05-27-2005, 11:44 PM
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Executive Editor, Android Thoughts
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,233
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Are We Too Connected?
"It�s too early to say whether it�s a trend, but Victrola Coffee & Art in Seattle shuts down its free Wi-Fi on Saturday and Sunday: I spoke to co-owner and co-founder Jen Strongin today after a colleague tipped me to the fact that this lovely, single-shop coffee establishment had decided to experiment with taking back its culture by turning off the Wi-Fi juice on weekends."
While most of us see nothing but benefit to Wi-Fi Hotspots (After all, we get connected, the owner gets more traffic in their establishment), or to being more connected in general, this article brings up some interesting issues.
For me, I'm the exception where I live. When at mostly suburban Borders or Barnes & Nobles, I'm the lone person with a PPC or Laptop (Much to my fiance's dismay). This isn't the case in bustling "hip" areas though, and the sea of laptops described in the article can be a common sight. So which atmosphere is better? Well, in terms of connectivity, a Seattle coffee shop with free Wifi certainly beats out my Borders & GPRS internet (I guess I could pay for T-Mobile Hotspot, but who wants to pay when they already have a data plan?), but am I losing something by interacting with my computer instead of other people? And while I always purchase a drink when sitting there typing on my gadgets, is it possible that free Wi-Fi is actually hurting owners more than helping as in this article?
So are we too connected to the internet now, not enough, or just right?
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Dr. Jon Westfall, MCSE, MS-MVP
Executive Editor - Android Thoughts
News Editor - Windows Phone Thoughts
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05-28-2005, 02:44 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 99
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we are too noticeably connected, and not enough invisibly connected.
it's just a phase we must go through before we get to the inevitable 'star trek communicator and tricorder tied into ship's computer' phase that we are all eagerly awaiting 
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05-28-2005, 03:28 AM
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Contributing Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,389
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I am not too connected! (as I type this from my bathroom on my pocket pc phone.)*
*sorry if thay was too much information but it is the truth. LOL
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05-28-2005, 03:54 AM
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Developer & Designer, News Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,959
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jason Lee
I am not too connected! (as I type this from my bathroom on my pocket pc phone.)*
*sorry if thay was too much information but it is the truth. LOL
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It was. 8O
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05-28-2005, 04:06 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 196
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jason Lee
I am not too connected! (as I type this from my bathroom on my pocket pc phone.)*
*sorry if thay was too much information but it is the truth. LOL
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My highest scores on Bejeweled2 are in the toilet :lol:
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05-28-2005, 04:33 AM
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Pupil
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 43
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I don't think we are, but then of course right now as I type this i am 200 miles from home sittting outside my camper enjoying the nice nidght air.
I enjoy being able to connect to the things I like!! Plus while on vacation, I can look up the weather, get directions, check movie times, etc., ect.
Wouldn't want to not be connected.
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05-28-2005, 05:31 AM
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Sage
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 693
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Quote:
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as I type this from my bathroom
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I hope you wiped the message before sending it!
One cannot be too much connected. It is nice to be able to google something anywhere.
Jorgen
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05-28-2005, 05:35 AM
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Executive Editor, Android Thoughts
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,233
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There are times that I've posted to PPCT from unothodox locations such as those mentioned. Women's clothing stores dressing-room wait areas (i.e. the place the men get parked while their women are trying on clothes) are also popular when my Fiance and I are out shopping. I've posted while in class, posted while in the hot tub (With my PPC in a plastic baggie to prevent accidents), posted in a car, posted in a train, etc...
Connectedness is a good thing most of the time. However, even I draw the line: I don't post in church!
__________________
Dr. Jon Westfall, MCSE, MS-MVP
Executive Editor - Android Thoughts
News Editor - Windows Phone Thoughts
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05-28-2005, 05:46 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 193
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Well, if the owner want's to take back his 'culture' (whatever...) he can keep his coffee on those days too :roll:
If I lived by that coffee shop and frequented it...my frequenting would be a couple days less frequent. :lol:
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05-28-2005, 07:16 AM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 544
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I don't think we are too connected. Actually I don't think we are connected enough. When you look at the big picture, there are still relatively few places where free WiFi is available. So when it is available, people will play with it like a new toy. I have seen many people at free WiFi hotspots who are browsing, but don't quite know why. More W?BIC than anything.
When free WiFi and high speed "all you can eat" data services become so commonplace that it would be odd to find a place without access, people will find more time to enjoy the things and people around them and only connect when they need to, knowing that they always can.
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