Plugging people in

      Yamada Denki in Kohoku New Town is a huge six-story appliance store that can offer you a choice of a  hundred different electric fans. They are also prepared to teach anyone interested how to buy things over the internet. Just slip into one of the half dozen seats at their special counter to learn what the internet has to offer.

      The idea is not only to instruct people how to find and buy what they need, but also to provide a way for people (mostly older) who haven't gotten around to buying a computer how to buy things such as medical supplies which local stores don't carry.

      Yamada Denki also provides a bus service for people who might otherwise find it difficult to get there. All at no charge.

- Ernest LaForge