Starbucks and free wi-fi

Starbucks is rolling out free wi-fi.

http://tech.msn.com/news/articlepcw.aspx?cp-documentid=7861543&GT1=40000

So it has a catch, but does this mean people will go to Starbucks more?

 

There's so many places that have free wi-fi now, that I can't see how this will.

 

Yeah, they're way behind on this bandwagon. Paying $6 to T-Mobile every time I wanted to get online at Starbucks made Panera a much more attractive option for me.

 

Yes, it's free wi-fi. But you have to pay $8 for FUCKING COFFEE to use it.

 

I might take advantage of this at the Starbucks inside the Barnes and Nobles, or maybe out on the road, but that would be about it.

 

Count me in. I've made myself unwelcome at Staples because of free wifi. I've been going and parking in their parking lot to do some recreational web surfing when I'm running around. Last week, apparently, the folks closing up got a little nervous about the dude parked out in their lot for the last hour. A cop came by and checked me out.

Damn, never thought about robbery. I could use the dough.

 

Fuck paying for Internet access in public places.

And Office Max, with free coffee, has become an enticing option.

 

Local hospital has free wi-fi, coffee and fruit.
Hotels have all that plus cookies. And yes, I have imagined a boss, who was coming to town and that's why I needed to spend hours in their lobby.
I wonder if Charlie Pierce knows how many times he's been the boss I've been waiting on.

 

i remember reading about a guy who got a ticket for parking outside of a coffee house just for using the free wi-fi. forget the charge, but it amounted to stealing because the wi-fi was for customers only.
heard of something similar happening in a library parking lot.

 

I was surprised to find that Starbucks, given its reputation, didn't already have free wi-fi. But I discovered otherwise one night while trying to surf, killing time while my wife went inside to get overpriced coffee.

 

I think that would be brain dead simple for any lawyer to fight in court.

 

I'm in trouble then, because you can often find me outside all kinds of places scarfing their free wi-fi!