www.bathroom.com

[Zechs]

Just when you though they couldn't sink any lower someone gives them a plunger.



SEATTLE - Now on the way: "Surfing on the loo" with Internet access at portable toilets.

The iLoo being developed by the MSN division of Microsoft Corp. in Britain is a standard portable toilet — a loo to the English — with a wireless (news - web sites) keyboard and extending, height-adjustable plasma screen in front of the seat.

There would also be a "Hotmail station" with waterproof keyboard and plasma screen on the outside for those waiting in line.

MSN officials say they're negotiating for the manufacture of toilet paper imprinted with Web addresses that users may not have tried.

"The Internet's so much a part of everyday life now that surfing on the loo was the next natural step," MSN marketing manager Tracy Blacher said. "People used to reach for a book or mag(azine) when they were on the loo, but now they'll be logging on."

The device is expected to be in use at festivals this summer in Britain, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported Tuesday. There's no word on if, or when, the iLoo will make its way across the pond.

http://http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/030506/170/3zk3j.html

You konw you've had to much internet when you have to have it in the loo.

[Patrick Bateman]

lmao! Dear god, what's next? And is it just me, or would anyone else be a little cautious about touching that keyboard... eww.

[Shnay]

Some how I doubt that this will be used for checking e-mail or looking up directions. The Internet in public bathrooms...this can only turn out badly.

[Zechs]

Maybe they'll have a web cam. :p

[Bakasama]

Where would they put the camera? Uh, nevermind....

[Zechs]

Heh, but sadly there are far worse things on the net than some person on the loo. -_-

[TimTwoFace]

*SCREAMS AT THE HEAVENS* WHYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!????

Now that's just dumb. Wipe off the keyboard when you're done, and all that. Ugh.

-Tim

[Chris Wood]

Great idea...not! As if one didn't have to wait long enough to use a restroom at public events. I think this is being funded by the paper industry. Toilet paper use is sure to shoot up.

[czyznyck99]

Do you know how many people have a television in their bathroom? A lot. And many people think that idea is dumb. It's still regularly practiced. This idea can fly. The only thing really missing is a home entertainment system in the crapper.

Later.

[Chris Wood]

Do you know how many people have a television in their bathroom? A lot. And many people think that idea is dumb. It's still regularly practiced. This idea can fly. The only thing really missing is a home entertainment system in the crapper.

Later.

In your own home, sure. I'm all for having a TV in there.

But putting a computer in a public restroom??? In a word, yuck. No way I would touch it. I can't even imagine how filthy the keyboard would probably get.

[Rune]

The phrase 'I'm just logging on' has never sounded so literal. Someone please tell me this is a joke! Yes I suppose its a thing that will eventually happen in the home but I can't imagine anybody wanting to spend any more time that is strictly necessary in a public loo.

I mean at festivals / showgrounds these places are usually filthy, wet floors, blocked toilets, overflowing, overcrowded and smelly. You'd have to be insane to want to hang about waiting in there, and yes what's lurking between those keys you're tapping away on? What happens if you're waiting for a graphic intensive page to load? Does everyone else have to just cross their legs or are you timed out then thrown out?

Mindscrub please!

[Chris Wood]

What happens if you're waiting for a graphic intensive page to load? Does everyone else have to just cross their legs or are you timed out then thrown out?

Mindscrub please!

I have heard that there are public toilets (maybe in the UK) which open automatically after a set period of time. Maybe this will be incorporated into the computer idea.

Also, what's a mindscrub?

[Sue_Jackson]

Eeeeww......that's just so nasty like. >_< I feel like getting the Lysol, now. -__-; Eck!

Oh.....YUCK! Now.....that stupid image in my head. Get out! Get out! Stupid image! >_<

I could also use a good mindscrub. -__-;

Mindscrub: You want to scrub the nasty image from you mind. :p

[Chris Wood]

Mindscrub: You want to scrub the nasty image from you mind. :p

Ah, I see. Sounds like it must come from Star Trek or something.

[Rune]

I have heard that there are public toilets (maybe in the UK) which open automatically after a set period of time. Maybe this will be incorporated into the computer idea.


Ack, you're quite right, I'd forgotten about THESE (http://www.theeddzone.com/public-loo.jpg). I've never been inside one myself as I hate the idea but apparently yes, the doors do open once your time has run out - presumably as a deterrent to would-be loiterers up to no good (draw your own conclusions there). Kind of unnerving to say the least, especially when you consider that many are situated in busy shopping precincts and along the sides of roads, by pubs & clubs http://www.theeddzone.com/noogif/crazyeyes.gif

There again it might also act as a deterrent to stop people accessing dodgy websites ... might being the operative word.

[Shnay]

...the doors do open once your time has run out - presumably as a deterrent to would-be loiterers up to no good (draw your own conclusions there). Kind of unnerving to say the least

I think Louis Black did a bit about being too nervous to go in one because he was afraid that when the timer reached zero, Dick Clark would be on the other side with confetti and noisemakers. :p

I don't know if I could..."opperate" under that kind of pressure.

[czyznyck99]

Microsoft is dumping the iLoo idea. They called it a hoax, but the fact that they had specs for this sick thing means it wasn't.

Check out the story here (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20030514/wr_nm/tech_microsoft_iloo_dc_2) .

Later.

[Jade_GL]

It's already posted as a hoax at http://www.snopes.com. I would go read about it there too. :)