A series that runs every Tuesday, where I ask questions unrelated to the environment, fair trade, or local politics that I’ve been wondering about but haven’t been able to google the answers to. Any advice is appreciated.
“Annoyed with Starbucks and wouldn’t mind making a buck off of them?” is the first line of an email I got from the FON people. I’m guessing they found me via the Starbucks Challenge stuff.
So, are ya annoyed? If so, you might be interested in the FON strategy. The basic idea: If you have your own wifi and live in wifi distance from a Starbucks, you can opt to share your own free wifi with other FON users. In exchange, you get a buck for everyone who takes you up on your generousity. You yourself get free access to the entire FON network, as well as a free router.
Sez Alicia, the PR gal for FON: “Rather than paying the ridiculous $10 for the T-Mobile Wifi, a person who frequents Starbucks can pay $2 to access the FON wireless network.”
I was gonna try it as an experiment, but luckily, I have no Starbucks in wifi distance — Yay!
My question is, do you? And if so, are you tempted by the offer?
A while back, I was thinking ’bout sharing my wifi with my neighbors after I read the yellow chair stories — but was sorta discouraged from doing so by some of my techie readers. Perhaps you peeps might weigh in again, regarding your thoughts on FON?
Of course, if the LA wifi plan stays on schedule, this whole effort will be null in a couple years –
February 27th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Ha! Very Clever:
Sticking it to The Man while
Drinking His Coffee
(sorry, I’m in a very haiku mood today)
February 27th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
I believe in social networking, where wireless Internet is free for everyone. I purposely open my own wireless network for anyone to access. As long as no one abuses it, I don’t have any problems with people using my line. FON is partially a pay service, but at least it provides free access if you are a FON member yourself.
If I lived near Starbucks, I would setup an open router. However, if people abuse the line, I would use FON.
February 27th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
This sounds verrry interesting. I do live close to a Starbucks with wifi… and a Coffeebean with wifi too. However, I don’t frequent them enough or bring my laptop enough to use this well.
February 28th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
I need to figure out how to open up my network. Tried to do it a while ago, but got frustrated — If anyone has tips on how to open up a Verizon wireless network, pls lemme know –