Ernie the Attorney files this report from the mean streets of N'awlins: Ernie is a Wi-Fi enthusiast, as he describes in his account of visiting coffeeshops and trolling for Wi-Fi--and engaging customers, staff, and owners. He has nothing to sell, but an idea.
I've seen the same concern expressed by coffeeshop owns. The folks who run Diva, a wonderful little place a few blocks from my office, have decided not to offer Wi-Fi because they already have table campers who sit for five hours with one cup of joe.
What they don't realize is twofold: first, the table campers could be asked to limit their time. Second, it's a different audience who comes in ready to work with Wi-Fi. They spend more, they spread information better, they can't sit still for long.
I've watched Herkimer Coffee, six blocks from Diva, which makes an equivalently good brew, grow its audience in just a few weeks from zero to packed almost every time I'm in there -- they have free Wi-Fi, more seating, outlets all over the place, and no problems with squatters so far.
One fellow, I see in there all the time. Every time I go in. He's got an expensive Dell. And he buys a lot of coffee.
I've heard the same concern as well. I wonder if there's a cheap way to put controls on table campers. Are there any inexpensive access points that would let me kick off users (by MAC address) after a configurable amount of time, and then let them back in after yet another configurable amount of time?
I'm pretty sure this kind of thing works itself out in the real world; the table campers sitting there with empty cups will get dirty looks from people who can't get a table. But still, being able to enforce it with some kind of policy on the access point would be worth experimenting with.
- Brian
Inexpensive is a relative term. Here's one scenario: use a single-radio hotspot controller (like a Proxim AP-2500) which does captive portal and has a Radius client. Configure a Radius server to accept user/password pairs from a 'scratch' (coupon, voucher, pre-paid) card, with a set user time. Write software that a clerk can use to 'map' the coupons to the cafe's seating layout. Then, have a 'bump' button that turns off IP to the MAC address of the user at the table, assuming he becomes a table hog. You could also vary the allowed interval between new sessions for the same MAC address. This would be a Wi-Fi variation of POS systems that show seating layouts of eating areas, used by food servers worldwide.
Just don't provide any AC outlets... their batteries will go dead soon enough! ;-)
A simple sign at the counter would probably do the trick. Cost: .89
Why bother with hotspots when you can build a hotzone. We will be moving into the new orleans area soon. Soon coffee shop owners wont have a choice but to allow wi-fi...unless they ban laptop users in thier stores, since they will not have control of the signal anymore. Wi-fi will be available on streets instead of coffe shops.
Its an exciting time!
Carlo MacDonald
President
Verge Wireless Networks, Inc.