Cohousing-L Mailing List: email "appliances"

[Lynn Nadeau (welcome]

Of our 24 households, all but about 6 have computers and email. Those 6 
are people who typically do not want to deal with computers, whether 
because of expense, space, or techno-phobia. 

Yesterday I saw a newly-marketed little machine that might solve that for 
some or all of them. Called MailStation, it is the size of a small 
answering machine, has a keyboard, and a display screen that is about 4" 
by 8". It does email, but not Internet. The screen was very legible. 
Machine costs about $100, and the company's email service is $10 a month. 
Use it from anywhere there's a phone jack. No additional dial-up charges. 
Has a hookup for a printer if you want. The owner was very pleased with 
it. I took down the number 1-800-383-2523; I would expect they have a 
website also. 

Oh, and apparently it accomodates multiple users.

Does anyone have experience with this or similar "appliances"? It seems a 
great alternative to spending a thousand dollars on a computer, plus 
Internet fees. A hundred bucks, almost no space, almost no techno-savvy 
needed. 

Lynn Nadeau
RoseWind Cohousing www.olypen.com/sstowell/rosewind/
Port Townsend WA
Two resale possibilities: a small cottage, and large custom house. 
($130K; $339K)