We have a fiber-optic line outside our hospital, but we're told we need to hire an IT person to 'manage the line' -- another expense.

At any given moment, we have 200 to 300 users running fax servers, lab reports, radiology, or medical record transcripts, so we are using slightly less than what a T1 line can handle -- so if 10 guys are streaming music, a couple are on game sites and a few are instant messaging -- this can shut the system down.

Because of security issues, the hospital is prohibited from using broadband. Fiber-optics are probably the best option, but not everyone has it and it is very expensive -- just out of our price range at this point.

We still do have connection issues at times, often because some employees are downloading something they should not -- so we made a strong policy with disciplinary actions spelled out and made it clear that the system can't handle employees downloading or shopping.

Online shopping, anything involving pictures, downloading music can use up too much of a taxed system.

(Confidence) was very surprising. I guess people are tolerating the gasoline prices -- the gasoline price hikes -- surprisingly well.