[NTLUG:Discuss] Fwd: [Web-Informant] #405, WiFi as urban renewal

[Robert Pearson]

FYI... edited for brevity. View the full article at:
http://strom.com/awards/405.html

Web Informant #405, 6 April 2005: WiFi as urban renewal

http://strom.com/awards/405.html

Since I moved here, I have found that there are two things
that get Californians excited: free parking and free WiFi.
...[snip]...

Two years ago the City of Long Beach was one of the first
to jump on this trend, ...[snip]...
http://www.longbeach.gov/ecd/technology/hot_zone.asp

Since then many other locations around the world have
followed their lead. The latest in the Los Angeles area to
go wireless is the city of Fullerton, ...[snip]...

All this free wireless is happening as a result of several
powerful trends working together. First is that the gear
is getting pretty cheap, ...[snip]...

Second, volunteers are getting organized and
community-level projects are bringing techno-geeks
together to build their own hot spots. The best example of
this is Austin Wireless City Project in Texas. They have
even produced a training manual to show how they have
built out their network:
http://www.muniwireless.com/reports/docs/AWCP_training_guide.pdf

Third, the traditional government funding mechanisms of
redevelopment grants and new public safety initiatives
have poured tons of money into these areas, ...[snip]...

And finally, hotels and hospitality services are getting
into the act, ...[snip]...

It is a great idea. Now if we can just keep the local
Bells and cable companies from killing it. Needless to
say, they are concerned that all this free wireless is
cutting into their profitable monopolies. In the meantime,
if you need to find free wireless connections, the best
site that I know of is JiWire's hotspot finder:
http://www.jiwire.com/search-hotspot-locations.htm

David Strom
Editor-in-Chief
Tom's Guides Publishing
31225 LaBaya Dr #107
Westlake Village, CA 91362
+1 (818) 991-0282 x204
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