Cherries Frozen Custard Bistro
Country Club Plaza, 428 Ward Parkway, Kansas City
802.11g
SSID: Cherries
If your heart is really set on trying this one out, especially if you plan on using a widescreen laptop, here's a hint-come alone. The few tables here are barely big enough to accomodate your big rig and a sandwich wrap at the same time. Bring a partner with you and he or she will be either eating or surfing off his or her lap.
That said, it has to be remembered that this is intended to be an "eat it and beat it" establishment, similar to the suburban McDonald's locations I profiled earlier. Therefore, don't expect amenities like power outlets, or to stay for an extended period. Also, beware of some rogue SSIDs such as I saw on my visit. Make sure you connect to the right one.
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Santa came early...
...and left something that any of you pursuing a hobby like this ought to seriously consider asking him for.
I'd been intrigued by the new miniature USB Wi-Fi combination signal detector/adapter units that came out earlier this fall, and therefore couldn't resist when I saw the ZyXEL AG-225H at CompUSA for about $80. When it comes to finding, analyzing, and connecting to hotspots, this baby has everything but the kitchen sink. Its LCD display shows SSID, protocol (it supports 802.11a as well as both the Wi-Fi standards "b" and "g"), channel, and presence and type of encryption. Plug it into a USB 2.0 port and not only can it connect your computer to any network, but it can even act as an access point and turn your rig into an impromptu hotspot if you want, although I haven't tried this yet.
So far with my new toy I've been able to confirm that the Plaza Library's access points are indeed all 802.11b despite someone having reported otherwise (by the way, they have five of them broadcasting on three different channels), and the rogue network at the Waldo Community Branch library I warned you about a while back is really 802.11g and not "b" as I originally described it (and although it's still there as of this afternoon, and thus apparently is deliberately being left open by whoever it belongs to, I'm continuing to recommend you stay off it). This thing is no slouch in the adapter department, either. Using it with my old backup laptop at the Plaza Library provided a marked improvement over its poorly performing built-in card. It's also nice to know that the next time I'm using the backup machine at an 802.11g location, I can connect at full speed. And I have the peace of mind that comes from being prepared should an opportunity to connect either of my machines to an 802.11a access point ever present itself for some reason.
If this has piqued your interest, I believe all the major manufacturers are making versions of this kind of device now. I've seen Linksys' WUSBF54G for less than $70 online and Trend Micro's model for even less than that. Any of them would make a nice stocking stuffer, as well as a useful item to stuff into your pocket for a long time after that.
I'd been intrigued by the new miniature USB Wi-Fi combination signal detector/adapter units that came out earlier this fall, and therefore couldn't resist when I saw the ZyXEL AG-225H at CompUSA for about $80. When it comes to finding, analyzing, and connecting to hotspots, this baby has everything but the kitchen sink. Its LCD display shows SSID, protocol (it supports 802.11a as well as both the Wi-Fi standards "b" and "g"), channel, and presence and type of encryption. Plug it into a USB 2.0 port and not only can it connect your computer to any network, but it can even act as an access point and turn your rig into an impromptu hotspot if you want, although I haven't tried this yet.
So far with my new toy I've been able to confirm that the Plaza Library's access points are indeed all 802.11b despite someone having reported otherwise (by the way, they have five of them broadcasting on three different channels), and the rogue network at the Waldo Community Branch library I warned you about a while back is really 802.11g and not "b" as I originally described it (and although it's still there as of this afternoon, and thus apparently is deliberately being left open by whoever it belongs to, I'm continuing to recommend you stay off it). This thing is no slouch in the adapter department, either. Using it with my old backup laptop at the Plaza Library provided a marked improvement over its poorly performing built-in card. It's also nice to know that the next time I'm using the backup machine at an 802.11g location, I can connect at full speed. And I have the peace of mind that comes from being prepared should an opportunity to connect either of my machines to an 802.11a access point ever present itself for some reason.
If this has piqued your interest, I believe all the major manufacturers are making versions of this kind of device now. I've seen Linksys' WUSBF54G for less than $70 online and Trend Micro's model for even less than that. Any of them would make a nice stocking stuffer, as well as a useful item to stuff into your pocket for a long time after that.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
McDonald's: No Free Lunch, but Free Wi-Fi
McDonald's restaurants with free wireless:
4600 West 119th Street, Leawood
802.11g
SSID: mcdleawood
9401 Foster, Overland Park
802.11g
SSID: 9401_Foster_McDonalds
If you've followed the blog up to this point, you've no doubt noticed that we haven't talked much about commercial locations offering free Wi-Fi. Well, I hope to start rectifying that by spotlighting a couple of rugged individualists bravely swimming against the tide in a manner I hope richly rewards them. You may not have known this up until now, but metro KC has a couple of McDonald's restaurants whose owners are bucking the corporate trend of going play-for-pay and offering their wireless Internet for free. I guess maybe being a little closer to the action than the suits in Oak Park-or wherever the McDonald's headquarters is located-has sort of opened their eyes to the fact that if you partner with a vendor whom you let pick the customer's pocket before you stick your hand into it, there (ahem, ahem) won't be as much money in it as there would have been otherwise. Also, having to jump through the hoop of paying before what may be only a fifteen to thirty minute session (when was the last time you spent more time than that in a McDonald's, huh?) doesn't exactly make for the most pleasant customer experience.
I certainly hope this catches on, and not just in Johnson County. In fact, if the fast-food industry as a whole wants to do something to polish its image as a good corporate citizen, it could start an initiative to help narrow the digital divide by unwiring every restaurant it operates in currently underserved areas. With prices for laptops and other wireless devices dropping, more and more of the population living near these locations will be looking for hotspots in perhaps the next couple of years. What forward-looking business wouldn't want to cater to such an upwardly mobile (pun not intended-really!) clientele?
As for laptop-friendliness...well, these are restaurants, remember? If they aren't crowded you may luck out and find a table by a wall next to a power outlet, but I wouldn't count on it. The Leawood location does have an "island" table in the middle, each side of which provides seating for five and a pair of outlets at each end. Frankly, though, I think staying any longer than it takes to finish your meal and catch up on your e-mail is something you probably shouldn't do at either of these hotspots, especially considering that their owners are kind of going out onto a limb by offering free access. If too many of us repay their hospitality by "camping" and taking up revenue-generating table space for inordinate amounts of time, don't be surprised if one day you boot up and get redirected to the dreaded please-enter-your-credit-card-number page, or find that the network is gone altogether. Let's endeavor to prevent that from happening, and answer these owners' kindness with kindness of our own.
4600 West 119th Street, Leawood
802.11g
SSID: mcdleawood
9401 Foster, Overland Park
802.11g
SSID: 9401_Foster_McDonalds
If you've followed the blog up to this point, you've no doubt noticed that we haven't talked much about commercial locations offering free Wi-Fi. Well, I hope to start rectifying that by spotlighting a couple of rugged individualists bravely swimming against the tide in a manner I hope richly rewards them. You may not have known this up until now, but metro KC has a couple of McDonald's restaurants whose owners are bucking the corporate trend of going play-for-pay and offering their wireless Internet for free. I guess maybe being a little closer to the action than the suits in Oak Park-or wherever the McDonald's headquarters is located-has sort of opened their eyes to the fact that if you partner with a vendor whom you let pick the customer's pocket before you stick your hand into it, there (ahem, ahem) won't be as much money in it as there would have been otherwise. Also, having to jump through the hoop of paying before what may be only a fifteen to thirty minute session (when was the last time you spent more time than that in a McDonald's, huh?) doesn't exactly make for the most pleasant customer experience.
I certainly hope this catches on, and not just in Johnson County. In fact, if the fast-food industry as a whole wants to do something to polish its image as a good corporate citizen, it could start an initiative to help narrow the digital divide by unwiring every restaurant it operates in currently underserved areas. With prices for laptops and other wireless devices dropping, more and more of the population living near these locations will be looking for hotspots in perhaps the next couple of years. What forward-looking business wouldn't want to cater to such an upwardly mobile (pun not intended-really!) clientele?
As for laptop-friendliness...well, these are restaurants, remember? If they aren't crowded you may luck out and find a table by a wall next to a power outlet, but I wouldn't count on it. The Leawood location does have an "island" table in the middle, each side of which provides seating for five and a pair of outlets at each end. Frankly, though, I think staying any longer than it takes to finish your meal and catch up on your e-mail is something you probably shouldn't do at either of these hotspots, especially considering that their owners are kind of going out onto a limb by offering free access. If too many of us repay their hospitality by "camping" and taking up revenue-generating table space for inordinate amounts of time, don't be surprised if one day you boot up and get redirected to the dreaded please-enter-your-credit-card-number page, or find that the network is gone altogether. Let's endeavor to prevent that from happening, and answer these owners' kindness with kindness of our own.
KCKCC Library, An Oasis in the Wireless Desert
Kansas City Kansas Community College Library
7250 State Avenue, KCK
802.11b
SSIDs: lower library A, lower library B
802.11g
SSID: Upper Library B
Well, there is at least one free open hotspot in Wyandotte County. Kudos to whomever is responsible for setting it up and keeping it open. It's rare that an educational institution-particularly a post-secondary one-offers Internet access to the public at large like this. Good job, KCKCC! Atta way to tackle that digital divide!
I imagine the different SSIDs are meant to facilitate connecting on different levels and in varying locations, however I didn't have any trouble getting an adequate signal from each of them on the ground floor. There's a loveseat against the north wall straight towards the back from the entrance on the lower level with a couple of power outlets next to it. The second floor is quite a bit more laptop-friendly, with maybe a dozen carrels along its north wall. Those that aren't broken have a fluorescent light fixture incorporating a power outlet that's rather inconveniently placed; it's actually part of the fixture itself and you have to either feel for it or stick your head under the fixture to see it.
7250 State Avenue, KCK
802.11b
SSIDs: lower library A, lower library B
802.11g
SSID: Upper Library B
Well, there is at least one free open hotspot in Wyandotte County. Kudos to whomever is responsible for setting it up and keeping it open. It's rare that an educational institution-particularly a post-secondary one-offers Internet access to the public at large like this. Good job, KCKCC! Atta way to tackle that digital divide!
I imagine the different SSIDs are meant to facilitate connecting on different levels and in varying locations, however I didn't have any trouble getting an adequate signal from each of them on the ground floor. There's a loveseat against the north wall straight towards the back from the entrance on the lower level with a couple of power outlets next to it. The second floor is quite a bit more laptop-friendly, with maybe a dozen carrels along its north wall. Those that aren't broken have a fluorescent light fixture incorporating a power outlet that's rather inconveniently placed; it's actually part of the fixture itself and you have to either feel for it or stick your head under the fixture to see it.
Tonganoxie, the Little Library that Could (An Example for Some who Haven't but Ought To)
To call Tonganoxie in Leavenworth County part of metropolitan Kansas City is really stretching things, even though it's certainly grown quite a bit in the three decades since I used to pass through on old two-lane U.S. 24-40 on my way to KU (the turnpike toll would buy a couple of gallons of gas in those days). Anyway, I'm posting this from their public library, which now has Wi-Fi courtesy of Lawrence-based Sunflower Broadband, which has also unwired the public libraries in Lawrence and nearby Eudora in Douglas County. I happened across this momentous news on Google a few weeks ago and made a note to check it out when I got a chance.
And why mention this, you ask? Because there are still a few much bigger metro library systems closer in to KC that could take a lesson from what Tonganoxie and Eudora have done. For instance, what on earth is Kansas City, Kansas waiting for? They're now the biggest city in the metro without it. Come to think of it, I don't believe that, unless you count the networks in the motels out by the speedway-which like all lodging amenities are really intended for use only by paying guests even though they may not authenticate users-there are any free open hotspots in Wyandotte County except the library at KCK Community College (it's open according to the library's website; I'll try to verify that soon).
And what could be keeping the Mid-Continent Public Library system, that has branches not only in Kansas City but in practically every suburb on the Missouri side of the metro as well as outlying communities like Platte City and Smithville, from unwiring? If Kansas City, with its fiscal problems, could do it in four locations, surely Mid-Continent could at least make a start by going wireless at a branch where it would do the most good in taking pressure off their workstation usage, or would bring Wi-Fi to a community where no one else has yet.
What's that? Money, you say? Well, it didn't stop little Tonganoxie or even smaller Eudora, and it shouldn't stop any bigger community. It's all in how they approach the problem. If either of the library systems I've mentioned here genuinely feel they can't afford to unwire by themselves even with wireless networking's significant drop in costs over the last couple of years, I have a hard time believing that if they went hat-in-hand to their patrons or local businesses-particularly those from whom they purchase technology services presently-their entreaties would not meet with a favorable response.
By the way, in case you are out this way and want to try Tonganoxie's network yourself, the library is at Third and Bury Streets (look for a blue "Library" sign on the highway that will tell you where to turn). The SSID is "sbhsd" and there's no authentication or filtering, but there is a big sign by the door reminding you that their acceptable use policy applies to everyone, so it looks like they've been having some of those problems, unfortunately. I saw good signal strength at a table in back near the windows and-hallelujah!-a couple of power outlets.
And why mention this, you ask? Because there are still a few much bigger metro library systems closer in to KC that could take a lesson from what Tonganoxie and Eudora have done. For instance, what on earth is Kansas City, Kansas waiting for? They're now the biggest city in the metro without it. Come to think of it, I don't believe that, unless you count the networks in the motels out by the speedway-which like all lodging amenities are really intended for use only by paying guests even though they may not authenticate users-there are any free open hotspots in Wyandotte County except the library at KCK Community College (it's open according to the library's website; I'll try to verify that soon).
And what could be keeping the Mid-Continent Public Library system, that has branches not only in Kansas City but in practically every suburb on the Missouri side of the metro as well as outlying communities like Platte City and Smithville, from unwiring? If Kansas City, with its fiscal problems, could do it in four locations, surely Mid-Continent could at least make a start by going wireless at a branch where it would do the most good in taking pressure off their workstation usage, or would bring Wi-Fi to a community where no one else has yet.
What's that? Money, you say? Well, it didn't stop little Tonganoxie or even smaller Eudora, and it shouldn't stop any bigger community. It's all in how they approach the problem. If either of the library systems I've mentioned here genuinely feel they can't afford to unwire by themselves even with wireless networking's significant drop in costs over the last couple of years, I have a hard time believing that if they went hat-in-hand to their patrons or local businesses-particularly those from whom they purchase technology services presently-their entreaties would not meet with a favorable response.
By the way, in case you are out this way and want to try Tonganoxie's network yourself, the library is at Third and Bury Streets (look for a blue "Library" sign on the highway that will tell you where to turn). The SSID is "sbhsd" and there's no authentication or filtering, but there is a big sign by the door reminding you that their acceptable use policy applies to everyone, so it looks like they've been having some of those problems, unfortunately. I saw good signal strength at a table in back near the windows and-hallelujah!-a couple of power outlets.
Monday, November 07, 2005
A cautionary note...
...to those of you who may visit the Kansas City Public Library's Waldo Community Branch at 201 West 75th Street in Kansas City.
They do not have a wireless network there, and as far as anyone on the staff there knows, the library system has no plans to implement one despite what they describe as numerous requests for it from patrons. However, if you're in the habit of occasionally dropping in with your laptop just in case, you may have noticed a weak signal from an open 802.11b network with an SSID that is different from the library's other locations. Whose network it is, neither I nor anyone at the library knows, but the important point I want to leave you with is that it is not the library's, and if you use it you are doing so without authorization-unless, of course, it's yours or you have permission from whoever does own it.
So should you fail to heed this warning and end up like our friend down in Florida whom I mentioned in my introductory post, don't blame me.
They do not have a wireless network there, and as far as anyone on the staff there knows, the library system has no plans to implement one despite what they describe as numerous requests for it from patrons. However, if you're in the habit of occasionally dropping in with your laptop just in case, you may have noticed a weak signal from an open 802.11b network with an SSID that is different from the library's other locations. Whose network it is, neither I nor anyone at the library knows, but the important point I want to leave you with is that it is not the library's, and if you use it you are doing so without authorization-unless, of course, it's yours or you have permission from whoever does own it.
So should you fail to heed this warning and end up like our friend down in Florida whom I mentioned in my introductory post, don't blame me.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Kansas City Open-Air Hotspots
Ilus W. Davis Park
Between City Hall and the Federal Courthouse (9th and 11th Streets, Oak and Locust)
802.11b
SSID: Flash Network
I can verify the hotspot is here and that it works. Whether anyone really uses it, however, is anyone's guess. I suppose if someone really wanted to eat lunch al fresco and keep up with his or her e-mail at the same time, he or she could tote both lunch and laptop out of an office building and trudge over here, but wouldn't it just be easier to order in?
Anyone who uses this location care to comment?
By the way, I'm here in the early evening under a light near the northeast corner of the park. The police car down on 10th, the presence of which was so comforting, has just taken off, and so will I very shortly. Since it's dark, I have no idea where the access points and antennas are, or just what the coverage pattern looks like. Anyone who knows is welcome to clue the rest of us in.
Barney Allis Plaza
Between 12th and 13th Streets, Wyandotte and Central
Well, there's supposed to be an open public hotspot here, but the only unencrypted networks I saw during a nighttime visit (except for a pair of "unsecured computer-to-computer networks" as Windows described them; someone needs to start packing a crossover cable when they travel!) were the ones belonging to the adjacent Mariott Hotel, which appear to be play-for-pay. Has the hotspot gone by the wayside from disuse (understandable since it's not surrounded by office and government buildings like the park is), is its operation temporarily suspended because of the construction work underway at the plaza, or is it only turned on during business or daylight hours? Anyone know?
Between City Hall and the Federal Courthouse (9th and 11th Streets, Oak and Locust)
802.11b
SSID: Flash Network
I can verify the hotspot is here and that it works. Whether anyone really uses it, however, is anyone's guess. I suppose if someone really wanted to eat lunch al fresco and keep up with his or her e-mail at the same time, he or she could tote both lunch and laptop out of an office building and trudge over here, but wouldn't it just be easier to order in?
Anyone who uses this location care to comment?
By the way, I'm here in the early evening under a light near the northeast corner of the park. The police car down on 10th, the presence of which was so comforting, has just taken off, and so will I very shortly. Since it's dark, I have no idea where the access points and antennas are, or just what the coverage pattern looks like. Anyone who knows is welcome to clue the rest of us in.
Barney Allis Plaza
Between 12th and 13th Streets, Wyandotte and Central
Well, there's supposed to be an open public hotspot here, but the only unencrypted networks I saw during a nighttime visit (except for a pair of "unsecured computer-to-computer networks" as Windows described them; someone needs to start packing a crossover cable when they travel!) were the ones belonging to the adjacent Mariott Hotel, which appear to be play-for-pay. Has the hotspot gone by the wayside from disuse (understandable since it's not surrounded by office and government buildings like the park is), is its operation temporarily suspended because of the construction work underway at the plaza, or is it only turned on during business or daylight hours? Anyone know?
More notes on the Johnson County Library
I failed to mention that none of the library locations I've visited are really what one could call laptop-friendly, although the inconveniences aren't insurmountable by any means. The Central Resource Library does have a few carrels that are wired for power, but if, for instance, you want to have your laptop handy while you browse through a reel of microfilmed newspapers (a favorite working mode for genealogists and historical researchers), you'll have to crawl under the table holding the microfilm reader and plug your power cord into the outlet there unless you can run battery-only. Blue Valley has a few tables with lamps that have power outlets, and there is at least one table at Antioch that's near one. I don't recall being able to plug in at Leawood Pioneer, and I haven't been to Corinth since the network went live, so I can't report on their laptop-friendliness.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Johnson County Library
Johnson County Library Locations:
Central Resource Library, 9875 W. 87th Street, Overland Park
Antioch Library, 8700 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Merriam
Blue Valley Library, 9000 W. 151st Street, Overland Park
Corinth Library, 8100 Mission Road, Prairie Village
Leawood Pioneer Library, 4700 Town Center Drive, Leawood
(Note: The Cedar Roe Library at 5120 Cedar in Roeland Park is listed by at least one local directory as having public wireless access, but it does not.)
802.11g
SSIDs: wireless.jocolibrary, Wireless.Jocolibrary, Wireless.jocolibrary, possibly other variations
Surprisingly, of the three metropolitan area public library systems that now have Wi-Fi, Johnson County was the last to go live. And sadly, it is the one that at least so far has done the poorest job of implementing it.
It would be bad enough that its filtering, employing DansGuardian, is easily the worst overblocker of them all. It appears that even the library administration has finally begun to come around to this realization with its having established an online site review process, the only one currently available on a local filtered Wi-Fi network. A link on the blockpage delivers you to another page that invites you to paste in the URL but provides no indication as to when, how, or whether one should expect a response. (I should mention here that I accessed the site review page using Firefox, and from the looks of it, it may have been designed with Internet Explorer in mind.)
It might help matters if the library would become a bit more engaged in the process, perhaps dressing the blockpage up a bit and providing a little more information regarding why they feel a site should be blocked, rather than relying on the cryptic, "geeky" one-line messages produced by DansGuardian (example: "Weighted phrase limit exceeded"), in line with its foreign, open-source origins. (If anyone using this network has submitted a site for review, some feedback as to what happened next would be welcome here.)
Not being able to access the information you're after is one thing, but not being able to download critical updates and patches to keep your machine and data safe-especially if you're running Windows-could potentially be dangerous. While the network has markedly improved in this regard (even incoming POP mail was originally blocked, for some unfathomable reason), you may still have problems updating some of your anti-malware programs. The library's wireless FAQ, of course, lamely tries to justify this as being "for security reasons," which prompts the question "Security for whom?" How can a computer accessing only the Internet and not sharing resources with any machine on the library's network possibly pose a threat other than to itself-which it eventually will if it spends too much time on a network that doesn't let it defend itself? And why isn't this a problem for the other Wi-Fi networks around town?
And as if to add insult to injury, the heavy filtering and port blocking exacts a whopping performance hit on the connection. Despite its being 802.11g, there are few 802.11b networks around town that don't run off and leave it for dead.
I'm given to think that whoever set up this network kind of got things a little confused. He, she or they forgot somewhere along the way that what they were creating was not another enterprise workgroup to be treated as though it were made up of machines they owned and managed and were responsible for protecting, such as the library workstation network they already had, but rather simply a means for patrons to access the Internet, and get whatever they needed from the library that way. What was so hard about that?
Unfortunately, I'm going to have to recommend against using this one, at least in its present form and for extended periods, unless you have a high tolerance for frustration and are careful to bring your anti-malware and security patches up to date through another connection first.
Central Resource Library, 9875 W. 87th Street, Overland Park
Antioch Library, 8700 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Merriam
Blue Valley Library, 9000 W. 151st Street, Overland Park
Corinth Library, 8100 Mission Road, Prairie Village
Leawood Pioneer Library, 4700 Town Center Drive, Leawood
(Note: The Cedar Roe Library at 5120 Cedar in Roeland Park is listed by at least one local directory as having public wireless access, but it does not.)
802.11g
SSIDs: wireless.jocolibrary, Wireless.Jocolibrary, Wireless.jocolibrary, possibly other variations
Surprisingly, of the three metropolitan area public library systems that now have Wi-Fi, Johnson County was the last to go live. And sadly, it is the one that at least so far has done the poorest job of implementing it.
It would be bad enough that its filtering, employing DansGuardian, is easily the worst overblocker of them all. It appears that even the library administration has finally begun to come around to this realization with its having established an online site review process, the only one currently available on a local filtered Wi-Fi network. A link on the blockpage delivers you to another page that invites you to paste in the URL but provides no indication as to when, how, or whether one should expect a response. (I should mention here that I accessed the site review page using Firefox, and from the looks of it, it may have been designed with Internet Explorer in mind.)
It might help matters if the library would become a bit more engaged in the process, perhaps dressing the blockpage up a bit and providing a little more information regarding why they feel a site should be blocked, rather than relying on the cryptic, "geeky" one-line messages produced by DansGuardian (example: "Weighted phrase limit exceeded"), in line with its foreign, open-source origins. (If anyone using this network has submitted a site for review, some feedback as to what happened next would be welcome here.)
Not being able to access the information you're after is one thing, but not being able to download critical updates and patches to keep your machine and data safe-especially if you're running Windows-could potentially be dangerous. While the network has markedly improved in this regard (even incoming POP mail was originally blocked, for some unfathomable reason), you may still have problems updating some of your anti-malware programs. The library's wireless FAQ, of course, lamely tries to justify this as being "for security reasons," which prompts the question "Security for whom?" How can a computer accessing only the Internet and not sharing resources with any machine on the library's network possibly pose a threat other than to itself-which it eventually will if it spends too much time on a network that doesn't let it defend itself? And why isn't this a problem for the other Wi-Fi networks around town?
And as if to add insult to injury, the heavy filtering and port blocking exacts a whopping performance hit on the connection. Despite its being 802.11g, there are few 802.11b networks around town that don't run off and leave it for dead.
I'm given to think that whoever set up this network kind of got things a little confused. He, she or they forgot somewhere along the way that what they were creating was not another enterprise workgroup to be treated as though it were made up of machines they owned and managed and were responsible for protecting, such as the library workstation network they already had, but rather simply a means for patrons to access the Internet, and get whatever they needed from the library that way. What was so hard about that?
Unfortunately, I'm going to have to recommend against using this one, at least in its present form and for extended periods, unless you have a high tolerance for frustration and are careful to bring your anti-malware and security patches up to date through another connection first.
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Panera Bread
Panera Bread
All Kansas City area locations
802.11g at location visited (Country Club Plaza, 4700 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City)
SSID: Panerabread
If you search for Wi-Fi locations on Panera's national website, you won't see any in Missouri around Kansas City, and you won't find any at all in Kansas. They are, however, listed as such on the website of their local franchise owner (http://www.panera-kansas.com/).
Some of these restaurants turn their Wi-Fi off at midday. The one on the Plaza has a sign on the wall by the tables adjacent to the power outlets stating it won't be available between 11:30 a. m. and 1 p. m. You might call ahead if you plan on a working lunch at another location.
Incidentally, the sign also identifies the network at the Plaza restaurant as 802.11b, but it's "g" as far as my adapter is concerned.
All Kansas City area locations
802.11g at location visited (Country Club Plaza, 4700 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City)
SSID: Panerabread
If you search for Wi-Fi locations on Panera's national website, you won't see any in Missouri around Kansas City, and you won't find any at all in Kansas. They are, however, listed as such on the website of their local franchise owner (http://www.panera-kansas.com/).
Some of these restaurants turn their Wi-Fi off at midday. The one on the Plaza has a sign on the wall by the tables adjacent to the power outlets stating it won't be available between 11:30 a. m. and 1 p. m. You might call ahead if you plan on a working lunch at another location.
Incidentally, the sign also identifies the network at the Plaza restaurant as 802.11b, but it's "g" as far as my adapter is concerned.
Olathe Public Library
Olathe Public Library locations:
Main Library, 201 East Park Street, Olathe
Indian Creek Branch, 12990 South Black Bob Road, Olathe
802.11b
SSID (Main Library): 01847
SSID (Indian Creek Branch): 01843
I haven't been to either location in several months, so some things may have changed since I made these observations. Feel free to let us know if you find this to be so. Anyway, there were no dedicated tables or outlets for laptop use (although some tables are near outlets in the floor), and the connection was filtered with no site review or overblock mitigation apparent. And I have no idea as to why they're using different SSIDs for these locations.
Main Library, 201 East Park Street, Olathe
Indian Creek Branch, 12990 South Black Bob Road, Olathe
802.11b
SSID (Main Library): 01847
SSID (Indian Creek Branch): 01843
I haven't been to either location in several months, so some things may have changed since I made these observations. Feel free to let us know if you find this to be so. Anyway, there were no dedicated tables or outlets for laptop use (although some tables are near outlets in the floor), and the connection was filtered with no site review or overblock mitigation apparent. And I have no idea as to why they're using different SSIDs for these locations.
Kansas City (MO) Public Library
Kansas City Public Library locations:
Central Library, 14 West 10th Street, Kansas City
Plaza Branch, 4801 Main Street, Kansas City
North-East Branch, 6000 Wilson Road, Kansas City
Ruiz Branch (Irene H. Ruiz Biblioteca de las Americas), 2017 West Pennway, Kansas City
802.11b (Plaza has been reported to be 802.11g, but I have not observed this)
SSID: library
The Central Library and Plaza branch are the most laptop-friendly locations at present, with tables wired for power. The tables in the Central Library's third floor reading room, and in the Missouri Valley Room on the fifth floor, also have what I like to call hotjacks-open Ethernet ports for laptops without Wi-Fi or users who'd prefer a (faster and possibly more secure) wired connection. You don't need your own Ethernet cable to use the third-floor jacks; they have retractable cables already attached. You'll need to bring a short cable if you want to go wired in the Missouri Valley Room. Be forewarned, however, that some of the outlets and jacks on the third floor don't work.
One big downside is that the connection is filtered, and overblocking is a problem. The library's website states this is being done to comply with the Children's Internet Protection Act, although there is still some question as to whether it applies to patron-owned equipment as opposed to computers owned and managed by the library, which are explicitly covered. Attempting to access an URL the filter decides to block will bring you to a homepage advertising the filter (Bess). There is no indication as to which of the proscribed content categories the desired site is believed to fall into or other explanation of why access to it is being denied. No provision for overblock mitigation, something mandated both by the act itself and the Supreme Court ruling that upheld its constitutionality, is apparent.
And since this is our first discussion of any location employing filters, I'd like to beg a favor of anyone posting comments from here on out. Let's refrain from talking about what I'll euphemistically refer to as "customer-provided" overblock mitigation. Yes, I know how to do it, and I'm sure many of you do as well. However, I'm going to defer to the authority of the parents of anyone not yet of legal age who may be reading this, despite the fact that Wi-Fi users falling into this category will likely be few and far between.
With that out of the way, let me go on to advise you to bring a fully-charged battery with you if you plan on using either the North-East or Ruiz branches, and a spare wouldn't be a bad idea. I didn't see any conveniently located power outlets anywhere in either building when I visited. Also you should be aware that you may have problems connecting and staying connected at Central or Plaza if you happen to own a laptop that isn't a good performer as far as Wi-Fi reception is concerned. You may want to consider picking up an external PCMCIA or USB wireless adapter for such a machine, if you don't have one already. It may help.
Finally, if anyone from the library should happen across this, please understand that none of the above is intended as a criticism of the library itself. I realize that you're sort of between a rock and a hard place with regard to the content-control issue. I do think, however, that it would be helpful if your blockpage could provide a little more information as to why you're denying access to a site, and that you ought to consider offering at the very least some form of site review, if not actual overblock mitigation (which understandably would be both expensive and difficult to implement on any network for patron-owned equipment, let alone an open one). Also, I hope you're planning to roll Wi-Fi out to the rest of the branches as soon as possible. Some of them would be the only hotspots available in their neighborhoods. Even partial access is better than no access at all.
Central Library, 14 West 10th Street, Kansas City
Plaza Branch, 4801 Main Street, Kansas City
North-East Branch, 6000 Wilson Road, Kansas City
Ruiz Branch (Irene H. Ruiz Biblioteca de las Americas), 2017 West Pennway, Kansas City
802.11b (Plaza has been reported to be 802.11g, but I have not observed this)
SSID: library
The Central Library and Plaza branch are the most laptop-friendly locations at present, with tables wired for power. The tables in the Central Library's third floor reading room, and in the Missouri Valley Room on the fifth floor, also have what I like to call hotjacks-open Ethernet ports for laptops without Wi-Fi or users who'd prefer a (faster and possibly more secure) wired connection. You don't need your own Ethernet cable to use the third-floor jacks; they have retractable cables already attached. You'll need to bring a short cable if you want to go wired in the Missouri Valley Room. Be forewarned, however, that some of the outlets and jacks on the third floor don't work.
One big downside is that the connection is filtered, and overblocking is a problem. The library's website states this is being done to comply with the Children's Internet Protection Act, although there is still some question as to whether it applies to patron-owned equipment as opposed to computers owned and managed by the library, which are explicitly covered. Attempting to access an URL the filter decides to block will bring you to a homepage advertising the filter (Bess). There is no indication as to which of the proscribed content categories the desired site is believed to fall into or other explanation of why access to it is being denied. No provision for overblock mitigation, something mandated both by the act itself and the Supreme Court ruling that upheld its constitutionality, is apparent.
And since this is our first discussion of any location employing filters, I'd like to beg a favor of anyone posting comments from here on out. Let's refrain from talking about what I'll euphemistically refer to as "customer-provided" overblock mitigation. Yes, I know how to do it, and I'm sure many of you do as well. However, I'm going to defer to the authority of the parents of anyone not yet of legal age who may be reading this, despite the fact that Wi-Fi users falling into this category will likely be few and far between.
With that out of the way, let me go on to advise you to bring a fully-charged battery with you if you plan on using either the North-East or Ruiz branches, and a spare wouldn't be a bad idea. I didn't see any conveniently located power outlets anywhere in either building when I visited. Also you should be aware that you may have problems connecting and staying connected at Central or Plaza if you happen to own a laptop that isn't a good performer as far as Wi-Fi reception is concerned. You may want to consider picking up an external PCMCIA or USB wireless adapter for such a machine, if you don't have one already. It may help.
Finally, if anyone from the library should happen across this, please understand that none of the above is intended as a criticism of the library itself. I realize that you're sort of between a rock and a hard place with regard to the content-control issue. I do think, however, that it would be helpful if your blockpage could provide a little more information as to why you're denying access to a site, and that you ought to consider offering at the very least some form of site review, if not actual overblock mitigation (which understandably would be both expensive and difficult to implement on any network for patron-owned equipment, let alone an open one). Also, I hope you're planning to roll Wi-Fi out to the rest of the branches as soon as possible. Some of them would be the only hotspots available in their neighborhoods. Even partial access is better than no access at all.
Apple Store
Apple Store
4712 Broadway, Kansas City
802.11g
SSID: Apple Store
That Apple Stores offer free Wi-Fi is repeatedly referred to in hotspot directories, and I can confirm from a brief stop out front that our local location is no exception. What I want to know is why. Does Apple expect someone with a Windows machine to come in just to connect? If they set up the network for sales demonstration purposes, what is their rationale for leaving it open?
Mind you, I'm not anti-Apple by any means-if I could justify spending what a Powerbook costs, I'd buy one-but I'm just curious about the logic behind all of this. If any of you regularly use, or have ever used, this hotspot or any of Apple's other ones, or if by chance you're with Apple and could give us some insight, your comments would be most welcome.
4712 Broadway, Kansas City
802.11g
SSID: Apple Store
That Apple Stores offer free Wi-Fi is repeatedly referred to in hotspot directories, and I can confirm from a brief stop out front that our local location is no exception. What I want to know is why. Does Apple expect someone with a Windows machine to come in just to connect? If they set up the network for sales demonstration purposes, what is their rationale for leaving it open?
Mind you, I'm not anti-Apple by any means-if I could justify spending what a Powerbook costs, I'd buy one-but I'm just curious about the logic behind all of this. If any of you regularly use, or have ever used, this hotspot or any of Apple's other ones, or if by chance you're with Apple and could give us some insight, your comments would be most welcome.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Crown Center
Crown Center, 2450 Grand, Kansas City
802.11b
SSID: aircore.ccf
The Crown Center atrium is easily my favorite hotspot. Plenty of tables with enough room for your laptop and a sumptuous dinner (go ahead, splurge on a meal-that's obviously what Crown Center's management has in mind), and it's usually not difficult to find one right next to a power outlet. From the time it went live until maybe around the first of this year, the network occasionally had a problem with users successfully connecting to the access point but then not being able to get out onto the 'Net. I was a victim of this myself several times. I haven't seen it happen recently, however, so it seems the problem has been fixed. If it recurs, however, there are "tent cards" on the tables with a phone number you can call for Wi-Fi problems.
As far as signal strength goes, I haven't seen a problem anywhere in the atrium on either side of the escalator. (By the way, the access point and antenna are mounted about halfway up one of the columns to the right of the up escalator.) If you want to sit back towards the food court, however, this may be a problem, especially if your laptop isn't a hot performer as far as Wi-Fi reception is concerned. You'll also have to rely on your battery, there being no power outlets available.
One caveat: Many of the restaurants in the food court stop selling around 8 p. m., so if you've got a hankering for a submarine sandwich or a half-slab of ribs to go with your Wi-Fi, get there early enough so that this won't be a problem. No reason to rush afterwards; I've been there as late as midnight without anyone suggesting it's time to go.
802.11b
SSID: aircore.ccf
The Crown Center atrium is easily my favorite hotspot. Plenty of tables with enough room for your laptop and a sumptuous dinner (go ahead, splurge on a meal-that's obviously what Crown Center's management has in mind), and it's usually not difficult to find one right next to a power outlet. From the time it went live until maybe around the first of this year, the network occasionally had a problem with users successfully connecting to the access point but then not being able to get out onto the 'Net. I was a victim of this myself several times. I haven't seen it happen recently, however, so it seems the problem has been fixed. If it recurs, however, there are "tent cards" on the tables with a phone number you can call for Wi-Fi problems.
As far as signal strength goes, I haven't seen a problem anywhere in the atrium on either side of the escalator. (By the way, the access point and antenna are mounted about halfway up one of the columns to the right of the up escalator.) If you want to sit back towards the food court, however, this may be a problem, especially if your laptop isn't a hot performer as far as Wi-Fi reception is concerned. You'll also have to rely on your battery, there being no power outlets available.
One caveat: Many of the restaurants in the food court stop selling around 8 p. m., so if you've got a hankering for a submarine sandwich or a half-slab of ribs to go with your Wi-Fi, get there early enough so that this won't be a problem. No reason to rush afterwards; I've been there as late as midnight without anyone suggesting it's time to go.
Union Station
Union Station, 30 West Pershing Road, Kansas City
802.11b
SSID: Union Station
This particular hotspot has a special place in my heart. I think it was the first public one to open in Kansas City, and it was the first one I used extensively. The antenna for the 802.11b access point is on top of the information booth, so you'll have to either sit on one of the benches along the north wall of the lobby or hope there's an empty table outside the Union Cafe if you need to be close to the AP to get a sufficient signal. If your laptop has better reception qualities you might get away with setting up at a table in the food court at the other end of the lobby, as I have occasionally. Power outlets are few and far between; there was one under a bench I often used near the AP and a few along the walls of the food court, but once more, getting a good signal there could be a problem. And if you're going to be there after sundown, be sure to pack a penlight-or maybe something like Kensington's USB Fly Light-because the lobby is as dark as a tomb at night.
That said, we should all give a hand to the station's management for being bold enough to try something like this down there. Union Station's biggest problem is obvious-it doesn't attract enough people. It's too bad that by the time they fired up the hotspot to try and bring in more, it was really too late to help save the food-court restaurants it might have helped the most. Let's hope that the station can turn things around, perhaps becoming a bit more laptop-friendly in its new incarnation.
802.11b
SSID: Union Station
This particular hotspot has a special place in my heart. I think it was the first public one to open in Kansas City, and it was the first one I used extensively. The antenna for the 802.11b access point is on top of the information booth, so you'll have to either sit on one of the benches along the north wall of the lobby or hope there's an empty table outside the Union Cafe if you need to be close to the AP to get a sufficient signal. If your laptop has better reception qualities you might get away with setting up at a table in the food court at the other end of the lobby, as I have occasionally. Power outlets are few and far between; there was one under a bench I often used near the AP and a few along the walls of the food court, but once more, getting a good signal there could be a problem. And if you're going to be there after sundown, be sure to pack a penlight-or maybe something like Kensington's USB Fly Light-because the lobby is as dark as a tomb at night.
That said, we should all give a hand to the station's management for being bold enough to try something like this down there. Union Station's biggest problem is obvious-it doesn't attract enough people. It's too bad that by the time they fired up the hotspot to try and bring in more, it was really too late to help save the food-court restaurants it might have helped the most. Let's hope that the station can turn things around, perhaps becoming a bit more laptop-friendly in its new incarnation.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Introduction
After much deliberation, I've decided to try my hand at this blogging thing, and indulge my passion for free wireless Internet access by passing along my impressions of what you're likely to find at free and open Wi-Fi hotspots in and around Kansas City. This will give me an excuse to: a.) try out new hotspots as they come on line, and b.) waste inordinate amounts of time at them maintaining this blog. Gee, it seems like either way I win!
Anyway, before we get started, let's spell out exactly what we mean by "free" and "open." Naturally, if a network is encrypted or password protected, its owner doesn't want just anyone hopping onto it, but the absence of encryption or authentication doesn't by itself necessarily mean that all are welcome. As some of you may have heard, there's a guy in Florida right now who's in the process of learning this lesson the hard way. We're going to limit our discussion here to locations with access points that were unambiguously put there for public use, such as coffeehouses and libraries, and shy away from places such as private residences and offices where the network may have been left open inadvertently-and consequently, any discussion of "wardriving" or the results of such surveys will be off-topic here.
And, of course, just because a network is open doesn't mean it's free (Starbucks, anyone?). While I'm as happy about the outcome of the Cold War as the next person, I really don't think capitalism will once more find itself in peril as a result of my preferring to stick to discussing complimentary Internet access here as opposed to play-for-pay. Granted, I'm biased-I think that giving away something like Wi-Fi is a wonderful way to draw traffic to a location, and one of my motivations is to encourage more of it. Besides, anyone who's really enjoying success with the fee model probably doesn't need my help. If you charge for it and they still come, it beats me as to why, let alone how to get more of them to.
Well, I think that's enough groundwork. Feel free to weigh in with your comments and compare your experiences with mine, and if you live in or around KC don't hesitate to let everyone know should you stumble across a new hotspot we should take a look at.
Anyway, before we get started, let's spell out exactly what we mean by "free" and "open." Naturally, if a network is encrypted or password protected, its owner doesn't want just anyone hopping onto it, but the absence of encryption or authentication doesn't by itself necessarily mean that all are welcome. As some of you may have heard, there's a guy in Florida right now who's in the process of learning this lesson the hard way. We're going to limit our discussion here to locations with access points that were unambiguously put there for public use, such as coffeehouses and libraries, and shy away from places such as private residences and offices where the network may have been left open inadvertently-and consequently, any discussion of "wardriving" or the results of such surveys will be off-topic here.
And, of course, just because a network is open doesn't mean it's free (Starbucks, anyone?). While I'm as happy about the outcome of the Cold War as the next person, I really don't think capitalism will once more find itself in peril as a result of my preferring to stick to discussing complimentary Internet access here as opposed to play-for-pay. Granted, I'm biased-I think that giving away something like Wi-Fi is a wonderful way to draw traffic to a location, and one of my motivations is to encourage more of it. Besides, anyone who's really enjoying success with the fee model probably doesn't need my help. If you charge for it and they still come, it beats me as to why, let alone how to get more of them to.
Well, I think that's enough groundwork. Feel free to weigh in with your comments and compare your experiences with mine, and if you live in or around KC don't hesitate to let everyone know should you stumble across a new hotspot we should take a look at.
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