Meanwhile, back to the east...

McDonald's
812 Minnesota Avenue, KCK

802.11g
SSID: Wayport_Access or attwifi

After the somewhat depressing results of my West Wyandotte expedition, and the even sadder news, delivered by the Kansas City Star earlier this week, that the YWCA has closed its coffeehouse a few blocks away from here which was reviewed in October by ath64, it's somewhat heartening to find that at least here in the most underserved part of the metro, Mickey D's is really coming through like we thought they would everywhere else upon joining the free world a year ago.

No power outlets, so charge up in advance or type and surf faster than you eat. Speaking of speed...has anyone here checked lately? An online test reported only around 300 kilobits per second down and merely one-third that up. Is that the best Ma Bell can do?

Let's hope not, and let's also hope more businesses that are still managing to thrive in this recession wil consider unwiring, to make up for the loss of some that aren't-such as Borders Books, which (bad pun alert) has turned the first page of Chapter 11 in case you haven't heard. As the KC Business Journal reports, the closeout sale is already under way at the one local store-in the Northland-closing as a result of the filing. And I didn't even realize that their 119th and Metcalf store, the subject of another ath64 review a couple of Christmases back, is already gone.

The confines are a bit more friendly, but...

Kansas City Kansas Public Library, West Wyandotte Library
1737 North 82nd Street, KCK

802.11g
SSID: KCKPLWEST



Well, in hopes that things had gotten a bit better since KCKPL effectively opened up their network to everyone, I sauntered out this way this afternoon-but sadly must report that should you do the same, you'll have to endure the same onerous filtering and port blocking I observed back in October at KCK's main branch, albeit in surroundings much better suited to laptop use. Take a gander, for instance, at this table, replete with a pair of convenient power outlets at the base of the lamp.



There are at least a couple of these here, along with armchairs incorporating swivel trays that could accomodate a laptop or netbook, similar to the chairs that at least used to be in the Miller Nichols Library at UMKC (haven't been there in a while and their laptop connectivity has been restricted to students, faculty and staff for some years now so I don't know if they're still there). And some of those armchairs are right next to power outlets in the floor.

In short, this place could show a few things to some libraries around town. Now, if KCKPL's administration would only take a few hints from them. Usability isn't all furniture and wiring, folks.