Computer use without internet

[RealCajunLady]

Is there a charge to use computers on HAL (Maasdam) if you don't access the internet?

[superoma]

If you bring your own laptop or netbook and use it to record your journal or download your pictures without connecting to the internet, there is no charge.

If you mean can you use the HAL computers and not access the internet - probably not since you would be blocking it from someone who is paying to use the internet.

[Mary Ellen]

What is it you want to do on theIr computers without being on the Internet? Odds are it won't be feasible as there really isn't any other software available on the HAL computers. They don't have the ability to up (or down) load anything such as pictures. You log on to the computer, you pays your money. ;)

[sail7seas]

You would only be able to read HAL site and New York Times on ship's computers. What else would you plan to do if you were not connected to the Internet? :confused:

[RealCajunLady]

So you are saying that the computers are always internet connected when they are turned on?? I just want to download pictures from my camera to a Jump drive.

[sail7seas]

No, you cannot download your pictures on ship's computers.

[RuthC]

HAL's computers don't do anything except connect to the Internet. You can look at an on-line version of the NY Times, and the HAL website without charge.

[DizzyDallasDi]

So you are saying that the computers are always internet connected when they are turned on?? I just want to download pictures from my camera to a Jump drive.

Your camera's driver won't be loaded on HAL's computer and I'm sure they won't allow you to install it. If you want to download pictures from your camera to a jump drive, you'll need to bring your own computer.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Your camera's driver won't be loaded on HAL's computer and I'm sure they won't allow you to install it. If you want to download pictures from your camera to a jump drive, you'll need to bring your own computer.

Do they block the usb ports? If you have a card reader, you should be able to use the Windows file manager to move things without installing any software for the camera. But I suspect they have somehow disabled or blocked the USB ports. All cruise lines block any sort of external media. They're worried about viruses.

[sswitenki]

Can you read the online New York Times on your own computer no internet charge or jusy a Hal computer? I didn't hear about that before.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Can you read the online New York Times on your own computer no internet charge or jusy a Hal computer? I didn't hear about that before.

As far as I know, it's just on the HAL computers. If you're on your own computer, you probably need to have your own subscription.

If you're using a HAL computer, going to the HAL site or NYTimes site is a good way to see what internet speed is like before you try to log onto your internet package.

[readytocruiseagain!]

Do they block the usb ports? If you have a card reader, you should be able to use the Windows file manager to move things without installing any software for the camera. But I suspect they have somehow disabled or blocked the USB ports. All cruise lines block any sort of external media. They're worried about viruses.

Only the keyboard, mouse and display are accessible, as I recall. The CPU or whatever you call it is installed in a cabinet.

[sailandcruise]

Can you read the online New York Times on your own computer no internet charge or jusy a Hal computer? I didn't hear about that before.

Yes. If you use your own computer it still connects through the HAL on-board router, which allows you to get to the NY Times site for free (and if I recall correctly, without having to log on to the HAL site).

[DizzyDallasDi]

But I suspect they have somehow disabled or blocked the USB ports. All cruise lines block any sort of external media. They're worried about viruses.

And rightfully so. I'd be surprised if they allowed people to open links on their computers....I dunno maybe they don't, I've only used my own. Opening an "interesting looking" link is one of the easiest ways to launch a virus.

I'm kind of curious now about how HAL prevents people from clicking on a potential viral link. I'm sure they have some great antivirus detection sotftware installed, but that's not foolproof. Anyone have any real (not speculative) knowledge about HALs internet security policies and software used to block the nasties from getting in?

This thread has got me thinking about all the crazies out there who get off on infecting systems. I suppose it's not unrealistic that these people might also like to cruise and could easily click on a link that would shut down the entire internet cafe, or at least one computer, depending on how they're networked.

[chipmaster]

All public access computers in general have keyboard, mouse, and display open.

No access to USB or other ports, the reason to prevent the downloading and uploading of virus, picture, or worst.

Only thing you can do on must public computers is pay per use or if they are free surf.

Just be very aware on any/all public computers to erase the browser history, log off, or... :eek:

[Big Dawg CC]

I've got a solution for you! Attend the Microsoft onboard class on photo downloading, where they will teach you how to download your pictues to the "Cloud" via Microsoft's Skydrive. They will teach you how to create an account and do the download. You can then access the Skydrive from home and access your photos. If you ask the instructor nicely, he or she may - no guarantees - allow you to download the photos to your own flash drive.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Can you read the online New York Times on your own computer no internet charge or jusy a Hal computer? I didn't hear about that before.

Only HAL computers are set up so that you can read the New York Times for free.

If you use your own computer -- you have to have a subsription to that newpaper (or any other newspaper) and use your internet minutes to read it.

That can be costly.

[RealCajunLady]

Dear CC friends - posted my question last night and awoke to find my answer - and a good suggestion about the computer class. I guess I will bring a netbook to be sure I don't run out of space on my camera card. I don't want to miss one picture on our fall cruise to New England and Canada :)

[goose30]

Dear CC friends - posted my question last night and awoke to find my answer - and a good suggestion about the computer class. I guess I will bring a netbook to be sure I don't run out of space on my camera card. I don't want to miss one picture on our fall cruise to New England and Canada :)

Its probably cheaper and safer to bring extra cards.

[Randyk47]

Its probably cheaper and safer to bring extra cards.

Took the words right off my keyboard. :) Storage media has become so inexpensive there's really no reason not to have several. I do know some folks who download their pictures on a regular basis as an insurance against having a chip go bad which can but doesn't happen often.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I agree about the cards -- for our Alaskan cruise knowing that we were going to 2 new ports -- I also bought a couple of extra cards.

They certainly have gone down in price (with more storage) than the first one I bought years ago.

[sapper1]

deleted

[aussiedisneyfan]

You can probably get the photoshop to download your pics but that would most certainly be for a fee.

[Randyk47]

I agree about the cards -- for our Alaskan cruise knowing that we were going to 2 new ports -- I also bought a couple of extra cards.

They certainly have gone down in price (with more storage) than the first one I bought years ago.

I'm fond of the 8GB cards. We have two large digital cameras and shoot the highest resolution and storage settings on both which means we get around 1,000 images per card. Standard retail is around $20 per card but you can catch sales that are even lower. We'll be stocking up for our March Med cruise and I'm pretty sure we'll have at least three or four cards for each camera plus our laptop for backup storage. Our new HD camcorder also uses the same kind of card but I'll be going to larger 16GB, or more, cards for it. It uses about 4GB's for one hour of video so around fours hours on a 16GB card.

[jtl513]

Only HAL computers are set up so that you can read the New York Times for free.

If you use your own computer -- you have to have a subsription to that newpaper (or any other newspaper) and use your internet minutes to read it.No. You can access, for free, exactly the the same NYT info from your own computer as from the ship's computers - but in both cases it's not the full site ... or the full-length stories, anyway. For that you would need a subscription.

[jtl513]

Do they block the usb ports? If you have a card reader, you should be able to use the Windows file manager to move things without installing any software for the camera. But I suspect they have somehow disabled or blocked the USB ports. All cruise lines block any sort of external media. They're worried about viruses.On the Noordam every monitor has a card reader attached, but you still can't move files to a jump drive because the USB ports are inaccessible, inside a locked cabinet. But you can use the card reader for free to view pictures, and delete bad shots to free up space. There may be one or more computers on the Maasdam to allow this too, but I don't know.

[esther e]

You can also set your camera for a different resolution (I think that's the word I'm looking for) so that you can get more photos on a memory card. If it's higher, less photos. I personally haven't seen a difference whether I have it set high or low. But maybe printing out photos is the difference. Just a thought.

Oopps, I didn't see Randy's post about resolutions! Sorry.

I have seen people playing Solitare on the computers, though.

[3rdGenCunarder]

You can probably get the photoshop to download your pics but that would most certainly be for a fee.

I think some ships offer a service of downloading pics and burning then to a CD. Not sure if HAL offers this.

[Randyk47]

You can also set your camera for a different resolution (I think that's the word I'm looking for) so that you can get more photos on a memory card. If it's higher, less photos. I personally haven't seen a difference whether I have it set high or low. But maybe printing out photos is the difference. Just a thought.

Oopps, I didn't see Randy's post about resolutions! Sorry.

I have seen people playing Solitare on the computers, though.

We do a lot with our photos, from printing them to sharing them on line to some artsy-craftsy kind of work so the higher the resolution the more we have to work with. I've never tried but I imagine I could get double or triple the 1,000 images I get on my Nikon if I went with a lower resolution. Once you shot a picture in a low resolution you're kind of stuck with it, it is what it is, but the higher resolution gives you more options to fix or whatever you want to do with a picture. I kind of figure I've spent a few thousand of dollars on a cruise so another $40 or $60 for two or three more memory cards is not going to break me.

[jtl513]

I personally haven't seen a difference whether I have it set high or low.You wouldn't see any difference on a display or small prints, but like Randy said, it depends on what you want to do with your shots. I often crop and keep just parts of pics, or print enlargements, so I want all the resolution I can get. I also have many memory cards, which I back up nightly on a netbook. For people who don't do that, I suggest changing to a new card long before each is full, so in case of loss or malfunction of the camera you won't lose everything.

[esther e]

Great ideas. The only time I used a high resolution was when I was on a cruise to Antarctica and walked among penguins. I have some fabulous shots of those critters! And I did print them out. Other than that, I'm not savvy with Photoshop, etc. and just manage to eek out decent photos. I envy you who do creative things!!!

[sparky-elpaso]

Great ideas. The only time I used a high resolution was when I was on a cruise to Antarctica and walked among penguins. I have some fabulous shots of those critters! And I did print them out. Other than that, I'm not savvy with Photoshop, etc. and just manage to eek out decent photos. I envy you who do creative things!!!

Try Picasa to edit your pictures. It's free and very easy to use. Does all the basic stuff like crop, sharpen, etc.

If you would like to be a bit creative there's a company called SmileBooks. You use their free program to set up a photobook, upload to their website and you get a beautiful hardbound book. The books aren't cheap but well worth the price.

[esther e]

Thank you.:)