Dennis Eberl wrote:
> A place I'd like to see a wireless "docking port" is The Broadway
> Bistro/Market, one of my favorite watering holes in Eugene (and just
> downstairs from where I live, hummmmmm...) I'd like to be able to take
> my PowerBook down there and surf while having breakfast. And it sure
> would be nice if some of the more comfortable public spaces downtown
> offered wireless access. You get the picture.
I've never been to the Broadway Bistro, but I'll have to check it out
next time I'm in town*. Is it in that new building at Charnelton or
thereabouts?
If you live right upstairs, it sounds like you're completely empowered
to give wireless access to the Bistro. Get a DSL line (or cable or
clipper or whatever), plug in an AirPort, and walk downstairs. You'll
certainly have coverage. You don't even have to open the net up to
anyone else (but it would be nice if you did (-: ).
If the Bistro has a bulletin board, you might make a quick flyer and
pin it up:
The Bistro/Market now has wireless internet access.
To connect, follow the instructions on this
web page. http://.....
Take a look at the Dana St. Roasting Company for an example.
http://www.live.com/danastreet/
You might talk to mgmt first. Ask if they'd like a free trial, and if
it works out they can buy their own service after six months or
something.
BTW, to restart the earlier conversation, I wouldn't be surprised if a
lot of coffee houses became wireless access points.
A. I see a lot of people in coffee houses with laptops these days. I
see a lot of people using coffee houses as temporary offices - a
laptop, a cell phone, a note pad, and a double-half-latte is all
you need.
In fact, after we put our house on the market, and I can't sit at
home all day, I'll probably be spending a lot of time at a coffee
house.
B. The cost to the coffee house is small - a broadband line plus a
base station. The cyber cafe thing a few years ago never caught on
because a PC per table is really expensive.
C. It's not the coffee house's main business, so they don't have to
make a profit from it - they just need it bring in a few more
customers who'll buy a cup of coffee.
The wonderful thing is if in some neighborhoods the wireless
coffeehouses were close enough together to give decent coverage of the
whole area.
--
K<bob>
[EMAIL PROTECTED], http://www.jogger-egg.com/
* Background for Dennis (most of the EUG-LUGgers know this already).
I don't live in Eugene (yet). We're in San Jose, CA, aka Silicon
Valley. We intend to move north this summer. I joined the EUG-LUG
mailing list nearly a year ago so I'd know some geeks when we moved.
The strategy paid off brilliantly for our trip last
Thanksgiving. (-:
