If they can get past the guard dogs, they're more than welcome.

If I had a guest who needed to use my system I would simply set up a user account for them to use to log in. As I use Linux I'm not worried about a virus and such but wouldn't want them wrecking my personal data. One can't use my rig without logging in first.

Of course since it boots to a command line interface that's usually enough to discourage most folks from wanting to use it anyway.

My family members used to be able to use my laptop till my sister got on it and...did something...Now I keep it password locked. So now if there is a dire need to use it, they must do so with me present.

when we have guests over, we're too busy gossiping, watching the little kids cause trouble, eating good food, drinking, with the tv & stereo on in the background, I can't remember any occasions where someone asked to use the pc while we had guests over.

However if someone needed to use my pc, I could setup a limited user guest account and not worry too much about it. XP & Vista both allow for the quick creation of a limited user account which limits what can be done to your pc and limits any type of damage the could result to your pc from spyware/viruses/etc (as opposed to a computer administrator account).

If you have a friend that needs to use your pc, more than likely it's to check email or surf the net for a bit, I doubt anyone needs to come over to your place to install a game or start a chat session with other people - otherwise why did your guests come over for?

Lots of interesting answers so far.  Thanks everyone for your comments.

The letter to Ms. Manners that inspired the question noted that the people that were writing in had their computer in their den, guests would come over, see the computer and go on and on about just needing to check e-mail and such.   As the letter continued the author (who was apparently the wife of the couple) went on to say that though they normally don't allow guests to use the computer as they have other personal papers, bills and such on the desk where the computer keyboard and monitor are, out in the open and they don't keep their space clear as they don't anticipate having others using the equipment.  It continued further noting that one guest spent the night in their guest room and they found out later that the individual had been up and around in the middle of the night and ignored the restrictions on the use of the computer.  Later they started getting pop-ups from porn sites (gee, you think?!?!) and had other problems with the computer.

Anyway, my own take on this is that NO ONE touches my computer(s).  Two of them, neither open for public use.  My wife and daughter are permitted to allow guests to quickly browse friendly sites (gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo) but that such guest usage is to be minimized and denied if at all possible.  I don't have the time to sit and clean a computer that has been infected thanks to a guest.  I could set up very restricted accounts on the computers, but why should I have to do that when the best restriction is to not even allow the access to begin with?

A few close friends would be permitted access to my computers I guess, but even then they typically tell me where they'd want to go and I check out the site first.  Just as I know not to ask for or expect computer access at their home, I don't ask, nor provide, access here.

Kind of related (but not really ), I get really annoyed when using my laptop in a public place like a diner or truckstop and people look at the screen to see what I am doing. It's very rude. Most computer users understand that to be rude and against the rules of computer manners, but there are far too many people who simply don't have a clue and don't understand why I am pissed off about it.

I get really annoyed when using my laptop in a public place like a diner or truckstop and people look at the screen to see what I am doing. It's very rude. Most computer users understand that to be rude and against the rules of computer manners, but there are far too many people who simply don't have a clue and don't understand why I am pissed off about it.

I'm no fan of that behavior either.  What I'm typing or reading is my business, not yours.  Granted, I may be doing that typing or reading in a public place, but just because I may be, doesn't give someone else the right to be reading that material.

Exactly.

I allow it, but only on a guest account. Family can use my full account if they want/need to.
I have also no problem with other people borrowing my car, as long as I know them to be careful enough.

Ahhh....one of the joys of being a hermit/recluse...I don't have to worry about it unless my bird starts pecking away at it. And after seeing some of the pc's I've had to reformat for other people...they are welcome to use it for a deposit...the cost of my pc.

hmmm....do I let other people use my system? ummm can I get a resounding HELL NO!!! It's my pc, get yer own ya mooch!!!!

NO. I doesn't allow anyone to use my main computer at all. Like other said, I invested in making it run the way I want.

My kubuntu homework laptop I do allow my brother and sister to use for internet sometimes, expecially if they need it for their homework.

If I ever have my own place to live, I will make an ubuntu computer out of junk as a guest computer. It would be competely seperate from my network and heavily locked down with internet filters.

Years ago, once create on my main pc one guest account, for my wife and daughters..
Im show them that, and move she's stuff for guest folder.
..then back my admin account,loaded my first dx theme (hide statpane and taskbar)
.. then going out of house, and my wife say me:
I need work little.
I say: k dear, log off and log guest account
After 10 mins im back.
She just sit, and see the monitor..
Say me: I dont know what happen here,.. There is no startpane and taskbar.
So, im show him desktopx and delete those guest account...
then later im bought another pc for them.. ( but there no desktopx )

Never. Nope. Back away from the box.

the Andalucian muff slug, which mates for 96 hours at a time and frequently leaves its lover devoid of money in the bank as well as many personal possessions.

Oh, yeah, I dated one of those.

Yeah they do, but remember they only mate every 7 years, thus the pointed ears!

      

....and why Fuzzy loves 96 (muff slug) hours straight.

To make up for lost time.



My first wife was one of those....how ironic that I used to joke about her maiden name, only to find out too late that she really WAS Miss Wrong.

I make guests use the Mac. My PC is off limits to all.

A swift kick in the bollocks is less painfull it'd be like watching a stranger mauling yah woman, so my answer is no way no how.

Oooooooooooh (said with a shudder)

That'll teach 'em for asking!

      

Hehe....not as bad as my place...here they're given an abacus!

I think getting past Brickhead's guard dogs is a better option!  



      

One look at Linux and most people don't want to use my machine. Or they ask about Linux and I convert them from using Windows.

Of course.

I let guests use and do whatever they want. I would consider it rather rude on my account not to leave it up to them to define the limits.

Not doing so would be violating the first rule of hospitality. Guests must not feel like they are an inconvenience.



That you can do. That would make you and your choice of computer the obvious inconvenience, not them.

MAC: I'm a Mac!

PC: I'm a PC!

MAC: I'm so simple, tjesterb lets his friends use me!

PC: I'm...err, speechless!

MAC: I'm a Mac!

PC: I'm a PC!

MAC: I'm so infantile, tjesterb lets his friends use me!

PC: I'm...err, speechless!

 

Only took one word.....