Wi-Fi is todays' topic

So after my weekend, wi-fi is my topic of choice.

Why? Because although apparently in downtown Detroit we have it, it's absolutely nowhere to be found. But the marketing says we do!

We've seriously stepped back in wi-fi connectivity down here. It used to be we had a few coffeeshops and the like which had free wireless... and today, we only have Starbucks and things like Hard Rock (which hasn't been operable for awhile). And these Starbucks, the ones who have wifi don't have power plugs, and the ones without wi-fi have power plugs. How stupid, especially because Starbucks makes money off of the wi-fi. And although I prefer free, I will occasionally pay.

But I can't if there is no power.

Mike Wendland had an article about wi-fi and how people aren't using it, and uses a UPS store as an example. I have to ask the question, who is going to use wireless access in a UPS store? Absolutely no one I know. I've never been to a UPS store that even has a place to put my machine... let alone sit and work, or get a latte.

It's like wi-fi at the Borders downtown, that has no coffeeshop and no place to really sit. It's okay for marketing, but we're (the tech using community) is smarter than that. I'm not going to crack open my laptop in the middle of a bookstore between rows of books.

This is an example of people who know nothing about the patterns of a technology trying to implement the technology. Again, corporations and businesses are throwing money out the window in a race to be "cool" (which, by the way, determines many business decisions). Soon, I will release an informative paper on the subject on our web site for everyone to benefit. For now, check out this IHT article on the subject.

The reality is that wi-fi is a great draw if it's free, and there's a good atmosphere for the purpose. I remember a place I used to go that would have six to eight users of the wifi almost every evening; why? It was near where people lived, it had a good atmosphere in which to work; I go to Espresso Royale Caffe in Ann Arbor, and the place is constantly filled with people buying drinks and using wi-fi; college students yes, but also older people as well.

I'll edit this post and link to the new paper when it's done. We've got some big changes in store at the shop - very exciting times.