I’m sitting in the Oakland Children’s Hospital Orthopaedic Clinic waiting area. It’s always busy over here, so a long wait is always expected. Naturally, I packed my laptop.
The TV is on. There is a cart of free books. A coffee kiosk is down the hall. All amenities to help us pass the time without complaint. Me? I’m writing this blog post thanks to the magic of free public wi-fi access.
My oldest son, home from college, has lent me his iPad for a few weeks. I wanted to figure out if I feel it will be worth the investment. But I’m increasing unsure it really is for me.
Free wi-fi, once a rare commodity has become mainstream. With that wifi and my slim, 13″ MacBook Pro that fits in my over-sized purse, I’m already connected many places when I’m on the go.
Bottom line: I like using a keyboard instead of fingers on the glass. Plus my laptop comes equipped with the Adobe software that makes creating graphics for social media posts so easy.
Connected enough, that is, when you throw in my Smart Phone, which does the job in a pinch when other wi-fi isn’t accessible.
Yesterday, I posted a query on the Lafayette Chamber’s Facebook Page, asking about favorite coffee shops. Mine was a toss-up. I liked one for the ambiance, the other for “familiar faces and free wi-fi.” And the truth is this — free wi-fi will win almost every time, particularly if I am on my own between meetings.
All of which makes me ask: Are you a business holding out on providing wi-fi because you think that people will buy but stay too long — are you sure its the right decision? Are these the same businesses who want us to join their Facebook pages and build community with them by spending time with them even after we’ve drunk the coffee?
What about finding a middle ground, like the coffee shops that give out a code with a limited life (usually 6o minutes).
