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WiFi Gone Wild

Posted by michael on from the freebie dept.

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.

6 of 180 comments (clear)

  1. Saftey measures... by Ninwa · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The places that have wireless networks should also issue handouts concerning possible security problems to cover their butts. How long until you hear someone getting sued because someone borked their computer over a wireless network?

  2. Crowding by officepotato · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Won't this cause parking problems as people stay at rest stops as long as their battery lasts, rather than long enough to do their business?

  3. can always get your /. by millahtime · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now, nerds in texas can always get their /. fix when traveling. They just have to stop of at a rest area, get some vending machine food, a soda, stop off at mr. porclyn and /.

    Although, hopefully not all at the same time.

    --
    Evolution or ID?
  4. WiFi WiFi WiFi *yawn* by aussie_a · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I have to admit, I'm becoming annoyed with WiFi. Not because I think there is anything wrong with it, but for the simple reason that if there is ANYTHING involving networks, out comes WiFi.

    Why is WiFi so great? And why is everyone working to provide free access to it? Free acces (as in beer) is great. But I just have one question. Why?

    Sure it's convenient and everything, but governments, businesses and individuals are all doing this. Providing free WiFi. Why? What payoff does everyone get?

    1. Re:WiFi WiFi WiFi *yawn* by cuzality · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Wi-fi is the next 'bathroom' -- every customer-service-oriented business will have to have it, even though you get nothing out of it, and in fact it costs you money, but if you don't have it you're not a 'complete' business.

  5. New Problems for RIAA by cfulmer · · Score: 5, Interesting

    So far, the RIAA's "sue the world" strategy has relied on subpoenas sent to ISPs to identify the filesharer who was using a specific IP address at a specific time. What happens when the ISP has no idea: "Well, it was somebody travelling on I-20."? If the ISP were a private entity, the RIAA _may_ be able to sue the ISP. But, what happens when the ISP is the State of Texas? My one semester of ConLaw says that the 11th Amendment would bar that suit.