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I fail to see how this is a problem. If you don't want to be running an open access point then don't. The scope of data collection shouldn't be relevant. It's worth pointing out that Google is by far not the only company collecting access point locations. It's also worth pointing out that while the companies are providing services that use this information, not a single one has published a list of which access points are where. They have no interest in doing so since doing so gives the data to their competitors. Building the software to do the location is a hell of a lot easier than collecting the data to actually do it. So it's a good bet they will never do something like this.

However, other people have already produced mapping data of wifi:
http://gwifi.net/
http://v4.jiwire.com/search-hotspot-locations.htm

There are open wifi points just about everywhere. More and more of them open and intended for public use. I just don't see how the world having access to where they are as some sort of huge issue.

This whole issue isn't about google mapping wifi spots anyway, it's about them saving payload data while mapping wifi. You'll note nobody is having a fit about skyhook, which was mapping the same information. Why? Because skyhook hasn't admitted to saving payload data.

JiWire provides a list of (international) wifi hotspots, and the site detects iPhones and presents an optimized search interface.

http://www.jiwire.com/ Look for the FREE providers, but the site lists all, so if you are desperate, you can look for pay providers, too.

Layne

Try 197,351 FREE wifi hotspots:

http://www.jiwire.com/search-hotspot-locations.htm

They may be more widespread than you suspect. On my last visit to
lower Manhattan, I found 45 wifi hotspots in our son's building alone,
of which 7 were free. I suspect most people have wifi at home and at
work and numerous spots along the way. Even our church has free wifi!
No Joke!

You make some good points, but I'd like to examine the last point you made:

If you want a social, living coffeeshop, I'd say cut off the internet access. People go to a coffeeshop to relax with friends, listen to jazz, or curl up in a comfy chair with a big book.

For the record, I'm more likely to go to a coffee shop with wireless when I want to get work done, but will also go to the same place. I will not, however, go to a coffee shop without wireless when I want to get work done. I spend the same amount of money regardless of where I go, and whether or not I am doing work. In summation: yes it's worth it, yes people will download illegal things, and just block bit torrent on your firewall and you'll be okay for the most part (don't block MSN/AIM/etc., that's just annoying).

Yahoo MAP is a good way to find hotspots. A while a ago I noticed that Panera's hotspots were not listed there. I emailed their marketing department (from their hotspot :-) to have their stores listed. They said they'll look into it but I see that they are still not there. Now that I learned Yahoo's hotspot directory is provided by a company called JiWire, I should drop them a mail again.

While not iPod friendly, I found this website when looking for hotspots in the Kansas City area: www.jiwire.com.
They claim to have nearly 47000 hotspots in 65 countries, 15000 in the US. I hope this helps some.

Before I start, I don't mean to start some flamebait here. To me I just get the impression that AMD are desperately trying to play catch-up with Intel's Centrino campaign, and on the cheap. (Then again, despite an official list of 'certified' hotspots on their website, Intel aren't promoting it much.) And, alas, doing it wrong.

Again, please tell me if I've read this wrong.

You can also use JiWire's hotspot directory advanced search page. Click the "free" button at the bottom of the search bar just above "Get Hotspots" and it only returns free locations. (Yes, I'm affiliated with JiWire, but this is good advice, no?)

Come down to India. Here in Bangalore there are plenty of hotspots though most are operated by Sify. Sify in my neighborhood charges Rs. 60 (aprox US$ 1.4) per hour which is good if your are on the move otherwise I prefer my Rs. 900 (approx. US$ 20) per month broadband at home.

So when I'm on a business trip to Albuquerque, how do I know where to find these hot spots?