End of Story

So, I’ll look into talking with the library and Information Bureau folks about the Nantucket Wifi Fiasco. For now, though, it’s just another “this could happen to you” story.

Thanks for the advice and feedback. As a final sidenote, I war-walked to the Nantucket Bake Shop (contending against Downyflake for Best Native Doughnuts on Nantucket), and hit about twenty access points between the studio and the bake shop. All were closed, which sample begins to suggest that Nantucketers know how to close access points that they want to keep closed, and how to leave open access points that they want to share.

Late-breaking news: The Atheneum has just now posted a policy stating that the wifi connection is available only between a half-hour after they open to a half-hour before they close, on days that they’re open. The stated reason is “for better maintenance and operation.” Case closed.

1 thought on “End of Story

  1. Did they name that new policy ‘the AKMA addendum?’

    Posted by: steve at August 25, 2004 12:49 PM
    I’d be interested in finding out whether or not the library has also adressed the question of using the provided wiFi connection from outside the building. (During the posted hours of availabilty, or course.)

    Posted by: Robert at August 26, 2004 09:46 PM
    The heck with stating a policy; they can just disable the open access point outside their desired hours. Problem solved, no outside access possible, no possibility for harassment.

    Could be done thru software, mechanical timer to power on/off, or simply first person in turns on the access, last person out shuts it off.

    Posted by: Roger at September 1, 2004 07:29 AM
    Wardriving (or walking) is the problem. Try Peacedriving and maybe the problem will go away. 🙂

    Anyway, if you’re ever hanging around the 200 block of 50th Ave Plaza E in Bradenton, Florida, my wireless network SSID is “millerdock.” Feel free to use it all you want. If you’re sucking up too much of my DSL bandwidth while I’m trying to do large uploads or downloads, I’ll come outside and tell you to hold off until I’m done.

    AND we’re moving soon to Bradenton’s touristy “Village of the Arts” district, so by the end of the year you’ll find an open network there at the corner of 16th Ave and 11th St West. Same SSID, “millerdock.” I’ll probably put it on a sign out front. In my social circle an open home wireless network is simple hospitality, and Bradenton calls itself “The Friendly City” so an open wireless network is obviously a nice thing to provide.

    Posted by: Robin ‘Roblimo’ Miller at September 1, 2004 08:26 AM
    Your story on this just got /.

    http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/09/01/0245219

    Posted by: Shelley at September 1, 2004 09:24 AM
    If they don’t want you to use it, they should just hook up a timer to the socket that the WAP plugs into. It will unceremoniously turn the WAP off at the prescribed time and turn it back on again when needed. It’s all very low tech and even my grandmother could manage it.

    Posted by: Magnus at September 1, 2004 12:18 PM
    A google search on “WI-FI outside felony” turns up a story from this spring with a reference to the actual federal statute in question:

    http://www.netstumbler.com/2004/05/04/the_wi_fi_user_as_wireless_felon/

    Posted by: Doug at September 1, 2004 02:05 PM
    Interestingly, my library, the Burlingame Public Library in Burlingame, CA, invites the public to use its WiFi anywhere within signal range, but they also ask you not to access streaming video or perform any other bandwidth-intense activities.

    Seems pretty reasonable to me. I don’t get why the Nantucket library want’s to restrict access to its opening hours.

    The cop in question should get a life.

    Posted by: LarryB at September 2, 2004 07:54 PM

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *