Comments on: Google in San Francisco: 'Wireless overlord'?

Responding to a proposal to blanket the city with free wireless Net service, some fret about privacy, others welcome the shake-up.

Privacy Issues, pfft

Anyones ISP can simply see what you are doing. Why would it be any different if Google provided WAPs in bay area of San Francisco? Just because they already are a business of a search engine and other tools that track information, offering WAPs shouldn't be a big deal. When ever you are on the internet at any given time your privacy can be compromised by someone, no matter what. People need to grow up and get with the program!

Privacy Issues, pfft

Anyones ISP can simply see what you are doing. Why would it be any different if Google provided WAPs in bay area of San Francisco? Just because they already are a business of a search engine and other tools that track information, offering WAPs shouldn't be a big deal. When ever you are on the internet at any given time your privacy can be compromised by someone, no matter what. People need to grow up and get with the program!

[lavacentral]

what privacy? MSN and AOL watch you too

Ever heard of SBC Yahoo? Do you think that Yahoo doesnt have a deal where they find out which websites you visit? Maybe they dont but no one madea big deal out of it. Or maybe its the likes of CNET who are shunned from google that somehow make a story from a story.
But it doesnt bother me. IF google is doing something good and the jerks in the media cry 'privacy', let it be. The people will decide about their own privacy and if they like to have FREE internet or free email service that kicks ars.

[lavacentral]

what privacy? MSN and AOL watch you too

Ever heard of SBC Yahoo? Do you think that Yahoo doesnt have a deal where they find out which websites you visit? Maybe they dont but no one madea big deal out of it. Or maybe its the likes of CNET who are shunned from google that somehow make a story from a story.
But it doesnt bother me. IF google is doing something good and the jerks in the media cry 'privacy', let it be. The people will decide about their own privacy and if they like to have FREE internet or free email service that kicks ars.

This is a badly written article

I'd like to comment on the technical aspects of this article - I'm very disappointed to say that this is one of the worst written articles I've read in a long time. It's basically a compilation of blog snippets with no journalistic strength. I might as well have been reading a personal blog.

I haven't read the author's work before so I'm not sure if this is isolated or a regular aspect of his work, however I've come to expect much more from news.com.

This is a badly written article

I'd like to comment on the technical aspects of this article - I'm very disappointed to say that this is one of the worst written articles I've read in a long time. It's basically a compilation of blog snippets with no journalistic strength. I might as well have been reading a personal blog.

I haven't read the author's work before so I'm not sure if this is isolated or a regular aspect of his work, however I've come to expect much more from news.com.

[nasser0000]

Not so worried about Google, but ...

I've always wondered w/ free wi-fi ... if they broadcast in the clear like my mom and pop coffee shop down the street does ... no WEP, no WPA ... what's to prevent someone from snooping your passwords / info?

And if they do require WPA or WEP ... isn't everyone going to need a key so it's all basically open anyway?

THe real problem

Isn't privacy, passwords, etc.

The real problem is - businesses are in business to do business (to misquote Richard Prior in Brewsters Millions).

There is no way that Google will offer something for free indefinitely. Ultimately, they will either charge for the service OR leverage the service to make money (perhaps through targeted online advertising).

Not even philathpists like M$ ;-) do something for nothing. Dogs woof, cat's meow & businesses do business - it's what they do.

So - use it while you can. But don't get too attached to it.

P.S. I've been in SF all week on a course & found T-Mobile everywhere from SFO to SoMa (logged on to wired connections from 6 different locations & T-mobile had wireless every time).

re: Not so worried about Google, but ...

The same measures that are in effect to reduce the chance of someone from snooping on your personal information when you are connected to any other ISP will also apply. I read Google is going one step further and is planning on providing a secure transmission method to prevent (ahem...reduce the possibility of) snooping. Nothing can be too secure so caveat emptor - it can only be secure enough subject to the needs of law enforcement. (See FCC policy release, Friday, September 30th, 2005)

[nasser0000]

Not so worried about Google, but ...

I've always wondered w/ free wi-fi ... if they broadcast in the clear like my mom and pop coffee shop down the street does ... no WEP, no WPA ... what's to prevent someone from snooping your passwords / info?

And if they do require WPA or WEP ... isn't everyone going to need a key so it's all basically open anyway?

THe real problem

Isn't privacy, passwords, etc.

The real problem is - businesses are in business to do business (to misquote Richard Prior in Brewsters Millions).

There is no way that Google will offer something for free indefinitely. Ultimately, they will either charge for the service OR leverage the service to make money (perhaps through targeted online advertising).

Not even philathpists like M$ ;-) do something for nothing. Dogs woof, cat's meow & businesses do business - it's what they do.

So - use it while you can. But don't get too attached to it.

P.S. I've been in SF all week on a course & found T-Mobile everywhere from SFO to SoMa (logged on to wired connections from 6 different locations & T-mobile had wireless every time).

re: Not so worried about Google, but ...

The same measures that are in effect to reduce the chance of someone from snooping on your personal information when you are connected to any other ISP will also apply. I read Google is going one step further and is planning on providing a secure transmission method to prevent (ahem...reduce the possibility of) snooping. Nothing can be too secure so caveat emptor - it can only be secure enough subject to the needs of law enforcement. (See FCC policy release, Friday, September 30th, 2005)

[rshimizu12]

Privacy concerns is silly

It's silly to be overly concerned about Google and how they will use your info. It's not as though there is not other ISP services available. To Google's credit they are offering a secure service as well. But if people are still concerned they and use a MAC address alias or other means to change their IP. It's going to be great for SF and the US. No more paying high fees for mobile Wifi access.

[rshimizu12]

Privacy concerns is silly

It's silly to be overly concerned about Google and how they will use your info. It's not as though there is not other ISP services available. To Google's credit they are offering a secure service as well. But if people are still concerned they and use a MAC address alias or other means to change their IP. It's going to be great for SF and the US. No more paying high fees for mobile Wifi access.

[DraconumPB]

Pay for privacy

Perhaps the next 'pay' service will be privacy. Free = monitored, pay = private.

AOL 10.0 - now with privacy! ;)

[DraconumPB]

Pay for privacy

Perhaps the next 'pay' service will be privacy. Free = monitored, pay = private.

AOL 10.0 - now with privacy! ;)

[jedibratt]

Communists and protestors? PF'NLEEZ!!!

So because SF has a liberal identity, thats somehow supposed to travel over to the real of tech? SF, and its surrounding areas, are WORLD leaders in tech and web innovation. The hippies, or yippies this article refers to, utilize tech. Craigslist is a god over here, and Google is gods father. Gimme a F_ckin break. "Protesting", low income college kids aren't going to like this why?

[jedibratt]

Communists and protestors? PF'NLEEZ!!!

So because SF has a liberal identity, thats somehow supposed to travel over to the real of tech? SF, and its surrounding areas, are WORLD leaders in tech and web innovation. The hippies, or yippies this article refers to, utilize tech. Craigslist is a god over here, and Google is gods father. Gimme a F_ckin break. "Protesting", low income college kids aren't going to like this why?

[dseakay]

Google not the only respondent

SF Metro Connect, one of the six respondents to the SF RFP and made up of SeaKay, Cisco Systems and IBM, is proposing a free and open network that will be designed, deployed and maintained as a public benefit network.

Our proposed network will not capture private information and market it or use it in any way. The network will be built on a technologically agnostic platform enabling businesses to sell premium services to unlimited people without interference by proprietary interests.

The network will also be the most sustainable into the future - a technology refresh clause and multiple income streams will keep the network relevant and robust in years to come.

Finally, SF Metro Connect is committed to creating a digital inclusion fund at the San Francisco Foundation and devoting considerable resources to the digital inclusion goals laid out by Mayor Newsom.

Check out our site at: www.seakay.org for more information.

[dseakay]

Google not the only respondent

SF Metro Connect, one of the six respondents to the SF RFP and made up of SeaKay, Cisco Systems and IBM, is proposing a free and open network that will be designed, deployed and maintained as a public benefit network.

Our proposed network will not capture private information and market it or use it in any way. The network will be built on a technologically agnostic platform enabling businesses to sell premium services to unlimited people without interference by proprietary interests.

The network will also be the most sustainable into the future - a technology refresh clause and multiple income streams will keep the network relevant and robust in years to come.

Finally, SF Metro Connect is committed to creating a digital inclusion fund at the San Francisco Foundation and devoting considerable resources to the digital inclusion goals laid out by Mayor Newsom.

Check out our site at: www.seakay.org for more information.

[ronaldjayhoward]

Free oe cheaper

its about time we stop getting rip off for radio waves would like to do it myself too so if you know anyone who can help with same idea write me
Google great idea

80 dollars a month plus card 300 dollars, for a 20 dollar pc card or free if you buy a 2 year contract

[ronaldjayhoward]

Free oe cheaper

its about time we stop getting rip off for radio waves would like to do it myself too so if you know anyone who can help with same idea write me
Google great idea

80 dollars a month plus card 300 dollars, for a 20 dollar pc card or free if you buy a 2 year contract

[adayoldbagel]

Got to be kidding...

Am I reading this correctly?

Google is offering free HS wireless internet for an entire city, and some fool is actually COMPLAINING!??

Its free. Who gives AS if it might have "privacy issues"! maybe they should stop sending their credit cards to porn paysites over it, then.

[adayoldbagel]

Got to be kidding...

Am I reading this correctly?

Google is offering free HS wireless internet for an entire city, and some fool is actually COMPLAINING!??

Its free. Who gives AS if it might have "privacy issues"! maybe they should stop sending their credit cards to porn paysites over it, then.