Sisters area is wired — and wireless

Newcomers or visitors to the Sisters area may not be familiar with 21st century high-tech choices available in the area.

Internet services are provided free at the new Sisters Library, which houses 15 public and six staff computers. People may drop in at the library and use the desktop machines to connect with the Internet or check library holdings free of charge. Also, free wireless laptop access is afforded people who bring in their own computers.

“We offer free public wireless access (802.11b) at the library between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.,” said Mark Hovey of the Deschutes Public Library System. “Internet connections are routed through BendBroadband or to our integrated library systems.”

This gives local residents and visitors the opportunity to use high-speed computers (Dell models) for access to the World Wide Web as well as library holdings.

Other free Internet connections for laptop wireless equipped computers exist at Bad Ass Coffee and Soba Noodles in Sisters.

Residents at home are offered Internet connectivity through dial-up, cable, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) or satellite pay services.

Also available in the Sisters area are two computer clubs meeting monthly. Windows users may visit the Black Butte Computer Club (BBCC) at their meetings held at Black Butte Ranch. Apple (Macintosh) users gather at Sisters High School for monthly meetings. Windows users may contact Jerry Christopherson at 595-6963 or Tom Chace at 549-1103 for more details. Mac fans may contact ambassador Madeleine Landis at 595-2088 or Bob Thomas at 549-8050 for information.

Both groups provide information and support as well as guest speakers and demonstrations for members. The Windows group meets on the third Wednesday of each month, while the Mac group meets the third Thursday. We live in an ever-changing technological age. The groups and locations listed above offer opportunities for learning and keeping up in the information age.