Friday, May 27, 2005
Free Weekend WiFi Nix
Glenn Fleishman reports that one Seattle coffee shop has shut down its free WiFi on the weekends. He writes:
One commenter points out two other coffee shops that also have "no weekend WiFi" policies. Another observes that as hotspots become more popular, the all-day loitering will become less common. Another speaks of a system whereby (free) access codes are issued by the cashier -- you have to be shameless to not buy something. Smart discussion.
Me, if I must use a coffee shop's WiFi for more than half an hour, at least I engage the waitperson once, buy something, leave a non-trivial tip.
It's an interesting minor speedbump on the infobahn. Predictable. Will some mainstream newspaper sensationalize it? How about "Internet Moochers Destroy Saturday Coffee Outings."
[The coffee shop's co-owner says,] “over the past year it seems that nobody talks to each other any more,” she said. On the weekends, 80 to 90 percent of tables and chairs are taken up by people using computers.The cafe has an "unspoken policy" that WiFi users must buy something, but the staff feels awkward about enforcing it. [Wouldn't posting a little sign be less draconian than shutting off service?]
One commenter points out two other coffee shops that also have "no weekend WiFi" policies. Another observes that as hotspots become more popular, the all-day loitering will become less common. Another speaks of a system whereby (free) access codes are issued by the cashier -- you have to be shameless to not buy something. Smart discussion.
Me, if I must use a coffee shop's WiFi for more than half an hour, at least I engage the waitperson once, buy something, leave a non-trivial tip.
It's an interesting minor speedbump on the infobahn. Predictable. Will some mainstream newspaper sensationalize it? How about "Internet Moochers Destroy Saturday Coffee Outings."
Technorati Tags: GlennFleishman, WiFi
Comments:
In a world where communication is the leading trend of the economy, where sending messages and voice over PSTN, IP, GSM, is the talk of the moment, we have reached the point where is not important anymore what you say, but HOW you say it.
Because what you say doesn't make revenues, but how you say it does...
In a world where Communication is everything, people will die for lack of communication.
To say it in three lines:
Don't say it,
I couldn't
care less.
Patrizia
http://www.woip.blogspot.com
Post a Comment
Because what you say doesn't make revenues, but how you say it does...
In a world where Communication is everything, people will die for lack of communication.
To say it in three lines:
Don't say it,
I couldn't
care less.
Patrizia
http://www.woip.blogspot.com
