Yes, sometimes life is a Catch-22 situation. Say your goal is to make some money on eBay so you can afford to buy a computer. Because you can’t log on to eBay without a computer, you can’t make money, right? Well, not exactly. Here’s how you can start selling and bringing in some cold hard cash for that shiny new (or not-so-shiny used) hardware.
Libraries: From Dewey Decimal to eBay If you haven’t been to your local library lately, you may be surprised to find that most libraries are fully wired with computers that connect to the Internet. The card catalog has been replaced by computers that keep the Dewey Decimal System (DDS) alive and connected to libraries all over the world. For example, you’ll find this book classified in 381.17, with the subject heading “Auctions — computer network resources.” Some libraries don’t even require you to have a library card if you want to use a computer. Others limit the amount of time you can spend online and the sites you can log on to (often only adult sites are blocked). eBay is considered fair game, and exploring it is even considered research.
The upside of using the library’s computer is that it’s free. The downside is that you may have to wait for some kid to finish doing research for a term paper on the ceremonial use of yak milk.
Commercial cyber-outlets and cafés
If you strike out at the public library (or you’re tired of the librarian shushing
you as you cheer your winning bids), your friend throws you out of the house, and your boss watches you like a hawk, you can use a commercial outlet to kick off your eBay career. There’s also the option of finding Internet cafés that have computers ready and waiting to use. National chains such as FedEx Kinko’s or your favorite local cybercafé offer computer usage at an hourly rate. FedEx Kinko’s offers computers (both PCs and Macs loaded with all the software you need) that can get you online for around $15 per hour or $.25 per minute. No restrictions apply: You get full access to the Internet and can enjoy all the elements of eBay. You can conduct your auctions by posting them and checking back regularly. You can also watch for great computer deals that you may want to bid on.
If you strike out at the public library (or you’re tired of the librarian shushing
you as you cheer your winning bids), your friend throws you out of the house, and your boss watches you like a hawk, you can use a commercial outlet to kick off your eBay career. There’s also the option of finding Internet cafés that have computers ready and waiting to use. National chains such as FedEx Kinko’s or your favorite local cybercafé offer computer usage at an hourly rate. FedEx Kinko’s offers computers (both PCs and Macs loaded with all the software you need) that can get you online for around $15 per hour or $.25 per minute. No restrictions apply: You get full access to the Internet and can enjoy all the elements of eBay. You can conduct your auctions by posting them and checking back regularly. You can also watch for great computer deals that you may want to bid on.
Cybercafés can be another way to go. If you live near a college, you’ll probably find some. Hourly rates are much cheaper because you end up ordering a cup of joe or a soda. I once checked on my auctions from a cybercafé in Peru; they charged only $1.50 an hour — what a deal! If you.
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