More on Where to Get Cheap (and Sometimes Free) Internet Service

In previous posts we have covered where to get low-cost internet services aimed at families with kids who are eligible for the free lunch program.  But what about childless grownups?  The Connect 2 Compete people have a page of cheapies that they are associated with--and most of those are for families with kids.  but a couple of them aren't.  Wilco is one for Philadelphia residents.  It's not free, but it's cheap. 

A more nationwide on is Freedompop which allows free usage up to 1 GB data free each month, according to Connect 2 Compete's page.  If you go above your free usage, you are automatically charged $10.  According to an article on  the websiteTechland, there may be hidden charges if you don't pay attention, so be sure to read their terms of service page.  Like most commercial websites it's not easy to find, but Techland was nice enough to do it for us.  Of course, it you want to sit in the public library (many of which, like mine, have wi-fit), and do your Freedompop searching at night, that could cut out those nasty overages. 

Future Chances for Low-Income Families to Get Low-Cost Computers and Broadband Access

A couple of months ago, we announced a plan by Comcast to give low-cost broadband--and a low-cost computer--to families who are eligible for free school lunches.  Turns out that this is only the first of a wave.  The FCC and the nonprofit group Connect2Compete and its partners are working to expand broadband access.  in 2012, Time-Warner Cable  and Cablevision Systems will also sign up free lunch eligible families for $9.95 a month, with those families also eligible to buy computers for $150.  The families can have the discounted rate for two years.  The rollout for the other companies--except for Comcast, which has already started--should be in the spring of 2012, with full implementation by the fall of 2012.  This is only part of the mission of the partners in Connect2Compete, which is to increase digital literacy and access to high-speed internet connections for everybody.  Partners will also be working to staff public digital literacy classes.  The partners aim for lots of low and no-cost digital skills classes across the country.

Except for the Comcast services outlined earlier, there aren't a lot of details now.  To receive details as they come out, email Connect2Compete at info@connect2compete.org.

***For more possible low-cost computers, see these posts.***

Low-Cost Computers and High-Speed Internet Hookup for Low-Income Kids

In an attempt at dealing with the digital divide in our country (which, two decades into the popularization of the internet, is still alive and well), Comcast, the cable communications company, has started a program within its high-speed internet service areas for kids who receive free school lunches called Internet Essentials.  It's a program that provides home internet access for $9.95 a month, and the opportunity to buy a lower-cost computer. 

To qualify, you must have a least one child in the household receiving free school lunches, not have had Comcast internet in the last 90 days, and no unreturned equipment or overdues with Comcast--and live in their high-speed service areas. To get more information and an application, call 1-800-846-8376.  Fill it out, send it back with your child's lunch documentation, and you will hear from them in 7 to 10 days.  They will also send you information about applying for a lower-cost($149.95, plus tax) computer, and free computer training. 

For other possible ways to get low-cost computers, try this blog entry, or this one from aidpage.

A New Place to Find More Low Cost Computers

While picking around looking for freebies and cheapies on the internet, I found this website http://computers-for-kids-free-low-cost-computers.app-just-trying-to-help-1.aidpage.com/ on Aid Page, a sort of social network that allows its members to be online mavens, giving free advice on various things.  The particular page deals with finding free or low cost computers for kid and adaptive computers and equipment for the disabled.  There is some worthwhile stuff--just remember that the nonprofit type things are in the meat of the article--the stuff on the edges of the page are commercial sites.  Check it out, and thank you, online maven.  You did good.

Free Online Training Vouchers Open Up in Ohio...and Elsewhere.

If you wanted some online training in a Microsoft product—and, for employment purposes, would like to be certified in it—Microsoft has brought its Elevate America program to Ohio. It’s the 32nd state to participate in the program, which gives vouchers for free online classes and certification. To participate, you need to contact the Adult Workforce Education Center near you, and arrange to get the vouchers. Nearly 60,000 vouchers will be available in the state for products like Office 2007 and 2003, Windows Vista, and IT Professional Products. If you need to strengthen your basic skills beforehand, Microsoft also offers a free online tutorial to help you bone up. All vouchers must be claimed and accessed by August 26th.

If you are not an Ohio resident, you can check your own state for eligibility. However, they don't update their own map much, but this will give you some q and a.

Free Government Laptops? I Don't Think So.

A patron called, all excited about the free government laptops that were being given away. Did I know about them? No, but I took a name and number and promised to call back. The UK is indeed giving laptops to school children, but I could find nothing like that in the US.

Fast forward two weeks. I'm driving to work, and hearing A VERY LOUD FAST VOICE TALK ABOUT FREE LAPTOPS. I listen to the website given, and it all becomes clear to me. It's http://www.freeuslaptops.com/. Mystery solved.

There are, of course, no free government laptops involved here. It's a sales come-on from private companies selling something. But if you put US or federal somewhere in the title or URL, it creates a mental tie-in with the government, and might legitimately be free, and part of a giveaway. I mean, they give away cell phones, don't they? So anything's possible.

Except this isn't. It's a relentlessly pushy website that will not allow you to go further until you put in your e-mail (which means they can bombard you with annoying come-ons). And there is this, at the end of the gift rules:

"To get your gift, you must continue through the survey and complete participation requirements for sampling and purchasing products of interest."

And: "Prizes subject to availability, and quantities may be limited."

So there we have it on the table. It's free--sort of--if you take their survey and/or purchase other stuff. And are lucky. And when you want to leave the website, they ask if you REALLY want to leave. In my case, it was an easy call.

Finding a Free or Low-Cost Computer

The discovery of the computer program for the disabled by AT Ohio (for Ohioans, of course), got me thinking about this all over the country. Is there such a thing as free or cheap computers for the poor or disabled, or is this another free money unicorn? In fact, there are several such local places, but actually getting your hands on a computer is a tough thing. I have some links below to help, but you still need to be prepared to do some digging.

I did not find a truly national organization that sent them everywhere, but I seemed to find organizations that served organizations that served individuals. They recycle donated computers and give them to schools and nonprofits. These, in turn, provide computer access of some sort--it may be giving the computers, or having them accessible to underserved people at community centers or other public places. Recycles.org does not directly give to individuals, but it keeps a database of its nonprofit clients, so that you can see if you have one in your area. These groups may or may not directly donate computers, but you can ask them directly. They also offer a page of advice on hunting for computers locally.

An interesting twist on this is done by Freegeeks, a Portland, Oregon-based nonprofit dedicated to the sharing of technology, tech knowledge, and stewardship of the waste/byproducts of computers. Their Build program will teach you how to put computers together, as you put them together for local groups. After you put 5 together for the community, the 6th is yours. They also have affiliated groups around the country, so there may be one doing similar programs near you.

Opencollector has a list of groups that might do low-cost computers, and Freebyte has a list general computer freebies. Good luck!