Petition for Free WiFi access

[JMcB]

Click on like to add your name and pass it on to friends

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/FreeAccessWiFi/

Yeah, let's set up a petition for free drink in pubs, free sandwiches in Starbucks and free videos in Blockbuster while we're at it.

The petitioner's rationale for this is nonsense. For starters, El Gordo Brown allocated that 3G dosh years ago (a lot of it went on paying off the national debt). And exactly how is providing free WiFi at the taxpayer's expense supposed to 'future proof all aspects of business'? I'd have thought it would have the opposite effect, it would put out of business those companies that are currently selling WiFi access (or even giving it away free in return for the user viewing some adverts, which is exactly what I'm doing right now, as it happens). It would also lock us into a national infrastructure constructed on today's wireless standards, funded from a one-off pot of cash and with therefore no means of upgrading to newer, faster standards in future.

This idea, if it were ever implemented, would be a disaster, every bit as monolithic and inflexible as the former, state-owned British Telecom. Fortunately it'll be a long, cold day in hell before it happens, so we don't need to worry too much.

I'd have appreciated it if the person who started the petition had been a bit more honest as well, instead of waffling on about business and communication, they should have just been honest: "because, like, I want to play wiv the internet whenever I feel like it and I think someone else should have to pay for it."

Don't think I'll be signing this one.

[JMcB]

Originally Posted by Chris T

Yeah, let's set up a petition for free drink in pubs, free sandwiches in Starbucks and free videos in Blockbuster while we're at it.

The petitioner's rationale for this is nonsense. For starters, El Gordo Brown allocated that 3G dosh years ago (a lot of it went on paying off the national debt). And exactly how is providing free WiFi at the taxpayer's expense supposed to 'future proof all aspects of business'? I'd have thought it would have the opposite effect, it would put out of business those companies that are currently selling WiFi access (or even giving it away free in return for the user viewing some adverts, which is exactly what I'm doing right now, as it happens). It would also lock us into a national infrastructure constructed on today's wireless standards, funded from a one-off pot of cash and with therefore no means of upgrading to newer, faster standards in future.

This idea, if it were ever implemented, would be a disaster, every bit as monolithic and inflexible as the former, state-owned British Telecom. Fortunately it'll be a long, cold day in hell before it happens, so we don't need to worry too much.

I'd have appreciated it if the person who started the petition had been a bit more honest as well, instead of waffling on about business and communication, they should have just been honest: "because, like, I want to play wiv the internet whenever I feel like it and I think someone else should have to pay for it."

Don't think I'll be signing this one.

OK get your point
I think a better way is to make wifi work is to give all schools wirless and more IT support.

Would you sign one like that

I'd sign a petition supporting improved IT teaching in schools - especially if it promoted true learning about IT and didn't simply focus on turning out drones who are trained to use Microsoft Office products and nothing else. Part of my job is training people to use content management systems for corporate intranets and it is extremely depressing how difficult it can be to show people to use any application that differs in its function even slightly from the MS approach.

I'm not so convinced about the need for WiFi in schools, as to my knowledge schools do not generally expect pupils to bring their own laptops in and work from them at their desks. Hard-wired ethernet is a simpler and more cost effective solution in the school environment I think.

[dragon]

Originally Posted by Chris T

I'd sign a petition supporting improved IT teaching in schools - especially if it promoted true learning about IT and didn't simply focus on turning out drones who are trained to use Microsoft Office products and nothing else. Part of my job is training people to use content management systems for corporate intranets and it is extremely depressing how difficult it can be to show people to use any application that differs in its function even slightly from the MS approach.

I'm not so convinced about the need for WiFi in schools, as to my knowledge schools do not generally expect pupils to bring their own laptops in and work from them at their desks. Hard-wired ethernet is a simpler and more cost effective solution in the school environment I think.

Not to mention secure... Letting a load of script kiddies loose with their own machines (and therefore full of all their scriptkiddie tools) on the school network is just asking for it.

[Graham M]

Originally Posted by dragon

Not to mention secure... Letting a load of script kiddies loose with their own machines (and therefore full of all their scriptkiddie tools) on the school network is just asking for it.

Depends how locked-down the network is, admittedly, I used to connect to my old college's network with my laptop without them knowing to gain net access, it was really simple, just a case of juggling IP addresses.

[JMcB]

I work in a school, We have a what the school calls a mobile wireless class room. This is a number of school owned laptops, a printer and a wirelss router all on 1 trolly. This equipment has been one of the most helpfull pices of kit i have ever seen in school. As ICT is now an element of every subject the wireless classroom is a must have. for all schools.

[dragon]

Originally Posted by Zeph

Depends how locked-down the network is, admittedly, I used to connect to my old college's network with my laptop without them knowing to gain net access, it was really simple, just a case of juggling IP addresses.

Unless they use wireless isolation and such it would probably be quite easy to get into other peoples laptops...

It might have changed since I went to college/school but if they were anything like where I went the network security was a joke.

The machines we used in my first year of college were setup in such a way that if you knew the path you could gain full access to everyone else in the classes Network drive

Fortunately most of the people in the class weren't clever enough to notice, and those of us did decided it was better not to abuse it to much (we did play the odd trick on each other like move files and hide them but never anything destructive, bearing in mind if we were that way inclined we could have deleted/modfied/copied anyones work. )

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by JMcB

I work in a school, We have a what the school calls a mobile wireless class room. This is a number of school owned laptops, a printer and a wirelss router all on 1 trolly. This equipment has been one of the most helpfull pices of kit i have ever seen in school. As ICT is now an element of every subject the wireless classroom is a must have. for all schools.

The problem is that a lot of schools use ICT as a substitute for good teaching. IE, they don't teach a subject like history, just plonk the students down in front of Encarta (or a similar online encylopaedia) and tell the students to look it up.

Going back to the original point, I fail to see why the Government should provide free WiFi for anyone. If the Internet is likely to benefit a business, and they can't afford the £40 or so a month it costs for a basic broadband, they are in trouble whether they have Internet Access or not. Also, any business should be concerned about the security of *any* wifi network, and ideally, should avoid any they don't control.

As for the general public? There isn't any need for it. The Government should be providing stuff people need for free (basics like electricity, water and food), before considering other stuff. They do provide "free" healthcare (through the NHS), but it could be argued that is a need rather than a luxury.

[JMcB]

Originally Posted by Stuart C

The problem is that a lot of schools use ICT as a substitute for good teaching. IE, they don't teach a subject like history, just plonk the students down in front of Encarta (or a similar online encylopaedia) and tell the students to look it up.

Going back to the original point, I fail to see why the Government should provide free WiFi for anyone. If the Internet is likely to benefit a business, and they can't afford the £40 or so a month it costs for a basic broadband, they are in trouble whether they have Internet Access or not. Also, any business should be concerned about the security of *any* wifi network, and ideally, should avoid any they don't control.

As for the general public? There isn't any need for it. The Government should be providing stuff people need for free (basics like electricity, water and food), before considering other stuff. They do provide "free" healthcare (through the NHS), but it could be argued that is a need rather than a luxury.

Yes ok i would rather see the money go in to heath or Education.

As for just plumbing the kids down and getting them to use Encarta that depends on the type of teacher. Thats a bad teacher.

ICT in no way should replace good old text books but it can have a very very good infulance on learning.

I know it was a bad post but its just been one of them days.....

[Help!!!]

Do these online petitions actually work, any evidence of one actually making a difference?

[JMcB]

Originally Posted by Help!!!

Do these online petitions actually work, any evidence of one actually making a difference?

most likely not. but as my grandfather said. If you have a voice use it.

[TheNorm]

Originally Posted by JMcB

I work in a school, We have a what the school calls a mobile wireless class room. This is a number of school owned laptops, a printer and a wirelss router all on 1 trolly. ....

Presumably the laptops and printer need mains electricity? So you will have cables?? So why not lay a few ethernet cables???

I never understand the fuss that is made about wireless. Sure, it has a place in a few environments, but wired is a lot more practical and secure.

[eth01]

Bandwidth costs!

Signed the petition however ....

[tweetiepooh]

Not going to sign. Free access on my DS anyway .

On the other topic of IT in schools I feel it's the same problem as in other subjects that there is too much focus on M$ in IT and using M$ products rather on using a WP (any WP) or spreadsheet/DT/OS etc. In general the principles are the same and the overall rules for the end product are the same.

In other subjects teach how to do the subject not just rote learn the content of the subject. That way pupils learn how to do for themselves even if what's presented is slightly different. My pet hate is calculators. We were not allowed to use them until 'A' level, it was paper/log tables/slide rule and all of these also teach how the maths works rather than just pressing buttons. (And no it wasn't all that long ago).