Want some Wi-Fi with that sandwich? Hoping people will drop by for free Web access and stay for a meal, Schlotzsky's Deli is offering no-cost wireless access at some of its eateries. [CNET News.com]

There's a lot in the news today.  Austin's own Schlotzsky's Deli gets national coverage for the free wireless Internet access it offers at its stores.  The Schlotzsky's spokesman used the word "community."  They clearly get what wireless broadband is all about.

You decorate your restaurant in an attractive fashion not because it makes the food taste better, but because it makes your customers' dining experience better.  You offer your customers comfortable places to sit not because it adds to the bottom line, but because it makes people want to come back.  The same is true of free wireless Internet access.  You offer it to your customers not because it's a revenue stream, a way to milk more cash from your patrons, but to make them comfortable and improve their experience.

You don't charge for the ketsup packets, do you?

3:16:40 PM   

CNet: Trust or Treachery? I can't help but feel that we're winning. [Hack the Planet]

Yes!  Slam dunk!  A staff writer at CNet picks up ESR's "Treacherous Computing" meme.  Microsoft's Peter Biddle is quoted as saying something that indicates market forces might be having an effect already: "We are not going to use Palladium to make our customers--our favorite people--angry at us."

There's absolutely no doubt Pd was designed for Digital Rights Management, no matter what else it might be used for.  The trick is going to be keeping the heat on Microsoft so as to prevent them from simply lying about Pd in order to get the infrastructure in place, then inflicting DRM on an unsuspecting public.

It's so awesome to see the word "trusted" in scare quotes in a mainstream publication.  My fingers are crossed in hopes other outlets pick up on this.  This article is a must read.  It's the single most comprehensive article on this subject I've seen so far -- and I've seen 'em all.

2:50:02 PM   

Amazon hires algorithm guru. The online retailer lures a former chief scientist at Yahoo to become its chief algorithms officer, just as the holiday-shopping season is beginning. [CNET News.com]

They've got to be kidding.  Chief algorithms officer?  Are they joking?

This is how you know your executive headcount is too high -- inventing titles seemingly at random.

2:19:33 PM   

Microsoft memo: Linux fight backfiring. Some of the software giant's efforts to disparage open-source software such as Linux have worked against the company, according to a recent memo by the software maker. [CNET News.com]

I didn't comment on this when I first saw it on Slashdot, but CNet appears to have confirmed the authenticity of the document.  (It smells right, but pranksters are gettin' pretty good these days...) 

It's hardwarming to see that Microsoft's own research shows their anti-Open Source FUD isn't working.  It's also great to hear that more and more decision-makers are familiar with the advantages of Open Source.  Look for Microsoft to reposition their message.  Sadly, I don't see them adopting Open Source principles as a result of this research.

12:05:25 AM