Schlotzky's Deli seems to be getting some serious clue:
Austin-area Schlotzsky's Delis already offer Internet access via PCs and iMacs. While it isn't unique for coffee shops and other eateries in areas with high concentrations of technically minded users -- like Austin -- to offer wireless Internet access for their patrons, most businesses keep the service as local to their establishment as possible as a way of enticing customers. Schlotzsky's is bumping that concept up a notch by installing four-foot antennas on the roofs of its Austin-area establishments that will enable users to access the Internet up to a mile -- in some cases, the company hopes, up to four miles away.
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Schlotzsky's free wireless access good up to a mile away.
Now for the big questions. How long until:
- Pundits point out the stupidity of Schlotzsky's move, predict that it won't last or be tested in other markets
- White Hats point out the serious security flaws in such an offering
- The cool kids point out how incredibly brilliant this plan is, and predict other retailers will follow with even bigger public WANs
- Other nationwide retailers start to compete with similar offerings (Borders, Barnes & Noble, Starbucks, Subway)
- Schlotzsky's public WAN and the rest of the net go dark because of WorldCom's bankruptcy
The real question...
chaoticset on 2002-08-08T22:47:29
...is how long it takes for someone to claim that it's a perfect way for terrorists to get their email, and the length of time after that for some stupid attempt to legislate use of wireless networks.
cynic or pragmatic?
I'm not sure if that is the most cynical comment I have read in awhile or the most pragmatic.
