There Has Got To Be a Better Way

[bjarvis]

I'm standing in my employer's data center currently, watching my email and waiting for a response from various people on a number of topics.

The downside is that:
a) I have no desk or chair;
b) it's noisy in here; and,
c) it's bloody freezing.

A while ago, I had the bright idea of going to the nearby public library. I could sit in a relatively quiet, warm and comfortable space only a mile from the data center and monitor my email, even tackling some issues remotely via my laptop. Alas, that's not going to work: the Loudoun County Public Library System has locked down their wireless access so one needs to be a library member and resident of the county in order to gain access. Since I live in another county and another state, I have a problem.

The next best alternative at the moment is finding some place else that might have an open wireless network but it won't be as comfortable.

I could blow some money for a wireless Internet service via Verizon or Spring, but that's going to cost some significant dollars every month... I hate spending money.

So in between emails, I'm looking for Internet cafes in the vicinity which have free wifi. At least I can snack while I work, unlike the local library.

Comments

[abqdan.livejournal.com]

So there is no snack area or cubie for you at all? You could always connect a secured WAP to one of your own servers and sit elsewhere...

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

There is a single cube and a single table in a small lounge room but there are no network ports or open wireless in the space. The data center rules forbid adding a wireless router into our space.

[abqdan.livejournal.com]

How about a REALLY long CAT5 cable? :-)

On an unrelated note - I did find some info about the IE problem and I have a fix to try tomorrow.

[wescobear.livejournal.com]

Yes, but aren't you allowed to keep pet penguins?

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

Well, we do have Linux everywhere.

[davidlevine]

Ask your employer to spring for wireless Internet. Under the circumstances it is a legitimate business-related expense.

[paigemom.livejournal.com]

Damn, no chair???

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

Nope. It's kinda like a garage for geeks: folks are expected to do hardware work in there, but not paperwork, software or planning.

[caller-dayle.livejournal.com]

StarBucks. There's one on every corner.

[urbear]

Starbucks. if you have a current Starbucks gift card, you get two hours of free wifi each day. The only requirement is that the card must be used (to pay for a purchase, or refilled) at least once a month.

Panera. Most Panera Bread locations have free wifi, no restrictions.

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

I'll try Panera first... I like their food offerings more than Starbucks.

[pklexton.livejournal.com]

I'm with the crowd that suggests you get the employer to spring for wireless internet. You deserve it.

[allanh.livejournal.com]

Have your new employer pay for a T-Mobile WiFi account, and go sit in the nearest Starbucks.

I use a Sprint wireless broadband modem, which is running about $50/month with taxes and fees. By comparison, I think T-Mobile unlimited accounts are $40/month.

The only reason I don't use T-Mobile WiFi is that I'm usually situated in places that don't have a hot spot.

Alternately, pay for a Starbucks Gold card (available in any Starbucks - you may have to ask). There's a membership fee, but once you register the card on their website, you get 2 free hours a day of WiFi at any Starbucks.

I know they're horribly yuppieish, but Starbucks (a) are everywhere, (b) are usually reasonably comfortable, and (c) always have chocolate on hand.

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

I doubt I could persuade my employer to blow $$$ on a broadband modem. Still, the Starbucks options may work...

[allanh.livejournal.com]

Tell them you need either a broadband modem -or- an unlimited monthly T-Mobile account since you have no formal office space.

While the modem is more portable, the wifi option is faster setup/teardown once you're inside the Starbucks.

I use Starbucks stores as my field office whenever I'm between client sites and nowhere near my "real" office. Very handy in, say, downtown San Francisco.

[trawnapanda.livejournal.com]

I'm also with the gang that says this is an expense your employer should cough up for - you're in godforsakenloudoncounty because of them, and getting netted while you're there is in their best interests. quite seriously, this is not facetious.

and the starbucks idea, especially the comfy chairs and chocolate part, is good too.

[wescobear.livejournal.com]

I think Dear Employer might be more easily convinced to pay the one time cost of running the wiring for a network port in the cube than springing for wireless internet every month, but you're a better judge of their reaction. Just sayin...

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

Nah, we just rent space within a data center so we can't run cables or connections beyond our cage.

You'd think though that the property managers would realize what a fortune they could make by adding secured wifi access from the lounge as an add-on to their services.

[weekilter.livejournal.com]

Why oh why do people keep inventing a mobile provider named Spring?