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News and information for free public access Wi-Fi location owners and users

We call a hotspot that offers free Wi-Fi internet access a Wi-Fi-FreeSpot.

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The Coffeeshop Culture and Free Wi-Fi

WOW! I can't believe the amount of coverage the blogosphere and some web sites are giving to the Victrola Coffee and Art cafe in Seattle's decision to turn off the Free Wi-Fi on weekends. They said it wasn't really because of the lack of purchase support they got from some of the Free Wi-Fi using customers, rather it was the change in the "atmosphere" that they noticed when the place was filled with laptop toters. They decided they preferred it when customers were there to drink, eat and socialize. It seems there wasn't a happy medium mix of Wi-Fi and non Wi-Fi customers so they had to take steps to get it back to where they wanted it. Hooray for them!

(Lets not go overboard and lump all laptop toting Free Wi-Fi users in with those that happen to congregate at Victrola. A survey I did on wififreespot.com said that close to 90% of Free Wi-Fi using respondents made a purchase at least sometimes and most do so always.)

You'd think that with all the coverage though that this business decision that was made by the business owners, just as their offering Free Wi-Fi to begin was, is the end of life as we know it. They're not shutting it down completely, just on the weekends.

I'm sure there are a lot of other business owners who have been reviewing the impact of Free Wi-Fi on their business, from the bottom line perspective as well as any other perspective relevant to their particular business.

Unfortunately there will always be a number of Free Wi-Fi users who camp out for long periods of time and don't buy anything, but most coffeshop owners will also admit that where there is no Free Wi-Fi there are always a few customers who hang around nursing one cup of coffee for an extended period while they chat with their pals and soak up the "atmosphere".

There will always be some "churn" as business owners decide if offering Free Wi-Fi has turned out to be right for their business. For some it won't be and they'll shut it off completely or selectively. Others will look for ways to control access time periods or tie access more closely to a purchase. Free Wi-Fi users not willing to accept these conditions (a small minority) will just have to pack up the laptop and move on. Luckily, Free Wi-Fi is very widespread these days and for most it won't be hard to find another FreeSpot more to their liking, especially in Seattle.

As Tom Waits says - " The large print giveth and the small print taketh away" - FREE WI-FI, except on the weekends.
posted by Jim at 2:30 PM

 
Summer Travel and Free Wi-Fi

If you'll be travelling in the USA this Summer chances are you won't be far from a location that offers Free Wi-Fi, even in rural areas. Use the Wi-Fi FreeSpot Directory to plan ahead and look for locations along the way. The Directory has over 8000 listings of Free Wi-Fi locations.

If you can't find any cafes or other business locations try the local Library. Many Libraries are using grant money to add Wi-Fi to their services. Some may require a library card but most won't. Even the ones that require a card may offer a temporary card.

Whether you'll be camping, RVing, staying in Hotels or Motels or renting a vacation home or condo chances are you'll find Free Wi-Fi as one of the amenities offered. Most access is reserved for guests but signals do carry. If you can pick up a free signal while parked near a location that offers Free Wi-Fi and you aren't a guest be courteous and keep your use to a minimum.

Likewise, if you're parked outside a cafe and won't be making a purchase keep your connection time brief.

If you need to do any online banking or other activities that transmit sensitive information remember that Free location networks are insecure. Be sure that you are connecting to a secure web site or web based e-mail page via SSL, look for the little lock icon, usually in the lower right hand corner of your browser. You should also consider using a VPN - Virtual Private Network - to encrypt your connection. Jiwire.com has a new service called SpotLock and there are other VPN services available for very reasonable fees.

Happy Trails!
posted by Jim at 9:42 AM