"There is now a market niche for not having Wi-Fi," said Bryant Simon, a Temple University history professor and author of "Everything but the Coffee: Learning About America From Starbucks."
What a fascinating phenomemon of the free market.
I applaud his choice. I added to my bussines cards and the like “We speak english” to rave reviews
Heh!
Wait until they MANDATE WiFi in these private businesses.
Will that be surfing or non-surfing?
Banned, techies congregate outside to get a fix...
New ordinances banning laptop use within 150 feet of the building entrance...
Villified as causing everything from the Ague to zits, techies huddle in small enclaves in basements and garages...
Full circle.
I am a tech person, but I have no problem at all with this. I wouldn’t dream of sitting down and taking up a table for several hours with nothing more than a glass of water, but there are many who would have no qualms about doing it.
That said, I have parked near one to hook in when I have been paged...
How long do you think it will take until SDS and other groups protest not getting free stuff?
Makes sense to me. Exactly what I’d do if I ran a coffee shop (not that I’d do any such thing). I’d also put in cell-phone jammers. Oh, they’re illegal. Well, a Faraday cage, anyway.
With broadband, I don’t need Wi-Fi to connect. Anyplace with a comfortable chair and a table will do including libraries, coffee shops, and hotel lobbies. I do enjoy coffee and am happy to pay the proprietor for multiple cups. If they don’t want my business that’s OK with me.
I am always surprised by the ignorance and stupidity emanating from our "elite" class and their sycophants in the media. As a recovering restaurateur I can attest this coffee shop did not make this move in an effort to capture a "market niche". It was made because they were losing money to seat moochers. Someone needs to tell these sheltered Obamabotic fools people go into business to make money and not satisfy some esoteric need.
Most pay for sites have this anyway....
We installed APs in our Cafe’ and two bars but not in our resturant for this same reason.
Besides FR, I just can’t understand what people do on the web that takes so much time?
I notice they've gotta keep the myth of a recovering economy going.
Not sure what the answer is to squatters. IIRC, J. K. Rowling said she wrote almost the entire Harry Potter series at coffee shops (or tea shops, as she was in Britain.)
Pretty funny! I loved the painted-on wall outlet.
I think if it were my shop I’d wire a timer up to the wi-fi router, so it reboots ever 15 minutes or so. You get free wi-fi, but it’s crappy wi-fi...
But just like the internet and Obamacare....it’s freeeeeeeee!
Googling brought this up:
“So basically, I spent $11.20 for nearly 8 hours of Wi-Fi. That’s akin to some of the fees that hotels and hotspots charge. No shame there; I paid my way.
I wasn’t quite as generous at Alexandria’s Buzz Bakery. Despite the delicious-looking red velvet cupcakes in the case, I stuck to two cups of coffee (about $2.05 each) during a 6-hour camp out. Honestly, I’m a little surprised no one told me to leave, though I did keep my mug where it could be seen by the staff. Definitely a chinzy move. I slunk out a little ashamed.”
http://caroundtheworld.com/2010/03/11/coffee-house-wifi-how-much-should-you-spend/comment-page-1/
Took a table all day, spent (not profit) $11 and calls it even!
I don’t get this.
Just specify a minimum charge/hour. Send a staff person around once an hour, to ask for the surfer to order something to keep connected. Put a sign up, indicating such.
The shop gets steady revenue from surfers, and everyone’s happy.
It’s not rocket science. Sheesh.
4G will make this all a wasted effort..