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Disney World Goes 802.11b
LighthouseJ writes "Over at CNN they report that Disney World in Florida has a 47-square mile 802.11b wireless LAN through the park with 200 access points. The move comes after visitors complaints that they couldn't use credit cards at every place in the park. Plus, it allows "cast members" to offer guests goods and services anywhere, not restricted to where the credit card machine is at. The man responsible, Murshid S. Khan, Director of Telecommunications and Technology Support sees this as a valuable technology, citing mobility and flexibility as the main reasons for the switch.
Khan goes on to say that the system is protected by a 128-bit encryption scheme and software installed to detect intrusions.
When he was asked if visitors will have access to the wireless network, CNN quotes him to say: 'We need you to come to the park and enjoy the park,' he said. 'If we start opening Internet cafes, you won't do that.' He's a smart man." So, running AirSnort wouldn't probably be the best idea? *grin*
There are things the user could use besides surf the web. For instance, a little app on your wireless device that let you check the length of lines at the rides, the reservations at a restaurant etc.
Still, just as is, it is cool.
They say they have "software" that detects intrusions. That doesn't seem to imply much about tracking you down to the square foot.
OTOH, I don't recall ever seeing a laptop, so you'll stick out like a sore thumb unless you're in the bathroom with a PDA.
They do search bags currently. ALL bags, even diaper bags.
Also, there's an active Linux community among their IT people. There are definitely pockets of clue there, and it's likely that would extend to their IT security people as well.
While on my honeymoon in DisneyWorld this year, my wife and I took quite a few of their Behind the Scenes tours. On the Epcot one, we found out why Disney will most likely never let people have 'Net access in their parks. (At least not in public places.)
Our tour guide said that they actually did have a kiosk there a few years back that let people browse the web and check their web-based e-mail. He checked on the kiosk once and found that some pervert had left up a XXX e-mail and changed the wallpaper. He wouldn't elaborate on what it was, but he said it shocked even him.
Luckily for them, they were able to remove the offensive material before anyone noticed. Still, as a place that bills itself as "family-friendly," they simply can't take the risk that it would happen again (and more high profile).
Our tour guide kept the possibility open that they would resume 'Net access with some types of safeguards against this, but no safeguard is 100%. Public Internet access is just not a high-priority item for Disney. (Believe me, there's so much to do at Disney World, that you won't have time to browse the Net.) The PR risks of another abuse far outweigh any customer gains.
My sci-fi novel, Ghost Thief, is now available from Amazon.com.
I took note of their network over a year and half ago when I went there with my Highschool senior class.
/w 802.11b card and go to work.
I noticed the cash registers were connected to an 802.11b network.. also, I spotted some computers as well.
I didn't have an 802.11b card at the time, and my only laptop had suffered a terrible accident.. so I wasn't able to do any 'diagnostics', but I thought it was interesting. Maybe next time I'll bring my PowerBook
See, you don't need to worry about getting into the park with your laptop.. Because this also extends to their hotels and probably their on-site buses as well.
They should rent out wireless digital cameras, whenever a pic is taken its upload via 802.11 and before they leave the park, the got prints of the family vacation.
Also a previous article said it would be used to play music around the park based on location. IMHO, kinda of a waste for just CC's.
"Get them before they get....