You're Going to Wish You Lived in San Francisco!

[1stFlight]

As Google and Earthlink are going to blanket the entire city with free WiFi!!

Ah Google, where would we be without you? Instead of answering that, we'll just say that the search giant (and future world dominator?) has landed yet another smile-eliciting deal, and this time it's the San Franciscans getting the spoils. While the deal between the city of San Francisco and Google / EarthLink has been brewing for quite some time, city officials have (finally) "finalized a contract that will enable EarthLink to build a citywide wireless network and allow Google to provide free internet access." With an estimated one million or so folks to benefit from the implementation, things are looking good if you've been itching for everywhere-WiFi and happen to live in SF, and while EarthLink still plans on offering a "fee-based premium service," Google is looking out for the little guy by dishing out the free stuff.

Incredible!
Source: Engadget

[Nocturne]

Seems like a great idea, but I doubt the end solution will work well...

First of all, Google vastly underbidded itself just to gain the notoriety, so I'm sure some corners will be cut. Keep in mind also that San Francisco is a hell of a hilly city. There are MANY areas where you can't get a cellphone, radio, or tv signal; so I'm sure wireless will suffer as well. Most of all, the businesses have the only money in SF and they certainly won't want to pay higher taxes, so it'll be the vast lower-class population who will foot the bill.

When I first heard of this a few years back I was certainly interested, but not even free wifi would make me want to move back to San Fran.

[mlau]

Sure it's great! Google gets the ability to track the whereabouts AND surfing habits of thousands of
people, maybe even eavesdrop on some company executives as they do their work via a public, unsecured link! Think of the possibilities!!

[1stFlight]

Originally Posted by mlau

Sure it's great! Google gets the ability to track the whereabouts AND surfing habits of thousands of
people, maybe even eavesdrop on some company executives as they do their work via a public, unsecured link! Think of the possibilities!!

Well in the good news ... it'll be searchable