Train rider offers free Wi-Fi via cell: The Sounder runs from Seattle to Tacoma and has been an incredibly popular new run over the last few years--our first test of some of the new light- and heavy-rail to come. A member of our community wireless group, Seattle Wireless, has hooked up a Wi-Fi to cellular EDGE connection in his backpack. He's noted the car that he's to be found in during morning and evening commutes.
A colleague of mine at Peachpit Press in Berkeley, Calif., told me a few years ago about her former commute in the late 90s from Fremont to San Jose, working for Adobe. Someone on the train would always power up their laptop, turn on a Wi-Fi software base station, and connect to Metricom's Ricochet service. Everyone on the train would use the good samaritan base station during the trip. [link via BoingBoing]