Re: [PLUG] Re: Robert Cringely expounds upon Linux and the WRT54G

["William H. Magill" <magill@mcgillsociety.org>]

On 30 May, 2004, at 13:31, Michael C. Toren wrote:

> On Sun, May 30, 2004 at 11:19:12AM -0400, Barry Roomberg wrote:
> > Every single TOS for cable and DSL that I have seen specifically 
> > excludes
> > reselling your bandwidth.  Even DSL w/ dedicated IP and the ability 
> > to put up
> > servers STILL says you can't open up your connection for other people 
> > to pay
> > you to access it.
>
> FWIW, Robert Cringely has addressed this issue in earlier wireless 
> articles:
>
> 	http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20040108.html

The issue is still that of a broken infrastructure -- real time micro 
payments do not exist in this country.

The idea that one must "subscribe" in advance and forecast your usage 
is the antithesis of "wireless."  ... be it cell phones or computers.

BTW -- anybody know the NUMBER of laptops in existance with 802.11x 
capabilities?

THAT number is the total market size. There might be a couple of 
additional iPaqs or Palms to throw in, but they and their ilk never 
caught on. (A Blackberry is NOT an 802.11x access device.)

BTW, I assume folks saw T-mobile's announcement Wednesday to provide 
802.11 at Head House in Old City. (Free for six months.)

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/8759341.htm?1c

       Philadelphia Inquirer 5/26/04

"South St. area to get wireless Net access

With T-Mobile and Comcast on board, Headhouse Square will offer 
visitors a free way to go online next month.

By Linda K. Harris
Inquirer Staff Writer

Come next month, you'll be able to chill outdoors in Headhouse Square 
and watch the South Street throngs while catching up on your e-mail or 
working via high-speed Internet.

Along Second Street, from South to Pine, a new "hot zone" is being 
created that pairs Comcast's broadband Internet access and T-Mobile's 
wireless fidelity, or Wi-Fi. For six months, anyone will be able to use 
it free of charge.

The plan started out months ago over a couple of beers.

Wendy Verna, owner of the Octo Design Group near Sixth and South 
Streets, and Jim Battista, an art director, were talking about wireless 
access. Battista suggested how cool it would be to have it in the area, 
and Verna took the idea to the South Street Headhouse District board, 
of which she is a member.

City Councilman Frank DiCicco got involved to help develop the idea and 
to aid group members in making contact with city agencies, such as the 
Department of Licenses and Inspections, because they weren't sure what 
kind of permits were needed.

This is T-Mobile's first venture into outdoor hot spots. The Bellevue, 
Wash., company got into the hot spot business 21/2 years ago. Wi-Fi hot 
spots are now all over the city - in coffee shops, print shops, and 
other commercial places.

"There are some operational differences in this and our other hot 
spots," said Joseph Sims, vice president and general manager for 
T-Mobile HotSpot. "We expect to learn a lot about how customers use 
laptops. We're anxious to hear how they feel about it and get their 
feedback and input on it."

Michael Doyle, president of Comcast's Eastern Division, said he thought 
the new hot zone would bring more people to South Street.

"The area benefits because it takes a robust area and makes it more 
robust," he said. "I think it will attract a lot of high-tech people to 
the area."

The Convention Center and the Reading Terminal Market are indoor spaces 
with free Internet access. And some outdoor areas have wireless access 
because of the indoor setups. Also, the mayor has promised that 
wireless Internet access will soon be offered in LOVE Park.

Still, the people who have worked to bring the new accessibility to 
Headhouse Square say they are hopeful that it will bring the hippest 
street in town another sort of distinction.

"Hopefully, it can help change the mind-set of what South Street is all 
about," said DiCicco, who represents the area.

Verna said she believed the hot zone would be a great addition to the 
area.

"I think it's going to show that we're on the cutting edge of 
everything and bring the old South Street up to the new."
Contact staff writer Linda K. Harris at 215-854-4417 or 
lharris@phillynews.com.



T.T.F.N.
William H. Magill
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