Imagineinet

01.10.2003

I stopped into the new cyber café on Kalamazoo's walking mall today. Imagineinet serves decent enough coffee (I haven't tried their espresso yet), but they ask far too much for their computer time. They want $8/hour (?!) to surf the internet. They do have an open wireless node, though (so the owner told me). So I suppose you could go to Ali Babba's, eat a falafel ($2.50), and surf the web for free. I'll try that out on Monday.

Posted by Miguel at 05:59 PM

Comments

In your experience how far do most wireless networks like that leak outside of the building?

Posted by: Simon at January 14, 2003 01:52 AM

not far. but ... fourth coast has wireless due to someone has wireless. i have no idea who or how far away. perhaps the people next door? like i said, i'm going to try ali baba's (which is across the street) and see if i pick up a signal. chances are pretty good it does.

you can pick up a really strong signal from wmu from inside coffee works (video hits plus). so the signal can travel a decent distance.

Posted by: Miguel at January 14, 2003 01:53 AM

I have done a lot of wireless stuff at work and with a really good WAP (Wireless Access Point), like a Cisco, you can get about a block away without the signal dropping. We have to put high encryption on our networks because of this. At one of the schools, I could get about 4 houses away and still get a signal on my laptop.

Posted by: Mark at January 14, 2003 01:54 AM

interesting. Cost here is about 3.50 american dollars per hour. The owner said it wants to put it on a sliding scale so that each hour you stay is a little cheaper. Eight bucks! Thats insanity- doesn't kinkos charge some insane rate.
I forgot to check out that cafe when i was there. Are the computers out in the open or in booths? Do they have a clientel?

Posted by: Bill Brieger at January 14, 2003 01:56 AM