Comments on: Hotspots Are Not So Hot. Yet.

By: Andi

Andi — Sat, 17 May 2008 22:42:31 +0000

wifind.in alpha1 is public now. Some features will be released in alpha2. And we miss data, so you are encouraged to add some WiFi Locations you know.

Andi

By: Web Worker Daily » Archive Service Serves Those Who Need Temporary Mobile Internet «

Fri, 02 May 2008 13:00:35 +0000

[...] there are two ways of getting online when you are traveling: either rely upon Wi-Fi hotspots where you can find them, or pay for a mobile broadband cellular card. However, mobile broadband cards are very expensive [...]

By: vincent

vincent — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:06:02 +0000

What your tax dollars don't pay for, you pay for. So in the end, you still pay, or you get nothing if you can't afford to pay. That doesn't strike me as a particularly good deal...

There's something to be said for living in a place where bridges don't collapse and steam pipes don't explode. I paid less taxes in the US, but I somewhat resented paying taxes there because compared to France, I had a feeling I was getting pretty much nothing for my money.

In France, I pay a bit more, but I get so much more (good free schools for my kids, good and cheap healthcare, excellent infrastructures, bullet trains, super-fast, super-cheap Internet thanks to the tax dollars spent on modernizing the telecom infrastructures, etc.).

In that context, free WiFi is a drop in the budgetary bucket and a nice touch.

I don't know about Pamela's idea about working outdoors, but it does mean I can take a break in a public park or catch an exhibition in a museum during business hours, while keeping an eye on my email on my iPhone, thus minimizing the risk of missing an important client request or losing a gig.

By: Pamela Poole

Pamela Poole — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 06:48:11 +0000

Andi, I’m so glad to know that wifind.in will allow you to search for hotspots by type of location! Good luck with your startup and thank you for providing that service!

By: Pamela Poole

Pamela Poole — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 06:43:53 +0000

In some of these comments there seems to be resistance to the idea of tax money paying for public wi-fi, resentment at the thought that some people might have free Internet access on our dime, and a failure to see exactly how essential the Internet is to our societal infrastructure.

Comparing our dependency on Internet connectivity now to what it was 10 years ago, the natural conclusion I reached was that free public wi-fi is just the next logical step. People, businesses, society in general are increasingly unwilling or unable to function without the Internet.

It also seemed to me that, if more people begin to telework as time goes on, which I hope will be the case for the sake of the environment and general quality of life for workers, we'll get out less because of it. So having the option to work in a pleasant and healthy open-air setting would be a welcome change in much the same way that picknicking from time to time provides a relaxing and beneficial change of scenery.

It doesn't seem so far fetched to me, but then again, I'm a bit of a sci-fi geek and a Utopian...

By: Beer Meister

Beer Meister — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:58:44 +0000

C’mon! Is not having wi-fi access in the park really a big issue? Yeah, public wi-fi would be great, but in the meantime, if you want to work from the park, get a cellular card from your local wireless provider and pay for that privilege. I would rather my tax dollars pay for real civic infrastructure (I know I am dreaming) than provide MySpace and YouTube access to teens tanning in the park. Realistically, how many people would an expenditure like this benefit? You can still go to the library, McDonald’s, or any number of places for your out-of-office internet access experience, just leave my tax dollars alone. Why should the public subsidize your sun-worshiping experience?

By: Spami

Spami — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:24:28 +0000

You can found a lot HotSpots for free in Paris. Just check this url: http://maps.fon.com/

By: Andi

Andi — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:22:26 +0000

This feature will be available in alpha 2 on wifind.in.

By: Pamela Poole

Pamela Poole — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:57:21 +0000

Hi Jo. Well, countries with socialist leanings like France tend to use their taxpayers’ money to actually provide public services. The guy who wrote the Mashable article thought it would be nice if the US govt. used taxes to provide free wi-fi too. I think it ought to be as free as TV. Some CA Democrats agree, even if they’re not going about it the right way: http://gizmodo.com/381878/free-wireless-internet-for-the-masses-another-dumb-scheme-from-washingtonAnd And I don’t think it’s a given that everybody’s government spies on them. Just certain governments…

By: Pamela Poole

Pamela Poole — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:22:18 +0000

Hi Ben. I’m sure up there at latitude 44 you like to take advantage of the sun just like I do at 48! It would be such a healthy trend if it took off. I’ll be curious to find out what comes of your research, so let me know!

By: Jo

Jo — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:28:00 +0000

Why would anyone want government run WiFi paid for by tax payers money? Let's just let them into our computers by that free WiFi.

And for that matter - where does it say anyone has a "right" to free WiFi anywhere?

I don't like working in a cube, but I like my job and adjust.

By: Ben Overmyer

Ben Overmyer — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:29:07 +0000

This is a very interesting idea that I would love to see implemented.

In fact, I'm going to research it as an option for here in Brookings, South Dakota - it may get chilly and snowy in winter, but in the warmer months we have more sun (and FRESH air!) than most of the rest of the USA. I bet an outdoor co-working spot would go over famously here!