WiFi Gone Wild

b4k4 writes "According to this news release, the Texas Department of Transportation is proposing to install hotspots at all 84 Safety Rest Stops and 12 Travel Information Centers statewide. This would be in addition to the four test locations already in place along US287." Reader polluted notes that Portland is working on free WiFi. An anonymous reader sent in word of this year's wifi-shootout, a contest to maximize the range for an 802.11b connection. And Roland Piquepaille writes in regarding cows wearing WiFi collars, which I'm afraid reminds me of a crummy sci-fi movie.

Comments

Re:Crowding

[Wire Head]

No need to worry about crowding, I've been to Texas rest stops.
The rest rooms are basically built over open latrines. Nasty stench.
No running water, no phones. Some do have (electric) lights though.

Will this help?

[thedillybar]

"Knowing free Internet service is available at our rest areas will get drivers to make regular stops. Since fatigue is a factor in 1.5 percent of all crashes, anything we can do to get people to pull off the road and take a break is going to make our highways safer."

Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of wireless Internet at every rest area.

But what happens when truckers (and the rest of us) stay up surfing all night instead of sleeping?