Comments on: Two in five Japanese ignorant of public wifi networks http://whatjapanthinks.com/2009/07/02/two-in-five-japanese-ignorant-of-public-wifi-networks/ From kimono to keitai; research Japanese facts and figures through translated opinion polls and surveys. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:32:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: BlogD http://whatjapanthinks.com/2009/07/02/two-in-five-japanese-ignorant-of-public-wifi-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-170958 BlogD Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:36:06 +0000 http://whatjapanthinks.com/?p=2192#comment-170958 Jordan: I see them all over Tokyo too--but I can never log into one. I don't know what's required to get in to them, but they either require a password or they simply don't work at all when you log in to them. I've tried, several times. I'd love to know about wireless LANs in Tokyo. Someone please post information about what they are and how to access them. And please don't just post a name and leave it at that--include details on how it is accessed, and where it is available. I can only presume that you have to at least register for them. But to just say "public WiFi networks" without further elaboration is misleading--unless there really are publicly operated WiFi networks that you can access freely just walking down the street without any registration or other special preparation. The expression used suggests that you can walk into the zone of one of them and, without any fuss, just join the network. I haven't found any yet. But I'd love to know where they are. As for coffee shop or restaurant WiFi, that's not exactly "free," is it? Not if you have to be a paying customer to use it. Nor is it really a "public" network. Jordan: I see them all over Tokyo too–but I can never log into one. I don’t know what’s required to get in to them, but they either require a password or they simply don’t work at all when you log in to them. I’ve tried, several times.

I’d love to know about wireless LANs in Tokyo. Someone please post information about what they are and how to access them. And please don’t just post a name and leave it at that–include details on how it is accessed, and where it is available. I can only presume that you have to at least register for them.

But to just say “public WiFi networks” without further elaboration is misleading–unless there really are publicly operated WiFi networks that you can access freely just walking down the street without any registration or other special preparation. The expression used suggests that you can walk into the zone of one of them and, without any fuss, just join the network. I haven’t found any yet. But I’d love to know where they are.

As for coffee shop or restaurant WiFi, that’s not exactly “free,” is it? Not if you have to be a paying customer to use it. Nor is it really a “public” network.

]]> By: David http://whatjapanthinks.com/2009/07/02/two-in-five-japanese-ignorant-of-public-wifi-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-170769 David Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:05:50 +0000 http://whatjapanthinks.com/?p=2192#comment-170769 The lack of good WiFi free spots might lead to these numbers. I have an usb e-mobile dongle that I use, but it's not as fast--and more expensive--than a good free WiFi connection. My room has been so hot and humid, plus this chair I'm sitting on just blows, so I've been going to Seattle's Best Coffee a lot. SBC has good free internet and nice strong coffee--maybe too strong. The one in Sannomiya is nice and small with free power outlets for you to use, also good people watching cause it's in the APA hotel. The bar I work at has free WiFi, we haven't put it on the Freespot map or even put out a sign about it. The lack of good WiFi free spots might lead to these numbers. I have an usb e-mobile dongle that I use, but it’s not as fast–and more expensive–than a good free WiFi connection. My room has been so hot and humid, plus this chair I’m sitting on just blows, so I’ve been going to Seattle’s Best Coffee a lot. SBC has good free internet and nice strong coffee–maybe too strong. The one in Sannomiya is nice and small with free power outlets for you to use, also good people watching cause it’s in the APA hotel.

The bar I work at has free WiFi, we haven’t put it on the Freespot map or even put out a sign about it.

]]> By: Jordan http://whatjapanthinks.com/2009/07/02/two-in-five-japanese-ignorant-of-public-wifi-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-170763 Jordan Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:02:19 +0000 http://whatjapanthinks.com/?p=2192#comment-170763 I see them all over Tokyo. I see them all over Tokyo.

]]> By: Janne http://whatjapanthinks.com/2009/07/02/two-in-five-japanese-ignorant-of-public-wifi-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-170735 Janne Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:24:45 +0000 http://whatjapanthinks.com/?p=2192#comment-170735 Could it be simply because open wifi hotspots are really rare in this country? I usually have my laptop with me but have long since stopped looking for wifi when I travel since I pretty much never find any anyway. Could it be simply because open wifi hotspots are really rare in this country? I usually have my laptop with me but have long since stopped looking for wifi when I travel since I pretty much never find any anyway.

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