Travel Technology - Benjamin Franklin

I was thinking about him when I read this snippet (http://edition.cnn.com/2004/TECH/internet/09/01/wireless.cities.ap/index.html) on CNN today. Boston has been, historically speaking, considered the better caretaker of the endowment (http://sln.fi.edu/franklin/family/lastwill.html) left by ol' Ben a couple of centuries ago to his two cities, Boston and Philadelphia.

Wouldn't it be just so appropriate to see his money spent in transforming public discourse through ubiquitous access to the internet.

Moderators. Feel free to move this if in your mind it has a broader interest

That's a pretty interesting will!

As far as WiFi on top of lampposts is concerned, some folks in NYC have been making a stink over potential health risks associated NYCs plan to put 18000 transmitters on light poles. They're afraid of electromagnetic radiation from the antennas. These people have no idea of the low power levels involved or of the inverse-square law of electromagnetic propagation.

A press release today said all of Amsterdam will soon be covered by cheap wifi.

And yes, the health scare about wifi is quite ridiculous.

I believe the sales and properity taxes in Penna will drop to zero before free or low cost WiFi graces the city lamp posts. An excellent editorial yesterday in www.philly.com eluded to the goofy mayor announcing this to divert attention from his many corruption problems.

It might be noted Comcast is a HUGE employer in Philly and the primary supplier of very profitable cable modem HSI there. There is no way they will give up this business without a long fight. They fought RNC bringing any cable to the city and drove them into Chapt 11.

MisterNice

I believe the sales and properity taxes in Penna will drop to zero before free or low cost WiFi graces the city lamp posts. An excellent editorial yesterday in www.philly.com eluded to the goofy mayor announcing this to divert attention from his many corruption problems.

It might be noted Comcast is a HUGE employer in Philly and the primary supplier of very profitable cable modem HSI there. There is no way they will give up this business without a long fight. They fought RNC bringing any cable to the city and drove them into Chapt 11.

MisterNice

Comcast employes several of the city's powerbrokers, and that relationship is way too close for my liking. I hope the ongoing federal investigation cleans house once and for all.