Getting access to internet is easy for most children nowadays, but it is hard for those from destitute families.

This girl has to ask me if she can spend a few minutes on my desktop. It is heartbreaking to see her embarrassment, as she says to me: 'I am sorry to cause you a great inconvenience.'

You are only allowed to spend one hour on the computers in the public library and, as she explained to me, this is not enough time for her to do her homework.

I think donation of equipment is the most direct way to help. Every year, various kinds of electronic components and gadgets are abandoned. Our government should set up a system which enables people to contribute old monitors, mice, keyboards and other kinds of computer equipment, so that it can be recycled and reused.

Also, libraries should prioritise and allocate times for users who really need to spend time on computers.

We have had IT education in Hong Kong now for almost 10 years and the irony is that 15 per cent of our children are still without a computer.

Carmen Ng, Tsuen Wan

Students in Hong Kong need to use computers to do their homework nowadays. The computer has become an indispensable learning tool for Hong Kong students. There are some parents on low salaries, however, who cannot afford to buy computers for their children.

Free computers are available in public libraries, but there are so many people waiting to use them and some people live a long way from a library. If they could get free computers, they would not have to wait to use the library machines.

Some families face such a serious financial burden that they struggle to have enough money for food, so there is no way they can afford to buy a computer. This means it is difficult for their children to do their homework and this affects their academic performance.

I think the government should help these families with the purchase of computers. Also, if someone wants to change computers, they can donate the old one to charity.

Chan Shuk-han, Tseung Kwan O

Well if we are to believe previous reports in the South China Morning Post such computer schemes already exist.

Not only is there (or was) a Caritas PC recycling scheme based in Kowloon but I saw a charity (with a licence and an address in Mong Kok) soliciting used PCs for this purpose in Pedder Street.

Also don't forget that free PC use is available in several malls (Belcher's comes to mind) and district offices, not only libraries.

This all sounds either a bit 'fishy' or 'crying in the wind'.

Mike Gray, Sheung Wan

Should there be more help services for the elderly?

Some people working for social welfare NGOs have claimed that welfare services for the elderly are insufficient.

It is important to remember the contribution the elderly made to society during their working lives.

I think the government has done a lot, but we must do more. The main problem is trying to identify what pensioners really need. For instance, they get very little in the way of medical care allowances and any accommodation they are given is generally very small.

It is also important to remember than many of them live alone and may feel isolated.

I think more people should be willing to volunteer to visit elderly people regularly.

There must be some attempt made to establish a relationship between these isolated old folk and the rest of society.

Doris Wong Sai-ping, Tseung Kwan O

On other matters...

On the afternoon of Sunday, September 9, my husband and I organised a picnic for my one-year-old girl's birthday at Chung Hom beach on Hong Kong Island. The majority of our friends also have children, so we drove to the beach and parked at the road at the top of the beach.

We all had a fantastic time. However, our mood changed when most of us were given parking tickets.

I would appreciate a clarification from the relevant official regarding this matter. If there are areas where we are unable to park, why are there no signs to say so, or yellow lines, which exist in the UK?

Most beaches nearby, such as South Bay, Repulse Bay, Deep Water Bay, Big Wave Bay and Shek O, provide parking meters.

The nearest place to park is Stanley, which has limited spaces, especially at weekends.

Parking in Stanley would also mean a big trek (a 20-minute hilly walk) for most families to get to the beach. This is a beach which is geared towards children, with an excellent play park.

I have parked on many occasions during weekdays at this beach. I even asked a police officer one weekday if I could park there and he said I could.

So what has changed?

Mel Mak, Chung Hom Kok

We thank Stanley Lam for his feedback about ice skating (Talkback, September 8) and would like to offer additional information.

Designating a part, or parts, of the ice rink at Cityplaza for lessons is a safety measure to better manage the traffic flow of public skaters and skating students. When there is cordoning, 'skatecops' are stationed at key turning points to assist skaters crossing the rink.

Safety rules at the rink prohibit dangerous behaviour, including skating at excessive speed. Moreover, children skaters must be accompanied by an adult companion.

Ice rink staff will continue to enforce these rules. We will also remind skatecops that they must be vigilant at the rink, especially during peak times.

As the ice rink is open to all public skaters and given the nature of the sport, some minor falls involving experienced and inexperienced skaters may occur.

To encourage skaters to master professional skills for the sport, skating schools are offered at both of our ice rinks at Cityplaza and Festival Walk. Skate shops are also provided for skaters to acquire protective gear useful for safe and professional skating.

Nevertheless, we will review our ice rink services from time to time and encourage safe practices to ensure that our customers can fully enjoy the fun of ice skating.

Marlo Gonzalez, skating services manager, Swire Properties