Slashdot Mirror
Wi-Fi Coming on U.S. Domestic Flights
jvptoad writes "The NY Times is reporting that United Airlines has received approval to offer Wi-Fi Internet access on its planes. Although it will be over a year before the service is available, I wonder if this will impact the discussion on cell phone usage in planes (which seems to be centered around the annoyance of people talking loudly on the phone). Add a headset and Skype, and you don't need a cell phone to have loud, annoying phone conversations on an airplane."
What are the chances I'll be able to set up a Counter-Strike server on my flight to Washington?
Geek Of The Day, "A geeky place for geeky faces."
I am overjoyed.
Statesmen serve to better the country and help the people.
Politicians serve to better themselves and help friends.
repeat: uh, latency?
...
could you resend that packet? i didn't get it the first time
-- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
Great... now the fat, sweaty, stupid, irritating, guy next to me on every single flight I've ever taken can now be surfing for horse pr0n and talking his ass off on his cell the whole flight.
You know, I've found that butter does wonders for keyboards. That and spilled coffee.
As to the cell phones, if he doesn't take the hint after the butter, apply that to the cell phone as well.
-- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
The crapper was a pretty exotic place to get on IRC from. Imagine it from 30,000ft ... on the crapper.
With this put an end to the ridiculous idea that listening to my ipod in row 38 can cripple the navigational instruments of an airliner?
If that pittance of an electrical field could have any appreciable impact on an airplane, any solar flare would result in the complete destruction of the world's airline fleet in a single day.
But! But! But...the terrorists will use it for...
And what about those dasterly in-fight phones on the back of the seats? They could call their terrorist friends today and plan their evil plans that way without Wi-Fi.
But! But!
Ahhhh, be quiet
Will the latency of this link be low enough to support decent response times for VoIP?
If they're using a satellite link (they must be), then your loud Skype+headset conversation will be just as uncomfortable for you to use as it is for others around you to observe.
"He-"
"Hello?"
"Huh?"
"What?"
"You started talk-"
"You began-"
"You go."
"No you... Go ahead!"
Damn satellite latency.
could you resend that packet? i didn't get it the first time ...
Don't worry -- just wait for the dupe article later this week.
Want to improve your Karma? Instead of "Post Anonymously", try the "Post Humously" option.
It is not simply the duty of our government regulators to protect us from Loud Annoying Cell Phone Users. It is their duty to protect us from the very indignity of being annoyed, regardless of the source of that annoyance.
I for one will not be happy until we passengers are sedated in the terminal, packed in bubble-wrap, loading into the plane like cargo, and revived with a stiff drink at the destination.
Ah! The only way to travel!
"If they lift the ban on cell-phone use, they better lift the ban on passengers beating the shit out of each other, too."
Bah it'll probably cost so much that latency will actually work in your favor. If they charge $1/byte, and it takes 6000ms round trip, you'll at least be able to make the flight on a single credit card.
Just a thought:
What jurisdiction does a plane flying over, say, international waters actually fall under - for example, is the inside of a US-registered plane considered to be US territory or do a generic set of International rules apply?
I just wondered as this might raise some interesting legal issues with regards to data protection etc. ie: emailing a customer database back to the office, downloading porn, sharing files or DMCA-infringing stuff etc.!!?? Mind you, hosting your DVD ripping apps at an altitude of 30,000ft over the Atlantic by constantly flying from NY to London and back is not going to come cheap!!
AT&ROFLMAO
"the plane is going down! before i die, i just wanted to say i hate you for all the shit you've put me through!"
*click* Sent!
"um, disregard last message. it was just turbulence. I'll be a little late getting home from the airport honey."
Were you sitting next to me on a United flight last week? That's exactly the conversation I had on the plane after eating some funky lobster.
Avoid Missing Ball for High Score
I've found the best way to deal with someone like this is to order pickled onions/ salami/ anything that gives shocking bad breath and then breath, heavily and slowly as close the the headrest as possible. Fart loudly if you can. Pick your nose and wipe it on their headrest. Occasionally say your name and clap three times. Have a converstation about your most recient bowel movements with the person infront of you, if they don't speak your language all the better, if they do consider making up a language in which to talk to them. No one wants to be near a disgusting smelly nut, much less talk to one.
Screw the earplugs, I just stick my fingers in my ears, close my eyes, and sing "LA LALA LALA" at the top of my voice. Blocks out all external noises. Guaranteed.
like my mailman? or the cute 18 year old at starbucks? either will do.