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More wifi troubles
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Justin
May 1, 2013, 12:45:37 PM5/1/13
to
Even in the places wifi may be available, it doesn't mean you are
going to be able to connect to services you need.
This past week I was at the car dealer, they had wifi but block facebook.
AT the office google talk and Viber are blocked on the corp wifi
Since people are moving away from SMS and toward Facebook messenger,
google talk, Viber and similar services, this is a serious issue for users
of these services.
going to be able to connect to services you need.
This past week I was at the car dealer, they had wifi but block facebook.
AT the office google talk and Viber are blocked on the corp wifi
Since people are moving away from SMS and toward Facebook messenger,
google talk, Viber and similar services, this is a serious issue for users
of these services.
(PeteCresswell)
May 1, 2013, 12:55:01 PM5/1/13
to
Per Justin:
Seems to me like it's getting worse with time.
Local hospital, I found I couldn't do anything useful: no email, no
checking data on my work PC.... My first reaction is that somebody's
making their numbers look better by denying service to users. User
count = high, which is measured. Infrastructure costs = low, which is
measured. Stuff getting done = nil or low... which does not show up
anywhere.
--
Pete Cresswell
Local hospital, I found I couldn't do anything useful: no email, no
checking data on my work PC.... My first reaction is that somebody's
making their numbers look better by denying service to users. User
count = high, which is measured. Infrastructure costs = low, which is
measured. Stuff getting done = nil or low... which does not show up
anywhere.
--
Pete Cresswell
AL
May 1, 2013, 3:35:15 PM5/1/13
to
On Wed, 1 May 2013 16:45:37 +0000 (UTC), Justin
<nos...@insightbb.com> wrote:
> Even in the places wifi may be available, it doesn't mean you are
> going to be able to connect to services you need.
I'm sitting in a Target snack bar (needed a soda) right now and I was
<nos...@insightbb.com> wrote:
> Even in the places wifi may be available, it doesn't mean you are
> going to be able to connect to services you need.
surprised they have free wifi. The Starbucks next door does too. So
it's the U-word here anyway. I wonder why I've never seen any laptops
here?
Didn't try any wifi access experiments though. Maybe that would
answer it.
> This past week I was at the car dealer, they had wifi but block
facebook.
> AT the office google talk and Viber are blocked on the corp wifi
> Since people are moving away from SMS and toward Facebook messenger,
> google talk, Viber and similar services, this is a serious issue
for users
> of these services.
Justin
May 1, 2013, 3:35:11 PM5/1/13
to
AL wrote on [Wed, 01 May 2013 12:35:15 -0700]:
>> This past week I was at the car dealer, they had wifi but block
> facebook.
>
> Why would they do that?
Good question!
>> This past week I was at the car dealer, they had wifi but block
> facebook.
>
> Why would they do that?
So the employees don't waste time?
>> AT the office google talk and Viber are blocked on the corp wifi
>
> I can see the reason for that.
get to any email service from my desktop, being able to quickly keep
in contact with family via one of these services is important.
If people was wasting time write them up for it.
>> Since people are moving away from SMS and toward Facebook messenger,
>> google talk, Viber and similar services, this is a serious issue
> for users
>> of these services.
>
> Not if you carry a smaryphone with data service...
William Munny
May 1, 2013, 3:49:01 PM5/1/13
to
can have a "serious issue" associated with it...
--
"...William Munny, a known thief and murderer, a man of notoriously
vicious and intemperate disposition."
--Unforgiven
spligutherism
May 1, 2013, 4:45:54 PM5/1/13
to
On Wed, 01 May 2013 15:49:01 -0400, William Munny <wi...@bigwhisky.net>
wrote:
>Son, let me explain something to you. Nothing with the term "Facebook"
>can have a "serious issue" associated with it...
AMEN...
Mike Olson...
wrote:
>Son, let me explain something to you. Nothing with the term "Facebook"
>can have a "serious issue" associated with it...
Mike Olson...
Justin
May 1, 2013, 4:45:15 PM5/1/13
to
William Munny wrote on [Wed, 01 May 2013 15:49:01 -0400]:
> On 5/1/13 12:45 PM, Justin wrote:
>> Even in the places wifi may be available, it doesn't mean you are
>> going to be able to connect to services you need.
>>
>> This past week I was at the car dealer, they had wifi but block facebook.
>>
>> AT the office google talk and Viber are blocked on the corp wifi
>>
>> Since people are moving away from SMS and toward Facebook messenger,
>> google talk, Viber and similar services, this is a serious issue for users
>> of these services.
>>
>
> Son, let me explain something to you. Nothing with the term "Facebook"
> can have a "serious issue" associated with it...
IYHO
> On 5/1/13 12:45 PM, Justin wrote:
>> Even in the places wifi may be available, it doesn't mean you are
>> going to be able to connect to services you need.
>>
>> This past week I was at the car dealer, they had wifi but block facebook.
>>
>> AT the office google talk and Viber are blocked on the corp wifi
>>
>> Since people are moving away from SMS and toward Facebook messenger,
>> google talk, Viber and similar services, this is a serious issue for users
>> of these services.
>>
>
> Son, let me explain something to you. Nothing with the term "Facebook"
> can have a "serious issue" associated with it...
AL
May 1, 2013, 5:44:35 PM5/1/13
to
Justin <nos...@insightbb.com> wrote:
>AL wrote on [Wed, 01 May 2013 12:35:15 -0700]:
>>> This past week I was at the car dealer, they had wifi but block
>> facebook.
>>
>> Why would they do that?
>
>Good question!
>So the employees don't waste time?
In the car dealers where I've waited for service, there was an
>AL wrote on [Wed, 01 May 2013 12:35:15 -0700]:
>>> This past week I was at the car dealer, they had wifi but block
>> facebook.
>>
>> Why would they do that?
>
>Good question!
>So the employees don't waste time?
unlocked customer WiFi and several other WiFi signals that were locked
with cryptic names which I ASSume were for the businesses needs. I
would think that a smart car dealer would not want to piss off the
customers by censoring their service. That's why it surprised me.
However since I've been a smartphone user I never use the dealer (or
anyone's) WiFi anymore when the phone's all I have with me so perhaps
things have changed.
>>> AT the office google talk and Viber are blocked on the corp wifi
>>
>> I can see the reason for that.
>
>I can't. Since I am not supposed to use corporate email, and can't
>get to any email service from my desktop, being able to quickly keep
>in contact with family via one of these services is important.
>If people was wasting time write them up for it.
freedom of Internet access would lower employee productivity and
increase security risks. However just blocking those 2 sites? Perhaps
that's a bit wield.
>>> Since people are moving away from SMS and toward Facebook messenger,
>>> google talk, Viber and similar services, this is a serious issue
>> for users
>>> of these services.
>>
>> Not if you carry a smaryphone with data service...
>
>defeating the purpose of having wifi!
have a smartphone with them, the workaround is easy enough. And if
you're trying to live on a 250MB/mo plan you can still use the WiFi
for everything else.
sms
May 1, 2013, 7:10:17 PM5/1/13
to
On 5/1/2013 9:55 AM, (PeteCresswell) wrote:
> Per Justin:
>> Even in the places wifi may be available, it doesn't mean you are
>> going to be able to connect to services you need.
>>
>> This past week I was at the car dealer, they had wifi but block facebook.
>>
>> AT the office google talk and Viber are blocked on the corp wifi
>>
>> Since people are moving away from SMS and toward Facebook messenger,
>> google talk, Viber and similar services, this is a serious issue for users
>> of these services.
>
> Seems to me like it's getting worse with time.
VPN is your friend. Gets around all the blocked sites. Fortunately my
> Per Justin:
>> Even in the places wifi may be available, it doesn't mean you are
>> going to be able to connect to services you need.
>>
>> This past week I was at the car dealer, they had wifi but block facebook.
>>
>> AT the office google talk and Viber are blocked on the corp wifi
>>
>> Since people are moving away from SMS and toward Facebook messenger,
>> google talk, Viber and similar services, this is a serious issue for users
>> of these services.
>
> Seems to me like it's getting worse with time.
ISP includes VPN termination. Really glad I had VPN when I was in China
last year.
sms
May 1, 2013, 7:12:55 PM5/1/13
to
On 5/1/2013 12:35 PM, AL wrote:
> Not if you carry a smaryphone with data service...
That's true. What you do is use Wi-Fi when available, and 3G or 4G when
> Not if you carry a smaryphone with data service...
there is no Wi-Fi. In that way you minimize your 3G and 4G data and can
choose a lower cost data plan.
VPN definitely helps, and of course you should always use VPN when on
Wi-Fi if you're signing into any sites. If your ISP doesn't offer it you
can get it for a reasonable yearly cost, and you want it for your
devices without 3G or 4G data anyway.
sms
May 1, 2013, 7:16:39 PM5/1/13
to
On 5/1/2013 2:44 PM, AL wrote:
> True for those who still depend on WiFi only. But for those who always
> have a smartphone with them, the workaround is easy enough. And if
> you're trying to live on a 250MB/mo plan you can still use the WiFi
> for everything else.
That's the bottom line. If you look at average monthly data usage across
> True for those who still depend on WiFi only. But for those who always
> have a smartphone with them, the workaround is easy enough. And if
> you're trying to live on a 250MB/mo plan you can still use the WiFi
> for everything else.
platforms and carriers, subtract out the data that's used when there's
Wi-Fi available, and subtract out data usage for things like streaming
television shows, 250MB-500MB is sufficient for most smart phone users.
Justin
May 1, 2013, 8:16:25 PM5/1/13
to
AL wrote on [Wed, 01 May 2013 14:44:35 -0700]:
> However since I've been a smartphone user I never use the dealer (or
> anyone's) WiFi anymore when the phone's all I have with me so perhaps
> things have changed.
Maybe, I had never been in that dealer's waiting room before...
>>I can't. Since I am not supposed to use corporate email, and can't
>>get to any email service from my desktop, being able to quickly keep
>>in contact with family via one of these services is important.
>>If people was wasting time write them up for it.
>
> In general terms I would think (IMO YMMV) that complete workplace
> freedom of Internet access would lower employee productivity and
> increase security risks. However just blocking those 2 sites? Perhaps
> that's a bit wield.
Depends on the job, I would have to say. I am often running into the
roadblocks they put in place when trying to access a blog post that
shows in a search that might resolve whatever issue I am encountering
at that moment. I also have to request FTP access to vendor sites just
to upload and download files via FTP.
There may be a happy medium, but the openess can be a hindrance to getting
work done more than it is to checking emails on a break or whatever.
Those 2 sites aren't the only ones blocked wholesale, just two recent
examples.
People with android phones and a recent OS version would notice the gtalk
blockages as the wifi symbol always stays grey, never turns the blue that
it does when the phone can access google services
>>> Not if you carry a smaryphone with data service...
>>
>>defeating the purpose of having wifi!
>
> True for those who still depend on WiFi only. But for those who always
> have a smartphone with them, the workaround is easy enough. And if
> you're trying to live on a 250MB/mo plan you can still use the WiFi
> for everything else.
Part of the issue is, with facebook as the example, updates just don't
happen in many apps. No real notification that you are blocked. As the
way most places block is by throwing up a web page that responds to the
requests the apps make.
> Justin <nos...@insightbb.com> wrote:
>
> would think that a smart car dealer would not want to piss off the
> customers by censoring their service. That's why it surprised me.
Me too.
>
> would think that a smart car dealer would not want to piss off the
> customers by censoring their service. That's why it surprised me.
> However since I've been a smartphone user I never use the dealer (or
> anyone's) WiFi anymore when the phone's all I have with me so perhaps
> things have changed.
>>I can't. Since I am not supposed to use corporate email, and can't
>>get to any email service from my desktop, being able to quickly keep
>>in contact with family via one of these services is important.
>>If people was wasting time write them up for it.
>
> In general terms I would think (IMO YMMV) that complete workplace
> freedom of Internet access would lower employee productivity and
> increase security risks. However just blocking those 2 sites? Perhaps
> that's a bit wield.
roadblocks they put in place when trying to access a blog post that
shows in a search that might resolve whatever issue I am encountering
at that moment. I also have to request FTP access to vendor sites just
to upload and download files via FTP.
There may be a happy medium, but the openess can be a hindrance to getting
work done more than it is to checking emails on a break or whatever.
Those 2 sites aren't the only ones blocked wholesale, just two recent
examples.
People with android phones and a recent OS version would notice the gtalk
blockages as the wifi symbol always stays grey, never turns the blue that
it does when the phone can access google services
>>> Not if you carry a smaryphone with data service...
>>
>>defeating the purpose of having wifi!
>
> True for those who still depend on WiFi only. But for those who always
> have a smartphone with them, the workaround is easy enough. And if
> you're trying to live on a 250MB/mo plan you can still use the WiFi
> for everything else.
happen in many apps. No real notification that you are blocked. As the
way most places block is by throwing up a web page that responds to the
requests the apps make.
Justin
May 1, 2013, 8:17:33 PM5/1/13
to
cell data all the time.
You keep throwing your streaming red herring around. I used 300MB yesterday
and none of it was video.
Justin
May 1, 2013, 8:18:24 PM5/1/13
to
sms wrote on [Wed, 01 May 2013 16:12:55 -0700]:
> On 5/1/2013 12:35 PM, AL wrote:
>
>> Not if you carry a smaryphone with data service...
>
> That's true. What you do is use Wi-Fi when available, and 3G or 4G when
> there is no Wi-Fi. In that way you minimize your 3G and 4G data and can
> choose a lower cost data plan.
And when wifi is available but just unusable?
> On 5/1/2013 12:35 PM, AL wrote:
>
>> Not if you carry a smaryphone with data service...
>
> That's true. What you do is use Wi-Fi when available, and 3G or 4G when
> there is no Wi-Fi. In that way you minimize your 3G and 4G data and can
> choose a lower cost data plan.
> VPN definitely helps, and of course you should always use VPN when on
> Wi-Fi if you're signing into any sites. If your ISP doesn't offer it you
> can get it for a reasonable yearly cost, and you want it for your
> devices without 3G or 4G data anyway.
10 bucks or so a month for this.
AL
May 1, 2013, 9:21:06 PM5/1/13
to
sms <scharf...@geemail.com> wrote:
>use Wi-Fi when available, and 3G or 4G when
>there is no Wi-Fi. In that way you minimize your 3G and 4G data and can
>choose a lower cost data plan.
Hop over to some store every day and use their WiFi to bring my cell
>use Wi-Fi when available, and 3G or 4G when
>there is no Wi-Fi. In that way you minimize your 3G and 4G data and can
>choose a lower cost data plan.
bill down?
Hmmm. I wonder how far could I carry that idea?
I could get rid of cable TV and use OTA TV. I could get rid of the
landline phone and just use the cell. I could get rid of the ISP and
hop over to the store with the laptop. Or maybe use (believe it or
not) my neighbors unsecured WiFi. I could get rid of my second car (9
years old with 25K miles) since I don't use it much. I could replace
my AC with a swamp cooler (they work fine here) for 75% in electricity
savings. I could give up my sodas... (hands start shaking), well maybe
not that... 8-O
But it's nice to know there are always cheaper options if things ever
do get tough for me... ;)
>If you look at average monthly data usage across
>platforms and carriers, subtract out the data that's used when there's
>Wi-Fi available, and subtract out data usage for things like streaming
>television shows, 250MB-500MB is sufficient for most smart phone users.
across? I would think that it's a bigger PITA than your sideloading
PITA. But your PITA is not my PITA because with PITAs YMMV SMS... ;)
AL
May 1, 2013, 9:21:06 PM5/1/13
to
What took all that data?
SMS
May 1, 2013, 9:54:46 PM5/1/13
to
On 5/1/2013 6:21 PM, AL wrote:
> sms <scharf...@geemail.com> wrote:
>
>> use Wi-Fi when available, and 3G or 4G when
>> there is no Wi-Fi. In that way you minimize your 3G and 4G data and can
>> choose a lower cost data plan.
>
> Hop over to some store every day and use their WiFi to bring my cell
> bill down?
Never. I never go out of my way to find Wi-Fi. There's so much of it
> sms <scharf...@geemail.com> wrote:
>
>> use Wi-Fi when available, and 3G or 4G when
>> there is no Wi-Fi. In that way you minimize your 3G and 4G data and can
>> choose a lower cost data plan.
>
> Hop over to some store every day and use their WiFi to bring my cell
> bill down?
there's no need to do that. If I'm outside and need web access there's
always mobile data.
Justin
May 1, 2013, 10:09:25 PM5/1/13
to
17.25MB K9
30.5MB Pocketcasts
19.53MB Play Store
10.73MB Facebook
5.44MB G+
4.05MB dolphin
3.78MB Phandroid
3.02MB Currents
2.72MB groupon
2.61MB Android OS
3.72MB Gmail
2.44MB Exchange services
2.05MB Google Voice
1.79MB Maps
1.19MB Viber
1.62MB Amazon Appstore
Total so far, 115.37MB roughly...
Google Music 198MB... yeah, it was a nice day and I took a drive and felt
like some music.
AL
May 2, 2013, 2:03:11 AM5/2/13
to
That Target shopping center I was at earlier today now has 5 stores
with free WiFi. In my pre-smartphone days I used to use the free WiFi
with my iPod touch. But now I can happily ignore it.
As I recall, one, the Wildflower Bread Company, had a particularly
annoying WiFi in that they made you bring up a browser with their ads
and specials before they would let you go online.
with free WiFi. In my pre-smartphone days I used to use the free WiFi
with my iPod touch. But now I can happily ignore it.
As I recall, one, the Wildflower Bread Company, had a particularly
annoying WiFi in that they made you bring up a browser with their ads
and specials before they would let you go online.
AL
May 2, 2013, 2:03:11 AM5/2/13
to
hog discussions? Or am I mixing you up with someone else. Cox raised
me to 250GB (from 200GB) but I have always averaged 30 to 50GB so it
made little difference.
nob...@nada.com
May 2, 2013, 6:34:31 AM5/2/13
to
a really serious situation. Perhaps you could just use you data.
nob...@nada.com
May 2, 2013, 6:37:08 AM5/2/13
to
On Wed, 1 May 2013 19:35:11 +0000 (UTC), Justin <nos...@insightbb.com>
wrote:
>AL wrote on [Wed, 01 May 2013 12:35:15 -0700]:
>>> This past week I was at the car dealer, they had wifi but block
>> facebook.
>>
>> Why would they do that?
>
>Good question!
>So the employees don't waste time?
>
>
>>> AT the office google talk and Viber are blocked on the corp wifi
>>
>> I can see the reason for that.
>
>I can't. Since I am not supposed to use corporate email, and can't
>get to any email service from my desktop, being able to quickly keep
>in contact with family via one of these services is important.
>If people was wasting time write them up for it.
They have better tings to do than police all employees computer use.
It's cheaper just to block it. Use your data.
used.
wrote:
>AL wrote on [Wed, 01 May 2013 12:35:15 -0700]:
>>> This past week I was at the car dealer, they had wifi but block
>> facebook.
>>
>> Why would they do that?
>
>Good question!
>So the employees don't waste time?
>
>
>>> AT the office google talk and Viber are blocked on the corp wifi
>>
>> I can see the reason for that.
>
>I can't. Since I am not supposed to use corporate email, and can't
>get to any email service from my desktop, being able to quickly keep
>in contact with family via one of these services is important.
>If people was wasting time write them up for it.
It's cheaper just to block it. Use your data.
>
>
>>> Since people are moving away from SMS and toward Facebook messenger,
>>> google talk, Viber and similar services, this is a serious issue
>> for users
>>> of these services.
>>
>> Not if you carry a smaryphone with data service...
>
>defeating the purpose of having wifi!
Which no one owes you. Free wifi is a gift so they can decide how it's
>
>>> Since people are moving away from SMS and toward Facebook messenger,
>>> google talk, Viber and similar services, this is a serious issue
>> for users
>>> of these services.
>>
>> Not if you carry a smaryphone with data service...
>
>defeating the purpose of having wifi!
used.
nob...@nada.com
May 2, 2013, 6:38:52 AM5/2/13
to
On Thu, 2 May 2013 00:17:33 +0000 (UTC), Justin <nos...@insightbb.com>
wrote:
>sms wrote on [Wed, 01 May 2013 16:16:39 -0700]:
>> On 5/1/2013 2:44 PM, AL wrote:
>>
>>> True for those who still depend on WiFi only. But for those who always
>>> have a smartphone with them, the workaround is easy enough. And if
>>> you're trying to live on a 250MB/mo plan you can still use the WiFi
>>> for everything else.
>>
>> That's the bottom line. If you look at average monthly data usage across
>> platforms and carriers, subtract out the data that's used when there's
>> Wi-Fi available, and subtract out data usage for things like streaming
>> television shows, 250MB-500MB is sufficient for most smart phone users.
>
>Until you can't use the services you need or want, and are forced to use
>cell data all the time.
No one has to provide you with wifi. Use data. If you didn't buy
enough, buy more. If you cna't afford to buy more. learn how to live
with less.
wrote:
>sms wrote on [Wed, 01 May 2013 16:16:39 -0700]:
>> On 5/1/2013 2:44 PM, AL wrote:
>>
>>> True for those who still depend on WiFi only. But for those who always
>>> have a smartphone with them, the workaround is easy enough. And if
>>> you're trying to live on a 250MB/mo plan you can still use the WiFi
>>> for everything else.
>>
>> That's the bottom line. If you look at average monthly data usage across
>> platforms and carriers, subtract out the data that's used when there's
>> Wi-Fi available, and subtract out data usage for things like streaming
>> television shows, 250MB-500MB is sufficient for most smart phone users.
>
>Until you can't use the services you need or want, and are forced to use
>cell data all the time.
enough, buy more. If you cna't afford to buy more. learn how to live
with less.
nob...@nada.com
May 2, 2013, 6:40:17 AM5/2/13
to
On Thu, 2 May 2013 02:09:25 +0000 (UTC), Justin <nos...@insightbb.com>
wrote:
No video, just streaming music. Use the car radio.
wrote:
(PeteCresswell)
May 2, 2013, 9:08:59 AM5/2/13
to
Per sms:
The only VPN I know is the one that I am forced to use when I connect to
one of my PC's at a certain client's site. Their security people frown
on TeamViewer, so I have to use something called "Cisco VPN Client" to
establish my little tunnel to their site, and then Windows Remote
Desktop to actually connect.
I've got the part about "Virtual Private Network"... but it seems like
it depends on the other site's security being set up to recognize a
UserID that I know the PW for.
Would a VPN client on my Android device then imply that I would have to
set up something on my home PC - which is the main bit of utility that I
need when working remotely?
If so, sounds like VPN is only the answer when I have some control over
the site I am trying to connect to.
Or am I totally off-base?
--
Pete Cresswell
>> Seems to me like it's getting worse with time.
>
>VPN is your friend. Gets around all the blocked sites. Fortunately my
>ISP includes VPN termination. Really glad I had VPN when I was in China
>last year.
Can somebody explain VPN in this context?
>
>VPN is your friend. Gets around all the blocked sites. Fortunately my
>ISP includes VPN termination. Really glad I had VPN when I was in China
>last year.
The only VPN I know is the one that I am forced to use when I connect to
one of my PC's at a certain client's site. Their security people frown
on TeamViewer, so I have to use something called "Cisco VPN Client" to
establish my little tunnel to their site, and then Windows Remote
Desktop to actually connect.
I've got the part about "Virtual Private Network"... but it seems like
it depends on the other site's security being set up to recognize a
UserID that I know the PW for.
Would a VPN client on my Android device then imply that I would have to
set up something on my home PC - which is the main bit of utility that I
need when working remotely?
If so, sounds like VPN is only the answer when I have some control over
the site I am trying to connect to.
Or am I totally off-base?
--
Pete Cresswell
(PeteCresswell)
May 2, 2013, 9:19:33 AM5/2/13
to
Per AL:
automagically connects itself to a WiFi hotspot that has the same name
as one it has connected to anytime in the past. It's not smart
enough to select the strongest one when there is more than one
available, but usually there is only one.
The biggest hassle to me is filling in the sign-in page that most free
wifi spots throw up. I have to open up a browser, select some
existing link, wait for the sign-in page, fill it in, and the click
"OK".
I'd really, *really* like to see a law that exempts hotspot providers
from any liability - like the "Good Samaritan Laws" exempt passers-by
from liability if they try to render assistance to an injured person.
--
Pete Cresswell
>Isn't it bit of a PITA to have to sign on to every new WiFi you come
>across? I would think that it's a bigger PITA than your sideloading
>PITA. But your PITA is not my PITA because with PITAs YMMV SMS... ;)
I'm clueless about what goes on "under the hood", but my Samsung N7000
>across? I would think that it's a bigger PITA than your sideloading
>PITA. But your PITA is not my PITA because with PITAs YMMV SMS... ;)
automagically connects itself to a WiFi hotspot that has the same name
as one it has connected to anytime in the past. It's not smart
enough to select the strongest one when there is more than one
available, but usually there is only one.
The biggest hassle to me is filling in the sign-in page that most free
wifi spots throw up. I have to open up a browser, select some
existing link, wait for the sign-in page, fill it in, and the click
"OK".
I'd really, *really* like to see a law that exempts hotspot providers
from any liability - like the "Good Samaritan Laws" exempt passers-by
from liability if they try to render assistance to an injured person.
--
Pete Cresswell
sms
May 2, 2013, 9:23:28 AM5/2/13
to
On 5/2/2013 6:08 AM, (PeteCresswell) wrote:
> Per sms:
>>> Seems to me like it's getting worse with time.
>>
>> VPN is your friend. Gets around all the blocked sites. Fortunately my
>> ISP includes VPN termination. Really glad I had VPN when I was in China
>> last year.
>
> Can somebody explain VPN in this context?
>
> The only VPN I know is the one that I am forced to use when I connect to
> one of my PC's at a certain client's site. Their security people frown
> on TeamViewer, so I have to use something called "Cisco VPN Client" to
> establish my little tunnel to their site, and then Windows Remote
> Desktop to actually connect.
>
> I've got the part about "Virtual Private Network"... but it seems like
> it depends on the other site's security being set up to recognize a
> UserID that I know the PW for.
>
> Would a VPN client on my Android device then imply that I would have to
> set up something on my home PC - which is the main bit of utility that I
> need when working remotely?
You can set up a home server with VPN.
> Per sms:
>>> Seems to me like it's getting worse with time.
>>
>> VPN is your friend. Gets around all the blocked sites. Fortunately my
>> ISP includes VPN termination. Really glad I had VPN when I was in China
>> last year.
>
> Can somebody explain VPN in this context?
>
> The only VPN I know is the one that I am forced to use when I connect to
> one of my PC's at a certain client's site. Their security people frown
> on TeamViewer, so I have to use something called "Cisco VPN Client" to
> establish my little tunnel to their site, and then Windows Remote
> Desktop to actually connect.
>
> I've got the part about "Virtual Private Network"... but it seems like
> it depends on the other site's security being set up to recognize a
> UserID that I know the PW for.
>
> Would a VPN client on my Android device then imply that I would have to
> set up something on my home PC - which is the main bit of utility that I
> need when working remotely?
> If so, sounds like VPN is only the answer when I have some control over
> the site I am trying to connect to.
You can set up your own VPN host at home, but it's better to subscribe
to a VPN service. Most of the services have VPN hosts throughout the
world and you can choose which one to connect to. This enables you to
connect to sites that are available only in certain countries. There are
some free services with a limited amount of data but most are about $4-5
per month or $40-60 per year.
Justin
May 2, 2013, 9:40:33 AM5/2/13
to
(PeteCresswell) wrote on [Thu, 02 May 2013 09:08:59 -0400]:
> Per sms:
>>> Seems to me like it's getting worse with time.
>>
>>VPN is your friend. Gets around all the blocked sites. Fortunately my
>>ISP includes VPN termination. Really glad I had VPN when I was in China
>>last year.
>
> Can somebody explain VPN in this context?
>
> The only VPN I know is the one that I am forced to use when I connect to
> one of my PC's at a certain client's site. Their security people frown
> on TeamViewer, so I have to use something called "Cisco VPN Client" to
> establish my little tunnel to their site, and then Windows Remote
> Desktop to actually connect.
>
> I've got the part about "Virtual Private Network"... but it seems like
> it depends on the other site's security being set up to recognize a
> UserID that I know the PW for.
yep
> Per sms:
>>> Seems to me like it's getting worse with time.
>>
>>VPN is your friend. Gets around all the blocked sites. Fortunately my
>>ISP includes VPN termination. Really glad I had VPN when I was in China
>>last year.
>
> Can somebody explain VPN in this context?
>
> The only VPN I know is the one that I am forced to use when I connect to
> one of my PC's at a certain client's site. Their security people frown
> on TeamViewer, so I have to use something called "Cisco VPN Client" to
> establish my little tunnel to their site, and then Windows Remote
> Desktop to actually connect.
>
> I've got the part about "Virtual Private Network"... but it seems like
> it depends on the other site's security being set up to recognize a
> UserID that I know the PW for.
> Would a VPN client on my Android device then imply that I would have to
> set up something on my home PC - which is the main bit of utility that I
> need when working remotely?
> If so, sounds like VPN is only the answer when I have some control over
> the site I am trying to connect to.
> Or am I totally off-base?
to connect to a VPN endpoint, be it at your home, your ISP may provide it
or you may pay a third party. That endpoint must provide you access, usually
with a username/password combo. You then push all traffic through this
connection.
Justin
May 2, 2013, 9:43:42 AM5/2/13
to
> hog discussions? Or am I mixing you up with someone else. Cox raised
> me to 250GB (from 200GB) but I have always averaged 30 to 50GB so it
> made little difference.
Those were light months with very little streaming of video
Justin
May 2, 2013, 10:06:37 AM5/2/13
to
Justin
May 2, 2013, 10:07:57 AM5/2/13
to
nob...@nada.com wrote on [Thu, 02 May 2013 03:37:08 -0700]:
> On Wed, 1 May 2013 19:35:11 +0000 (UTC), Justin <nos...@insightbb.com>
> wrote:
>
>>AL wrote on [Wed, 01 May 2013 12:35:15 -0700]:
>>>> This past week I was at the car dealer, they had wifi but block
>>> facebook.
>>>
>>> Why would they do that?
>>
>>Good question!
>>So the employees don't waste time?
>>
>>
>>>> AT the office google talk and Viber are blocked on the corp wifi
>>>
>>> I can see the reason for that.
>>
>>I can't. Since I am not supposed to use corporate email, and can't
>>get to any email service from my desktop, being able to quickly keep
>>in contact with family via one of these services is important.
>>If people was wasting time write them up for it.
>
> They have better tings to do than police all employees computer use.
> It's cheaper just to block it. Use your data.
yep, using my data plan to do my work is a great idea.
> On Wed, 1 May 2013 19:35:11 +0000 (UTC), Justin <nos...@insightbb.com>
> wrote:
>
>>AL wrote on [Wed, 01 May 2013 12:35:15 -0700]:
>>>> This past week I was at the car dealer, they had wifi but block
>>> facebook.
>>>
>>> Why would they do that?
>>
>>Good question!
>>So the employees don't waste time?
>>
>>
>>>> AT the office google talk and Viber are blocked on the corp wifi
>>>
>>> I can see the reason for that.
>>
>>I can't. Since I am not supposed to use corporate email, and can't
>>get to any email service from my desktop, being able to quickly keep
>>in contact with family via one of these services is important.
>>If people was wasting time write them up for it.
>
> They have better tings to do than police all employees computer use.
> It's cheaper just to block it. Use your data.
The number of times I am blocked from sites while trying to get work done
is far higher than for personal reasons.
Justin
May 2, 2013, 10:08:40 AM5/2/13
to
nob...@nada.com wrote on [Thu, 02 May 2013 03:40:17 -0700]:
> No video, just streaming music. Use the car radio.
What radio station plays music for an hour?
> No video, just streaming music. Use the car radio.
sms
May 2, 2013, 11:22:54 AM5/2/13
to
I have about 16GB of music on the MicroSD card in my phone. For the
really nice drives around here you can't stream because the cellular
coverage is so spotty, i.e. out on CA 1, or up to the mountains not
using the interstate.
really nice drives around here you can't stream because the cellular
coverage is so spotty, i.e. out on CA 1, or up to the mountains not
using the interstate.
willshak
May 2, 2013, 12:57:14 PM5/2/13
to
on the music channels. I quit it.
--
Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeros after @
AL
May 2, 2013, 1:01:37 PM5/2/13
to
Justin <nos...@insightbb.com> wrote:
>nob...@nada.com wrote
>> being deprived of the ability to connect to Facebook via wifi is
>> a really serious situation. Use your data.
>But I don't have to, because wifi is ubiquitous and works perfectly.
Apparently nobody (including this Nobody) has a clue that your latest
wi-fi comments are really just another shot in the pissing contest
between you and SMS that free Wifi is not ubiquitous. Is too. Is not.
Is too. Is not... (Neck starting to hurt from turning back and
forth... ;)
>nob...@nada.com wrote
>> being deprived of the ability to connect to Facebook via wifi is
>But I don't have to, because wifi is ubiquitous and works perfectly.
wi-fi comments are really just another shot in the pissing contest
between you and SMS that free Wifi is not ubiquitous. Is too. Is not.
Is too. Is not... (Neck starting to hurt from turning back and
forth... ;)
Justin
May 2, 2013, 1:14:41 PM5/2/13
to
The real issue is that the regular person who doesn't pay close
attention to technical details must have a hard time making heads and tails
of the entire situation...
If they bring their wifi only tablet into the dealership I mentioned,
they won't be able to get to Facebook and not really know why. Maybe they
will blame the app or facebook, or the dealer. It's kind of a lose-lose.
sms
May 2, 2013, 1:29:52 PM5/2/13
to
When I asked about Wi-Fi, the employee told me 'we don't have it,' then
started listing the other restaurants within 1/10th of a mile that did
have it.
Richard B. Gilbert
May 2, 2013, 1:51:05 PM5/2/13
to Justin
On 5/2/2013 10:08 AM, Justin wrote:
If you enjoy the "bang, clatter, and screech" which passes for
music these days, you probably wouldn't like it.
Janet Wilder
May 2, 2013, 1:56:10 PM5/2/13
to
On 5/2/2013 11:57 AM, willshak wrote:
> On 5/2/2013 10:08 AM, Justin wrote:
>> nob...@nada.com wrote on [Thu, 02 May 2013 03:40:17 -0700]:
>>> No video, just streaming music. Use the car radio.
>>
>> What radio station plays music for an hour?
>>
>
> Serius XM used to, until they brought in commercials and talking heads
> on the music channels. I quit it.
>
If you don't pay for Pandora, it has commercials, too.
> On 5/2/2013 10:08 AM, Justin wrote:
>> nob...@nada.com wrote on [Thu, 02 May 2013 03:40:17 -0700]:
>>> No video, just streaming music. Use the car radio.
>>
>> What radio station plays music for an hour?
>>
>
> Serius XM used to, until they brought in commercials and talking heads
> on the music channels. I quit it.
>
XM's music stations don't have commercials but they do have disk jockeys
--
Janet Wilder
Way-the-heck-south Texas
Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.
AL
May 2, 2013, 2:21:57 PM5/2/13
to
"Richard B. Gilbert" <rgilb...@comcast.net> wrote:
>On 5/2/2013 10:08 AM, Justin wrote:
>> nob...@nada.com wrote
>On 5/2/2013 10:08 AM, Justin wrote:
>> nob...@nada.com wrote
>>> No video, just streaming music. Use the car radio.
>>
>> What radio station plays music for an hour?
>>
>WQXR (NYC) WFLN (PHL) These stations broadcast classical music.
Not sure where Justin is but he'll probably need a real good car radio
>>
>> What radio station plays music for an hour?
>>
>WQXR (NYC) WFLN (PHL) These stations broadcast classical music.
to get those... :)
AL
May 2, 2013, 2:21:57 PM5/2/13
to
Justin <nos...@insightbb.com> wrote:
>If they bring their wifi only tablet into the dealership I mentioned,
>they won't be able to get to Facebook and not really know why. Maybe they
>will blame the app or facebook, or the dealer. It's kind of a lose-lose.
I'm still amazed that a car dealership would block anything on a WiFi
>If they bring their wifi only tablet into the dealership I mentioned,
>they won't be able to get to Facebook and not really know why. Maybe they
>will blame the app or facebook, or the dealer. It's kind of a lose-lose.
system installed for customer use.
With a large percentage of my grandkids now being cell phone endowed
and taking and posting pictures daily I do enjoy those social sites.
In days past when I brought my netbook or iPod to the waiting room I
would have been pissed at the dealer's censorship. Now of course with
my smartphone I wouldn't notice.
SMS
May 2, 2013, 2:36:15 PM5/2/13
to
that particular model because of HD, I chose it because it included
Bluetooth and it has a USB port on the front. But I ended up using HD
Radio a lot. In my area there are a lot of HD stations, and the
sub-channels have some excellent choices with few or zero commercials.
Owen McKenzie
May 2, 2013, 4:00:03 PM5/2/13
to
On 5/2/2013 1:56 PM, Janet Wilder wrote:
> On 5/2/2013 11:57 AM, willshak wrote:
>> On 5/2/2013 10:08 AM, Justin wrote:
>>> nob...@nada.com wrote on [Thu, 02 May 2013 03:40:17 -0700]:
>>>> No video, just streaming music. Use the car radio.
>>>
>>> What radio station plays music for an hour?
>>>
>>
>> Serius XM used to, until they brought in commercials and talking heads
>> on the music channels. I quit it.
>>
> If you don't pay for Pandora, it has commercials, too.
>
> XM's music stations don't have commercials but they do have disk jockeys
>
What Janet said. I listen to XM all the time.
> On 5/2/2013 11:57 AM, willshak wrote:
>> On 5/2/2013 10:08 AM, Justin wrote:
>>> nob...@nada.com wrote on [Thu, 02 May 2013 03:40:17 -0700]:
>>>> No video, just streaming music. Use the car radio.
>>>
>>> What radio station plays music for an hour?
>>>
>>
>> Serius XM used to, until they brought in commercials and talking heads
>> on the music channels. I quit it.
>>
> If you don't pay for Pandora, it has commercials, too.
>
> XM's music stations don't have commercials but they do have disk jockeys
>
--
Owen McKenzie
Posting from St. Lucia West Indies
"It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in argument."
-- William G. McAdoo
Justin
May 2, 2013, 4:07:33 PM5/2/13
to
out of range it cuts right out...
Richard B. Gilbert
May 2, 2013, 4:37:47 PM5/2/13
to
nob...@nada.com
May 2, 2013, 10:26:01 PM5/2/13
to
On Thu, 2 May 2013 14:08:40 +0000 (UTC), Justin <nos...@insightbb.com>
wrote:
>nob...@nada.com wrote on [Thu, 02 May 2013 03:40:17 -0700]:
>> No video, just streaming music. Use the car radio.
>
>What radio station plays music for an hour?
Almost all of them. If you don't want commercials, get satellite
radio.
wrote:
>nob...@nada.com wrote on [Thu, 02 May 2013 03:40:17 -0700]:
>> No video, just streaming music. Use the car radio.
>
>What radio station plays music for an hour?
radio.
nob...@nada.com
May 2, 2013, 10:28:20 PM5/2/13
to
On Thu, 2 May 2013 14:07:57 +0000 (UTC), Justin <nos...@insightbb.com>
If its their connection they can filter it however that want. It
doesn't matter if it makes sense to you or not.
doesn't matter if it makes sense to you or not.
nob...@nada.com
May 2, 2013, 10:29:57 PM5/2/13
to
On Thu, 2 May 2013 14:06:37 +0000 (UTC), Justin <nos...@insightbb.com>
provides it wants to give you. There is no entitlement for it to be
when and where you want.
wrote:
>nob...@nada.com wrote on [Thu, 02 May 2013 03:34:31 -0700]:
>> On Wed, 1 May 2013 16:45:37 +0000 (UTC), Justin <nos...@insightbb.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>Even in the places wifi may be available, it doesn't mean you are
>>>going to be able to connect to services you need.
>>>
>>>This past week I was at the car dealer, they had wifi but block facebook.
>>>
>>>AT the office google talk and Viber are blocked on the corp wifi
>>>
>>>Since people are moving away from SMS and toward Facebook messenger,
>>>google talk, Viber and similar services, this is a serious issue for users
>>>of these services.
>>
>> Yes, being deprived of the ability to connect to Facebook via wifi is
>> a really serious situation. Perhaps you could just use you data.
>
>But I don't have to, because wifi is ubiquitous and works perfectly.
Different topic. Wifi is where it is and you live with whoever
>nob...@nada.com wrote on [Thu, 02 May 2013 03:34:31 -0700]:
>> On Wed, 1 May 2013 16:45:37 +0000 (UTC), Justin <nos...@insightbb.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>Even in the places wifi may be available, it doesn't mean you are
>>>going to be able to connect to services you need.
>>>
>>>This past week I was at the car dealer, they had wifi but block facebook.
>>>
>>>AT the office google talk and Viber are blocked on the corp wifi
>>>
>>>Since people are moving away from SMS and toward Facebook messenger,
>>>google talk, Viber and similar services, this is a serious issue for users
>>>of these services.
>>
>> Yes, being deprived of the ability to connect to Facebook via wifi is
>> a really serious situation. Perhaps you could just use you data.
>
>But I don't have to, because wifi is ubiquitous and works perfectly.
provides it wants to give you. There is no entitlement for it to be
when and where you want.
nob...@nada.com
May 2, 2013, 10:32:18 PM5/2/13
to
On Thu, 02 May 2013 10:01:37 -0700, AL <AL37...@AL4010589.com>
wrote:
Yes, I get that this is more whining about not being able to get what
he wants. First it was wifi and now it's wifi that has no restrictions
imposed by the provider.
wrote:
he wants. First it was wifi and now it's wifi that has no restrictions
imposed by the provider.
tlvp
May 3, 2013, 12:00:23 AM5/3/13
to
On Thu, 2 May 2013 14:08:40 +0000 (UTC), Justin wrote:
> What radio station plays music for an hour?
College stations often do, as does NPR when it's not doing talk or news.
> What radio station plays music for an hour?
HTH. Cheers, -- tlvp
--
Avant de repondre, jeter la poubelle, SVP.
Justin
May 3, 2013, 12:12:24 AM5/3/13
to
Justin
May 3, 2013, 12:12:39 AM5/3/13
to
AL
May 3, 2013, 1:49:02 AM5/3/13
to
SMS <scharf...@geemail.com> wrote:
>In my area there are a lot of HD stations...
promising no commercials. Subscriptions paid for the content. Course
there weren't many channels then either. I don't think it lasted but a
few years before the commercials started appearing.
I don't have an HD capable radio so I have never listened to HD. I see
that Best Buy still sells a small portable model at my local store.
From what I read HD's never been much of a commercial success.
I do listen to a lot of streaming radio (using my home WiFi of
course). I mostly use the TuneIn Radio app for news and financial
stations I can't get locally. I was surprised to find that many
stations feed OTA listeners and streaming listeners different
commercials. I first discovered it on KFI (LA) which I can get both
ways at night. But there are other clues like when a station forgets
to insert the streaming commercial and you get a blank for 15 or 30
seconds. And perhaps most annoying is that many don't seem to change
those streaming commercials for months. Over and over night after
night the same commercials. My (least) favorite is a restaurant
commercial on WCBS (NYC) that has been running several times a night
for well over 6 months now. I have the music and words pretty much
memorized... ;)
>In my area there are a lot of HD stations...
>with few or zero commercials.
When cable TV first came out where I lived as a kid they sold it
promising no commercials. Subscriptions paid for the content. Course
there weren't many channels then either. I don't think it lasted but a
few years before the commercials started appearing.
I don't have an HD capable radio so I have never listened to HD. I see
that Best Buy still sells a small portable model at my local store.
From what I read HD's never been much of a commercial success.
I do listen to a lot of streaming radio (using my home WiFi of
course). I mostly use the TuneIn Radio app for news and financial
stations I can't get locally. I was surprised to find that many
stations feed OTA listeners and streaming listeners different
commercials. I first discovered it on KFI (LA) which I can get both
ways at night. But there are other clues like when a station forgets
to insert the streaming commercial and you get a blank for 15 or 30
seconds. And perhaps most annoying is that many don't seem to change
those streaming commercials for months. Over and over night after
night the same commercials. My (least) favorite is a restaurant
commercial on WCBS (NYC) that has been running several times a night
for well over 6 months now. I have the music and words pretty much
memorized... ;)
AL
May 3, 2013, 2:13:01 AM5/3/13
to
nob...@nada.com wrote:
> AL <AL37...@AL4010589.com> wrote:
>>Apparently nobody (including this Nobody) has a clue that your latest
>>wi-fi comments are really just another shot in the pissing contest
>>between you and SMS that free Wifi is not ubiquitous. Is too. Is not.
>>Is too. Is not... (Neck starting to hurt from turning back and
>>forth... ;)
>Yes, I get that this is more whining about not being able to get what
>he wants. First it was wifi and now it's wifi that has no restrictions
>imposed by the provider.
What is Usenet for if you can't complain a bit. (See my recent whiny
streaming radio commercial post.) But this makes at least 3 posts
where you whine about what you perceive as whiny posts. Does that make
things even? Carry on... ;)
> AL <AL37...@AL4010589.com> wrote:
>>Apparently nobody (including this Nobody) has a clue that your latest
>>wi-fi comments are really just another shot in the pissing contest
>>between you and SMS that free Wifi is not ubiquitous. Is too. Is not.
>>Is too. Is not... (Neck starting to hurt from turning back and
>>forth... ;)
>Yes, I get that this is more whining about not being able to get what
>he wants. First it was wifi and now it's wifi that has no restrictions
>imposed by the provider.
streaming radio commercial post.) But this makes at least 3 posts
where you whine about what you perceive as whiny posts. Does that make
things even? Carry on... ;)
nob...@nada.com
May 3, 2013, 5:38:34 AM5/3/13
to
On Thu, 02 May 2013 23:13:01 -0700, AL <AL37...@AL4010589.com>
wrote:
Key word being "bit".
If I whined back at every one of Justin's I'd have posted dozens. And
yes, I am tired of hearing how wifi providers aren't response to HIS
needs.
wrote:
If I whined back at every one of Justin's I'd have posted dozens. And
yes, I am tired of hearing how wifi providers aren't response to HIS
needs.
sms
May 3, 2013, 9:39:55 AM5/3/13
to
On 5/3/2013 2:38 AM, nob...@nada.com wrote:
> If I whined back at every one of Justin's I'd have posted dozens. And
> yes, I am tired of hearing how wifi providers aren't response to HIS
> needs.
Some people's intentions are good but their information is bad. They
> If I whined back at every one of Justin's I'd have posted dozens. And
> yes, I am tired of hearing how wifi providers aren't response to HIS
> needs.
hate constantly being proven wrong by actual facts, and they don't know
when to quit. To whine back is pointless.
AL
May 3, 2013, 11:46:42 AM5/3/13
to
Well then let me invite you to get together with us. Every so often we
all sit down for a beer (soda for me) and discover that face to face
we all basically like each other, perceived flaws and all. Flag words
like "liar" and "whiner" seem to disappear in that scenario.
> And yes, I am tired of hearing how wifi providers aren't
> response to HIS needs.
Only *you* can control how *you* feel. If you become really annoyed
with someone's posts then just don't read them. Easy peasy.
(Or killfile them if you think you might be tempted to peek...)
But if it is your intention to provoke someone, then by all means get
out that arsenal of flag words and go for it.
This is Usenet after all... ;)
all sit down for a beer (soda for me) and discover that face to face
we all basically like each other, perceived flaws and all. Flag words
like "liar" and "whiner" seem to disappear in that scenario.
> And yes, I am tired of hearing how wifi providers aren't
> response to HIS needs.
with someone's posts then just don't read them. Easy peasy.
(Or killfile them if you think you might be tempted to peek...)
But if it is your intention to provoke someone, then by all means get
out that arsenal of flag words and go for it.
This is Usenet after all... ;)
Richard B. Gilbert
May 3, 2013, 4:32:54 PM5/3/13
to AL
Paul Miner
May 4, 2013, 12:52:45 AM5/4/13
to
On Wed, 01 May 2013 12:35:15 -0700, AL <al...@al5319.com> wrote:
>On Wed, 1 May 2013 16:45:37 +0000 (UTC), Justin
><nos...@insightbb.com> wrote:
>
>> Even in the places wifi may be available, it doesn't mean you are
>> going to be able to connect to services you need.
>
>I'm sitting in a Target snack bar (needed a soda) right now and I was
>surprised they have free wifi. The Starbucks next door does too. So
>it's the U-word here anyway.
It's a pretty low bar if two places with WiFi can bring out the U word.
--
Paul Miner
>On Wed, 1 May 2013 16:45:37 +0000 (UTC), Justin
><nos...@insightbb.com> wrote:
>
>> Even in the places wifi may be available, it doesn't mean you are
>> going to be able to connect to services you need.
>
>surprised they have free wifi. The Starbucks next door does too. So
>it's the U-word here anyway.
It's a pretty low bar if two places with WiFi can bring out the U word.
--
Paul Miner
Paul Miner
May 4, 2013, 12:54:54 AM5/4/13
to
On Wed, 01 May 2013 16:10:17 -0700, sms <scharf...@geemail.com> wrote:
>On 5/1/2013 9:55 AM, (PeteCresswell) wrote:
>>
>> Seems to me like it's getting worse with time.
>
>VPN is your friend. Gets around all the blocked sites.
VPN won't do much to help you find WiFi, though.
--
Paul Miner
>On 5/1/2013 9:55 AM, (PeteCresswell) wrote:
>>
>> Seems to me like it's getting worse with time.
>
>VPN is your friend. Gets around all the blocked sites.
VPN won't do much to help you find WiFi, though.
--
Paul Miner
AL
May 4, 2013, 4:08:42 AM5/4/13
to
that remark.
(PeteCresswell)
May 4, 2013, 9:16:29 AM5/4/13
to
Per Paul Miner:
mode in which it constantly scans for hotspots and beeps when it finds
one that is unsecured.
The flys in the ointment, of course, are those "Guest" hotspots that
show as unsecured, but require a login PW.
Mostly, though, it's useful - although a wildcard filter on discovered
name would make it more useful.
I supplement my Google maps with another mapping app called "Osmand+"
which has a "Favorites" implementation that lends itself to collecting
hotspot locations. When I find one, I fire up Osmand, and tell it to
save the current location in the favorites category "WiFi".
Not that I've ever actually *used* my growing list of local free
hotspots.... -) But it does have a certain attraction and provides the
welcome occasional excuse to stop and cool down while on a bike ride.
--
Pete Cresswell
>VPN won't do much to help you find WiFi, though.
In my Android device, I have something called "WiFi Manager" provides a
mode in which it constantly scans for hotspots and beeps when it finds
one that is unsecured.
The flys in the ointment, of course, are those "Guest" hotspots that
show as unsecured, but require a login PW.
Mostly, though, it's useful - although a wildcard filter on discovered
name would make it more useful.
I supplement my Google maps with another mapping app called "Osmand+"
which has a "Favorites" implementation that lends itself to collecting
hotspot locations. When I find one, I fire up Osmand, and tell it to
save the current location in the favorites category "WiFi".
Not that I've ever actually *used* my growing list of local free
hotspots.... -) But it does have a certain attraction and provides the
welcome occasional excuse to stop and cool down while on a bike ride.
--
Pete Cresswell
sms
May 4, 2013, 10:55:19 AM5/4/13
to
find such a place for this type of restaurant.
Within 200 meters you have Le Boulanger, Panera, Peets Coffee,
Starbucks, another Starbucks inside a Target, all with Wi-Fi. But this
new place, Boudin, had no Wi-Fi.
I wrote up a scathing review on Yelp!. I wrote a letter to the editor of
the newspaper. I filed a complaint with the health department. I'm in
the process of organizing a demonstration. I'll speak about it at the
next city council meeting. But seriously, when I asked if they had Wi-Fi
they told me "no," and helpfully informed me that the Starbucks, across
the parking lot, had it.
What restaurants should do, to avoid people camping out, is to do what
places like Peet's have done and limit the connection time to a
reasonable time period (an hour or two for a restaurant). One place used
to print a code on the receipt and you got an hour of time on their
network when you bought something (I think Starbucks used to do the same
thing before they realized that they were losing customers as a result).
But back to Target, it seems like a lot of retailers are adding Wi-Fi.
Besides Target, Home Depot has it, and most malls have it (which would
seem counter-intuitive because they want to prevent showrooming).
Wal-Mart and Costco don't have it.
(PeteCresswell)
May 4, 2013, 11:44:55 AM5/4/13
to
Per sms:
called "Shills": people who we knew, who would sit in the audience and
bid prices up. If they got stuck with something as the high bidder,
we'd go through the motions of them paying for it (even though they
didn't) and taking possession of it... and they would give it back later
or if a small object, never actually take possession.
Bidding being moot, it still seems like establishments that aren't
troubled with too many customers would benefit from a sort of "Shill
Effect" as passers-by see that they are being patronized and,
therefore, might be a decent place.
Personally, I think competition is in the process of driving free WiFi
access to most restaurants and coffee shops. Certainly it is a litmus
test for me.
--
Pete Cresswell
>What restaurants should do, to avoid people camping out, is to do what
>places like Peet's have done and limit the connection time to a
>reasonable time period (an hour or two for a restaurant). One place used
>to print a code on the receipt and you got an hour of time on their
>network when you bought something (I think Starbucks used to do the same
>thing before they realized that they were losing customers as a result).
When I worked as a block boy at an auction, we used to have what we
>places like Peet's have done and limit the connection time to a
>reasonable time period (an hour or two for a restaurant). One place used
>to print a code on the receipt and you got an hour of time on their
>network when you bought something (I think Starbucks used to do the same
>thing before they realized that they were losing customers as a result).
called "Shills": people who we knew, who would sit in the audience and
bid prices up. If they got stuck with something as the high bidder,
we'd go through the motions of them paying for it (even though they
didn't) and taking possession of it... and they would give it back later
or if a small object, never actually take possession.
Bidding being moot, it still seems like establishments that aren't
troubled with too many customers would benefit from a sort of "Shill
Effect" as passers-by see that they are being patronized and,
therefore, might be a decent place.
Personally, I think competition is in the process of driving free WiFi
access to most restaurants and coffee shops. Certainly it is a litmus
test for me.
--
Pete Cresswell
AL
May 4, 2013, 4:15:51 PM5/4/13
to
I just had lunch a Panda Express. It has free WiFi. But it was just
after noon and there were only 5 of us in the place, and none with
laptops. Guess the freebie doesn't help increase business all that
much there.
>But this new place, Boudin, had no Wi-Fi.
>...when I asked if they had Wi-Fi
pennies a day on a better data plan... :)
after noon and there were only 5 of us in the place, and none with
laptops. Guess the freebie doesn't help increase business all that
much there.
>But this new place, Boudin, had no Wi-Fi.
>they told me "no," and helpfully informed me that the Starbucks, across
>the parking lot, had it.
I'm surprised that they just didn't tell you to spend a few more
>the parking lot, had it.
pennies a day on a better data plan... :)
Paul Miner
May 4, 2013, 5:49:12 PM5/4/13
to
--
Paul Miner
AL
May 4, 2013, 5:51:42 PM5/4/13
to
On Sat, 04 May 2013 16:49:12 -0500, Paul Miner
<pmi...@elrancho.invalid> wrote:
> On Sat, 04 May 2013 01:08:42 -0700, AL <AL37...@AL4010589.com>
wrote:
> >On Fri, 03 May 2013 23:52:45 -0500, Paul Miner
> ><pmi...@elrancho.invalid> wrote:
> >
> >>On Wed, 01 May 2013 12:35:15 -0700, AL <al...@al5319.com> wrote:
> >
> >>>I'm sitting in a Target snack bar (needed a soda) right now and
I was
> >>>surprised they have free wifi. The Starbucks next door does too.
So
> >>>it's the U-word here anyway.
> >>
> >>It's a pretty low bar if two places with WiFi can bring out the U
word.
> >
> >Perhaps a sense of humor would allow you to see the tongue in
cheek of
> >that remark.
> Likewise.
I guess we both need to use more emoticons then... ;)
> On Sat, 04 May 2013 01:08:42 -0700, AL <AL37...@AL4010589.com>
wrote:
> >On Fri, 03 May 2013 23:52:45 -0500, Paul Miner
> ><pmi...@elrancho.invalid> wrote:
> >
> >>On Wed, 01 May 2013 12:35:15 -0700, AL <al...@al5319.com> wrote:
> >
> >>>I'm sitting in a Target snack bar (needed a soda) right now and
I was
> >>>surprised they have free wifi. The Starbucks next door does too.
So
> >>>it's the U-word here anyway.
> >>
> >>It's a pretty low bar if two places with WiFi can bring out the U
word.
> >
> >Perhaps a sense of humor would allow you to see the tongue in
cheek of
> >that remark.
> Likewise.
Paul Miner
May 4, 2013, 7:31:00 PM5/4/13
to
there I tend to skew away from such things, which brings its own challenges.
--
Paul Miner
sms
May 5, 2013, 3:22:21 PM5/5/13
to
On 5/4/2013 8:44 AM, (PeteCresswell) wrote:
<snip>
> Bidding being moot, it still seems like establishments that aren't
> troubled with too many customers would benefit from a sort of "Shill
> Effect" as passers-by see that they are being patronized and,
> therefore, might be a decent place.
Restaurants do this all the time. Especially Chinese-Chinese restaurants
because there's a reluctance for paying customers to go into an
uncrowded restaurants. And remember Webvan? They drove empty trucks
around to pretend that they were very busy.
> Personally, I think competition is in the process of driving free WiFi
> access to most restaurants and coffee shops. Certainly it is a litmus
> test for me.
I don't care about it in a good restaurant, but in a place where I meet
someone and we need to do some work, it's definitely a litmus test.
<snip>
> Bidding being moot, it still seems like establishments that aren't
> troubled with too many customers would benefit from a sort of "Shill
> Effect" as passers-by see that they are being patronized and,
> therefore, might be a decent place.
because there's a reluctance for paying customers to go into an
uncrowded restaurants. And remember Webvan? They drove empty trucks
around to pretend that they were very busy.
> Personally, I think competition is in the process of driving free WiFi
> access to most restaurants and coffee shops. Certainly it is a litmus
> test for me.
someone and we need to do some work, it's definitely a litmus test.
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