Empathy List Archives

BS

BobandVicki Schuerger

Tue, Mar 8, 2005 1:27 AM

Is there a proper etiquette for using an unsecured wi-fi access point? Is
the assumption that it is available to everyone? Is it more politically
"correct" to sign on and pay for access if it is available at a fee?

TIA,

Bob and Vicki Schuerger
"Blue Moon"

Is there a proper etiquette for using an unsecured wi-fi access point? Is the assumption that it is available to everyone? Is it more politically "correct" to sign on and pay for access if it is available at a fee? TIA, Bob and Vicki Schuerger "Blue Moon"

SD

Steven Dubnoff

Tue, Mar 8, 2005 1:58 AM

Is there a proper etiquette for using an unsecured wi-fi access point? Is
the assumption that it is available to everyone? Is it more politically
"correct" to sign on and pay for access if it is available at a fee?

We had a highly emotional flame war on this subject about a year ago. You
might search google with the following terms:

     free wifi site:samurai.com

In sum, there are those who think accessing unsecured access points is
theft, plain and simple, and there are others who think it equivalent to
breathing someone's air.

I suggest you read the archives and make up your own mind (and I also
sincerely hope we don't re-hash this subject on the list).

Best,

Steve

Steve Dubnoff
1966 Willard Pilothouse
www.mvnereid.com
sdubnoff@circlesys.com

>Is there a proper etiquette for using an unsecured wi-fi access point? Is >the assumption that it is available to everyone? Is it more politically >"correct" to sign on and pay for access if it is available at a fee? We had a highly emotional flame war on this subject about a year ago. You might search google with the following terms: free wifi site:samurai.com In sum, there are those who think accessing unsecured access points is theft, plain and simple, and there are others who think it equivalent to breathing someone's air. I suggest you read the archives and make up your own mind (and I also sincerely hope we don't re-hash this subject on the list). Best, Steve Steve Dubnoff 1966 Willard Pilothouse www.mvnereid.com sdubnoff@circlesys.com

JM

Jim McCorison

Tue, Mar 8, 2005 2:40 AM

BobandVicki Schuerger wrote:

Is there a proper etiquette for using an unsecured wi-fi access point? Is
the assumption that it is available to everyone? Is it more politically
"correct" to sign on and pay for access if it is available at a fee?

My view is that if the node has an identifiable name on it, it is polite
to ask permission. Although, I've noticed several people connected to
ours, I have no idea who they are.

Jim

--
Jim McCorison
Starfish Marine
(619) 337-5370
http://www.starfishmarine.com

BobandVicki Schuerger wrote: > Is there a proper etiquette for using an unsecured wi-fi access point? Is > the assumption that it is available to everyone? Is it more politically > "correct" to sign on and pay for access if it is available at a fee? My view is that if the node has an identifiable name on it, it is polite to ask permission. Although, I've noticed several people connected to ours, I have no idea who they are. Jim -- Jim McCorison Starfish Marine (619) 337-5370 http://www.starfishmarine.com

BP

Bob Peterson

Tue, Mar 8, 2005 4:19 AM

Bob and Vicki,

I know, I know, there are thousands of clueless users who got a friend "who
knew how" to install a WiFi system for them, and they haven't a clue about
how to secure it, or why they might want to do that. These are people who
leave the default net name (ala Linksys) and do NOT turn on any form of
security. My experience has been that until they become dissatisfied with
their service, they will continue to provide Wi-Fi access to those nearby
without giving any concern to it.

But once they find someone, or more likely, several someone's pounding
traffic through their net and their performance suffers, then they may ask
around to find out what's going on with their expensive toy. Then, and
probably only then, will they become familiar with what they've enabled and
provided to the community.

At that point it's their decision to make regarding whether they restrict
access to their network or leave it wide open. I have seen people attempt
to communicate with such network sponsors and fail miserably as there was
really no help to identify the owner. Many wiser operators incorporate an
appropriate email address into the Net ID so those who want to ask
permission have some way to do so.

To the best of my knowledge, no agreed-upon solution for this issue has been
adopted universally. So IF the owner/operator of a Wi-Fi net that you can
use encourages you to contact him/her, and IF they provide a convenient
means to do so, I'd see no problem with doing so. But few seem to have a
clue about it. In fact, I could easily visualize a scenario where you call
them and ask for permission to use their Wi-Fi internet connection, and they
respond "What Wi-Fi connection?"

Bob Peterson
47' Lien Hwa CMY
"Lopaka Nane"
San Francisco

-----Original Message-----
From: trawlers-and-trawlering-bounces@lists.samurai.com
[mailto:trawlers-and-trawlering-bounces@lists.samurai.com] On Behalf Of Jim
McCorison
Sent: Monday, March 07, 2005 6:40 PM
To: Trawlers-and-Trawlering@Lists. Samurai. Com
Subject: Re: T&T: Free WiFi

BobandVicki Schuerger wrote:

Is there a proper etiquette for using an unsecured wi-fi access point?
Is the assumption that it is available to everyone? Is it more
politically "correct" to sign on and pay for access if it is available at

a fee?

My view is that if the node has an identifiable name on it, it is polite to
ask permission. Although, I've noticed several people connected to ours, I
have no idea who they are.

Jim

--
Jim McCorison
Starfish Marine
(619) 337-5370
http://www.starfishmarine.com

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Bob and Vicki, I know, I know, there are thousands of clueless users who got a friend "who knew how" to install a WiFi system for them, and they haven't a clue about how to secure it, or why they might want to do that. These are people who leave the default net name (ala Linksys) and do NOT turn on any form of security. My experience has been that until they become dissatisfied with their service, they will continue to provide Wi-Fi access to those nearby without giving any concern to it. But once they find someone, or more likely, several someone's pounding traffic through their net and their performance suffers, then they may ask around to find out what's going on with their expensive toy. Then, and probably only then, will they become familiar with what they've enabled and provided to the community. At that point it's their decision to make regarding whether they restrict access to their network or leave it wide open. I have seen people attempt to communicate with such network sponsors and fail miserably as there was really no help to identify the owner. Many wiser operators incorporate an appropriate email address into the Net ID so those who want to ask permission have some way to do so. To the best of my knowledge, no agreed-upon solution for this issue has been adopted universally. So IF the owner/operator of a Wi-Fi net that you can use encourages you to contact him/her, and IF they provide a convenient means to do so, I'd see no problem with doing so. But few seem to have a clue about it. In fact, I could easily visualize a scenario where you call them and ask for permission to use their Wi-Fi internet connection, and they respond "What Wi-Fi connection?" Bob Peterson 47' Lien Hwa CMY "Lopaka Nane" San Francisco -----Original Message----- From: trawlers-and-trawlering-bounces@lists.samurai.com [mailto:trawlers-and-trawlering-bounces@lists.samurai.com] On Behalf Of Jim McCorison Sent: Monday, March 07, 2005 6:40 PM To: Trawlers-and-Trawlering@Lists. Samurai. Com Subject: Re: T&T: Free WiFi BobandVicki Schuerger wrote: > Is there a proper etiquette for using an unsecured wi-fi access point? > Is the assumption that it is available to everyone? Is it more > politically "correct" to sign on and pay for access if it is available at a fee? My view is that if the node has an identifiable name on it, it is polite to ask permission. Although, I've noticed several people connected to ours, I have no idea who they are. Jim -- Jim McCorison Starfish Marine (619) 337-5370 http://www.starfishmarine.com _______________________________________________ http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/listinfo/trawlers-and-trawlering To unsubscribe send email to trawlers-and-trawlering-request@lists.samurai.com with the word UNSUBSCRIBE and nothing else in the subject or body of the message. Trawlers & Trawlering and T&T are trademarks of Water World Productions. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

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