>I don't know about commercial services, but I did notice that the big
>Dillon's on Gower Street is now offering computer terminals for rent,
>which
a>re connected to the internet.
....
If you just want to access your account once or twice during your stay,
Dillon's cybershop is probably the cheapest bet. I believe they charge about
#3 an hour. If you are here for two months, however, there's a good case on
other grounds (library, common room) for joining the Institute anyway.
http://ihr.sas.ac.uk:8080/cwis/membership.html, gives out-of-date details,
and I'll try to get that corrected (it will probably be done before next
London University term). If your institution subscribes to the Annual
Payments scheme all history-faculty staff and the paid-for number of students
can get in free. According to the 1995--6 leaflet, individual subscription
is #100 per year for those in full-time employment, #50 for full-time
postgraduate students. 'Fees will be accepted for half a year's membership'.
So you might have to pay as little as #25 even if you have to go for
individual membership.
I'm told that there is now no extra charge for the use of reader's computer
facilities and an email account here, but you have to be a member of the
Institute and fill in a form when you get here. There is dial-up access for
those with email accounts who need it. You may find it cheaper to get a
Worldport (US Robotics) modem in the U.S., but make sure it has the
BT-approved telephone jack connector (they may all be an international
standard now, I don't know). (US-made computer equipment is almost always
sold here at the same price in pounds as it sells in dollars there, i.e. a 60
per cent markup).
If you want to ask further questions about membership of the
Institute send mail to ihr@sas.ac.uk.
The cheapest commercial Internet provider is Demon Internet, who charge a
#25 joining fee and a #10 per month flat rate connection fee; beyond that
you only need pay the cost of local telephone calls. They provide a
slip/PPP connection and the necessary software, so your PC becomes an
Internet node with a permanent address for the duration of your
subscription, but the software is not easy for beginners to set up.
I can provide further information by email if you want to pursue that
option.
Christopher
C.R.J. Currie Victoria County History
ccurrie@sas.ac.uk Institute of Historical Research
University of London, UK
The Institute of Historical Research is a member-Institute of the
School of Advanced Study of the University of London.