As I noted, the Little Chef next to my hotel has a WiFi hotspot. For some reason, they turn it off every night at 10 when they close. And the manager hasn't told the staff that turning it on is part of the regular opening procedure. So this morning I came over at 7:15 for breakfast and a quick fix of Internet, and the WiFi was down, and the poor minimum-wage school-leaver who had just opened the store and restaurant had never heard of "WiFi" or "network", and thought that the manager "might be getting in by 8:15." (He wasn't.)
Oh well, things are working now (mid afternoon). But I wonder why they turn it off at night. It probably takes less electricity than the Budweiser sign in the window....
Posted by geoff2 at September 6, 2004 09:45 AMSounds typical. Our local caf, "Rooz Cafe" in Oakland also has Apple-based WiFi and everytime I'm there for lunch you'll see every table with a laptop. Steve, the owner, started turning off the base station at closing after he discovered people sitting on the street at night sucking his DSL signal. Apparently there are lots of people roaming around in cars looking for carriers. Luckily his staff are knowledgable enought to remember how to turn it back on. Check out http://www.roozcafe.com/. I created his website for him.
Posted by: Richard Friedman at September 6, 2004 12:26 PMWell, this is a pay for use hotspot, operated by a company called ReadyToSurf. (Or perhaps Colubris - it's hazy.) So if the manager leaves the WiFi turned on, the only people who can use it will be people who've paid for it. If he's getting a cut, that's profit, innit? (Ferengi ethics apply.)
Posted by: Geoff Arnold at September 6, 2004 03:28 PMI think it is a little strange that when you are on vacation you are still playing on the computer checking your website, making new articles and so forth...But then again I would be asking if you were ill or something so it's good to hear that you are in good health we won't have you any other way...Things are fine here back at the states and we look forward to more stories when you get back...
Posted by: Mark Gallagher at September 7, 2004 03:43 PMPay-for-use WiFi in cafe's is a sin! Such places should be avoided and the owners notified why. It costs the owner practically nothing to run the WiFi. And making it free attracts customers. Steve, at Rooz Cafe, says it costs him $50/month. Hardly worth worrying about. He does charge something nominal to use his spare iMac if you didn't bring your laptop. And sometimes he'll even wave the tariff if you also order lunch. The place is usually nearly full, and he does ask people to order coffee or food when they're logged in. It makes for a much friendly atmosphere.
Why you'd bring a laptop to a cafe in the first place I don't quite understand, but I guess if you don't have DSL at home it might make sense. Bringing a laptop on vacation ought to be outlawed, however.
Wave to High Wycombe and the old school as you drive by Geoff (or give a 2-fingered salute as I usually do)!
Why am I beginning to doubt this "vacation" story?
Just kidding, I haven't had a "vacation" completely away from computers for many years. 1986, I think was the last one and before that, 1983.
Susan
Posted by: Susan in St. Paul at September 8, 2004 02:00 PM