Plates55.com » Wi-Fi http://plates55.com Restart, Reboot, Reinstall Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:10:44 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Using WiFI to Infringe Copyright – The Moral Dilemma http://plates55.com/wi-fi/%datetime%/ http://plates55.com/wi-fi/%datetime%/#comments Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:36:43 +0000 jplates http://plates55.com/?p=1310 Untold thousands of people either leave their WiFi networks open or have no idea how to secure them. Inevitably this means they can be used to share illicit files. But what happens when the owner of the network gets blamed for infringing copyright?

Over on TorrentFreak we often get emails from people who have received letters from lawyers who claim that they have been caught infringing copyright by sharing illicit files on the Internet.

The majority of the time these are emails from account holders who did not infringe copyright but are the victim of mistaken identity. Sometimes the anti-piracy tracking company gets it completely wrong and sometimes they trace the correct IP address but blame the wrong guy.

This weekend we received an email which throws up an interesting moral dilemma.

A BitTorrent user from the US visiting his girlfriend who lives in Europe used a neighbor’s open WiFi network in order to download some media. Unfortunately the neighbor received a letter demanding a payment of several hundred euros for copyright infringement.

Clearly the neighbor is 100% innocent and could argue his/her case quite honestly. Unfortunately, as pointed out by the UK Lords recently in a discussion about the proposed Digital Economy Bill, it is impossible to prove your innocence in these cases.

In this case the infringer told us that he’s going to admit to the infringement and hand over his details so that the law firm pursues him instead, which is pretty admirable. But many people wouldn’t be so forthcoming.

If anyone has any intelligent advice for this guy, feel free to post in the comments, but in addition we’re interested to hear what you would do in his situation.

Is it OK for bill payers to take responsibility for everything that happens on their connection? Should WiFi network operators be responsible for securing their networks from intrusions?

Should people really be using other peoples’ networks to infringe copyright or with the introduction of more and more draconian copyright laws, will this be the way of the future?

Views 1084 times by 35 visitors

]]> http://plates55.com/wi-fi/%datetime%/feed/ 0 Ford’s Wired Fleet: WiFi Hotspots on Four Wheels http://plates55.com/wi-fi/%datetime%/ http://plates55.com/wi-fi/%datetime%/#comments Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:47:53 +0000 jplates http://plates55.com/?p=542

Ford is making a serious bid for geeks’ business. Scott Monty, the auto company’s Internet-famous social media head, wrote with some of the most exciting car-related news an Internet-dependent nerd could wish for.

The next generation of Ford’s SYNC-enabled vehicles will not only be rolling communications and entertainment systems. They’ll also be rolling WiFi hotspots. Passengers will be able to connect to the Internet anywhere, anytime. Our crystal ball is showing a lot more Ford-enabled conference roadtrips.

The way it works is a lot like many devices available from wireless networks. For example, Sprint’s MiFi, which was  tested earlier this year, allows for multiple devices to connect to the Internet from a small, card-shaped device without a physical connection to any hardware. Other devices we’ve tested allow for single- and multi-device connections via USB.

Ford’s solution is allowing for USB modems connecting to the vehicle’s SYNC system and enabling Internet connectivity for multiple devices. These vehicles can also connect to other USB devices. In essence, the user’s vehicle becomes one with the user’s hardware.

The WiFi signal is broadcast throughout the vehicle, and password protection will guard against piggybacking.

Currently, SYNC vehicles feature hands-free calling, navigation systems, emergency assistance, music searches, news and weather feeds, business search, traffic data and audible text messages.

Without built-in hardware, it’s a lot like many other devices we’ve seen. Users will have to work with their carriers to get the hardware and network coverage to make the magic happen.

Nevertheless, Internet connectivity in a moving vehicle is something we’ve waited a long time to see, and we’re glad to see Ford recognizing that need

Related Blogs

Views 290 times by 32 visitors

]]> http://plates55.com/wi-fi/%datetime%/feed/ 0 GoGo inflight Free WiFi Coupon Codes http://plates55.com/wi-fi/%datetime%/ http://plates55.com/wi-fi/%datetime%/#comments Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:43:19 +0000 admin http://plates55.com/?p=540 Gogo Inflight Free WiFi Coupon Codes

 

With the holiday flying season underway and me flying out today as well, and wanted to see if I could try out some internet at 30,000 feet. Gogo Inflight Internet is now offering WiFi internet on select Air Canada, Airtran, American, Delta, United, and Virgin America flights. See here for participating aircraft.

Here are some promotional codes that will provide you with one free session of GoGo. They are good once per account. However, supposedly you can sign up with any name and any e-mail address with no confirmation system (no credit card needed either with the code), it seems like they are pretty much offering unlimited free internet until these expire. I hope I can get it to work! Via FlyerTalk.

Expire 12/31/2009
DELTATRYGOGO
AIRTRANTRYGOGO
AATRYGOGO

Expire 1/7/2010
2287548427snk
2472564126dvu
2285632980tlk

Views 382 times by 29 visitors

]]> http://plates55.com/wi-fi/%datetime%/feed/ 0 Codes to Grab Free In-Flight Wi-Fi This Holiday Season http://plates55.com/wi-fi/%datetime%/ http://plates55.com/wi-fi/%datetime%/#comments Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:41:02 +0000 admin http://plates55.com/?p=538

If you’re on a decently long flight and want to connect to the net, there are more options than ever this year. If you’re not flying Virgin America, however, they’re not free. Unless you have these coupon codes, that is.

We found a few codes for free in-flight Wi-Fi sitting on the FlyerTalk and MyMoneyBlog.com sites, good for one free in-flight hook-up per email address. However, if you’ve got a Gmail address or another email that supports period separation (kevin.purdy instead of kevinpurdy) or + sign demarcations (kevinpurdy+freewifi), you can create an unlimited number of email activations.

Here are the relevant codes for the three U.S. airlines using GoGo’s service:

  • Delta: DELTATRYGOGO
  • AirTran: AIRTRANTRYGOGO
  • American Airlines: AATRYGOGO

There are other codes to enter if these don’t do anything for you, listed at the links below. Wondering whether your flight will have decent in-flight wireless service, free or otherwise? Check out Jaunted’s In-Flight WiFi Status Update, which also features mini-reviews of the services themselves.

Views 361 times by 28 visitors

]]> http://plates55.com/wi-fi/%datetime%/feed/ 0