[wplug] Wi-Fi Mapping in the Press

[Jason Jerome]

Securing a wireless network would seem like a huge task to a small
coffee shop, especially with the legal implications.  However, this is
only a small service that can be outsourced to a provider for a fee
slightly higher than the monthly internet charge. 
I believe Telerama does this now - The business pays the monthly
charge, and Telerama handles the hardware and security.  I live near
the Crazy Mocha in Shadyside, which provides free internet access
through Telerama.

As far as the business implications, I can't see how it would be a bad
thing.  In fact, I'd bet all the coffee shops that charge for internet
access provide free electricity.  




--- gregsim at telerama.com wrote:

> I agree with Doug.  Successful businesses usually have a "loss
> leader" -
> something they can give away free to draw in business.  Actually,
> extra
> bandwidth is pretty cheap. 
> 
> My concern is security.  I helped a lady set up a wireless access
> point in her
> new, small book store in Lebanon, PA.  Her regular IT guy was
> freaking out about
> whether there should be encryption since people could sit in her
> parking lot and
> steal bandwidth - the typing in a 128 bit key is a big hassle for a
> casual
> customer.  I figure pirated connections would only be a problem if
> they stole so
> much bandwidth, it denied the customers service.  Not likely.  But,
> it does
> allow people into her network.  How much of a firewall should be
> build around
> her business computer?  Is Microsoft's personal firewall enough?  
> 
> Greg
> 
> Quoting Doug Green <diego96 at mac.com>:
> 
> > This is not a good venue to discuss business principles or
> anything,  
> > but I totally disagree. Many businesses actually encourage the
> "home  
> > away from home" concept, trying to lure consumers to spend more
> time at 
> > 
> > their establishments. One successful example is Panera Bread. They
> have 
> > 
> > been expanding their franchise rapidly, and avidly promote the "sit
> and 
> > 
> > stay" mentality by offering cozy fireplaces, reading lamps,
> comfortable 
> > 
> > couches and free Wi-Fi. The idea is that if you spend more time,
> you'll 
> > 
> > buy more and develop patterned consumer behavior at that business. 
> 
> > Eventually, you'll buy something... and as long as this is true,
> the  
> > free Wi-Fi map will continue to grow.
> > 
> > In a competitive business environment, free net access is a value
> added 
> > 
> > bonus to the consumer. While I'm not an expert on the costs of  
> > bandwidth, I'd bet that the gain in business far outweighs the cost
> of 
> > 
> > operation. Either way, free wi-fi is a good thing and we all
> benefit!  
> > :) Even established businesses that don't offer wi-fi for free will
>  
> > begin to feel the competition heating up (ex: Starbucks vs. Panera
> at  
> > locations on McKnight Road and in Oakland). In the meantime, I'm  
> > keeping my eyes on the ever-expanding free wi-fi map!
> > 
> > -Doug
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > On Feb 18, 2005, at 1:56 PM, Michael P. O Connor wrote:
> > 
> > > I know why more places don't have free Wi-Fi, because it causes
> > money,
> > > and there are also probles with providing it.  If I owned a
> bussness
> > I
> > > would not have free Wi-Fi, ya it sounds great but what about the
> over
> > > head cost, and how many people would come and not buy anything
> and
> > just
> > > leach off the free internet, removing the tables for paying
> > costomers,
> > > or lets say you have a coffee house, they come buy a coffee and
> sit
> > > there for hours just surfing the web, bandwidth is not free,
> untill  
> > > that
> > > day Wi-Fi will not be free everywhere.
> > >
> > >>     Hi, all, wanted to mention that Pittsburgh's own
> WiFiMaps.com has
> >  
> > >> been
> > >> in the press recently, creating maps for a couple of  newpapers.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Why pay for Wi-Fi?
> > >> http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05038/453206.stm
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Seattle's packed with Wi-Fi spots
> > >>
> > > http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/ 
> > > 2002183464_wifimap18.html
> > >>
> > >> _______________________________________________
> > >> wplug mailing list
> > >> wplug at wplug.org
> > >> http://www.wplug.org/mailman/listinfo/wplug
> > >>
> > >>
> > >
> > > -- 
> > > Michael P. O'Connor
> > > mpop at mikeoconnor.net
> > > http://www.mikeoconnor.net
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > wplug mailing list
> > > wplug at wplug.org
> > > http://www.wplug.org/mailman/listinfo/wplug
> > >
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > gpg --recv-keys --keyserver search.keyserver.net 6128880D
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > wplug mailing list
> > wplug at wplug.org
> > http://www.wplug.org/mailman/listinfo/wplug
> > 
> _______________________________________________
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> 



		
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