we just need free wifi everywhere. it's *infrastructure.*

if its free, its not good for America.

Having something people like and not charging them for it... its UN-AMERICAN!

This will be interesting. I've heard an astounding number of people don't password protect their WiFI, and indeed I've been able to log in to a number of random wireless networks. I think it's utter ignorance that people do this, too, so I don't think the stickers are a big deal. However, if you don't care, I don't see how it could be illegal. Sort of like saying DON'T LISTEN TO MY LOUD MUSIC, IT'S MINE.

nah, that's not true. you drive on the interstate free don't you? i think folks just don't realize yet how important information technology really is - most folks generally don't see it *as* infrastructure. (and it of course does not supplant or replace physical infrastructure in any way. it's just an *additional* form - like needing canals, railroads, *and* highways.)

we pay taxes for highway maintenance.

well, yea, infrastructure has to come from somewhere. but that's considerably different than "paying" for a private company to provide that service at a profit. taxing is obviously technically paying for something, but i don't think we would generally lump it into the same category of "paying" that you were suggesting in your first comment.

In Portland it may soon be:
"Last Wednesday, July 19, Portland's city council voted unanimously to approve a contract with MetroFi%u2014a California-based internet company%u2014to build a sprawling wireless network that would offer free internet access to 95 percent of the city."

http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/Content?oid=45546&category=22101
http://www.willametteweek.com/editorial/3032/5186

Wi-Fi 2.0 Imagine if you will a wireless network that is truely wireless - a wireless internet. Instead of paying telephone and cable companies for limited access and bandwidth, imagine your own private wi-fi cell station linked in to millions of others. The idea isn't exaclty new, but I'm sure ISP and mobile phone providers are going to fight tooth and nail against this from ever happening. You wouldn't have to pay very much for almost limitless internet access as long as a network of independently owned and opperated wireless networks existed. The more people that owned them, the better the network connectivity and bandwidth available. Next, introduce multi-band technologies (like cell phones use), and you've just made a robust and widely accessable and inexpensive network. Oh wouldn't that be nice?

sounds like you get a refund every year.

Wonder if this was thanks to cable/dsl company lobbying.

i used to roam around town with a laptop and look for unsecured wifi hotspots. for... um... research. in a town of college kids, you can find an amazing number of people who have no idea or don't care to secure their computers.

i think it's a good idea to have some sort of warning about wireless security, for the simple fact that most people just don't know what a person with the right access is capable of doing to their personal data.

Well, so much for using other peoples internet connections, and living in a van down by the river.

"Stealing" wi-fi is already illegal...http://www.sptimes.com/2005/07/04/State/Wi_Fi_cloaks_a_new_br.shtml

actually - no. i pay *in* every year (mostly b/c my employer doesn't take out taxes when i get paid). and while i don't like cutting that check, i *do* believe very strongly in doing my part to maintain the operation of government.

google wifi itll spread across the usa, eventually... once it gets outta some bum town in cali