HotSpots and Free WiFi

Today I decided to get out for a change of scenery.  I recommend you do this as often as possible, it will help you focus on what is important to you, but why digress in to such swishy washy stuff.

 

I have plenty of locations to choose from when I decide to get out, from parks and scenic views to coffee shops and library’s. Today I needed the use of the internet while working. This meant that my options were limited to the library, Starbucks, and Panera. Two out of the three offer free WiFi. So I chose Panera since I was also feeling the need for a tasty treat. I’ll be honest here, the Starbucks by my office is where I wanted to go, it’s a bit more quiet and the coffee and treats are better. But wait, Starbucks doesn’t offer free WiFi and why would I pay for a full day when I’m only going to use it for a couple hours? *I can’t wait until this summer when ATT will supposedly offer some free time on their WiFi hotspots, specifically Starbucks. I’m really not sure why ATT doesn’t offer some free WiFi to their data subscribers like they do their DSL subscribers (maybe that just makes too much sense).  I don’t know why the free time isn’t offered by more establishments limited or not but it should be offered.

I chose a nice little spot near the fireplace in Panera.  I can usually get an open outlet and don’t get bothered by the early lunch crowd.  Panera use to limit what ports were open on their WiFi, which meant that certain internet applications simply would not function.  I am very happy to inform you that most of those restrictions have quietly been done away with. 

I spent time here today without paying for WiFi but I did buy coffee, a bagel and then a muffin.  If I had not needed to get to a meeting, I would have stayed for lunch. If this isn’t an example of why more places should offer free WiFi, I don’t know what is.  For example, the Starbucks and Barnes & Noble are paid hotspots and they are nearly empty at all times and certainly never beset upon by mobile workers such as myself.  The Panera location is packed all day with laptop screens glowing and meetings taking place.  Now I know there is a cost associated with offering the free WiFi but surely the cost is higher if the WiFi goes unused.  The offering of free WiFi helps add value to the establishments offerings and further adds to building community.  

I’d like to hear where you go when you need ot get out.  When you need to get out, what’s your favorite place to go and work?

hotspot,wifi,free