Finding WiFi

SkyMall has a mini WiFi signal locator in its Diversions section. It is called the Mobile Edge and would fit on a key chain. I am guessing it is about 2" x 1". It runs $29.95.

I always use my Clie. It is a little bigger, but I already have it with me and i can actually use the WiFi if it is availabe.

The biggest problem I have found is finding free WiFi. I don't mind paying for it if I am going to be using it for more then 5 minutes, bu quite often that is all I need.

A great idea for a WiFi provider would be to offer the first 15 minutes free. I am sure they might loose some money from people who were going to pay for just using it a few minutes, but I imagine the net result will be more people using it.

A lot of people just want to check their email really quick. If they think they can get it acomplished in the free minutes then they are more likely to check their email. Once they ge online they are more likely to find something that requires their attention. Since they already entered their billing information, as soon as their free time is up then they will start being billed.

What would be ideal is if there was some way to just get an account on all the networks for one price, or through a micropayments system. Maybe some one already offers this.

Or maybe someone has started a system like bugmenot.com where everyone shares out their login infrmation for the various networks. Of course the trick would be getting the login information if you can't get online yet. Maybe the current set of login information could be mailed out in an easily printable format for quick reference, or you could retrive them using a simple call from the phone.

I imagine the network providers would not be to keen on such a network though. They would probably be deactivating accounts as quick as they were shared. It may also violate the terms of service.