First big coverage on the power of wireless Internet access in our local paper today. This article is about local hot spots, most notably Coop's Place--a French Quarter watering hole, where you can get a brew, some gumbo and free wireless access.
Interestingly, the local paper's survey of hot spots didn't catch the PJ's Coffee shop that I had marked a while back. I'm going to add Coop's Place to the list of local hot spots. The dead trees version of the paper had a list of other places that had Wi-Fi, but, other than Coop's, the only "free" ones were ones that are locked down (i.e. Ochsner Hospital and Tulane University). Another example of the local paper "discovering" a phenomenon that it only dimly understands.
I've already talked to a couple of local coffee shops that I frequent, and explained to them that they actually have an advantage in the Wi-Fi revolution, because Starbucks and other national chains are going to offer Wi-Fi only "for pay." The locals would do well to deploy Wi-Fi now, for free, and solidify customer loyalty, while the chain coffee shops shoot themselves in the foot by lamely offering wireless access only for a fee.
Meanwhile Starbucks not only doesn't want to offer free wireless, but they also want to prevent customers from taking pictures in their stores (attention Starbucks patrons, please check your camera enabled cellphones at the counter).
