Computers and Flatmates

[Life of Kate]

I've just moved into a flat (about 3 weeks ago) with a guy who already lives there. On Saturday, a new girl moved in. Both me and the guy have our own computers, except his is a laptop which he keeps and uses in his room, and mine is a PC, which is in the living room, as my room is too small to keep it in.
Anyway, last night, the new girl asked if she could just check her emails on my computer. I said that was fine and got up to let her use it. She said that it was ok, she'd use it later. I said that it was fine for her to use it then. She then said she'd use it when I'd gone to bed and turn it off for me. I obviously had an unimpressed look on her face, as she then asked if that was ok. I said no, I'd rather she used it now. She looked pretty pissed off and used it. She didn't talk to me at all after that and didn't reply when I said goodnight later on.
I'm not really sure how to handle it. I find my computer a really personal thing, it has a lot of personal stuff on it, and I don't like the thought of someone I don't know using it when I'm not around.
I just sort of want to know what other people think of it, do you feel the same about your computers, or do you think I'm being silly?
I was talking to a friend about it this morning, who suggested setting up a guest account that she can use, but I'm not particularly keen on that idea. I've only just got my computer back after months of having to use other peoples (and hating it, as I feel I am intruding on their privacy too), and I don't want to get into something where she considers it to be her computer too, and I have to wait to use my own computer.
Anyway, any thoughts would be good!

[Phoenix_]

Yeh im the same, i wouldnt want someone snooping around my pictures and emails etc. I wouldnt like it at all..

My advice : Create a new profile and restrict it

[VinylVicky]

I personally would have let her, she probably wanted to speak to loved ones on MSN etc, I would have set the guest account up. People do use my computer in my house but they all have accounts.
But if you don't want to let someone use your PC when you're not there, then that's your choice and no one can say anything about it.

[lipsy]

i think you should just set up a guest account. that way you can keep all your stuff private and it will keep the peace in the house. you don't want to fall out do you?
maybe ask her if she has plans to buy her own computer?
does she pay towards the internet connection?

[ShyBoy]

I think the same as you, I put a lot of hard work into my computers and to have some mess about on them all the time... I dont let people use it really, unless I'm sitting with them and they check their emails etc. except for one of my good friends who used to do their homework on my computer, we kind of helped each other though.

At home with my family I do let them go on but only for limited amounts of time... there are enough computers to go around anyway!

I think she should respect your property and your decision, in no way are you obliged to let her use it, and she shouldn't expect to be allowed use of it. It's a priveledge, not a right afterall.

[spartaalbion]

I would be the same a computer is a bit like a diary or a journal in the fact that it can contain lots of personal things, I wouldn't let anyone use a piece of paper out of my diary whilst I wasn't there as people tend to get nosey when people aren't around.

[Replicant]

I'd be the same... if she's going to use it, like others have said, create a new user and restrict the hell out of it

[Life of Kate]

Originally Posted by lipsy

i think you should just set up a guest account. that way you can keep all your stuff private and it will keep the peace in the house. you don't want to fall out do you?
maybe ask her if she has plans to buy her own computer?
does she pay towards the internet connection?

Technically, I guess she does pay towards internet, as we each pay the same amount every month, one lump sum to cover rent and bills. However, I would be quite happy to pay more for internet, or for her to pay less for not having internet if she's not able to use it through lack of a computer. It's not up to me though, it's up to the guy we live with, as he sorts all the bills and he's who we pay our lump sum to.

I will see how she is tonight anyway, will just go in and say hello and stuff as normal and see how she is. I think ultimately, I will leave it for now though, not give her a guest account or anything, at least until I know her a bit better... it's only been three days, after all!

Yeah, I think the issue is that you've just met her. I wouldn't be very comfortable with a near stranger being on our computer when I wasn't around, but I don't have a problem with people I know using it.

If she's going to go in a big huff about it then I'd be even less inclined to go out of my way to set up guest accounts etc. Just see how she is while you're getting to know her... play it by ear

[**Helen**]

Sorry moved this to Net & Tech, but actually probably more one for home, law & money.

[Life of Kate]

Originally Posted by **Helen**

Sorry moved this to Net & Tech, but actually probably more one for home, law & money.

Yeah, or relationships... this is why I put it into anything goes to begin with... I got all indecisive about where it should go! Thanks Helen

Briggi, yeah, it's definitely more about the fact that I've only just met her, I wouldn't be nearly so stressed about a friend using it, or having a guest account. I think I got a bit annoyed that she was pissed off about it too... like shyboy said, I'm not under any obligation to let her use it, so I feel she should respect my wishes.

[lipsy]

Originally Posted by Kate1

I think I got a bit annoyed that she was pissed off about it too... like shyboy said, I'm not under any obligation to let her use it, so I feel she should respect my wishes.

yeah she sounds like a little bitch. i'd watch out for her if i was you. maybe tell your housemate what happened so if anything else happens he can be on your side..

[lucifer devil]

tell the little madam to buy her own computer.

[lipsy]

i know who does she think she is, making demands when shes just moved in!

[Fiend_85]

Er, little bit judgemental actually. She asked, and made a completely reasonable suggestion, and probably just felt a bit funny that constraints were made without any kind of explaination. She might have been "off" not that anyone knows what "off" is seing as she's only lived there for three days, for a completly unrelated thing. So maybe less of the high horse would be good right now. It's not like she went ahead and used it anyway.