Many airline louges offer computers with Internet access.
What I am now seeing more of (for example, 2 in 1 lounge this morning!!) is people sitting at these computers without using them!! This is not only rude and selfish, but may prevent others from actually using the computer.

How can this be stopped!?

This, to me, is almost as selfish as people putting their carry-ons in lounge showers for safe keeping while they themselves stroll about the airport.

Most lounges have time limit rules, although many do not post signs to inform the users.

I always ave my laptop and usually don't need the PCs, except occasionally to print. If it is kids, I'll get the attendant to kick them off. If an adult, I would very politely ask if they will be finished soon, and explain that I only need five minutes to print.

If you need a terminal that badly, and you pay a yearly membership, I'd complain to the staff if the violator won't move with a kind request.

Have you ASKED them to move?

^^^

"Excuse me. If you're done using the computer terminal I'd like to check my email for a few minutes. Thanks."

There are plenty of schmucks in the world but you have to give them a chance to truly prove that they are such before you really get annoyed with them, IMO.

From an IT security perspective, I am very weary of such public-use computers (be it at lounges, hotels, kiosks, etc). Even with modern venders locking down those systems, it is still easy enough to compromise them and install any number of key logging (or similar) malware packages. The only time I would use such a computer is for looking up otherwise public data (MapQuest directions, flight status, local attractions, etc). But any site that requires a password, credit card, or any other personal information (bank, company email, FF account, etc) I would either wait or pull out my laptop. For me, the benefit is not worth the cost having to deal with identity theft.

They leave you exhausted, do they?

+1. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

--
Mis vuelos desde M�xico

W/e, you know what I meant...

I know at many Admirals Clubs there are signs that say "these terminals are for people using the PC only".

If asking people to move as other posters have suggested fails, why not ask the agents to help? If it's a posted rule, I'm sure most will enforce it.

Actually, it appears they're not even using the computers...they just park their laptops and butts in front of the public-use computer and consume the space.

If some airline customers are so passive-aggressive that they cannot ask fellow pax to move away from computer terminals they're not using, but then bring the incident here to complain to 220,000 uninvolved observers, perhaps there are bigger communications issues to resolve.

There is a fine line between asking people to move and sounding rude.

Before i became acquainted with flyertalk, i didn't knew it was ok to ask for drinks/snacks as an AA EXP member on AA eagle.

I have had my fair share of self-important old men who comes and says "you finished with the pc or not?" when i have not even shut down the web browser.

I have also encountered numerous people who comes peeping into my computer screen when im typing personal emails. And when i tell them to back off, they say im not allowed, its a public space.

Public space = peeping into my personal emails?

I don't usually visit AC, unless I am on an award F ticket with AA. However, a few UA RCC have terminals, and I have yet to see this problem occur there. If I was approached by a bunch of rude people demanding that I get off of a terminal early, I would tell them to wait. As for the not backing off part, why don't you stand right behind them when they get on the terminal and take notes of what they are typing? That would make a good impression.

I have yet to encounter such rude behavior in the executive lounges of Hyatt and Marriott hotels when people need to wait to use a computer.

Seriously, I have a low tolerance for people who don't have manners. I would be tempted to offer some of those guys a few knuckle sandwiches.

Show some initiative. If they're not actively using the PCs, they're probably just using what they assume is free space, and if you ask politely, they will gladly move. If they don't, at that point, they ARE being rude. Have an agent handle it.

In the case of someone standing over your shoulder, I'd probably ask politely, and if they persisted, begin typing either an extremely sexually explicit message, or something discussing how the person behind me smells TERRIBLE, and oh my god where did they get that HORRIBLE fashion crime of an outfit, depending on what I judge would have the most effective results >.>