Public Terminal

A public terminal is a type of computer that exists in some countries on Earth, including the Thames Republic and the majority of the European Union. They exist to both provide a communication method for people without a functioning PDA, and act as a safe place to shelter from extreme weather and electromagnetic attacks, allowing one to call for help. They often have a reputation for being comically robust, withstanding the most intense of storms.

In the Thames Republic, all public terminals are free to use, but in some other countries a fee is paid per every minute spent accessing one. Most are connected to the city grid, but those in remote areas commonly use fission batteries for a power supply. They are most often located within sheltered, heated enclosures, and built to be extremely durable. In rough areas, some are even armoured like the ATMs of old. Most are built by CORE Infosystems, a company known for tough, weatherproof computers.