Sheraton LINK: a bad idea
 

The last few times at Sheraton business centers I have been shut out of getting anything done.

These boxes they have in there, locked down and running Windows with IE-only don't support things like Google docs. This is making something that used to be simple, printing a boarding pass, into a complicated situation.

The last time I had to skip out and go to the Conrad next door to get some work done. First time I have been completely unable to get anything done in a hotel business center.

If they at least installed some standards compliant browsers (i.e. at least one other thing other than IE) then things would be easier.

I couldn't even download the PDF anywhere since these things were locked down so tight, and print from the file system. All I could do was vainly look at my screen.

I hope this does not spread to other Starwood chain hotels. I understand the appeal of these machines: probably it's a one click install for IT and they are more secure than just letting users do anything, but they are also a massive funnel that forces you to use Microsoft technology, even when it doesn't work, without any alternatives. My experiences with hotel business centers are uniform in that other browsers were installed and usually made default, since they just work better than IE.

Sheraton LINK: a bad idea
 

About all user on the Link are kids playing video games and parents surfing face book or you tube. There was this one guy in Atlanta watching porn. Lovely.

Was just at a four points in Lexington kym that had brand new macs. It was wonderful

A locked down public PC is a much better option than one that is not locked down and capturing credit card numbers and passwords. I doubt their agreements with Microsoft would allow them to install Firefox or Chrome. Perhaps they will fund an upgrade when Win10 comes out with the Spartan browser.

I am fairly tech savvy but those computers stink.

IE supports Google Docs, unless the computer you were using specifically looked down access to Google Docs. I'm a Chrome user but IE is still the most widely supported browser.

However you shouldn't be during work on a public computer in the first place if that's what you are trying to do. Even through your Google Docs is stored on the cloud, you are going to leave a local copy on the computer you are using once you open it, not to mention someone having installed a malware on the computer could steal your password. I'm pretty sure it's also a violation of policy at most companies of significant size to use public or even non-corporate devices to access work related documents.

Since when can you not access google docs? What property? That information is important

I swear with so much Apple influence, Sheraton for one is waiting for the Microsoft link contract to expire. Other Starwood brands are already using Macs.

That seems to be the case : I used a Link @ Sheraton last week, and got a "your browser is so old we cannot transact with you" message from a major online retailer, and a similar "not everything is going to work properly" message from Google maps.

Not what you'd expect from a flagship partnership. :(

Exactly, both seem to put no effort and investment in it anymore, just waiting for the deal to be over.

I've seen new Sheratons hiding the Link stations behind the lobby lounge.

The iPad and Mac counters at Alofts are surprisingly convenient. They don't even lock it down. The deep-freeze restores everything at restart.

"Hobbled" is a better term. No matter what someone does to windows, it is horribly insecure. Any web password you use on a Link machine should be changed immediately.

And don't believe the marketing propaganda -- Win10 will continue to have security issues, and the new browser will most likely re-introduce vulnerabilities.

All OS's present a security risk. That is the nature of technology. You can remove "Windows" from your comments and apply it to any public system.

I think the state of the computers is highly variable across properties. A couple of weeks ago I had great experiences with two Phoenix properties that had nice new touch screen Win8 all-in-ones and I had no problem using Office365 to edit and share some docs with colleagues. I've had plenty of other properties where I've been able to open GoogleDocs or O365 links and work on them. Sometimes when I need a larger screen or printer I actually appreciate these being available.
BTW, the comments about malware and public computers... if you're company doesn't have 2FA turned on for your access to company assets from public computers than that is the real problem. If it's on, there isn't much that a hacker could do with your login and password. But I do think it could be problematic signing into FF or other personal accounts that don't have 2FA enabled.

I'm sorry, no offense but what kind of serious business uses Office 365. It's a failed product right after Zune. Even high school students wouldn't use it.

Nor have I ever seen actual 'work' done on a touch-screen PC.

I saw a few of them in the lounge. I've maybe tapped on IE, open some sites, see if it works etc. I would cry if someone handed me one of those and expect me to work on spreadsheets, create a presentation or reply emails.

Btw, two-factor authentication is not a favorable method, it's more an interim solution. Or else in the future, we'll have to scan our retina, swipe our fingerprint, connect our token, receive an SMS, remember someone's birthday just so we can check company email.

Data point for you all,

I dislike Macs. Talk about IE and incompatibility, more like let's look at a Mac and all of the things you can't do on that platform.