Is It Time to Say Goodbye to Free Wi-fi? (by @PeterShankman)
This is something I've thought about quite a bit lately. For one, I've noticed that people are routinely showing up in coffee shops and absolutely taking over the bandwidth with movies and other streaming media. It also seems like coffee shops really should be a "socialize-first" environment, and 10 people in there zoned out in front of computer screens doesn't help encourage socialization.
I do think Peter's article below will rub some people the wrong way. That's okay...I think he's got a good point. And width the rise in mi-fi type devices (I've got a mobile hotspot on my phone...it rocks!) and coworking spaces (I've got that coming soon as well!), coffee shops might be able to go back to being more like coffee shops and less like computer labs. I'm not for it, but I'm not opposed to it either. I like coffee enough not to care. :)
Now, though, (and I know I’m gonna get a ton of crap for this) it seems that the people who are doing “real” work, aren’t spending time in the coffee shop to begin with – They’ve ponied up for the price of a MiFi, or a Sprint EVO, or a similar card that jail-breaks them from the bonds of the coffee shop.
“Outside” has become the new coffee shop.
Let’s face it: Connectivity is power. I want that power, so I pay $59.99 a month for a Sprint MiFi card. I don’t have to be in a coffee shop to connect. I can connect from the cab, or an airport, or the Drop Zone, or the beach. All I need is a mobile signal. To me, that’s power.
It’s also a hell of a lot safer. Ever wonder how secure those Wi-Fi networks are in the local coffee shop or airport lounge? Here’s a secret: “Not safe at all.” One sniffer, and a run of the mill password crack program, and someone can start grabbing every single packet you’re transmitting. And yes. People do. All the time.
So yes – I call for the death of free Wi-Fi. Internet on-the-go that important to you? Buy a monthly subscription with a MiFi card, and get online whenever you want – not just at the local coffee house. It was a good idea once. But technology (and the selfishness of the one-cup-of-coffee-a-day people) have brought an era to an end. Heck, you might even discover new places. There’s a rock in Central Park that’s become my new de-facto meeting point, and I’ve sent 200 emails I typed on the plane, all from the BART when I landed in SF.
Read more at shankman.com
4 Comments
I am hoping that co-working spaces start to become more common because I would love to find a place near me where it is expected that I will be working (without feeling guilty for spending too much time there like a coffee shop) but also allows me to collaborate with others and meet new people.
Unfortunately where I live in Florida I don’t expect to see any of these real soon.
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