CEDX

Guest Commentary on MuniWireless

That tireless promoter of wide access to broadband, the globetrotting Esme Vos, extended a gracious invitation for me to write about the prospects for the Long Island Wi-Fi project, and I used up many bits in responding to her invite.  I tried to put the project in contrast with the work that we have been doing on Fire Island, and in the context of the competitive environment that it faces.  You can try to glean some nuggets from my brain dump at this link, or read the whole thing after the jump:

Lessons Learned from Long and Fire Islands

As our Fire Island Wireless network is closing out its 5^th and most successful season, I would like to share a few things I’ve learned as they apply to the Long Island Wi-Fi project. Even though the plug has not been pulled officially, the writing is on the wall for the Long Island Wi-Fi project, and its an obituary. Cablevision is launching its Optimum Wi-Fi network, offering complimentary access to 2 million wired subscribers over the tri-state area, not just Long Island, and that pretty much dries up any potential paying customers that e-path might have had.

LIRR Penn Station Hotspot Update - Service Call Logged

Managed service fans, hear this.  After a night of consulting in Gotham, I was heading back out to the wilds of Long Island, and decided to see if the hotspot in the LIRR waiting room had been brought back to life.  This time, I couldn't even associate to the network.  The rather grumpy, short-tempered, sharp-tongued, silver-haired customer service fellow didn't believe me when I said there was a wireless network in the waiting room, even when I pointed out the sign.
On the off chance I would have more luck, I went to the customer service office where I had a pleasant conversation with the younger fellow on duty, who indeed knew about the network, and was unaware of anybody having issues.  He was under the impression that few people used it. ( managed services could either confirm or disabuse him of that notion )  However, he did treat my news seriously and logged a service call with the railroad's IT helpdesk.  I won't be back in town this week, I think so if somebody wants to leave a status report in the comments to see if the IT department followed up on the service call, please be so kind.

Remembering my Grandfather

He was an avid White Owl smoker, before they were used for blunts, and I'm sure he nicked this ashtray from the Copa's original incarnation.  Yes, I brought back a Cuban from our Canadian cruise, and found my self missing his brooklynese, and even his Ivanhoe Chewing Tobacco as I set up this little tableau in my backyard.  I split a couple logs and put up a nice fire to keep the bugs away, will take a little night dip in the pool, and leisurely enjoy this Montecristo #2 while thinking of my Popy, who would have been over the moon with my kids, had he kept on long enough to meet them.

The Great Peconic Bay Marina Joins

The latest customer of the CEDX wi-fi network is The Great Peconic Bay Marina, located in South Jamesport, New York, on the beautiful North Fork of Long Island.  Access is complimentary to slip owners, who will be given a username and password by marina administration.  We are very happy to have The Great Peconic as part of our network, and look forward to a long relationship and smooth sailing.

View Larger Map

LIRR Penn Station Wi-Fi Derailed, or In Praise of Managed Services

On the way back from a holiday, the fam and I stopped in Penn Station to catch our train back home.  Proud of myself for being completely off the grid for 5 days, I could hold out no longer, and wanted to see what email delights awaited me.  Having used the hotspot in the waiting room once before, I opened my laptop, connected to the LIRR_HOTSPOT_11G network, got an IP address, and... nothing.  Turns out, name resolution was not functioning.  Of course there's no way to let the railroad management know this, other than this blog post, but somebody needs to reboot the little netgear router they have running the thing.

When you offer a service, it better work, otherwise people get pissed, because they plan their movements around it sometimes.  Trust me, I've had earfuls from users expecting a malfunctioning hotspot to work.  It's like the plumbing, when it works, nobody notices, but when it's broken, all hell breaks loose.   Part of the issue with wi-fi in places is its unmanaged nature.  Things break, software and systems hang occasionally, and somebody or something needs to be on the lookout for when bad things happen and something needs a kick to get it started again.  Unfortunately, the massive number of independent venues don't get this, and it seems the railroad needs to be reminded of it too.  I'd be happy to manage the spot, keep it running, and even post some PSA's or do advertising.  Simply making sure the service is working as advertised will make folks a lot happier and less angry at the railroad.