QuoteThey Sit for Hours and Don't Spend Much
QuoteSo far, this appears to be largely a New York phenomenon, though San Francisco's Coffee Bar does now put out signs when the shop is crowded asking laptop users to share tables and make space for other customers.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124950421033208823.html
:(
Wow, if this hits Jacksonville, looks like some of the "intellectuals" on this board will be screwed.
Quote from: Sigma on August 07, 2009, 12:05:59 PM
QuoteThey Sit for Hours and Don't Spend Much
QuoteSo far, this appears to be largely a New York phenomenon, though San Francisco's Coffee Bar does now put out signs when the shop is crowded asking laptop users to share tables and make space for other customers.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124950421033208823.html
:(
Wow, if this hits Jacksonville, looks like some of the "intellectuals" on this board will be screwed.
Interesting stuff. It is a shame that often these 'free' perks for paying customers gets abused and ultimatly come out of the business owners pockets. This is sort of akin to going to a Mexican restaurant, and just eating the free chips, but not buying dinner. Kind of a douchie move.
I haven't really seen an overwhelming number of intellectuals bogging down coffee shop wifi in Jacksonville so far. Maybe one day.
So you actually should have experience in a subject before claiming to have some expertise?
Quote from: Lunican on August 07, 2009, 01:15:57 PM
I haven't really seen an overwhelming number of intellectuals bogging down coffee shop wifi in Jacksonville so far. Maybe one day.
Until they create a laptop that resembles a monster truck and produces endless cans of beer, you probably won't ever see it here. OCKLAWAHA
Quote from: NotNow on August 07, 2009, 01:17:08 PM
So you actually should have experience in a subject before claiming to have some expertise?
Thats easy. You just have to claim experience in everything. Duh! :D
Well, I think the article is more about those individuals who come in and purchase their coffee and perhaps a danish or muffin, but then they linger around for hours squatting on table space. Anyone who has ever remained in the restaurant business for long knows that table turnover is a key to making a profit. Most patrons with common sense realize this too and don't abuse it.
But then there are those that abuse it and don't care. I believe this would be the type of person in your comment DTP. The type that would actually feed off the restaurant, probably not even ordering a drink except for water. This person would be as parasitic as the bums who rush into the main library for their morning bath and other, ahemmm, things. If someone did this to me in my restaurant more than a couple times, they'd be asked not to come back. "Sorry to hurt your feelings, but I'm trying to make a living here."
Etiquette, a little goes a long way.
This seems to go back to those who think everything is or should be free. That there is an entitlement to free electricity and WiFi and airconditioning and heat. Clearly the ones abusing do not pay for their own internet access and believe they are entitled to use someone elses. Clearly' according to the article... some business owners are fed up and turning these abusers away. They have decided that the loss of a few patrons cups of coffee while taking up an entire table is worth it.
A coffeehouse is not a customer's place of business or personal hang out. Many coffee houses provide that sort of atmosphere, but after a certain point, the customer is taking advantage of the situation.
There obviously should be different rules for different places according to demand for seating. In the article it mentions certain hours where laptops would not be accepted unless they were being used while eating. This would make sense for most places, as there is an obvious time when demand for tables is at its peak.
Here is the entire article... just so we all know what it actually says... :)
QuoteA sign at Naidre's, a small neighborhood coffee shop in Brooklyn, N.Y., begins warmly: "Dear customers, we are absolutely thrilled that you like us so much that you want to spend the day..."
But, it continues, "...people gotta eat, and to eat they gotta sit." At Naidre's in Park Slope and its second location in nearby Carroll Gardens, Wi-Fi is free. But since the spring of 2008, no laptops have been allowed between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekends, unless the customer is eating and typing at the same time.
Amid the economic downturn, there are fewer places in New York to plug in computers. As idle workers fill coffee-shop tables -- nursing a single cup, if that, and surfing the Web for hours -- and as shop owners struggle to stay in business, a decade-old love affair between coffee shops and laptop-wielding customers is fading. In some places, customers just get cold looks, but in a growing number of small coffee shops, firm restrictions on laptop use have been imposed and electric outlets have been locked. The laptop backlash may predate the recession, but the recession clearly has accelerated it.
View Slideshow
The Wall Street Journal
Laptop policy at Naidre' cafe in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
MORE
Real Time Econ: Why Job Hunt at Starbucks? Where is your favorite Wi-Fi hot spot? "You don't want to discourage it, it's a wonderful tradition," says Naidre's owner Janice Pullicino, 53 years old. A former partner in a computer-graphics business, Ms. Pullicino insists she loves technology and hates to limit its use. But when she realized that people with laptops were taking up seats and driving away the more lucrative lunch crowd, she put up the sign. Last fall, she covered up some of the outlets, describing that as a "cost-cutting measure" to save electricity.
So far, this appears to be largely a New York phenomenon, though San Francisco's Coffee Bar does now put out signs when the shop is crowded asking laptop users to share tables and make space for other customers.
Some coffee shops say they still welcome laptop users, if only because they make the stores look busy. For some, the growing number of laptop-carrying customers with time on their hands is reason to expand. "I had to add more outlets and higher speed" in early June, says Sebastian Simsch, 40, the co-owner of Seattle Coffee Works. Starbucks Corp. coffee houses, which in some cases charge for Wi-Fi, and bookstore chain Borders Group Inc., which always charges for Wi-Fi, don't have any plans to change their treatment of laptop customers. Neither does bookstore giant Barnes & Noble Inc., where the Wi-Fi is complimentary.
But in New York, the trend is accelerating among independents. At Cocoa Bar locations in Brooklyn and on the Manhattan's Lower East Side, a five-month-old rule forbids laptops after 8 on Friday and Saturday nights. At Espresso 77 in Jackson Heights, Queens, owners covered three of five electric outlets six months ago after its loosely enforced laptop-use restrictions failed to encourage turnover. At two of three Café Grumpy locations -- one in Brooklyn and the other in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood -- laptops are never welcome.
Laptop backlash poses particular difficulties for people without offices, says Leah Meyerhoff, 29, a film director and free-lancer. She long has used coffee shops to interview cast and crew and to work on pre-production. Now, she says, "it's a constant search for places with the Internet where I can sit and focus without being frowned upon."
"Good luck staying open when you're turning half your clientele out on a Friday night," Hannah Moots, 23, wrote about Cocoa Bar on Yelp, a Web site where customers rate retailers. When Ms. Moots, who aspires to be an archaeologist, met her boyfriend at the coffee shop after 8 p.m. on a Friday to work on graduate-school applications, she was ushered out, she says, even though the place was almost empty.
"We had to power down or leave instantly," Ms. Moots wrote in her blog. She left and went to a different cafe, where she later expressed her dismay on the Web. Masoud Soltani, a Cocoa Bar owner, confirms that he sent her a Yelp message: "I remember you very well...I would not think you would write such bad stuff about us." Mr. Soltani says she is no longer welcome in his store.
Customers' frugality has reached extremes in the recession, the 40-year-old Mr. Soltani says. Some patrons show up with a tea bag for a free hot-water refill or quietly unwrap homemade sandwiches, he says. The Soltani brothers tried to adapt by adding sandwiches to their assortment of pastries and chocolates two months ago. And they want to be able to change the atmosphere after dark. "We lower the light, and it's chocolate, wine and couples holding hands," says Masoud's brother Bahman. "What's the guy with the laptop doing here?"
Some customers are sympathetic. Norm Elrod was "devastated," he wrote on his blog -- called "Jobless and Less" -- when he spotted "little plastic covers on the electrical outlets, secured with little padlocks" at Espresso 77. "But I knew why they had done it," the 37-year-old unemployed marketing manager says.
"I used to be one of the abusers," Mr. Elrod confesses on his blog, "sipping a two-dollar cup of coffee in a to-go cup for hours." But, he says in an interview, now he practices what he considers better coffee-shop etiquette, lingering over his laptop during off-hours and spending more money.
At Café Grumpy in Chelsea, Ty-Lör Boring, a 32-year-old chef, says he often uses his laptop at coffee shops, but loves it when there are none around because, then, people talk to one another.
"You can isolate yourself behind a laptop," he says, "but look at this place: Almost everyone is having a conversation."
Locally, and downtown especially, the following sentence rings true...
"Some coffee shops say they still welcome laptop users, if only because they make the stores look busy."
Free WIFI.......mmmm. Yep my mechanic has it in the waiting room. Most hotels/motels have it. My office has it. A couple of restaurants have it where I go, but reality is I'd rather watch the sports on the tube and/or chat with friends. But I have seen the "intellectuals" in Paneras siting working/playing on the lap top hogging a table. I know one guy that thinks women are impressed by it. He's been single a long time.
Some places in the burbs charge for the connection. You don't see as many laptops there. I have been on the road and needed the connection to check email and conduct business. On those occasions free is appreciated but pay as you go works too.
With me "intellectuals" is a unflattering word. Worse than "douchie". Or perhaps "cheap" in this case trying to use free web access instead of purchasing it at home.
No doubt Lunican... the situations described in New York and San Francisco do not really apply in Jacksonville. Getting people in with free access is a business generator here. The places referenced in the article had customers waiting for tables or people bringing there own food and tea bags. Congrats to the owners to ask them to leave and come back when it is not busy...
Quote from: stephendare on August 07, 2009, 02:03:50 PM..........Without people hanging out, there isnt any business at all, ergo the bands, poetry readings, art shows etc.....................
Which back in the '60s and '70s was designed to have people interact face to face not keystroke to keystroke.
I am not for or against a place banning laptop use. I think the business will face the consequence of their choice by either profiting through more turnover, or suffering from alienating a group of customers. Obviously as a laptop wielding customer, you will be able to find a coffeehouse somewhere that will suite your needs.
Stephen you said "Coffee, after the morning shift, is an entirely social kind of a business." Which is why I like the idea of limiting laptop use to certain hours.
Although a this is a small sample, in going to Three Layers, a person using a laptop on a Saturday night taking up an entire table for themself could be a problem considering the number of people there and the size of the space. However, when I went Wednesday after Art Walk, around the same time I was there on a Saturday night, there was plenty of space for the people there occupying a whole table for themself and their laptop.
Whatever the feeling on this, the business has the choice in the matter, and will feel the repercussion.
QuoteCool sigma. Which restaurant do you own?
I don't, which is why I used the term "If" in front of the sentance. As a writer, I'm surprised you didn't know that.
I have, however, worked as a waiter, a bartender, and a manager years ago. I'm assuming the basics of restaurant management still apply. And obviously, cheapskates still abound.
QuoteHaving owned a few, I'm actually friends with most of the restaurantuers in town. These are very hard times.
Key word: Having
Perhaps all the freebies did not work out for you?
QuoteLike many of the articles you post, this one is interesting, but it doesnt really have much to do with the majority of the world.
Have you seen some of the crap you post? :D
This is a pretty simple problem to solve. Simply set the router to automatically bump a mac address off after an hour. When they complain, just shrug and say you have no idea what's going on.
QuoteI thought you didnt like this attitude over at The London Bridge, bt?
Or was it something else?
The Bridge has never had free WiFi as far as I know... but then I dont go to a bar to surf... I go to socialize. If I owned the Bridge I would have free wiFi for my customers and advertse the fact. But at some point if I had paying customers waiting for tables I would have to ask the non paying WiFi users to leave and come back later when it is not so busy. I might also contemplate an per hour charge for use... seems fair dont you think?
QuoteThis is a pretty simple problem to solve. Simply set the router to automatically bump a mac address off after an hour. When they complain, just shrug and say you have no idea what's going on.
Exactly... or password protect the router and let the user pay by the hour for the password...
Well that is what the article was about wasnt it? It says it was a growing trend mostly in New York and San Fran... I would be surprised if anybody in Jax has the same problems the owners of those coffee shops cited.
I am not giving anyone advice, I am just showing the reasoning behind my acceptance of places banning laptop use. Much like I said before, it is the businesse's choice to do what they want and I am fine with that.
As far as you going out with your friends and spending plenty of money in the process, you would be what I was saying about alienating a customer group and suffering from it. If a place chooses to not allow laptops in hopes of making more money from turnover, the other side to that is losing customers like you and your friends.
Whoever is making the call for that business realy has to weigh each outcome to decide what they believe is best.
In my choice for coffee, using a laptop is not normally a consideration, but I am sure for many others it is.
QuoteWhoever is making the call for that business realy has to weigh each outcome to decide what they believe is best.
Well said... :)
QuoteIn any case, owning a restaurant is kind of crucial to having an opinion on this matter.
So now, Stephen Dare is setting the rules for this thread. His rule: You must have owned a restaurant to have an opinion!
Based on this logic, we should expand this RULE across the entire board. And therefore, Stephen, unless you have military experience, police experience, health insurance managment experience, and experience in medical patient care, then you should not be allowed to post on any of the other threads that discuss these matters.
Fair enough?
QuoteSigma. ahh. you used to be a waiter.
Stephen, ahh. you are trying to discredit my experience again.
Waiter+bartender+manager. Can you remember that?
What that means is practical experience in the industry, the good, bad, and ugly. In fact, I worked my way through all of these roles while I was in college. Some very long days. The restaurant business is tough.
It's tougher when moochers are in the way of customers who are willing to pay.
It seems that LucasJ, Lunican, BT, DTP, and Overstreet understand this and know that the manager or owner must adjust to make a profit at their location. I'm surprised you just can't get that.
I think its great that businesses offer these services, be it internet or chips and peanuts, I just think that if people are going to take advantage of it they should be paying customers. Otherwise, they are just freeloaders.
So in short, Yaaaaah! for the business, Booooo! on the freeloaders.
Well Stephen, I was not aware that I needed to post under my name. Especially after you sent the nasty PM about knowing "exactly who I am!". Why does it matter.
Now, since you've tried to hijack yet another thread by making it personal, would you care to get back on track and share with us some of your vast restaurant wisdom?
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
okay you two... do I have to go and get mom?
Quote from: sheclown on August 07, 2009, 03:00:36 PM
okay you two... do I have to go and get mom?
Only if she has free wi-fi and tostitos!
Panera Bread has rules too...
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1278278/panera_bread_restaurants_the_unspoken.html?cat=22
QuotePanera Bread Restaurants: The Unspoken Rules of Using Panera Bread Free WiFi
December 15, 2008 by Jamie Brown
Wifi Panera Bread Restaurants first came on the scene in 1981. Today they've grown to over 1200 locations in the USA and Canada. Here are some unspoken rules and guidelines to follow when you are using the Internet at Panera Bread Restaurants.
Buy Something!
When you come to Panera Bread restaurants, laptop strapped to your shoulder, your first stop should be to the counter to order something. Whether it be something as small as a coffee or as large as a delicious Bacon Turkey Bravo sandwich platter, you've got to buy something before you settle in for a long stay while using their Internet service.
Respect Panera Breads Lunch Rush
If you're gonna be there pretty much all day, you have to take a lunch break between the hours of 11:00am-2pm.... elsewhere! Those are Panera's busiest hours. Many Panera Bread Restaurant locations do not even allow you to access the Internet for more than a half hour in that time period. So give Panera Bread Company some respect and appreciation for allowing you to use their facilities as a pseudo office for an entire day. Pack up your laptop and go elsewhere for lunch, then return after 2pm.
Find an Outlet
Don't just sit anywhere when you come to Panera Bread restaurants. Sit near an outlet so that you won't end up running out of battery power on your laptop. If you only plan to stay for an hour or so, there is no need to take up an outlet. Leave it for someone else who may need it.
Find a Small Table
Panera Bread restaurants literature asks that you find a small table if you're by yourself using the Internet, so that you won't deprive a large party of dining patrons access to a large table. So just grab a two seater table instead of a 6 to 8 person table.
Here is an interesting article embracing all of the views we have discussed...
http://www.incentivemag.com/msg/content_display/marketing/e3i3eebab3a25f070800bc9308b6fc22cc7
QuoteGot Wi-Fi Leeches? Use It to Your Advantage
December 27, 2006
By Peter P. Roosen and Tatsuya Nakagawa
Road-weary traveling sales professionals are among the growing number of Wi-Fi leeches, attaching to open wireless networks often without the owner's knowledge or permission in order to access the Internet. The practice has evolved from latching onto a cafe's free wireless service from a car in the parking lot, to drive-thru circling in hotel and motel parking lots. A free no-fuss way to check e-mails, confirm travel plans, obtain business information from the net and otherwise communicate efficiently is the desired result. Great for the leech, but what does it do for the host? It depends on how the host responds.
Wirelsss Internet service is generally a nuisance to establish with significant costs involved is setting up and maintaining wireless routers, especially for a larger hotel or motel where multiple broadcast points are needed. There are special staff training issues and the need to have someone available who can troubleshoot problems as they occurâ€"frequently in most installations.
However, having Internet services available is no longer simply optional for most operators since many modern travelers are finding Internet services more important than having a telephone or television in the room. Some will base their decision of where to stay on the availability of quality Internet service, stating they require such service as a condition of booking into a room. The incremental cost associated with bandwidth lost to leeching is small or negligable in most cases.
Most places that offer Internet service present one or more of the three common types of barriers to prevent unwanted "leeching" by people not booked in as hotel guests, or buying something from one of the cafes or other retail businesses that provide Internet access. The three common barrier types are:
1. Requiring users to pay for the service.
2. Putting in a login and password system and asking users to obtain access from the proprietor.
3. Soliciting user information prior to granting access.
These barriers tend to discourage the most common types of leeching and in the cases where the systems are regional or national by chain, after a while, the people who would otherwise be leeching tend to avoid these businesses altogether.
There are some businesses that have taken an entirely different approach. In a few cases, Internet access is granted without any restrictions or fuss and users can simply attach themselves quickly and easily with no cost and go about their business as they see fit. A notable example is the Best Western hotel chain, presently the largest in the world, which has many of its properties established with no-cost and no-fuss Internet access. This reduces the administrative burden of having to help each user gain access every time they book into one of the hotels. Travelers in need of Internet access begin to look for these Best Western signs along the roadways and identify them not only with the hotel brand but as a place to normally obtain hassle- and cost-free Internet access.
Naturally, if someone is seeking Internet access in the early part of the day while driving along the roadways, they are not likely looking for a room and by pulling into the empty parking lot alongside the building are easily identified as Wi-Fi leeches by proprietors. Proprietors often have different views on the subject, with some being openly hostile to non-paying guests obtaining free access at their expense. Most proprietors ignore these unexpected visitors with some at the opposite end of the spectrum offering a free coffee and otherwise welcoming these travelersâ€"a more enlightened approach from a marketing perspective.
Experienced travelers are often creatures of habit who are looking for consistency, ease and simplicity in many aspects of their day-to-day travel activities. This is true whether or not cost is an important aspect of the travel. There is evidence that the Best Western open access policy is resulting in increased room stays from the road-weary Internet-hungry travelers. For example, the habit of checking e-mails and messages at least once a day while on the road will have these people pulling into parking lots at various times of the day or night and for various lengths of time. In some instances, such as late in the day when seeking accommodation for the night becomes a priority or when changes in travel plans become apparent from checking messages while on line, results in them needing to book a room. Sometimes reading and writing e-mails takes longer than expected, hours on occasion, and when the task is completed driving off to another location for a hotel becomes unappealing compared to getting out of the car and booking a room on the spot. Let's face it, the Internet access worked and value was derived so that has the road warrior in a positive frame of mind when walking up to the front desk. Similarly at a cafe.
What about local leeches? There are people who look for such convenient access places in their own area. Kids with laptops sneaking around to avoid parental controls or low-end hackers wanting to upload their latest trial virus across town could be among them and that is the last thing proprietors would want to be involved with. These concerns are likely exaggerated since most libraries have open access, and it has not become an insurmountable problem for them.
The savvy marketer would suggest try selling them something they are willing to pay for. The internet cafe concept was built largely on this idea. Maybe a drive-thru version is what is needed. Send people back out on roller skates like in the 1950s to offer stuff to people parked there food and beverages. Better yet, the solution could be as simple as an introduction web page that promotes the business services offered through the hotel and welcomes visitors to come in for a free cup of coffee. In any event, there are not likely to be many locals wanting or needing to hang out in hotel parking lots to gain wireless internet access. However, there is still an opportunity to incorporate a drive-thru model of the Internet cafe for locals and travelers alike.
Proprietors can choose to become frustrated chasing road weary traveling Wi-Fi leeches from their properties or view it as a marketing opportunity. Best Western does not appear to have advertised or publicized their widespread convenient and free Internet access. This gives a market savvy competitor a chance to capture some publicity if one of these chains was to create a branded drive-in Wi-Fi zone catered to these new aged road warriors. Install it in part of the existing parking lot, perhaps marking and marketing this special space. Welcome users who may become interested in spending a night there. Turn the leeching relationship into a symbiotic one.
Quote from: stephendare on August 07, 2009, 03:14:02 PM
but the Wifi is free, none the less.
Starbucks downtown lost ass loads of business, because Chamblin's has free wifi.
And the fact that there's another Starbuck's less than 200 yards away.
QuoteWifi should be universal and it should be free. Just like any other public radio wave.
So should health insurance and public transportation. Somebody else is always paying aren't they Stephen? Just as long as it's not you.
Bridge Troll, thanks for the articles. Good points. It all depends on the markets, doesn't it?
It will be interesting to see how the wide spread use of smart phones will affect any rules on overstaying your welcome while using the internet. Since many people in coffehouses and other businesses who are using the internet are using it to just socialize and check emails, which can be done from their cell phones, there is no need for a laptop and regulating these people would be harder than someone tying up space with a laptop.
Quote from: Lucasjj on August 07, 2009, 03:29:20 PM
It will be interesting to see how the wide spread use of smart phones will affect any rules on overstaying your welcome while using the internet. Since many people in coffehouses and other businesses who are using the internet are using it to just socialize and check emails, which can be done from their cell phones, there is no need for a laptop and regulating these people would be harder than someone tying up space with a laptop.
Excellant point. I think it all goes back to the etiquette thing. If someone is just sitting there without ordering anything, or worse, snapping up free chips and peanuts and water, leaving a soiled area to be cleaned, then the management has a right to ask them to leave. It's not all about the wi-fi IMHO. The wi-fi issue just takes the freeloading, HVAC-sucking parasites into internet generation.
Quote from: stephendare on August 07, 2009, 03:15:41 PM
Wifi should be universal and it should be free. Just like any other public radio wave.
Who should provide it?
Quote from: parabellum on August 07, 2009, 03:43:27 PM
Quote from: stephendare on August 07, 2009, 03:15:41 PM
Wifi should be universal and it should be free. Just like any other public radio wave.
Who should provide it?
This thread is really going to go off topic here, but if wifi would be broadcasted free like radio it would have to paid for by advertisement. Therefore you would have to be regularly interupted with ads, or with constant banners like they used to do with Netzero and other free Internet service providers. Then I guess you could pay for service without interuption, much like satelite radio.
There is no free lunch.
Five points Coffee and Spice Co, in, you guessed it, 5 points, has free wifi and is open til 3 am every night. You're welcome for the free lunch, I'm paying your wifi tab.
;D See you there Alva!
Quote from: parabellum on August 07, 2009, 03:43:27 PM
Quote from: stephendare on August 07, 2009, 03:15:41 PM
Wifi should be universal and it should be free. Just like any other public radio wave.
Who should provide it?
Some think the tax payer should pay for it.
Quote from: downtownparks on August 07, 2009, 05:37:17 PM
Quote from: parabellum on August 07, 2009, 03:43:27 PM
Quote from: stephendare on August 07, 2009, 03:15:41 PM
Wifi should be universal and it should be free. Just like any other public radio wave.
Who should provide it?
Some think the tax payer should pay for it.
And the laptop too! And free cell phones for everyone to go with their new cars! Boy, I hope we don't run out of other people's money anytime soon. Maybe we should just use the power of government to make every food and drink establishment offer WiFi and comfy seating. Those owners have lots of money left after paying for mandatory health insurance and paying the new, fairer minimum wage.
hah I feel like a dick because prior to reading this thread I've been sitting at a local bar & grill in Miramar for 2 hours hogging up valuable space apparently. I'm doing my part though, so far my tab is at 25 bucks.
I'm not one of those "go-to-the-coffee-shop-just-so-other-people-can-see-me-typing" kinda people. I'm in school for 40 hours a week lately and flat broke ( except I made good tips last night hence the current 25 dollar bar tab) I have no internet at home so I actually need the free wifi to do simple task like check email, apply for jobs and of course, read MJ and update facebook.
I'm not knocking the coffee-shop web surfers either, it's just when I go to three layers/starbucks or any other coffee shop in town and try to browse the web, the caffeine kicks in and makes me wanna get up and bounce around.
I'm just impressed that you can do your homework and complete your resume with $25 worth of booze down. Your gonna have a great political career.
Quote from: downtownparks on August 07, 2009, 05:37:17 PM
Quote from: parabellum on August 07, 2009, 03:43:27 PM
Quote from: stephendare on August 07, 2009, 03:15:41 PM
Wifi should be universal and it should be free. Just like any other public radio wave.
Who should provide it?
Some think the tax payer should pay for it.
There IS another train of thought on this and our city has been a leader in that it is doing, or has done a study on providing wi-fi throughout the downtown urbanized areas. Yes it would cost taxpayer money for the investment, however, in a way strangely like the experience cities have had with streetcars, it could be a red hot development tool. It might be worth a small scale try and let the Chamber of Commerce Industrial Development Board dangle it in front of some company longing for a lot in Cecil, or the Port. Who knows maybe they can all sit at a local coffee house and discuss the Billion dollar relocation?Quote from: NotNow on August 07, 2009, 07:09:00 PM
I'm just impressed that you can do your homework and complete your resume with $25 worth of booze down. Your gonna have a great political career.
$25 dollars? YOU ARE KIDDING are you not? At $8.00 a shot that won't even cover three shots of anything worth drinking, when the tax is factored in. I miss the bar service at 9Th and Main, damn now THAT was a shot! (OR A HALF PINT).OCKLAWAHA
Quote from: stephendare on August 07, 2009, 08:06:32 PM
Well you know, its funny.
We did run out of money.
So that we could build all of those roads and by passes and highways and street lights and all that happy crappy.
In fact, we spent so much of the taxpayers dime on that bullshit that the entire economy is broke.
And without all those millions of miles of highway, we probably wouldnt have to spend a billion tax payer financed dollars a year in pensions for the cops to patrol them.
But hey! don't let anything like a little cold reality intrude on this conversation.
As long as you can keep your highway building hand in uncle sam's pocket, Im sure you will be. ;)
Its always cool to see people whose livelihood comes from tax dollars get steamed about tax dollars getting spent on anything else.
Wow, StephenDare! The train of thought in that last post says a lot. There is really no need for me to comment since your own words say enough. Thanks!
And this has what to do with mooching free wifi and chips?
Stop stomping your little feet, this is a light hearted thread. Try to go with it.
Calm DOWN Nancy! You talk funny when your all upset!
Quote from: NotNow on August 07, 2009, 07:09:00 PM
I'm just impressed that you can do your homework and complete your resume with $25 worth of booze down. Your gonna have a great political career.
With the little down time I have between school and work I have to combine my free-time activities, but a 25 dollar tab doesn't get you much these days. Half of it was food, the other half was two glasses o'wine. Although I will admit, I’ve written some of my best cover-letters when tipsy!
Back to the thread though, I’m very thankful that local businesses are generous with the free wifi. I'm borrowing some of steamwork's bandwidth currently and enjoying the atmosphere.
I try to spend a fair amount of moolah when i'm in these places and most of them in the core area are not usually pressed for seats.... It's funny how this story said laptop users don't spend much money when they're in those ny coffee shops, but in reality who does spend a lot at a coffee joint? I usually get one drink, maybe a pastry and i'm pretty much done.
It's much about enforcing a no-loitering policy it seems.
And then there's this:
http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2013-02/fcc-proposes-national-free-super-wifi-network (http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2013-02/fcc-proposes-national-free-super-wifi-network)
So basically, poor kids can go to a fast food joint to do their homework.
Quote from: Debbie Thompson on February 11, 2013, 07:55:34 PM
So basically, poor kids can go to a fast food joint to do their homework.
If they are poor, what are they going to use? If no internet at home, chances are no computer either.
They are usually at the library, not Krystal to get their homework done.
Assuming their neighborhood library branch is still open.
The game for free WiFi in commercial settings has changed quite a bit in the last few years.
EverBank Field has an expansive WiFi network that is "free" during the games or special events. However, the provider is collecting large amounts of usage data to get information on the fans who attend.
Starbucks, McD's, B&N all collect copious amounts of user data when you use their free WiFi. Where you browse, what version of software, what kind of phone or tablet you have, its pretty comprehensive short of loading any software on the device.
While there are hotspot providers for the Ma & Pa shops that place ads and subsidize their bandwidth costs to some degree, I would surmise that these local shops have simply turned on the guest network feature on their ATT or Comcast Business link.