[conservative in nyc]

Strange. I can understand why driving down the street and piggybacking on your neighbor's unsecured wireless network could arguably be illegal. It was after hours, but isn't the public library's system wireless Internet system meant to be used by the public?

[CORedneck]

When I was in New Zealand for vacation, finding a free Wi-Fi was next to impossible. In the last place I stayed at - a Hostel in Auckland, I got onto a free Wi-Fi hotspot. I was careful not to abuse it (heavy bandwidth usage). But also in NZ, there are many Internet cafes that you can use and you can hook up either with Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable.

Most of my Internet there was for e-mail, a little web surfing, transferring picture files back to home and especially, making calls from my Vonage soft-phone - much cheaper than going through NZ Telecom.

[FreedomPoster]

Anarcho-tyranny at its worst.

I bet that cop is really proud.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

This is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. It's OK to use the wireless network if you pack your laptop computer into the library but it's a crime if you access it from your car outside? It's not like he's trespassing in a private company's parking lot and hopping onto their network, it's the public library! Sounds like the cops don't have much to do if they're pursuing cheesy crap like this.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

It's illegal, but I have very little sympathy for somebody who leaves their home network open to the public by not encrypting and passwording their home wireless network. Not only does it kill your bandwidth if your neighbors are all using your network, you'll wind up taking the rap if they're doing something illegal.

[healy61]

I would wonder if there were any signs prohibiting the wireless access. I think our library broadcast 24-7. I have seen people access in the parking places. I would be concerned that the police took such action without a felony being committed. The topdog big cheese appears to be sending a message. And it ain't wireless.

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

I think the ACLU and American Library Association position is that porn is to be accessible online ONLY to children...

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

"It was kind of like, 'Well gee whiz, come on,' " police Lt. Tom Remaley said.

Way to go, lieutenant. You sound like a teeny-bopper who got left behind by her friends at the mall.

[cquiggy]

I highly recommend the Linksys WUSBF54G Wireless-G USB Adapter w/ Wi-fi finder. This device lets business get done. You simply carry it around. When you switch it on it detects networks, shows signal strength, and indicates locked or unlocked status. Once you locate an unlocked network then you can drag out the laptop. And this unit provides your connection.

[goodnesswins]

Wonder if the guy pays taxes there......./sarcasm

[plan2succeed.org]

I don't see a problem here. Hopefully the library filters the wireless Internet in the first place. The only problem may be that he can't ask librarians for assistance. But he doesn't expect that after hours. Also, the library knows its wireless signal can be picked up outside the library and that it has the responsibility to control it, which it didn't. But wireless signals are all over the place -- I don't see a need to control it, except for internal security reasons. The guy "caught" doing this has done nothing wrong. Am I missing something?

But let's see if the police find inappropriate material on that laptop that used the library's wireless connection and let's see it it came from that library usage. The police may inadvertently uncover a scandal more serious than a kid parked in a car next to a library. So I don't miss this, someone please contact me if this is the case. Thank you.

SafeLibraries.org - Are Children Safe in Public Libraries?

[Diana in Wisconsin]

But if he were inside the library, downloading Kiddie Porn instead of just gaming in the parking lot, he would've gotten a pass from the ALA. *Rolleyes*

[thackney]

"using another's wireless" ping

[Conan the Librarian]

We actually invite people to use the WiFi if they can get it.

In the parking lot, park, or just on the steps. Internet for everyone!

[carolinalivin]

Whenever I hear someone talk about raising taxes for police, I point out stories like this and the swat teams breaking down doors and shooting some old man on a warrant to search for marijuana. It is clear that the public agencies still have too much money.

[Right Wing Assault]

I wonder if they allow patrons to read borrowed books when the library is closed.

[R. Scott]

I have always thought of open WiFi as being open to the public. Many businesses (including my favorite watering hole) have it available. If it was intended to be private it would be secured. It’s not like that is difficult to do.
I would be cautious about using a private home’s signal - but a business and a taxpayer supported library?

[Rb ver. 2.0]

I guess all Clearwire users will now be profiled as stealing bandwidth.