Well, I tried. Really, I wanted to add some new reviews of recently opened local sites, along with at least one I'd been trying to hit for most of the past year. Sadly, however, it won't happen, which in the case of the long-term target is particularly distressing.
Memo to the operator(s) of the coffeehouse in northeastern KCK: Did it ever occur to you that some of your potential best customers might be those who'd stop in after work? You know-people who'd like to sit for a bit and unwind on their way home, and have the additional advantage of coming into your establishment with money in their pockets owing to their being employed? Obviously this hasn't occurred to you, or you wouldn't be closing at 4 p. m. It's not like anyone's competing with you for this extra business, by the way, what with the KCK Public Library closing its network to non-cardholders and no other free and open commercial locations I'm aware of between you and the speedway. What gives?
Then there's the case of a couple of recently established cafes across the state line-one downtown, the other in the Union Station/Crossroads area. Both at least claim to offer "free Wi-Fi" but just how either accomplishes that feat with WPA-encrypted access points boggles the mind. If you're giving it away, there's no reason to lock the AP down; if you aren't, you need to be honest up front about that. "Free" access that requires a purchase in advance really isn't, the semantic gymnastics engaged in by its purveyors notwithstanding.
Finally, to end things on a lighter note, have a chuckle on this little play on words, courtesy of cartoonist Stephan Pastis and of Glenn Fleishman over at Wi-Fi Networking News, who also thought it was good for a laugh.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
There's a reason they call them "drive-bys," you know...
Panera Bread
#15, Legends Shopping Center, KCK
802.11g
SSID: PANERA
Not bad as Panera locations go, what with conveniently located power outlets along the bottom of some of the booth seating. The one thing I'd quibble with-and I hope it's just something users will run into here and not systemwide, given that I don't stop at Panera as much as I once did-is the clickthrough page. Oh, I don't mind the page itself; it's good to be reminded not to take up a table for four with my gear, etc. It's that in order to click through the page, I have to enable JavaScript and reload it.
Savvy Internetters know that allowing websites to run scripts should be done with discretion, especially in today's environment with its emphasis on Web-based browser exploits delivering malware via compromised servers. JavaScript or its Internet Explorer equivalents should be turned off except when visiting a known, trusted site which requires them, then turned back off once that site is left. Yeah, it's a hassle, but in a decade and a half of surfing with browsers ranging from ye olde text-only Lynx (come on, oldtimers, how many of you remember that one?) to the latest version of Firefox, I've never fallen victim to a web-delivered exploit. It's the user's choice whether to be safe or sorry, but Panera really ought to be helping the odds here. It's possible for you to provide a clickthrough without client-side scripting, and you should.
Oh, and while I'm here, I was hoping I'd be able to deliver kudos to Books-A-Million for taking me up on my suggestion of a few years back that they offer free WI-Fi..but unfortunately, the network behind the open access point my finder saw carrying their corporate name is only free for members of their loyalty club, and play-for-pay for everyone else.
Great-I put my privacy at even more risk and allow my mailbox to be stuffed with even more dead-tree detritus in return for maybe a few cents off on the few books I buy each year, and however much-or little-"free" surfing I can shoehorn into my visit.
No, thanks. Ma Bell will pick up the tab for me at Barnes and Noble, and they're not as far out of my way as you are.
#15, Legends Shopping Center, KCK
802.11g
SSID: PANERA
Not bad as Panera locations go, what with conveniently located power outlets along the bottom of some of the booth seating. The one thing I'd quibble with-and I hope it's just something users will run into here and not systemwide, given that I don't stop at Panera as much as I once did-is the clickthrough page. Oh, I don't mind the page itself; it's good to be reminded not to take up a table for four with my gear, etc. It's that in order to click through the page, I have to enable JavaScript and reload it.
Savvy Internetters know that allowing websites to run scripts should be done with discretion, especially in today's environment with its emphasis on Web-based browser exploits delivering malware via compromised servers. JavaScript or its Internet Explorer equivalents should be turned off except when visiting a known, trusted site which requires them, then turned back off once that site is left. Yeah, it's a hassle, but in a decade and a half of surfing with browsers ranging from ye olde text-only Lynx (come on, oldtimers, how many of you remember that one?) to the latest version of Firefox, I've never fallen victim to a web-delivered exploit. It's the user's choice whether to be safe or sorry, but Panera really ought to be helping the odds here. It's possible for you to provide a clickthrough without client-side scripting, and you should.
Oh, and while I'm here, I was hoping I'd be able to deliver kudos to Books-A-Million for taking me up on my suggestion of a few years back that they offer free WI-Fi..but unfortunately, the network behind the open access point my finder saw carrying their corporate name is only free for members of their loyalty club, and play-for-pay for everyone else.
Great-I put my privacy at even more risk and allow my mailbox to be stuffed with even more dead-tree detritus in return for maybe a few cents off on the few books I buy each year, and however much-or little-"free" surfing I can shoehorn into my visit.
No, thanks. Ma Bell will pick up the tab for me at Barnes and Noble, and they're not as far out of my way as you are.
Friday, May 15, 2009
One slight correction to the preceding...
...and it's a happy one. If you're planning on visiting this branch to do historical research that will involve viewing microfilm, you're somewhat in luck. There's a strip of power outlets running along the wall behind the readers. In fact, one of them has a convenient multi-outlet extension strip plugged into it, adjacent to the microfilm reader that's to the right as you face the wall.
However, I don't think I'd risk what one intrepid laptopper is doing as I'm writing this-running his Dell off that strip after plugging into it and taking a seat at a table across the passageway from the microfilm machines. If someone doesn't send his rig crashing to the floor after tripping over his cord, it's likely only a matter of time before someone from the library politely suggests he remove it. He ought to anyway, of course, without being asked.
However, I don't think I'd risk what one intrepid laptopper is doing as I'm writing this-running his Dell off that strip after plugging into it and taking a seat at a table across the passageway from the microfilm machines. If someone doesn't send his rig crashing to the floor after tripping over his cord, it's likely only a matter of time before someone from the library politely suggests he remove it. He ought to anyway, of course, without being asked.
Sorry I don't share my partner's command of Scripture, but...
Mid-Continent Public Library, Lee's Summit Branch
150 Northwest Oldham Parkway, Lee's Summit
802.11g
SSID: MCPLIBRARY.FREE.WIFI
Looks like Mid-Continent really has gone whole hog when it comes to free Wi-Fi. About time, too. Eleven of the twelve public-access workstations behind and to the right of me have been occupied since I walked in, and there have been at least a couple of fellow laptoppers that have dropped in for a bit.
That's the upside of things; on the distaff side, I'm sorry to report that not only is there nary a power outlet in sight, but unless a major renovation is planned for this place, there won't be any. They'd have to tear up the floor to run power to the vicinity of these tables in the middle. Oh well, laptop battery life is getting better all the time.
And if you don't live out this way, here's a heads-up: The place can be hard to spot if you're not familiar with the neighborhood. I had to hang a u-turn in a shopping center parking lot after not seeing it until I'd driven past. Oldham Parkway is essentially the south frontage road for U. S. 50 (actually it lies west of the highway, which runs north and south in this area). If you come off the highway at Third Street, go back west (north) on Oldham and look for a dark brown bank building that actually resembles a church more than a bank to your left before you get to the shopping center. The tan library building will be just beyond it across the street.
As to whether the rest of MCPL's branches are lit up, I think it's safe to assume they are, so unless anyone knows differently, we'll probably leave it at that.
Oh, and to the library administration: A little blurb on your website letting everyone know about this might be nice.
150 Northwest Oldham Parkway, Lee's Summit
802.11g
SSID: MCPLIBRARY.FREE.WIFI
Looks like Mid-Continent really has gone whole hog when it comes to free Wi-Fi. About time, too. Eleven of the twelve public-access workstations behind and to the right of me have been occupied since I walked in, and there have been at least a couple of fellow laptoppers that have dropped in for a bit.
That's the upside of things; on the distaff side, I'm sorry to report that not only is there nary a power outlet in sight, but unless a major renovation is planned for this place, there won't be any. They'd have to tear up the floor to run power to the vicinity of these tables in the middle. Oh well, laptop battery life is getting better all the time.
And if you don't live out this way, here's a heads-up: The place can be hard to spot if you're not familiar with the neighborhood. I had to hang a u-turn in a shopping center parking lot after not seeing it until I'd driven past. Oldham Parkway is essentially the south frontage road for U. S. 50 (actually it lies west of the highway, which runs north and south in this area). If you come off the highway at Third Street, go back west (north) on Oldham and look for a dark brown bank building that actually resembles a church more than a bank to your left before you get to the shopping center. The tan library building will be just beyond it across the street.
As to whether the rest of MCPL's branches are lit up, I think it's safe to assume they are, so unless anyone knows differently, we'll probably leave it at that.
Oh, and to the library administration: A little blurb on your website letting everyone know about this might be nice.
Friday, April 10, 2009
I sincerely hope...
...this isn't starting a trend.
Stopped in at Crown Center tonight and about the time I was finishing my sandwich and soda from d'Bronx, I happened to see the Paul Blart impersonator on duty at the time stroll over to another laptop user in the atrium and engage him in some rather animated conversation. After Blart walked away I decided to shut down and take a stretch break before picking up a malted at Sheridan's and firing back up. On the way to the restroom I detoured past the table where the object of Blart's interest was sitting, and asked him what that was all about. Seems as if the management here has taken to discouraging folks from "hanging out" in the atrium for some reason, according to him.
Granted, that's just one side of the story, and in the interest of journalistic integrity, I'm going to have to regretfully report that had this gentleman been sitting in one of our public libraries doing the same thing, it's possible he'd have been asked to leave there as well, particularly if the branch were crowded, owing to, shall we say, not being in compliance with the library's policy dealing with "personal hygiene." Whether the poor guy was homeless or not, I can't say for sure. Given the times and the fact that laptops are rather cheap these days, it's not inconceivable someone without a roof over his or her head could be schlepping one around with his or her backpack and bedroll.
At any rate, I'm not going to criticize Blart or the management, except for this: If you don't want to end up being held in the same well-deserved disregard the Cordish Company has brought upon itself with its shenanigans downtown, you ought to perhaps print up some more of those little cardboard triangle thingies you used to have on the tables down here that clearly spell out what you do and don't expect from your customers with regard to how long they can stay and how they should behave. Better yet, perhaps you could initiate a clickthrough page showing your policy that users will see when they first connect. You have the right to discourage "parkers" who don't buy much of anything, as well as others who legitimately detract from the experience of other patrons, but don't run the risk of throwing out the baby with the bath water. Don't repeat Cordish's mistake. Specify up front what's acceptable and what isn't, and put it in writing.
And are you people EVER going to fix your stinking DHCP so that it STAYS fixed?
Stopped in at Crown Center tonight and about the time I was finishing my sandwich and soda from d'Bronx, I happened to see the Paul Blart impersonator on duty at the time stroll over to another laptop user in the atrium and engage him in some rather animated conversation. After Blart walked away I decided to shut down and take a stretch break before picking up a malted at Sheridan's and firing back up. On the way to the restroom I detoured past the table where the object of Blart's interest was sitting, and asked him what that was all about. Seems as if the management here has taken to discouraging folks from "hanging out" in the atrium for some reason, according to him.
Granted, that's just one side of the story, and in the interest of journalistic integrity, I'm going to have to regretfully report that had this gentleman been sitting in one of our public libraries doing the same thing, it's possible he'd have been asked to leave there as well, particularly if the branch were crowded, owing to, shall we say, not being in compliance with the library's policy dealing with "personal hygiene." Whether the poor guy was homeless or not, I can't say for sure. Given the times and the fact that laptops are rather cheap these days, it's not inconceivable someone without a roof over his or her head could be schlepping one around with his or her backpack and bedroll.
At any rate, I'm not going to criticize Blart or the management, except for this: If you don't want to end up being held in the same well-deserved disregard the Cordish Company has brought upon itself with its shenanigans downtown, you ought to perhaps print up some more of those little cardboard triangle thingies you used to have on the tables down here that clearly spell out what you do and don't expect from your customers with regard to how long they can stay and how they should behave. Better yet, perhaps you could initiate a clickthrough page showing your policy that users will see when they first connect. You have the right to discourage "parkers" who don't buy much of anything, as well as others who legitimately detract from the experience of other patrons, but don't run the risk of throwing out the baby with the bath water. Don't repeat Cordish's mistake. Specify up front what's acceptable and what isn't, and put it in writing.
And are you people EVER going to fix your stinking DHCP so that it STAYS fixed?
Friday, March 20, 2009
The Great Firewall of Australia, revisited
Another article from the Associated Press concerning the push Down Under toward what looks more and more like the start of a retrogression by what had grown into one of the most advanced societies outside the Western Hemisphere back to the mentatlity and sensibilities of the 1950s.
And what's worse, it appears that the technical skills of the filter vendor(s) must harken from that period. If you're going to filter using the blacklist method, you have to keep the blacklist up to date, people. This is just going to do so much to make Australia a desirable destination for business and tourism. I can just see all those bottom-line-conscious executives and vacationers who perhaps skipped traveling for several years to afford a once-in-a-lifetime trip-adults all, remember- queueing up to fly off to a magical place where the government will once again treat them like children.
I was going to link to the copy of the purported blacklist mentioned in the story as being on Wikileaks, but they're (ahem, ahem) having what I suppose could be called a "senior moment" with their servers right now. Seems they're overloaded...but not enough that they can't dun you for donations. Well, maybe-when I get the first installment of the fee I'm collecting from that Nigerian prince for helping him access his inheritance...
And what's worse, it appears that the technical skills of the filter vendor(s) must harken from that period. If you're going to filter using the blacklist method, you have to keep the blacklist up to date, people. This is just going to do so much to make Australia a desirable destination for business and tourism. I can just see all those bottom-line-conscious executives and vacationers who perhaps skipped traveling for several years to afford a once-in-a-lifetime trip-adults all, remember- queueing up to fly off to a magical place where the government will once again treat them like children.
I was going to link to the copy of the purported blacklist mentioned in the story as being on Wikileaks, but they're (ahem, ahem) having what I suppose could be called a "senior moment" with their servers right now. Seems they're overloaded...but not enough that they can't dun you for donations. Well, maybe-when I get the first installment of the fee I'm collecting from that Nigerian prince for helping him access his inheritance...
Thursday, March 19, 2009
As if there wasn't already reason enough...
...why America's auto industry is in such bad shape, now you can be the first kid on your block with a rolling cellular-fed hotspot, courtesy of GM's Cadillac division. Glenn Fleishman over at Wi-Fi Networking News has all the gory details.
Never mind that it'll only support WEP encryption-which has essentially been nothing more than a no-trespassing sign for the past half-decade-and will cost out the wazoo, as cellular data all too often still does. If this catches on you've got to wonder how long it'll be before the first bans on surfing while driving are enacted-and how many innocents will be maimed or worse between now and then.
Besides, I'd bet anyone who regularly carries passengers who really need something like this has already rigged up a cellular-to-Wi-Fi router and AC inverter to provide it using the service they're already paying for. At least that's what I'd do.
Never mind that it'll only support WEP encryption-which has essentially been nothing more than a no-trespassing sign for the past half-decade-and will cost out the wazoo, as cellular data all too often still does. If this catches on you've got to wonder how long it'll be before the first bans on surfing while driving are enacted-and how many innocents will be maimed or worse between now and then.
Besides, I'd bet anyone who regularly carries passengers who really need something like this has already rigged up a cellular-to-Wi-Fi router and AC inverter to provide it using the service they're already paying for. At least that's what I'd do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)