.

Note that the public library in Davis has temporarily moved to second street near the rail road tracks. It is in the same building as Explorit. Check their web site for directions.
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The Senior Center

There is an Internet computer in a small room across from the receptionists office. There is also another computer that is not connected to the Internet in the same small room. Both computers are limited to seniors, 55 years old and older.

Seniors can sign up in advance to use the computer for up to a two hour block between 8:30-2:00 Monday thru Friday. The sign up callendar is on the door. 2:00-4:30 are drop in hours, first come first serve.

The Internet computer in the small room works very well. In the past it was usually free and was perhaps the great unused resource in public access in Davis, perhaps it still is. People over 55 should definitely use this machine.

Seniors, over 55, can do their word processing at the Senior Center which would also help the crowding on the public library computers. A public access computer that is not connected to the Internet, still helps those who do want to use the Internet by freeing up dual use computers at the library.

Sometimes UC Davis students are available by appointment to teach seniors how to use the Internet, and perhaps some software, see the receptionist and perhaps Katacha the resource person for details.

The Senior Center is open 8:30 to 4:30 weekdays and is not open on weekends.
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City Hall

They have two good computers but they are limited to 20 minutes. I am told that they are used, when I last visited both were free. Both computers now have a normal Windows system. The computers are in the main hallway.
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The Teen Center

For teens the Teen Center at 3rd and B has a computer. Only teens allowed. It would be great if teens would use it more to free up the other computers.

They recently got a new computer at the teen center and it seems to be working very well. It is my impression that it is usually available.

Teen Center
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ARC

The ARC has eight terminals according to Davis Wiki. These can be used by anyone, and do not require a student card or password. The ARC in general is not to be used by the general public. For some reason these computers are an exception. I phoned to confirm this. At any rate they are limited to 15 minutes and then they automatically log you off. They are supposed to be used for quick e-mail checks and quick searches for information. I have not seen these myself. I base this on Davis Wiki and a phone call.

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Categories: Culture, What to Do

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