Oh, sure, no problem...

Today I was at the Doe Library, which is the undergraduate and "main" library at the University of CA - Berkeley. I don't normally go there, but when I am doing research for papers, I inevitably have to go to Doe for journal articles that are not housed at our library for planning and architecture.

I got there and realized I needed to look up a call number at the computer terminals outside of the main stacks entrance. While I was logging on I heared this nagging, plaintive voice behind me. Usually I ignore such voices because responding to them usually results in trouble. So I ignored her. Then I felt a tap on my shoulder. So I was left with little else to do than give her my ear.

Let me preface this by informing the reader of the policy governing Internet access at these open computer terminals. Anyone (student, citizen, illegal alien, anyone) can access the electronic card catalog without a login prompt. However, if you want unrestricted Internet access (which is a service that could be ABUSED if left to the honor system) you need a student ID and a passphrase. It is my understanding that because this service requires a password, it is something the University wishes to confer to paying students only if it can help it.

This is what the nagging voice said: "Yeah, so this woman over there in the chair said she can't get me logged on because she is a staff member here, so if you'll just log me on then I can get on the Internet."

Me: "Huh?" (all the while knowing exactly what this nagging voice wanted)

Nagging voice: "Just go over there and log on so I can use the Internet. Don't worry, you can log in at another computer terminal at the same time. I am over there at that computer, so just follow me."

Me: "I don't understand. What do you want me to do?" (all the while knowing exactly what this nagging voice wanted. I was hoping she'd give up on me)

Nagging voice (persistently now, and somewhat irritated at my reluctant, ignorant attitude): "Log me on using you student ID. Don't worry, I won't write it down."

Me: (Irritated that this woman cannot understand WHY I am reticient. Basically, because she didn't even ask me. She approached me as if it were an assigned duty of us students to give her free Internet. Internet that I pay for through exorbitant fees. Fees that go up by 10% every year or something).

I should have just left this freerider at her computer terminal, but to be quite honest I felt like she would follow me to the stacks. Now that I think about it, you need to flash a student ID to get past the gatekeeper to the stacks, so I should have really just resisted her nagging and let her get stopped by the gatekeeper.

Almost callously, I logged her on, and walked past her without even saying "Ok."

People in Berkeley, please pay heed: You need to be at least a TAD more tactful and pleasant if you want to freeride on the University system's Internet facilities. Really. And please, if at all possible, groom a bit before using our computer and library services.