Google's semi-secret
WiFi network has established a foothold in New York City. Someone who
recently visited saw a plaque (left) and took a photograph. As most people know, Google dipped a toe in the
WiFi market in April by sponsoring a free hotspot in San
Francisco's Union Square. So how long is it going to take before Google
unveils its WiFi plans? I mean, you can't have Om Malik and IP Media Monitor
do all of Google's PR work, right? For some good insight into Google's Secure Access service, check out AugustJackson. Robert Scoble
thinks Google's WiFi plans may be focused on building a better search
engine. The idea is that Google will have another way track Web traffic.
The last time I checked, the Bryant Park free wireless was run by nycwireless.net, a non-profit that put the public's interest first. They:
gave real public IP address, not rfc1918 address for NAT
truly anonymous access. You read the access policy, which states clearly that they intend to offer anonymous access because they think this serves a civic need. You click agree. That's it. No email registration or tracking or anything (unlike comments on this blog site). Network abuse is dealt with using a Reverse IDS firewall rather than surveillance and identification.
run by an organization with open, transparent governance in the public's interest
The coverage was good, and the network reliable. They are the right people to be in control of the network in a public park, and they were doing a good job. If Google has replaced them, I'll be very disappointed.
However, it looks like this has not happened. AFAICT, the network is the same one that was always there, the one that nycwireless built in 2001.
http://www.technolosophy.com/projects/bryantpark.html
Google is just “sponsoring'' it. Hopefully their sponsorship won't include altering the design principles that made Bryant Park a national model for successful free-as-in-freedom Internet access. If so, I appreciate that they chose this network to sponsor. It suggests they “get it,'' because Bryant Park is a very unique and ambitious public wireless.
If Google's sponsorship has somehow given them any kind of power over the network, then I'd much rather the NYC city taxes that I pay support this network and keep it free and anonymous, than have Google's Central Committee roll out their shady data mining activities and notoriously non-transparent governance. The City needs Bryant Park wireless as-is to prove irrefutably again and again what is possible. Pundits and planners continually assert that anonymous Internet access is impossible, but so far we can point to Bryant Park which has been running quite well since 2001 to show that yes, free anonymous speech on the Internet is sustainable. I, for one, value it greatly and consider it an important part of what our city stands for.
This isn't new, and I'm not sure why it's being treated as new; a source at the Bryant Park Restoration Corp. points out that Google has sponsored (as in, provided funds for, not directly controlled) the wireless network in the park since June of 2004.
This isn't new, and I'm not sure why it's being treated as new; a source at the Bryant Park Restoration Corp. points out that Google has sponsored (as in, provided funds for, not directly controlled) the wireless network in the park since June of 2004.rape porn rape pics free rape pics rape stories gay rape lesbian rape teen rape hentai rape gang rape anal rape rape fantasy rape videos rape sex anime rape rape pictures
Very new to wi-fi and just bought a Mac. What a lovely time I had last night outside Apple's Fifth Avenue store, surfing in a patio chair under the lights of the City during the beautiful weather with my new toy.
Now I'm looking for more free wi-fi spots in NYC. I found a list at AnchorFree.com, but was disappointed when the first location I tried, in my office building no less, was not compatible with Macs.
None of the other lists I've found specify whether the locations support Mac, and I'm not of a mind to hop from location to location hoping they will. However, I am happy to call each of them and start compiling a list.
Meanwhile, does anyone have a good resource for identifying free, Mac-friendly wi-fi? If so, please post these at http://freemacwifinyc.blogspot.com.
Thanks, everyone.
– Skip Easterday
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