Coffee shops look to oust 'laptop hobos'

Layback Bear said:

Lady Fitzgerald I think you just might be to wise to get a smart phone.

Why?

Hi y'all :)

Just getting back in town so I'd like to respond now...

jimbo45 said:

I would still maintain though it should be easy for a business to recognize who is and isn't a customer -- for instance I would provide say a small alcove for users who just want to use the Wifi service (I'd provide that as a service to the community) while reserving the Interior of the store for customers.

I'd have TWO different routers -- the exterior one would give the "Free Loaders" say 30 mins before logging them off while Customers would get access to the 2nd network for as long as they wanted. -- Can't be too difficult and the cost to the business is minimal and everybody benefits -- those who just want to check email etc and then go on their way while allowing customers the full convenience and facilities of the store. The first purchase would have a unique password / userid on their till receipt and could only be used until log off - that would stop "Cheating" by passing the receipt to a non purchaser. There are all sorts of easy solutions to the problem -- just needs a little bit of imagination -- while STILL providing a service for the community and keeping goodwill.

Great idea. If they're going to start charging customers I'd rather use the system you propose.

jimbo45 said:

Actually as far as the EU is concerned I'm really happy that Iceland has officially withdrawn its application for Membership -- the EEA agreements with the EU are in place and this is a MUCH better deal for a small island with only a few natural resources. For EU nationals and a few others you still don't need a VISA to visit -- the Schengen agreement is in place (No Visas required and no Border checks if coming from another state in the Schengen Agreement).

Haven't been keeping up with EU politics, but wanted to say that I've been to Iceland a few times via Keflavik Naval Station; was Air Force. Really enjoyed Keflavik, especially in the summer where you can sit outside and listen to some of the local musicians.

I've been wanting to get back to Iceland to do some photography, but just haven't had the opportunity to do so yet. It's in my plans though.

sygnus21 said:

Hi y'all :)

Just getting back in town so I'd like to respond now...

jimbo45 said:

I would still maintain though it should be easy for a business to recognize who is and isn't a customer -- for instance I would provide say a small alcove for users who just want to use the Wifi service (I'd provide that as a service to the community) while reserving the Interior of the store for customers.

I'd have TWO different routers -- the exterior one would give the "Free Loaders" say 30 mins before logging them off while Customers would get access to the 2nd network for as long as they wanted. -- Can't be too difficult and the cost to the business is minimal and everybody benefits -- those who just want to check email etc and then go on their way while allowing customers the full convenience and facilities of the store. The first purchase would have a unique password / userid on their till receipt and could only be used until log off - that would stop "Cheating" by passing the receipt to a non purchaser. There are all sorts of easy solutions to the problem -- just needs a little bit of imagination -- while STILL providing a service for the community and keeping goodwill.

Great idea. If they're going to start charging customers I'd rather use the system you propose.

jimbo45 said:

Actually as far as the EU is concerned I'm really happy that Iceland has officially withdrawn its application for Membership -- the EEA agreements with the EU are in place and this is a MUCH better deal for a small island with only a few natural resources. For EU nationals and a few others you still don't need a VISA to visit -- the Schengen agreement is in place (No Visas required and no Border checks if coming from another state in the Schengen Agreement).

Haven't been keeping up with EU politics, but wanted to say that I've been to Iceland a few times via Keflavik Naval Station; was Air Force. Really enjoyed Keflavik, especially in the summer where you can sit outside and listen to some of the local musicians.

I've been wanting to get back to Iceland to do some photography, but just haven't had the opportunity to do so yet. It's in my plans though.

Great place -- let me know and I'll show you some really great places in Reykjavik. !!! Summer time is brilliant. (Mind you I'm biased !!).

Plenty of FREE Internet around too -- the Coffee shop Hobo problem doesn't exist here.

Here's our cheap airline (equivalent of Easyjet - for cheap flights although July is the most expensive -- September is great as most of the tourists have gone and it's still pleasant).

Cheap flights to Iceland - WOW air

Cheers
jimbo

Thanks.

And BTW I meant to say enjoyed Reykjavik, not Keflavik. I guess that's what I get for posting with an exhausted brain

Anyway thanks for the offer. Hopefully sometime next year I'll be able to make it.

Kari said:

Regarding this matter, I find the Time Café a good idea: You pay for the time, get all the coffee you want to and WiFi free of additional charge.

Germany's first one opened some time ago, but although the charge is only €3 per hour the young entrepreneur has not been able to break even. Anyway, I think this idea is good when the price is right for both sides; something me as the customer am willing to pay, at the same time providing enough for owners to make profit.

'Time is money' in new Wiesbaden café - The Local

Kari

Hi there
one reason I don't like the idea of charging by the hour for example is that people often feel obliged to STAY for the FULL hour whether they want to or not once they've paid for the service. They are then LEGITIMATELY occupying space that could be used by people making purchases (i.e Customers).

I think my business model of two systems (Free for customers and up to 30 mins Free for non customers) would work better -- or if the owner doesn't want to do that why not add a very small surcharge onto your purchase so that the cost of the Internet is subsidized by the paying customers -- if there are sufficient volume of customers I'm sure a surcharge of something even as small as 25 Eurocents might be sufficient.

Just running an Internet Only type of establishment won't pay -- you have to sell something else as well be it books, clothing, or even coffee / soft drinks.

Cheers
jimbo