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College Won't Buy Me A Laptop - What Do I DO?

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  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Tweety wrote: »
    Just to say you are all saying it doesnt take long to set up a monitor but have you thought it might actually take someone with sight problems a little longer?

    Without jumping on this point too much - if she has trouble changing settings on a monitor then she shouldn't be studying computer science. :no:

    I really don't think I am being unfair saying that, either. It's a very simple thing, and if her eyesight stops her doing that, then the rest of the course is going to be a nightmare.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Try Here
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    RubberSkin wrote: »
    Can't you make an account on the computer(s) that you'll be using at college and log into that with all your settings ready ?

    All the computers are hooked up to the college network. I will have my own profile, but if other people use the computer, then I'll have to change it when Inext go on it. Oddily enough, I don't have to do that on mine.

    Thank you RS.
    Just to say you are all saying it doesnt take long to set up a monitor but have you thought it might actually take someone with sight problems a little longer?

    Exactly. I even have problems changing teh settings on my own computer. (which has a 20" monitor)
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    RubberSkin wrote: »

    I feel a bit sorry for Melian sometimes, she seems to cop a lot flack on these boards. There's quite a lot of intolerance to disability here (take Trinity's thread about social services). Some people on these boards are way too quick to jump to conclusions about people and their abilities (or lack of them) without a scrap of knowledge about a persons illness. That, and the fact there's a small army of people waiting for someone to say the smallest thing the wrong way so they can be jumped upon and ridiculed.

    To be fair, the only time I have ever jumped on Melian (so to speak!) prior to this is when she says something bollocks. Nothing to do with her disability.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    bossa wrote: »
    Ridiculous comment. Grow up.

    I think she was joking, right?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    those bloody blind people eh? its all take take take. They dont know theyre born!!

    I know what you're trying to say, but I don't know what more advice any of us can give. Her complaint is that the college wont buy her a £1200 laptop. I can see where she is coming from completely, but I have given my amatuer pc enthusiast advice - without sounding up myself I'm probably more informed about computers than most. And many others have echoed the advice given. But it's all seemingly fallen on deaf ears, every single reasonable suggestion of mine has been shot down.

    If the college say she can't have a laptop then that's that. And I can see the college's perspective clearly. £1200 on a laptop is a lot to spend when there are plenty of computers that already work. Why not just a static PC with a bigger monitor that is reserved for her? Or what? Would it only be for this one class? So 5 hours a week (I think).... when there are solutions that might not be 100% as good as a laptop but maybe 95% and cost next to nothing, is that £1200 for the extra 5% accessibility necessary? And I, as others have argued as well (none of who from what I can tell are stupid with IT), believe a laptop won't give her an extra 5% over other solutions.

    And it's relatively straightforward to set up an account so it will log in and change all the settings straight away. But is any constructive advice I give actually going to help? I am getting the sinking feeling that it's not. So what do you want? Me to just say, 'oh yea, the college are wrong!'.

    If you really have an issue with it, go to the head, go to the governors, go to your MP, go to your newspapers, go to court like that girl with that religious dress thing.

    RS - I think it's not intolerance to disability but intolerance to trying to help and people not listening and thinking that only their solution is the appropriate one. If someone can make the case and convince the average board user that they really need something then people will always support them as you've seen. When it seems like - for whatever reason - people just aren't willing to compromise, again I've seen plenty of times when posters get frustrated and think why bother even giving advice if it's always 'wrong'. When really it's not wrong, just the poster doesn't want to hear it.

    Sorry melian this above comment wasn't directed at you personally it's a general comment in response to RS's opinion that people are intolerant to disability.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Oh my god.

    I know nothing about laptops but then the majority of people know fuck all about her condition. Since when did members here become so paranoid and suspecting?? Insinuating that she is a liar takes the piss. Oh and for once can someone please create a legitimate post asking for help without some twat blathering on about tax payers money. Jesus.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Wow, is this still going on? Just popped in to say that if anyone is interested in a 20" Dell widescreen ultrasharp monitor (the really good ones) that I paid £260 for, I might be selling it soon. ;)
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Oh my god.

    I know nothing about laptops but then the majority of people know fuck all about her condition. Since when did members here become so paranoid and suspecting?? Insinuating that she is a liar takes the piss. Oh and for once can someone please create a legitimate post asking for help without some twat blathering on about tax payers money. Jesus.

    I've not done that at all.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Oh my god.

    I know nothing about laptops but then the majority of people know fuck all about her condition. Since when did members here become so paranoid and suspecting?? Insinuating that she is a liar takes the piss. Oh and for once can someone please create a legitimate post asking for help without some twat blathering on about tax payers money. Jesus.


    Actually all I've done in this post is try to explain how a laptop is in no way going to solve any of the issues that melian has (so far) explained any better than a - much cheaper - large panel would if connected to a certain machine. A panel would be -

    Faster to start using (due to better speed of desktop)
    Not needed to be carried around and connected to the network each lesson.
    Unlikely to need any technician time to fix over a year (compared to a laptop)

    So far the only respnse that I've seen to that is that it would take too long to "change the settings". Which, frankly, is utter rubbish. Firstly because this would easily be overcome by allocating the PC with the big monitor just to melian (no loss to the school since they are otherwise allocating her a laptop to herself) and secondly because if she used a laptop then she is continually disconnecting and reconneting it, setting it up at her desk each time she starts a lesson, and presumably having to move other equipment out of the way, because allocating a space is somewhat unlikely - all of which is going to take far longer than adjusting a monitor.

    Laptops are also more prone to configuration issues in general, and laptops in combination with roaming profiles is an idea of old that just makes me shudder.

    But apprently because I'm concentrating on the realities of the technical side rather than concentrating on Melian's disability, my comments are less worthwhile. Oh well. Enjoy spending the next year fighting with a laptop then, I guess.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Melian wrote: »
    Exactly. I even have problems changing teh settings on my own computer. (which has a 20" monitor)

    I'm honestly not trying to be mean here but won't things like that hinder you in your course? And if you have a laptop chances are the settings will have to be messed around with on some occasions to enable you to connect to the network, I know mine sometimes does when I change it from my home network to at work

    Also what will happen when you leave for uni next year? The monitor will be able to stay in the computer room and be useful, where as the college aren't going to have much use for a 20" laptop. They need to think about that as well
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Obviously Melian having what she needs to access the course is what's important.

    However, as often happens I think she may have become slightly fixated on the first most obvious solution (the laptop), when what should be considered are the other options that may actually provide a better solution all things considered.

    Push for the 22" (or 20") monitor installed onto a pc somewhere that's readily accessible for work outside class fixed on your settings (if I'm right in thinking you've said there's already a big monitor in the computing room).

    From a usefulness point of view it will beat that monster of a laptop hands down. Collecting it from learning support, lugging it around, plugging in the power, plugging in the mouse and starting up will take far longer.

    You're right though, you can get monster sized laptop rucsacs, but if you read the reviews it's generally conculded that they are a nightmare, bulky, cumbersome and uncomfortable.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    .
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Oh my god.

    I know nothing about laptops but then the majority of people know fuck all about her condition. Since when did members here become so paranoid and suspecting?? Insinuating that she is a liar takes the piss. Oh and for once can someone please create a legitimate post asking for help without some twat blathering on about tax payers money. Jesus.

    Thank you.
    Also what will happen when you leave for uni next year? The monitor will be able to stay in the computer room and be useful, where as the college aren't going to have much use for a 20" laptop.

    They may have other visually impaired students. Currently, I'm the first person there with this condition, yet it's possible that they may end up with partially sighted or blind students.
    Would it only be for this one class? So 5 hours a week (I think)....

    The course is at least 12 hours per week / 2.5 days a week.

    If I was uni, I'd get this. Why should it be any different because I'm in further education?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Because there is stupid amounts of money knocking around university funding for buying specialist equipment that the government have put there to help achieve their 50% of people in HE target.

    That said, I'd be surprised if a DSA assessor would recommend a 20" laptop, they get far far too het up about ergonomics to ask you to move something that heavy around on a regular basis.
  • Olly_BOlly_B Posts: 222 Trailblazer
    Just a reminder...

    Hey guys...

    There are lots of fair points in this thread, but a few people seem to be forgetting that TheSite.org is supposed to be a supportive environment where people are welcomed and feel valued.

    That doesn't mean that we shouldn't have debate; nor that people aren't allowed to disagree with each other, but it needs to be done in a way that doesn't insult or devalue the other person.

    Melain, you may want to contact Skill, a charity that works helping disabled students. They have a helpline, 0800 328 5050, who might be able to advise you on your best course of action.

    Cheers,


    Olly
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Thank you Olly.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    ShyBoy wrote: »
    I've not done that at all.

    I'm pretty sure I wasn't aiming it at you or Mist. Just some of the responses I have seen :grump:
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Olly_B wrote: »
    Hey guys...

    There are lots of fair points in this thread, but a few people seem to be forgetting that TheSite.org is supposed to be a supportive environment where people are welcomed and feel valued.

    That doesn't mean that we shouldn't have debate; nor that people aren't allowed to disagree with each other, but it needs to be done in a way that doesn't insult or devalue the other person.

    Melain, you may want to contact Skill, a charity that works helping disabled students. They have a helpline, 0800 328 5050, who might be able to advise you on your best course of action.

    Cheers,


    Olly

    If people are insulted by a differing opinion they really shouldnt use public messageboards.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Bossa, I think Melian was probably insulted by your insulting comments, rather than you having a differing opinion.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    yawn
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Melian wrote: »
    There's no way I can afford my own monitor

    Actually, that is not true in the slightest, is it?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    g_angel wrote: »
    Actually, that is not true in the slightest, is it?

    Yes it is.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Melian wrote: »
    Yes it is.


    So the question you asked two weeks ago about what to do with the money you have saved on MSE is nonsense?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    This thread is just gonna turn into another bitch fest sesh isnt it..
    Melian: trying to at least acknowledging other posters opinions/arguements as opposed to just avoiding them might disolve some of the tension that seems to follow your threads.
    Everyone else: chill.
    Peace.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Heh, I am quite chilled.

    I just feel Melian is being dishonest saying she can't afford a monitor (£140?) when I know for a fact she can. Just not liking dishonesty being used to void a valid suggestion.

    I certainly don't want it to get bitchy :) ... and no, I haven't been hounding her on other forums :lol:
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I don't see why some people are getting so high and mighty about this thread. Does nobody remember the thread on net and tech a month or so ago entitled " I really dipped in" where someone boasted about how much equipment they were able to gain from the system and even talked about how they had struck gold...Nobody attacked this poster like they are attacking Melian right now. I won't name the poster but it's easy enough to search for.

    Whilst I think there are some really good suggestions here that Melian should take on board such as getting approved access to the computers she can use or aiming for a monitor instead of a laptop, I don't think there's any need for some of the comments that have been posted here. Even if Melian can afford the equipment for herself, there are funds in place for a reason..who wouldn't accept equipment they needed and save the money for something else that could also be important?

    Just my 2p...
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    silverhalo wrote: »
    Even if Melian can afford the equipment for herself, there are funds in place for a reason..who wouldn't accept equipment they needed and save the money for something else that could also be important?

    Just my 2p...

    Thank you.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    silverhalo wrote: »
    I don't see why some people are getting so high and mighty about this thread. Does nobody remember the thread on net and tech a month or so ago entitled " I really dipped in" where someone boasted about how much equipment they were able to gain from the system and even talked about how they had struck gold...Nobody attacked this poster like they are attacking Melian right now. I won't name the poster but it's easy enough to search for.

    Whilst I think there are some really good suggestions here that Melian should take on board such as getting approved access to the computers she can use or aiming for a monitor instead of a laptop, I don't think there's any need for some of the comments that have been posted here. Even if Melian can afford the equipment for herself, there are funds in place for a reason..who wouldn't accept equipment they needed and save the money for something else that could also be important?

    Just my 2p...

    Indeed, a fair post. I've edited mine now so it's not as detailed.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Melian wrote: »
    Thank you.

    I note that yet again, you're not responding to questions asked if you don't fancy the answer. Ah well.
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