Reminded through conversations today of memedebt I owe people for this idea. So here goes.
I walked from my office in Mortimer Street to Bush House (another BBC office) and came across students of the Architectural Association sitting inside a chalked-outline-plan of a small office, sat on office chairs using wifi-connected laptops (Kass! remember to email me the photos!). The chalked plan had door and window symbols and the URL of the student's website depicted. I thought it was fun, but not that useful. It just illustrated the possiblity to passers-by that outdoor wireless net access could happen, but didn't tell them how to join in.
Later that day, I had lunch with Danny, Cait and Tom. I mentioned the students and how maybe it could turn into something more widespread and useful. Danny clapped and rubbed his hands, and mentioned hobo language. It turns out that Danny and Kass had talked about hobo-language many moons ago. So i owe Kass Schmitta citation. Kass is linked with freewireless in London and worldwide...
So I think that wraps it up for the beginning stage - the idea is now out there an evolving thanks to you all. I have lots of emails and great suggestions, and I will blog them shortly. Looks like we'll get some press coverage too. More on that hopefully, tommorrow.
Some questions:
What about Bobo (bourgeois bohemian) signs? You know, those latte sipping people wearing Pashmina shawls and Birkenstoks might need to let each other know where the place to go is. Signs like "good cappuccino", "foccacia here", "jazz played", etc.
Posted by Ben Moretti at June 26, 2002 05:47 AMHave you though of using something like UBB for the forum. Like at the http://www.cookdandbombd.co.uk forums.
Posted by Alex Hitchins at August 1, 2002 10:58 AMAmerica's largest HotSpot - Mall of America and 40 other Midwest locations. SSID = SurfThing for free!
Posted by Jon at August 13, 2002 01:59 AM