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is that with a door it is obvious:
*who owns the door
*where the door leads to
*if have permission to enter or otherwise regardless of whether there is a "keep out" or "everyone welcome" sign.

It is not that easy with a wireless access point.

This is mainly because:
1) the wireless network can extend well beyond the physical limits of the property that it is based on.
2) The only indication of what the network is for is the SSID which is not usually very helpful at all.

If you turn on your computer and a wireless connection becomes available how do you know if this is a free and open wireless network from a local starbucks or soem freewireless organisation/council (eg http://bayareafreefi.com/article.php?id=96&title=L ondon+gets+a+mile+of+free+Wi-Fi)? or if it is a private network? The SSID most likely will not help and you would most likely have some trouble finding exactly where the signal originates from.

So IMHO an open (unsecured) network is just that. Open for all to use.

If you dont secure your network then you are leaving it open for others to use. If you dont want this to happen then secure it in some way (or stop it from transmitting outside your property - not an easy task).

If there is any security at all then it is closed and private.

Whether you agree with that or not I dont think the door anaolgy can be used to argue this case one way or the other, it just isnt the same thing. The door doesnt extend way out past the property, you can easily see what the door is connected to and who it belongs to, there arent "free doors" available in the same area. doesnt work.

To all the haters...

Reasons wiPod is useful and rocks:

1) it is a quick and useful guide to free wi-fi hotspots. I've been on the road in several occasions where a client has called needing to discuss certain matters that require Internet access. I can now look quickly through my iPod list for nearby locations to stop during our meeting.

I used to be able to do this via the WAP enabled wifi hotspots, but now I can use the wiPod for instant access to bay area free wifi locations.

Using WAP requires me to connect my phone to the internet, and to the right site (even if bookmarked). But the iPod is instant!

The WAP wi-fi version is good too, but the iPod is just faster.

2) supporting local businesses is good for the community. Rather than support the big guys, Bay Area Free Wi Fi supports local cafes and businesses.

3) it's super fast. in a couple of seconds you can identify all free hotspots throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

The wiPod is a very useful resource for finding Bay Area hotspots, and if you don't think so, then just don't download it.

It's all offered for free!

To all the haters...

Reasons wiPod is useful and rocks:

1) it is a quick and useful guide to free wi-fi hotspots. I've been on the road in several occasions where a client has called needing to discuss certain matters that require Internet access. I can now look quickly through my iPod list for nearby locations to stop during our meeting.

I used to be able to do this via the WAP enabled wifi hotspots, but now I can use the wiPod for instant access to bay area free wifi locations.

Using WAP requires me to connect my phone to the internet, and to the right site (even if bookmarked). But the iPod is instant!

The WAP wi-fi version is good too, but the iPod is just faster.

2) supporting local businesses is good for the community. Rather than support the big guys, Bay Area Free Wi Fi supports local cafes and businesses.

3) it's super fast. in a couple of seconds you can identify all free hotspots throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

The wiPod is a very useful resource for finding Bay Area hotspots, and if you don't think so, then just don't download it.

It's all offered for free!

To all the haters...

Reasons wiPod is useful and rocks:

1) it is a quick and useful guide to free wi-fi hotspots. I've been on the road in several occasions where a client has called needing to discuss certain matters that require Internet access. I can now look quickly through my iPod list for nearby locations to stop during our meeting.

I used to be able to do this via the WAP enabled wifi hotspots, but now I can use the wiPod for instant access to bay area free wifi locations.

Using WAP requires me to connect my phone to the internet, and to the right site (even if bookmarked). But the iPod is instant!

The WAP wi-fi version is good too, but the iPod is just faster.

2) supporting local businesses is good for the community. Rather than support the big guys, Bay Area Free Wi Fi supports local cafes and businesses.

3) it's super fast. in a couple of seconds you can identify all free hotspots throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

The wiPod is a very useful resource for finding Bay Area hotspots, and if you don't think so, then just don't download it.

It's all offered for free!

To all the haters...

Reasons wiPod is useful and rocks:

1) it is a quick and useful guide to free wi-fi hotspots. I've been on the road in several occasions where a client has called needing to discuss certain matters that require Internet access. I can now look quickly through my iPod list for nearby locations to stop during our meeting.

I used to be able to do this via the WAP enabled wifi hotspots, but now I can use the wiPod for instant access to bay area free wifi locations.

Using WAP requires me to connect my phone to the internet, and to the right site (even if bookmarked). But the iPod is instant!

The WAP wi-fi version is good too, but the iPod is just faster.

2) supporting local businesses is good for the community. Rather than support the big guys, Bay Area Free Wi Fi supports local cafes and businesses.

3) it's super fast. in a couple of seconds you can identify all free hotspots throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

The wiPod is a very useful resource for finding Bay Area hotspots, and if you don't think so, then just don't download it.

It's all offered for free!

To all the haters...

Reasons wiPod is useful and rocks:

1) it is a quick and useful guide to free wi-fi hotspots. I've been on the road in several occasions where a client has called needing to discuss certain matters that require Internet access. I can now look quickly through my iPod list for nearby locations to stop during our meeting.

I used to be able to do this via the WAP enabled wifi hotspots, but now I can use the wiPod for instant access to bay area free wifi locations.

Using WAP requires me to connect my phone to the internet, and to the right site (even if bookmarked). But the iPod is instant!

The WAP wi-fi version is good too, but the iPod is just faster.

2) supporting local businesses is good for the community. Rather than support the big guys, Bay Area Free Wi Fi supports local cafes and businesses.

3) it's super fast. in a couple of seconds you can identify all free hotspots throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

The wiPod is a very useful resource for finding Bay Area hotspots, and if you don't think so, then just don't download it.

It's all offered for free!

To all the haters...

Reasons wiPod is useful and rocks:

1) it is a quick and useful guide to free wi-fi hotspots. I've been on the road in several occasions where a client has called needing to discuss certain matters that require Internet access. I can now look quickly through my iPod list for nearby locations to stop during our meeting.

I used to be able to do this via the WAP enabled wifi hotspots, but now I can use the wiPod for instant access to bay area free wifi locations.

Using WAP requires me to connect my phone to the internet, and to the right site (even if bookmarked). But the iPod is instant!

The WAP wi-fi version is good too, but the iPod is just faster.

2) supporting local businesses is good for the community. Rather than support the big guys, Bay Area Free Wi Fi supports local cafes and businesses.

3) it's super fast. in a couple of seconds you can identify all free hotspots throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

The wiPod is a very useful resource for finding Bay Area hotspots, and if you don't think so, then just don't download it.

It's all offered for free!