FOR RV PARK OWNERS: A PRIMER IN "MODEM FRIENDLY"

(Revised 2/99)

When we launched "RVers Online" our energies were focused on raising the consciousness of RV park owners concerning the need for RVers to have access to online services. Happily changes are occurring, and much more is on the near horizon.

Based on our own extensive efforts to spread the "modem friendly message", it's clear to us that the majority of RV park owners are still not familiar with what "modem friendly" means. In fact, based upon some of our recent visits to parks which had just been reviewed by Trailer Life representatives, it appears some of the TL inspectors may not have a clear understanding of it either. We at RVers Online have long encouraged RV parks to offer some form of assistance for RVers who need access to online services while on the road. Now that it's starting to become a reality, we think we have a responsibility to RV park owners and managers, as well as to the Trailer Life representatives who participate in the annual park reviews, to provide specific information about what it really means to be "modem friendly". The phrase "modem friendly" was first coined here at RVers Online -- and we think we know precisely what it is intended to mean. Let's review some of the basics.

It is a simple fact of life that more and more RVers travel with computers on board. The reasons are many. Some conduct business while on the road; others have discovered the ease of keeping in touch with friends, relatives, and business associates via email; and still others have discovered the power of the computer to give them a better handle in managing their finances using online services. With the explosive growth of the Internet, many have continuing interests of various types with which they wish to stay current by accessing the Internet while enjoying their RV travels. Increasingly RVers are discovering the convenience of the smaller "notebook" sized computers, which take up little space in an RV, but which, when equipped with a modem, can be every bit as powerful as the larger desktop models which they may have as well at home.

What this rapidly growing segment of RVers want -- and need -- when they are traveling is the ability to plug their portable computers into a regular telephone outlet; and using a local, credit card or 800 number, connect their computer to one of the online services, such as America Online, CompuServe, or Microsoft Network; or to one of the many direct Internet Service Providers; or to other services such as Charles Schwab's online investment offering. One key fact must be understood. These portable computers generally can NOT use an ordinary pay phone. They are equipped with modems which must plug directly into a regular modular wall jack -- the same kind that RV park owners use for business phones, fax lines, or their own home phones. The RV park owner has no need to furnish ANYTHING accept access to such a phone line. The RVer should have all the equipment he or she needs: the computer, the modem, and even a length of telephone cable to link the computer to the telephone jack. Again all the RV park is asked to supply is access to a phone jack.

A quick word about cell phones. It is of course technically possible for computers to be equipped with modems which can work in conjunction with cell phones. However, a number of factors make this an extremely limited option for RVers. The main problem is cost. RVers are seldom calling from their "home" area, and thus any call is likely to attract a "roaming charge", which can be anything from a few dollars to a few more dollars -- in addition to the expensive air time associated with all cell telephone calls. But in addition, cell modem connections are much slower and less reliable than regular phone lines, which again translates to higher costs. Most RVers consider the "cell option" just plain too expensive to be an acceptable option.

Ideally an RV park's designated modem phone jack would be located in at least a semi-private area near a desk (or table) and chair, and also close to a standard electric outlet. Most of the portable (laptop or notebook) computers RVers have will operate directly from their own power source. But the computer's modem can run a battery down fairly quickly, so a standard electrical outlet is helpful so the RVer can plug the portable computer in while using it. We have seen RV parks with small work areas set up inside laundry rooms, in small semi-private offices, in libraries, in ballrooms, and within the park's business office area. In some cases the RV park manager has not yet been able to set aside a dedicated space, and simply invites the RVer to use a desk and chair usually used as part of the park's office setup. While this is an entirely suitable way to "get going", it can be a bit inconvenient for both the park management and the RVer trying to get a bit of online business accomplished.

We've noted that RV parks with dedicated fax lines have often chosen that line as their designated "modem hookup" facility. That's because the fax line is idle a great deal of the time; and if the coincidence of an incoming fax occurred when the phone line was being used for a few minutes by an RVer downloading email, it's virtually certain that the fax would be re-sent multiple times, and would come in right after the modem use had been completed.

We strongly recommend that the telephone outlet which is designated as available for RVers with computers be a line which is restricted to local calls, credit card calls, and toll free (800 number) calls. Any responsible RVer will know how to program his computer so as to connect to online services using one of these three options. By using a restricted line, there is no possibility that the park would incur long distance phone charges, whether inadvertent or otherwise.

Naturally the most convenient setup for RVers is to have a phone connection available at the site, along with other utility connections. This is the only viable way for RVers who travel with full size "desktop" computer systems. Some parks indeed have phone lines available to individual sites, but which cannot be used unless they are first "connected" by the local telephone company. Both the lead time and the service charges associated with this sort of hookup make this option virtually useless for the short term RV guest. On the other hand, an increasing number of parks are offering in-park "instant phone" connections, which usually attracts an additional daily charge in the range of $2-$3. So long as these added charges are reasonable, they certainly would qualify a park as "modem friendly". And parks which today do not have the underground wiring to support phone hookups at individual sites should be alert to some new options for offering in-park phone services using new wireless products being developed by AT&T and others. These should provide a new, low cost option for providing a distributed in park phone system. Although still difficult for many businesses to find, there are also pay phones which offer a phone jack as an integral part of the phone unit. While this is a much more awkward environment for a modem hookup, and could be particularly troublesome where the ratio of phones to RVers was unfavorable, one can envision installations where this equipment could be convenient for RVers with online requirements.

At the present moment, there is no defined "standard" of what will make a park "modem friendly". In collecting information for its 1999 Campground Directory, it appears either the "standard" used was not well conceived, or that it was not understood by those who applied it. We think both Trailer Life should provide more information to RV Park owners about the many ways they can become "modem friendly". Most RVers are far less concerned about the particular "method" an RV park may select to help its guests get online, than they are about whether they can do it at all. As a practical matter, the larger the park, and the more "requests" for modem hookups they may have, the more we believe they should opt for a dedicated line for RVer's modem use. But we do NOT believe there should be any arbitrary criteria, such as a certain number of "hot" phone lines available to RV sites; or a government-like wordy definition of precisely what arrangement should qualify for a "modem friendly" rating. The only criteria is that the short term RV guest should have a reasonable means to access routine online needs while staying at the park.

The key is of course the word "reasonable". If a park has extremely limited phone access, it would not be unreasonable to request RVers to limit their use of the phone line to 5 or 10 minutes. Park owners should reasonably expect that RVers will "write" all their email before tapping into the phone line, and simply "send" the message(s) while they're connected. This should not take more than a minute or two. The same is true for incoming email. The RVer should simply "download" the messages waiting for him or her, disconnect from the phone line, and read them later. We see no need for Park owners with limited facilities to feel obligated to provide unlimited phone access for RVers who simply want to "surf the Net", or otherwise consume what would be a burdensome amount of time tying up a phone line. Park owners who have bona fide limitations on access to an adequate number of phone lines should feel free to establish reasonable ground rules, concerning time online, hours during which the line will be available for use, or other like provisions -- without in any way detracting from their "modem friendly" status. However, these same limitations would be unreasonable for larger parks, or where the only cited obstacle is the "cost" of an additional phone line.

In summary, the message is this: The primary ingredient in whether an RV park is "modem friendly" is whether the park's owners and managers are willing to provide short term guests with the required type of telephone access as discussed above. For the convenience of all concerned, this should be a semi-private area served by a restricted phone line and electric outlet. However, any reasonable option for permitting the RVer to gain access to online services should, at least at this time, be sufficient to qualify the park as "modem friendly". And if you find the usual "park inspectors" not agreeing with this conclusion, and refusing to recognize your efforts in their standard writeups, we encourage you to use the term "modem friendly" in your own advertising -- because if you meet the criteria we've outlined here, you ARE modem friendly!

Post Script (2/99):

Since first writing this article we've experienced an occasional RV park which actually charges a fee for using a phone line for a few minutes to collect email. We think this is roughly equivalent to asking a guest to pay for use of the pay phone. It is clearly not modem "FRIENDLY". At best, it's "modem hookup -- FEE". Don't expect RVers with online needs to come back -- they won't.

Another practice adopted by some parks is to use phone jacks in pay phones. The most eggregious example was a park which offered an OUTSIDE pay phone with no place to put a laptop. There was no protection from the elements, and the sunshine made viewing a laptop screen almost impossible. To compound the problem, the laptop had to have it's email software configurations REPROGRAMMED to make the process even usuable. Most RVers could not have used this facility at all. It was virtually worthless. The best use we've seen of pay phones with modem access was indoors, with a table surface and power source available, and required no software reprogramming. However, even in this "best case" scenario, the laptop users were competing for phone time with the voice callers, with the result that both the laptop users and the NON laptop users were both unhappy. We would STONGLY caution against trying to make your pay phone do double duty. In most cases, it just doesn't work.

We've had reader comment, with which we agree, that RV parks should, as part of the registration process, include the local phone numbers for any and all major service providers, such as AOL, MSN, AT&T WorldNet, Prodigy, CompuServe, etc. Your RV guests will know the toll free number for their provider, but they will still be paying a surcharge to use it. Your consideration of doing this bit of research for them in advance will be much appreciated.

Finally, we recognize there are in extraordinary circumstances reasons which may completely preclude an RV park from being modem friendly; and that others will consciously elect to make no effort to become so. Even these parks, however, can take steps which will be greatly appreciated by their short term guests who travel with a laptop and modem. To these RV park owners and managers we recommend that in addition to showing an understanding and appreciation for RVers online needs, you take specific steps to find out what options may be available to visiting RVers within your community. In some cases you'll find a local library will offer free internet access (though in most cases they do not offer modem hookups for email purposes). Or perhaps you're aware of a nearby truck stop, which has detachable telephones at tables in the restaurant. Or perhaps one of your longer term guests who does have a permanent phone hookup would welcome an occasional guest to use his or her phone connection. And there may be some less-than-free options in the community as well. Businesses which offer printing and fax services may be willing to offer modem hookups for a reasonable fee. The point here is that even if your park for whatever reason does not opt to become modem friendly, at least understand where relevant services may be available nearby -- and if necessary, give some encouragement to others in the community to offer such services.

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