If you really want to read a paper that is behind a paywall with an unreasonable download fee, you might try to find the university websites of the authors. The

If you really want to read a paper that is behind a paywall with an unreasonable download fee, you might try to find the university websites of the authors. They often make their papers available online from their "publications" webpage. Alternatively, just emailing and asking the author for a pdf might work (if you're comfortable with that). I really miss being a student and having wide access to all kinds of journals. The professional societies (like IEEE computer) do provide some access to some journals, but the coverage is so limited. One would have join all of them to get the same access that a university student has.