Half the Internet-better than none?

Kansas City Kansas Public Library
625 Minnesota Avenue, KCK

802.11a or 802.11g
SSID: KCKPLMAIN

Okay, the anonymous tip we received was at least partly correct. You don't need a library card to get online at KCKPL anymore. (I'll let ath64 know so the guide gets updated.) That said, they do ask for an e-mail address, as if anyone out there was dumb enough to provide a real one. And in order to get outside their firewall you'll still have to do something you really shouldn't-accept a self-signed encryption certificate (all the more reason not to give them your actual e-mail address, which in many if not most cases is also your Internet account username).

And that's just the bad news-it goes downhill from here. Perhaps users will take to calling KCK "Johnson County North" given this network's heavy filtering and blocking of ports needed for Usenet and server-based e-mail. Methinks this outlet won't get much usage unless its operators loosen up a little bit. No one else here but your lonesome correspondent just after 4 p. m. on a Friday before what will be a three-day weekend for many government workers around town. Take a hint, KCKPL. Cruise over to the KCMO Plaza branch and see how much more usage a hotspot gets when it's actually useful for something.

Yes, I know I shouldn't complain, what with how long it took this place to unwire to start with and then decide to open up to everyone. Nonetheless, Wyandotte County-particularly its eastern part-is in such dire need of these services that any crippling or restriction of them strikes me as something a public provider of them ought not be doing without a strong rationale. And if KCKPL has one I can't imagine what it would be.

Speaking of rationale...why on earth is there an open 802.11a access point here? You do know that "a" is not part of the Wi-Fi standard, don't you?

Oops...in my excitement I almost forgot to tell everyone to be sure to bring a fully-charged battery or two if despite all the above they decide to come anyway. Very little laptop-friendly seating within reach of power outlets.