So what was this? Some kind of conspiracy?

After last week's column, the tale of a pair of Swiss visitors who complained about a lack of Internet cafes in the U.S., I received a maelstrom of mail taking me to task because I didn't present the American public library system as an alternative to the ubiquitous European outposts.

OK, the maelstrom was only three letters. And one of them was from Texas. But the library question is a good one, and there are several reasons as to why they just don't fit the bill.

My guests had tried a few libraries, but they didn't work for them. Because they were traveling by Greyhound bus, which landed them in the downtown areas of most cities, the libraries weren't always convenient. If they were convenient, they weren't always open. And if they were convenient and open, they didn't always allow them to just log on. Many libraries require a card before allowing use of their machines, and they may not issue a card to anyone outside of their service area.

And we all know where Switzerland is.

Sometimes, a traveler may appeal to a kind-hearted librarian to relax the rules and allow them to log on. But this isn't something you can predict.

It's hard enough to come to a strange town and find the library, get there when it's open and figure out a way to log on. You can't exactly call up and ask whether those on duty are flexible and hospitable, or whether the biddy with a ramrod spine is on duty today.

Cheap shot, falling back onto a gross stereotype. The truth is, I love libraries. It was where I had my first real job. And the inclusion of wireless access and Internet terminals continues their charter as a center of knowledge.

But in this respect, this is one place where libraries fall flat. Not only is a proper Internet cafe located in the seedy part of town, it is a social center where kids can drink coffee, shout and let off steam during all hours of the night.

It's not the same at libraries, what with budget cutbacks and shortened hours. Again, libraries are cool. If they don't quite make it as Internet cafes, they are a great wireless resource. At many libraries (this is also too inconsistent to predict) you can drive around the block with a laptop and borrow the signal. And this is something that many libraries encourage.

The future, right now, is actually pretty bright. In a few years logging on won't be an issue. In the meantime, the Swiss nomads and other folks on the go will need to stay flexible.

If you have questions or suggestions for Charles Bermant, you can contact him by e-mail at cbermant@seattletimes.com. Type Inbox in the subject field. More columns at www.seattletimes.com/columnists.