Google/Earthlink Wins San Francisco WiFi Deal

maximander wrote to mention coverage in the San Francisco Chronicle of that city's final decision on their city-wide WiFi system. They've chosen to go with Google and EarthLink. From the article: "In choosing to negotiate with the Google-EarthLink team, the city is going with two Internet giants with marque names. Both firms have deep pockets and proven track records online, but only limited experience building a large wireless network. The project, championed by Mayor Gavin Newsom, is intended to boost the city's technology credentials and help bridge the digital divide between the Internet haves and have-nots. It has also generated intense interest from other cities looking to build similar networks. "

I'd love to try it

[Tezkah]

Anyone know when it will be out of beta?

*ducks*

WiFi, not Cash

[mypalmike]

The project, championed by Mayor Gavin Newsom, is intended to boost the city's technology credentials and help bridge the digital divide between the Internet haves and have-nots.

The folks sleeping on the streets of the Tenderloin want their WiFi!

Earthlink, a front for $cientology?!

[wuzzle_wuzzle]

Is L. Ron invading San Francisco? [everything2.com]

Just a thought

[farker haiku]

I wonder if this will cause a decrease in the number of people who are interested in learning how to hack someone's wireless simply because they want to be able to use a network where ever they go. It'd be interesting if the simple act of making a blanket wifi network for a city caused a distinct lack of interest in hacking wireless.

disclaimer:
Yes, by hacking I mean using someone elses tools to break someones WEP or WPA-PSK encrypted network. Is there a word for script kiddying? skidding?

Re:RTFA please

[joe 155]

You know, there are some cultures in which they don't measure how intelligent you are by what you know or how clear your arguement is, but by how good you are at getting out of looking stupid when you've made a mistake... so here goes... although I was completely wrong and you are completely right, you might be inclined to read what i wrote in such a way that I was saying that the Wifi wouldn't be fast enough for a full time connection unless you bought the upgrade, in which case it does very little to address the ballence... second thoughts... that's what I meant all along

don't they already have it?

[squison]

Doesn't San Fran already have WiFi everywhere? I mean.. there's 108 [starbucks.com] Starbucks within a 10-mile radius..

Re:Come to Berkeley!

[goldspider]

Imagine that; someone from Berkely calling a tax-funded government service "free".

Re:WiFi, not Cash

[Popcorn Dave]

Haven't you seen the latest issue of Make? There's an article on turning your shopping cart in to a WiFi antenna...