It should spend no more than 3 minutes to print two pages in our hospital.
For the old-fashioned printing system in the library, we have to prepay for the printing quota by adding values into our student ID card. Then, we insert the card into a slot on the keyboard, key in our password, then we can print up to the prepaid amount, and have your sheets ready for collection at a printer less than 20 metres away from you.
For the newly implanted printing system in the computer labs, we can log into any computers with a well-known "password" written on the whiteboard. After ordering a print, a dialogue box will appear and ask you to input your desired password. Then, go to the multifunction printer and insert an octopus card. Key in the password you set a minute ago, and select which document to print, value will be deducted from the octopus card. That is, anyone who did not have student ID card can use the computer and printing system, provided that they have an octopus.
Yesterday, I went to the Central Library at Causeway Bay to print two pages. It was not my intention to test the public library service, but some necessary documents were found missing after I had crossed the harbour.
In order to use the computers there, "You have to fill in a form first. The next available session will be 20 minutes later." Okay. I spent my spare time with East and West by Chris Pattern. When the computer became available to me, I wonder if it was still using a 56K modem for Internet connection. To be fair, you may attribute the slowness to the vast number of library users. Fine.
Printing one B/W page costs me $1.5, which was the cost of printing 5 pages in the hospital. Well, everything is expensive on the Island, no only rent and electricity, but also ink and paper. I could still bear with it.
Things became more annoying when the nearest printer was two floors away. A dialogue box appeared on the screen "Printing Code: 00012345" I clicked "Okay". The first one disappeared and was replaced with another one "Please collect your print out with your printing code." Damn, why didn't you tell me these two pieces of information in a reverse order?
I was turned down by the staff at the information counter two stairs above while I tried to collect my printout without the code. "Oh, you have to print the document once again." Therefore, I enjoyed the speedy Internet service provided by the well furnished Central Library once more. This added oil to fire.
After the first lesson, I jot down the printing code immediately after ordering and hurried upstairs. What made things more complicated was "Well, you have to buy a printing card first. "the staff explained to me, "It costs $20. "
"I am printing two pages, i.e. $3 only, and now you ask me for $20? I only print once (and probably never in the foreseeable future after this incident) but I have to buy a card?" It was a dissatisfied voice.
"Well, you can return the card to the circulation counter at ground floor for remaining value."
I replied him with a frown.
"Input the printing code into this computer...Click "OK", Select the document, "OK"...yeh...you have another page to print right? Repeat the steps once again..."
"Is that okay?" I lost my patience.
"Before that, you need to take the receipt and..."
Annoyed enough, I stared at him with anger.
"...I will do that for you."
It took me nearly 40 minutes between entering the library and having two sheets in my hand. My document was, framed, with the printing code and time chop on top of it.
I was furious about the service provided by this lead public library in Hong Kong. The task was very simple - print two pages.
For the old-fashioned printing system in the library, we have to prepay for the printing quota by adding values into our student ID card. Then, we insert the card into a slot on the keyboard, key in our password, then we can print up to the prepaid amount, and have your sheets ready for collection at a printer less than 20 metres away from you.
For the newly implanted printing system in the computer labs, we can log into any computers with a well-known "password" written on the whiteboard. After ordering a print, a dialogue box will appear and ask you to input your desired password. Then, go to the multifunction printer and insert an octopus card. Key in the password you set a minute ago, and select which document to print, value will be deducted from the octopus card. That is, anyone who did not have student ID card can use the computer and printing system, provided that they have an octopus.
Yesterday, I went to the Central Library at Causeway Bay to print two pages. It was not my intention to test the public library service, but some necessary documents were found missing after I had crossed the harbour.
In order to use the computers there, "You have to fill in a form first. The next available session will be 20 minutes later." Okay. I spent my spare time with East and West by Chris Pattern. When the computer became available to me, I wonder if it was still using a 56K modem for Internet connection. To be fair, you may attribute the slowness to the vast number of library users. Fine.
Printing one B/W page costs me $1.5, which was the cost of printing 5 pages in the hospital. Well, everything is expensive on the Island, no only rent and electricity, but also ink and paper. I could still bear with it.
Things became more annoying when the nearest printer was two floors away. A dialogue box appeared on the screen "Printing Code: 00012345" I clicked "Okay". The first one disappeared and was replaced with another one "Please collect your print out with your printing code." Damn, why didn't you tell me these two pieces of information in a reverse order?
I was turned down by the staff at the information counter two stairs above while I tried to collect my printout without the code. "Oh, you have to print the document once again." Therefore, I enjoyed the speedy Internet service provided by the well furnished Central Library once more. This added oil to fire.
After the first lesson, I jot down the printing code immediately after ordering and hurried upstairs. What made things more complicated was "Well, you have to buy a printing card first. "the staff explained to me, "It costs $20. "
"I am printing two pages, i.e. $3 only, and now you ask me for $20? I only print once (and probably never in the foreseeable future after this incident) but I have to buy a card?" It was a dissatisfied voice.
"Well, you can return the card to the circulation counter at ground floor for remaining value."
I replied him with a frown.
"Input the printing code into this computer...Click "OK", Select the document, "OK"...yeh...you have another page to print right? Repeat the steps once again..."
"Is that okay?" I lost my patience.
"Before that, you need to take the receipt and..."
Annoyed enough, I stared at him with anger.
"...I will do that for you."
It took me nearly 40 minutes between entering the library and having two sheets in my hand. My document was, framed, with the printing code and time chop on top of it.
I was furious about the service provided by this lead public library in Hong Kong. The task was very simple - print two pages.
- I have to fill in a form and wait for 20 minutes for a computer;
- A 56K Internet service was provided;
- Unclear instruction given by the system;
- Miles away for a printer;
- A card was needed for printing. Why not octopus?
- Complex procedure to get my printout; and
- Unauthorised modification of it!
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