Alan A. Reiter: Wireless Blogging

Got an interesting use of WiFi at a conference?
Want to share it at 802.11 Planet?

As I wrote on Friday, I am going to be participating at the 802.11 Planet Conference and Expo in Philadelphia, Monday - Wednesday. On Monday, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., I'm going to be discussing how 802.11 is changing the dynamics of conferences and meetings (speaker and audience dynamics) and journalism. The use of Weblogs certainly will be discussed.

If you are attending the conference and have an interesting story to share or want to add your comments about using 802.11 at conferences or corporate meetings, please drop by.

WiFi, Weblogs, Conferences and Journalism

I'm heading out on Sunday to attend the 802.11 Planet Conference and Expo in Philadelphia where I'll be doing two presentations. One presentation will be on June 10, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., discussing how the combination of 802.11 and Weblogs are changing the dynamics of conferences and journalism.

I was a journalist -- focusing on wireless -- for a long time until I became a full-time wireless data consultant in 1996. There is simply no doubt that 802.11 is changing the dynamics of conferences and journalism. At computer and wireless conferences, conference organizers are already getting grief from attendees if they don't have WiFi access. Indeed, at the first 802.11 Planet conference in Santa Clara last year, some attendees were complaining because WiFi was available only in the exhibit hall, not in the meeting room.

Many hotels and conference centers are looking at installing 802.11 in these facilities, but the business models can be difficult. I'm involved in evaluating this and it's more difficult to craft the right business models than you might suspect. I can't/won't reveal confidential information, but it's easy to discuss installing WiFi everywhere when you're not the one having to pay for it and generate revenues! There are many business issues to consider and there aren't quick or assured solutions for some of them.

For a preview of what I'll be discussing, check out today's article about "WiFi Changes Meeting Dynamics," at 80211-planet.

WiFi and cellular

At last year's 802.11 Planet conference I did a two-hour presentation about the new realities of wireless in light of the September 11 attacks and also discussed in detail the entry -- potential entry -- of the cellular industry into the WiFi business. I got good reviews, I believe, for the presentation, but some people wondered whether it was appropriate for me to discuss the mindset and strategies of cellular operators at an 802.11 conference.

Well, times have changed and no one anymore is wondering about the appropriateness! Sprint PCS has invested in Boingo Wireless. VoiceStream has purchased MobileStar. BT [formerly British Telecom] is putting in hotspots around the U.K. In Korea, two carriers are installing a total of 25,000 hotspots. In Scandinavia there are hundreds of hotspots. In Japan, NTT Communications, NTT DoCoMo and Softbank, among others, are installing hotspots. There are many more examples.

My second presentation for 802.11 Planet on June 12, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., is entitled "Carriers Get Into 802.11: Will They Catalyze Your Business Or Crush It?" The roundtable discussion will feature experts in the cellular industry who will discuss the impact of cellular operators on the WiFi business. Representations from T-Mobile Wireless Broadband (MobileStar under VoiceStream), Telia HomeRun and GoAmerica will be participating.

If you're going to be at the 802.11 Planet event, please stop by to say hello.

Conference Weblog coverage and articles: This is how to leverage communications!

O'Reilly gets it. Well, of course they do. This a terrific example of how a conference organizer can leverage articles about the speakers and coverage by Webloggers via WiFi as the conference is going on. On one page O'Reilly has a couple of sentences and links to such Weblogs as boingboing, raelity bytes, megnut.com and many others. It also has links to articles about the speakers and photos of the conference.

Conference organizers need to see and know about this. It's not rocket science, but not many conferences are doing this. I'm going to make sure the attendees at my WiFi conference for conference organizers know about this. I'm also going to use it as an example in my other conference presentations and as part of my wireless consulting (and I speak around the world about this stuff).

Unfortunately, most conference organizers are clueless about the value of this sort of information.

Teaching conference organizers about WiFi...and Weblogs

There's no doubt that the most valuable -- and profitable -- locations for 802.11 access include hotels and conference centers. And why are people at conference centers and why are they often at hotels? Duh: To attend meetings and conferences. Who organizes these events? Duh: Event organizers.

That's why I'm working on developing a conference specifically for conference organizers to examine the basics of WiFi, the value of WiFi, how WiFi is going to change (and already is changing) the dynamics of meetings for speakers, attendees and journalists, and how to use the power of WiFi to improve conferences.

The conference will be held in the Washington, D.C. area, which is the headquarters for more trade associations than any place in the world. It's also the headquarters for associations that are established for association executives.

Duh: Weblogs

What's one great way to use WiFi to improve the value of conferences? Duh: Weblogs. Indeed, I have an index on my main Web site that links to all the entries I've posted using WiFi at conferences.

So, part of the conference will include discussing -- and demonstrating during my presentation -- how Weblogs can be used to report conferences, how speakers can take advantage of Weblogs and how conference organizers can leverage the power of Weblogs. The conference just isn't about Weblogs, but attendees certainly will understand their value.

The conference is still a work-in-progress. I'm developing it conjunction with WirelessWednesdays, which puts on great wireless events in the Washington, D.C. and Boston areas. WirelessWednesdays is handling many of the logistics.

The conference is scheduled for June 19 at the Hilton McLean (Tysons Corner), Va., not far from Washington, D.C. So far, it's half a day, but it might be expanded to a full day, depending upon interest.

Free WiFi, low registration fee

Of course there will be free WiFi access for attendees. It also will be modestly priced ($199 if you register beforehand) because, frankly, I'm sick of conferences that charge high prices for low value. I hope to reverse that.

There'll be much more information on the WirelessWednesdays site in the weeks to come.

Apple, Jaguar, Rendezvous and WiFi:
Glenn's analysis

I knew Apple's "Rendezvous" capabilities (see previous entry) would intrigue Glenn Fleishman. I asked Glenn, in the previous entry, what he thought about it since he's the maven about Apple and WiFi. "My opinion," Glenn writes, "[is] a whole new world of discovery awaits us."

Rendezvous searches for (i.e., "discovers") TCP/IP devices using wireless and wired networks, such as Ethernet, WiFi or Bluetooth, to facilitate easy connections.

"Apple's proposal, thus, is trying to bring to networked devices an entirely new layer of support that's more akin to directly connected peripherals, like hard drives and USB or parallel printers," Glenn writes. "It wants you, as a user, to not have to make decisions about how to connect to things as they become available. Rather, the system recognizes and makes those resources available, and you choose how or if you want to interact with them."

There are lots of debates and blathering about whether Weblogs are "journalism" and whether Weblogs provide information that's valuable. Well, all you have to do is read Glenn's complete report about Rendezvous and its value to wireless and wired networking. The analysis is as good as anything you'd see from, for example, an expert technology journalist who writes a column in a newspaper. Uh, wait a minute: Glenn is an expert technology journalist who writes a column in a newspaper.

Conferences, information, wireless and what attendees want

While I was attending Technologic Partners' excellent Wireless Ventures conference in Burlingame, Calif. last week, I spoke several times about wireless and Weblogs to Richard Shaffer, the founder of the company. Dick is a smart guy and he's been analyzing computers and wireless for a long time.

The conference, which I wrote up here on April 30, May 1 and May 2, included free WiFi access and loaner PC Cards. Dick also provided power strips in three rows for laptop computer users. As more conferences offer 802.11 access, I suspect that more attendees will be requesting power strips for their laptops and PDAs. Power strips -- another way WiFi will affect conferences!

When it comes to technology, Dick "gets it." He certainly understands the value of WiFi and he's now pondering how to effectively integrate WiFi into his conferences. Weblogs could be a part of that.

When we talked during the conference, Dick said something like, referring to Weblogs, "people don't want transcriptions, they want analysis." I've been pondering that, and today I sent Dick an e-mail about what I think people at conferences want.

Information from conferences

1. Traditional reporting. The operative word is "reporting" -- no analysis, just the facts with as little bias as humanly possible. You typically read traditional reporting the day after (at best) a conference. With the Web, you can read a journalist's reports the day of a conference, and it's often published in the print edition the next day or next week.

Detailed, solid reporting isn't going to go away. Weblogs enhance and supplement reporting; they don't replace it.

2. Analysis. What does this all mean? Analysis from columnists who are experts (one hopes) in the subject area or from non-journalists who also are experts. I specifically switched from being a "reporter" to an "analyst" (and then "consultant") many years ago.

3. Transcriptions? Maybe. What if you could get a transcription -- done by a professional -- after each conference panel? It might not be edited, but it would be fresh. No analysis, no reporting -- just the exact (more or less) quotes. Perhaps it could be "cleaned up" (check for typos, grammar, etc.) and available the next morning.

What if the transcription was posted as a Weblog? Would it be useful? After all, lots of people purchase tapes of conferences; I wonder how many people listen to all or even some of the tapes they purchase. Would attendees be more inclined to at least skim a transcript? I think so -- especially if they have WiFi access and could read the transcript while listening to other (boring!) speakers. It's certainly easier to skim through a written report than to skip through a tape recording.

Would you pay for a transcription that was viewable on the Web? What would be a reasonable price?

There are business and security issues, of course. Conference organizers wouldn't want non-attendees to see the transcript, unless they paid for it. This involves password protection. But even with passwords, there's a good chance bootleg copies would be available. Would this be a deal-killer for conference organizers?

Weblogs, WiFi and changing dynamics

Weblogs are a great tool for transcriptions of conferences. Posting is fast, date and time is automatic and headlines and subheads are no-brainers to enter. With Weblogs, it would be possible for attendees to read the transcript in almost real-time as the speaker was presenting; as soon as the transcriber clicked on "publish" you'd be able to read the quotes.

How many times have you missed an important point by a speaker? Wouldn't it be nice to have a back up?

As any Weblogger who has used WiFi to post reports knows, interesting dynamics can occur when you post a report (good, bad or incorrect!) when the speaker reads your Weblog. During Wireless Ventures, the chairman and CEO of SkyPilot read my posting about his presentation and sent me a clarification. I got the e-mail -- a copy forwarded to my pager (I really like wireless!) -- and posted a correction within minutes of receiving it. With WiFi access and Weblog software, I can do that.

Perhaps Dave Winer can help

I like the idea of transcriptions. I'd pay for this service and I think a fair number of corporate attendees would, too. Perhaps Dave Winer of Userland Software and Weblogger extraordinaire might be able to offer Dick some interesting suggestions about the mechanics and logistics of conference-based blogging.

I, too, am interested in this. Not only would I want such a service but I also am involved in conferences. I help conduct a day-long tutorial, Wireless Data University, before the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association's Wireless and Wireless I.T. and Internet conferences. I'm also starting to develop a presentation and a mini-conference about how WiFi will dramatically change the dynamics of conferences.

Live from Wireless Strategy 2002

I'm attending the Wireless Strategy 2002 conference in the Washington, D.C. area and there's WiFi coverage. Tim Krauskopf, vice president of product management at Motorola, is the keynote speaker. He said it's often difficult to justify the return on investment for wireless data, but it's easier to justify a "return on mobility." For example, how important is it to obtain the latest changes to your calendar to ensure you don't miss an appointment?

"M-commerce -- it's going to continue to be a challenge," he says. Motorola thought they had solved the problems, and then they tried to actually purchase a book on Amazon.com. Too many clicks!

Motorola is now working with Food.com with pizza stores. The bottleneck is the person taking the order over the phone.

The technological limitations of wireless data are less challenging than getting people to actually try it. Well, I'd say there are still some significant challenges, but the wireless industry also has been inept in providing sufficient -- and honest -- customer education.

Proteus

Jeff Lee, a director of Proteus, a Washington, D.C. Web developer with wireless experience, is talking about "the multi-modal experience." That means using voice and data to obtain information. The problem is the early implementations of 2.5G networks offer only single mode -- data or voice. If you are using GPRS for a data transmission, you can't switch to voice and maintain the data connection. Pick one, not both.

Proteus is working on creating applications where you would umake a voice call to request information, and the information is transmitted to your phone via SMS. That might make sense. It's more convenient to read directions, for example, on a cellular phone rather than trying to remember voice directions or writing them down while driving.

Ultrawideband

Listening to a presentation about wireless security and just surfing the Net via WiFi. I found a very good article from Scientific American about ultrawideband.

Free WiFi in suburban Maryland

During my panel on WiFi, Bluetooth , and cellular, Greg Messitt, the CEO of Spectrum Access, said the company would soon announce free WiFi access points in suburban Maryland, such as Chevy Chase (where I live and work) and Bethesda. Spectrum Access put in the WiFi network at the Center for Innovation in Herndon, Va., where I'm now typing this.

The announcement about free hot spots is supposed to be next month. I have been lusting for free WiFi around my neighborhood, a few miles north of Washington, D.C., and envious of the more WiFi-friendly environs of Portland, Ore., Seattle, San Francisco and even, gasp, New York. Spectrum Access could make me happier! Eventually, Spectrum Access will charge for this, but at the outset, WiFi access will be free.

I'll make sure to provide details when they're available.

Demonstrating wireless blogging

During my presentation I switched between my PowerPoint slides and the Web. I opened the presentation by showing the headline and text of this entry to demonstrate the value of wireless + Weblogs. I also discussed and showed via WiFi how journalists, such as Dan Gillmor and Doc Searls have been pioneering the use of wireless Weblogs and journalism.

Wireless Strategy 2002 Conference

Tomorrow I'll be speaking about 802.11, Bluetooth and the cellular operators entering both arenas during the Wireless Strategy 2002 conference in Herndon, Va. (near Washington's Dulles Airport). I think the fee at the door is $150 for the day-long conference. (I don't get any of it!)

The conference will be at the Virginia Center for Innovative Technology and there will be WiFi access. Alas, my IBM ThinkPad is in bad shape (time to get it fixed and buy another ThinkPad this month) so I'm borrowing a Compaq for my presentation. If I can easily configure my WiFi PC Card (it should be a cinch, but I've had too many little "gotchas" with anything wireless) I'll post some comments on my other wireless data Weblog about the conference.

Disney exec. tests cellular posting;
Why WAP is crap

Dr. Eric Freeman, a director of engineering in the advanced technology team of the Walt Disney Internet Group, has tested sending a Weblog entry from his cellular phone.

Freeman also has a Weblog entry on "The Real Reason WAP is Crap." The bottom line is different phones support different WAP features. It drives Disney, and other content developers, crazy because developers have to think about the mechanics of WAP implementation on every phone version. Freeman says it's going to get worse as cellular operators and handset vendors offer new features to differentiante themselves. The solution, he says, is a "platform" with "consistent syntax and semantics."

My view is that with WAP, Microsoft's flavors of Windows CE for PDAs and so-called smartphones, various flavors of Java and Symbian's EPOC32, the environment for developers is getting much worse rather than better.

Promoting Weblogs at conferences

Robert Scoble, director of marketing at Userland Software (which has created a fair amount of software for Weblogs), continues to promote the value of Weblogs + conferences. I'm all for it, as anyone reading this Weblog (and my other Weblogs) knows.

I created this "Wireless Blogging" Weblog as a way to highlight the value of integrating wireless with Weblogs and also as a way for me to "save" my thoughts and links for future use. Instead of saving files on my computer, I save Weblog entries and links on a remote server. With Radio Userland 8.X software, it's very easy to create Weblogs on specific categories, such as a conference.

In a recent entry in his Scobleizer Weblog, Robert points to EventWeb, an online newsletter for conference organizers. An article in the March 22 issue discusses the value Weblogs for conferences, including an entry about my Wireless Data Weblog where I wrote about Wireless Data University and Wireless 2002 from March 16 - March 20.

Conference organizers need to understand the value of wireless access as well as Weblogs. Yesterday I sent an e-mail to a conference manager at a trade association for trade association executives. I suggested the group create a panel at its annual conference or at other events to inform conference organizers of the value of 802.11 access. No response yet.

Speakers beware:
Bloggers can find you out!

A Newsweek Web-only article about the PC Forum has an interesting write up by technology reporter Steven Levy. Levy writes that when Joe Nacchio, the CEO of Qwest, was complaining about the difficulty of the telecom business, Doc Searls got an e-mail from a friend of his about how many millions Nacchio had made from selling Qwest stock. Searls posted an item on his Weblog that included to link that detailed the tens of millions that Nacchio realized. "Nobdy likes Qwest's Joe Nacchio," Searls wrote.

Dan Gillmor of the San Jose Mercury News also posted an item on his Weblog. Gillmor wrote how Nacchio was "whining" and "took gazillions out of the company...."

Weblogs + wireless = Power

This is getting to be serious stuff. Granted, relatively few people are doing real-time Weblogs at conferences. But some very good journalists are. Doc Searls is senior editor of Linux Journal. Dan Gillmor is one of the most respected computer columnists in the country. Glenn Fleishman, a freelance technology writer, a Mac columnist for The Seattle Times and writer of the superb 802.11b Networking News Weblog, also covers conferences in his Weblog (though he didn't attend the PC Forum).

When journalists (or anyone else, for that matter) can post comments as a speaker is still speaking, then receive e-mails about the postings, and immediately update that posting, there is power. We're still in the very early days of this. But WiFi coverage is growing. It will grow even faster as the result of Boingo Wireless and VoiceStream's purchase of MobileStar.

We are entering new territory for journalists and for speakers. Smart people will understand the power and use it. Morons will ignore it.

Journalist pivot point?
Responding on stage to blogging via WiFi

Through Dave Winer's Scripting News I was pointed to Nick Denton's Weblog which has an entry about Dan Gillmor of the San Jose Mercury News writing in his eJournal Weblog about Esther Dyson's PC Forum. (See my March 26 entry). Dan posted an entry in his eJournal about SkyPilot, a mesh network.

The co-founder of SkyPilot was on stage, read Dan's entry and then used WiFi access to send Dan a correction, which Dan then acknowledged in his Weblog. This was some sort of "journalistic pivot point," Dan writes.

I tried to encourage something like that during Wireless Data University, when I used WiFi in the Orlando convention hall to switch between my PowerPoint presentation and show the audience Web sites. Unfortunately, not enough people in the audience had WiFi cards. I did point out Dan Gillmor to the audience who was covering my tutorial and posting an entry about it via WiFi.

Journalistic pivot point or not, the integration of WiFi with Weblogs will help change the way conferences are held and the way journalism is practiced. Dan Gillmor is helping to lead the charge. I am trying, too.

Wireless blogging at the PC Forum

WiFi is supposed to be very reliable at the PC Forum, and at least a couple of journalists are blogging away. Dan Gillmor, computer columnist of the San Jose Mercury News, has a PC Forum Weblog. Dan establishes conference sections on his Weblog. He wrote one for my Wireless Data University and the CTIA's Wireless 2002 in Orlando last week.

Doc Searls, who definitely is on the Weblog Cluetrain, is also using his journalistic talent to do a terrific job of covering the conference. Check out his first day and continue with his other postings.

Wireless blogging at WDU/Wireless 2002

I'm afraid I haven't updated this Wireless Blogging Weblog recently. I was in Orlando last week and my laptop didn't have the right files for accessing this Weblog. However, I definitely practiced what I've been preaching about the power of Weblogs and cellular. I used WiFi and Weblogs throughout the day-long Wireless Data University and the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association's Wireless 2002 conference and exposition.

I used WiFi to switch back and forth between my PowerPoint slides and appropriate Web sites. I also created a new -- very temporary -- Wireless 2002 Web site. And, I posted as an example some speaker notes on a Weblog to illustrate how the audience could look at notes while a presentation was occurring. Many speakers probably find this an awful prospect. But if you're a good and nimble speaker, you shouldn't fear the audience going onto the Web while you're speaking. If you're good, the audience will be checking out your company, your partners and other links you suggest.

If you're a crummy speaker, you're in trouble, though.

Instead of duplicating here what I already posted, check out my main wireless data Weblog for March 16, March 17, March 18 and March 20.

Wireless Internet in the news;
WiFi networks, consumer education, wireless OS

I've been in the news a fair number of times during the past several weeks, discussing -- what else? -- wireless data.

Wireless Week wrote an article on March 18 about "Free Community Nets Springing Up," which discusses the proliferation of free WiFi networks. I said neither of the commercial 802.11 network players nor the cellular industry is concerned about these networks affecting their revenues. I believe the community networks are great for evangelizing WiFi and for providing limited service to small groups. Traveling business people require a different type of service solution.

Wireless apps and education

Another Wireless Week article covered my three-hour morning tutorial during Wireless Data University (WDU), the day before the CTIA's Wireless 2002 conference and exposition. "Educating Consumers Key To Profitability" on March 25. I spend a lot of time trying to learn from successful and failed wireless data implementations in Europe, Asia and Latin America as well as in North America. I look at mainstream and more esoteric -- but interesting and/or fun and/or profitable -- applications.

During WDU I discussed some of the more interesting wireless applications that will generate significant revenues, such as sending and receiving digital photos, instant messaging for corporations and consumers, and streaming audio and video -- when employing the appropriate technology (including 802.11).

But these applications will fail if the U.S. wireless industry continues its typically miserable job of educating consumers. Customer education is key -- as the article points out -- to helping users understand how to effectively take advantage of wireless data applications. Not misleading the public about theoretical maximum data rates would help, too.

Wireless OS wars

The New York Times on March 25 ran "Sun Aims to Extend Its Lead" about the competition between Sun and Microsoft in the wireless environment. As I said in the article, based on the number of cellular phones with Java compared to phones with Microsoft's OS, Sun is way ahead.

The wireless industry doesn't want to be controlled by Microsoft. That's a major reason why Symbian's EPOC32 has gained adherents. In addition, the earlier versions of Microsoft operating systems for wireless were too big, too buggy and too power-intensive. Microsoft underestimated the difficulty of developing an OS for wireless and the hostility of the wireless industry.

Several players are jockeying for position on the "wireless desktop." Sun with Java and Microsoft with variations of Windows CE for phones and PDAs as well as Palm and Symbian EPOC32 are all in the arena. My guess is that Palm will fall by the wayside as a major OS player for wireless. EPOC32, which has been incorporated into several cellular phones, will probably play a less important role in the future.

The stars of both Java and Windows (whatever it's called for wireless and PDAs) are ascending.

The Borg

As I said in "U.S. Not Getting Wireless Message," an article in a special Telecom section in the San Francisco Chronicle on March 18, you should never write off Microsoft. This is especially true in the wireless space, which Microsoft has -- finally -- realized is important to its business. "They're the Borg, and they keep on coming," I said in the article.

Microsoft has a tremendous advantage in the business environment, obviously, compared to Symbian or Palm (though Palm is now placing greater emphasis on business solutions).

Henry Norr of the Chronicle did a nice job on that article. Norr has tested a variety of wireless devices and understands what's going on.

WDU/CTIA 2002 WiFi coverage:
Largest commercial system in the U.S.?

If you're one of the 40,000 people expected in Orlando next week for Wireless Data University or the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association's Wireless 2002 conference and exposition, be sure to bring your 802.11b card. WiFi network "aggregator" Boingo Wireless, in conjunction with the CTIA and other partners, will offer WiFi coverage throughout the Orange County (Orlando, Fla.) conference center.

More than 1 million square feet will be covered in the conference center with more than 800 access points. The largest conference implementation, I think, in the U.S. The CTIA believes (it's hedging its bets!) this is the largest commercial implementation of WiFi in the U.S. (Some huge corporations, such as Microsoft, have WiFi across their numerous buildings. But these are not "commercial" implementations.)

Special access, special pricing for WiFi

Unlike when using Boingo's existing nationwide WiFi system, in Orlando virtually any computer will be able to use the network. This includes computers with Windows 98, ME, 2000 and XP as well as Windows CE and Apple. You may use Boingo's installation shell/dialer program (download it from the Web site or get an even more updated version at the show on a CD) if you have a card that's compatible with Boingo's system.

If you don't have a compatible card or you use Windows CE or an Apple operating system, you can change your 802.11 card's SSID to "SmarTCitY" (it is case sensitive), launch your browser, and you should get into a "splash" page to sign up.

One-day access is $7.95. You can get three-day's access for the price of two: $15.90. If you sign up for three months of Boingo Pro service ($24.95 per month), you can purchase an Avaya Wireless Gold WiFi PC Card for $25, compared to a retail price of $125. You will also get four free days of service, so you can use WiFi during WDU and Wireless 2002, and it won't be credited against your ten sessions per month.

Wireless LAN Web section

I have posted lots of details about WiFi implementation on a new "Wireless LAN Resources" section on my main Web site. The section also includes a page about how conference speakers could use 802.11 to enhance their presentations.

Crummy speakers had better beware. If you're boring, you can expect the WiFi-enabled audience members to be merrily answering their e-mail, surfing the Web and sending instant messages cackling about how awful you are. Indeed, if there are bloggers in the audience, such as Doc Searls, Glenn Fleishmann, Dan Bricklin or Dan Gillmor, there's a very good chance they will be posting comments about you -- good or bad.

I know of at least one well known journalist and blogger who will be attending WDU, so I'd better do a good job during my tutorial and presentations!

A WiFi Test Bed

The WDU/CTIA will be a fascinating "test bed" for WiFi performance. It will also be fun to hear the comments by cellular industry leaders about 802.11. If you're going to Orlando you really should think about checking out the Boingo service. WiFi is going to be a big part of "wireless Internet," and if you're in the wireless industry, you've got to know about this.

(I'm not promoting this because I have a relationship with Boingo or its partners. I don't. I'm a partner in WDU, but I have no monetary arrangement with the WiFi implementation. I simply believe in the value of WiFi and think you're crazy if you're in the wireless business and don't test it.)

I'm going to discuss WiFi + cellular in detail during Wireless Data University as well as moderating a rountable discussion about WiFi at which Sky Dayton, the founder of Boingo, will participate.

Hope to see you there.

CTIA to offer unlimited WiFi access

during WDU, Wireless 2002 in Olando

The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) will offer 802.11b (WiFi) access throughout the entire Orlando convention center during Wireless Data University, March 17 and Wireless 2002, March 18 - 20.

WDU (a day-long tutorial with roundtable discussions; I'm a partner in this) will have more than 300 attendees. Wireless 2002 is the largest wireless conference and exhibition in the United States, with tens of thousands of attendees.

This will be the largest launch of WiFi at any U.S. conference -- unless any of you can tell me about a conference with more than, oh, 40,000 or so attendees. Yesterday I wrote about CeBIT's WiFi implementation in Germany, which is larger than the CTIA's.

Sky Dayton, founder of Earthlink and founder of the WiFi company Boingo Wireless, is sponsoring the WiFi access. Dayton, I believe, feels attendees should pay a modest amount -- to demonstrate that people will indeed pay for WiFi access.

I know the CTIA wanted to offer free WiFi access, but I also understand that Dayton is trying to build a nationwide WiFi business as an "aggregator" of WiFi networks across the United States. I agree. Reliable WiFi service is worth paying for.

Getting WiFi in Orlando

To access the WiFi service, WDU and Wireless 2002 attendees will have to use Boingo software. Software for Boingo's newly-launched commercial service has been available on Boingo's site for subscribers to the company's new commercial service. I assume you will not need any other "special" software for the WDU/CTIA events.

If you don't have a WiFi card, you may lease or buy equipment at the conference. There will be at least three booths or areas where you may get WiFi equipment (WiFi cards and PDAs) and advice. Mobile Planet will sell Microsoft PocketPCs. I hear there will be significant discounts.

WiFi cards -- I assume both PC Cards and Compact Flash Cards -- will be available for lease or purchase. Mobile Planet will sell Socket WiFi cards. Avaya will sell its own cards. Boingo Wireless also will have representatives at its booth or stand to help out.

My WiFi resources

WiFi is useful, and I'm going to do what I can to ensure the tutorial/conference attendees understand the value. I am going to establish a special section on my main Web site to provide information about WiFi for WDU and Wireless 2002 attendees. I'll probably have some articles posted by tomorrow.

Earlier this afternoon I e-mailed out a "special news alert" about WiFi at WDU/Wireless 2002 to subscribers of my free Reiter's Block e-mail commentaries. In addition, I'll e-mail a regular edition of Reiter's Block with additional information, such as recommendations for speakers.

Also, I have Radio 8.X Weblogs, including one about the integration of wireless and blogging and one about the CTIA Wireless 2002. I will be using WiFi to update my Weblogs and illustrate the value of wireless Weblogs.

Moreover, I will be discussing many aspects of WiFi during my three-hour tutorial at Wireless Data University and during a one-hour roundtable discussion about WiFi. As I've written here previously, Sky Dayton will be one of the panelists on the WiFi roundtable.

Looking up

The wireless industry, especially the wireless data industry, has had some tough times. The economy is to blame for some of the problems. But the industry brought many of the problems upon itself by misleading the public about the implementation schedules, speeds and capabilities of wireless data/wireless Internet. But things truly are looking up for wireless data.

WiFi implementation at WDU and Wireless 2002 is very good news. The movers and shakers of the wireless and wireless data industry will be attending these events. Assuming the service works well -- and this is very much a work-in-progress so there could be problems -- tens of thousands of attendees will have the opportunity to use and learn about 802.11.

Wireless blogging from SXSW

I never heard of the SXSW (South by Southwest) conferences which deal with film, music and interactive stuff. SXSW 2002 is going on now in Austin and I was alerted by Dave Winer's Weblog today that several people at the conference are using WiFi to update their Weblogs. Apparently, at least one person, Cory Doctorow, a science fiction writer and boingboing blogger, plugged in an extra WiFi access point and attendees can get onto the Internet.

This indeed shows the power of WiFi. You don't need to build a cellular network or roll in a relatively expensive portable cell site or pay per minute or per packet. You just find an Internet connection, plug in a computer with an access point and you've got wireless connectivity. (Yes, obviously, someone has to pay for the Internet connection.) In addition to Cory, the WiFi bloggers appear to be Doc Searls and Dori Smith of the Backup Brain (I love that name!) Weblog.

Another one: Wesley Felter of the Hack the Planet Weblog also is using the homegrown WiFi solution to blog SXSW to say how boring the presentations are.

Conference speakers beware! WiFi (and 2.5G cellular if the pricing and speeds are good enough) will be your undoing if you're boring and the audience turns to the Web and ignores you. It's already happening, as you see.

Wireless blogging in Austin

Dave Winer points to Robert Occhialini's Radio Bump Weblog where he is in Starbucks using WiFi via MobileStar to update his Weblog. Robert says MobileStar is a bit expensive, but he'd rather have MobileStar thrive than go out of business. Well, since VoiceStream has purchased MobileStar, let's hope VoiceStream can figure out the right business model for a nationwide WiFi network.

Neither VoiceStream, nor its owner, T-Mobile based in Germany, nor MobileStar, has publicized the purchase. That's worth an entry another time, but in the meantime see Glenn Fleishman's 802.11b Networking News item which points to Bob Liu writing about the new branding for T-Mobile/VoiceStream/MobileStar.

There might lots of blogging via WiFi in Orlando during the CTIA's Wireless 2002 show. More details, I hope, next week.

SMS blogging

I thought I linked to these sites but, apparently, not on this Weblog. For bloggers using SMS to post entries, check out Steve Hooker's Radio Weblog and Dave Davies' Radio Weblog.

Got $50,000? Sponsor WiFi at Wireless 2002

The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) is working hard to get 802.11 coverage throughout the Orange County Convention Center for Wireless 2002, March 18 - 20 in Orlando. It has been strongly encouraging, so to speak, the convention center to improve its WiFi coverage.

It looks as if Wireless 2002 attendees and exhibitors could get extensive coverage. True "wireless Internet."

But to enable everyone to get free access the CTIA needs a sponsor for $50,000. The convention center WiFi operator is unable to bill attendees individually!

The CTIA expects 40,000 attendees expected and more than 1,000 exhibitors at Wireless 2002.

If you manufacture WiFi cards, for example, the CTIA will let you sell or lease cards (or give them away, if you like) with a free stand outside of the exhibit hall. You'll get plenty of publicity and signs from the CTIA.

As I've written previously in "Wireless Blogging," (among other places), I believe wireless Internet access will change -- for the better -- the way public conferences and corporate meetings are operated.

I don't get anything from publicizing this for the CTIA, except the satisfaction of encouraging the use of WiFi.

If you are interested in sponsoring WiFi coverage, contact Robert Mesirow, the vice president of conferences and business development at the CTIA. His e-mail address is rmesirow@ctia.org.

Dan Bricklin's photo Weblog

Dan Bricklin, co-developer of the Apple killer app, VisiCalc, is posting photos of the Demo conference. He notes that Cisco is providing free WiFi cards. I don't know if he's posting the photos via WiFi, but WiFi speeds + Weblog software certainly make this easy and practical.

The future of conferences and corporate meetings is right in front of your eye.

VoiceStream purchases MobileStar

Glenn Fleishman of 802.11b Networking News fame got the scoop here. VoiceStream has purchased MobileStar and is "welcoming" existing MobileStar customers.

Now we have VoiceStream with MobileStar going head-to-head against Sky Dayton's 802.11 "aggregator" company, Boingo Wireless.

The cellular industry has entered WiFi space, and I'm getting very involved in this concept. I just sent out a news alert to Reiter's Block subscribers.

Dan Gillmor's wireless blogging Demo

Dan Gillmor, the well-known San Jose Mercury News computer columnist and Weblogger, has set up a special section for using WiFi for updates about the Demo conference he's attending. Yesterday I mentioned Dan hoped to do this.

There appears to be a fair number of wireless demonstrations at Demo. Dan writes that Sky Dayton is discussing Boingo Wireless' WiFi venture. (I'm almost finished with an analysis of Boingo's business model, which I'll e-mail to my Reiter's Block e-mail subscribers.) Embrace Networks is demonstrating placing Web servers on different devices and connecting wirelessly, Dan says.

Sprint is demonstrating a voice recognition/voice synthesis product from its "labs": E-Sandy, is a voice "assistant" that Dan says is similar to Wildfire, but more sophisticated. Dan says he hates the artificial voice.

The power of wireless + Weblogs

As I have written -- and will continue to write -- wireless + Weblogs create a powerful combination. I am bringing that message to the wireless industry.

WiFi is preferred because of the high speed and relatively low (or free) cost. But the launch of next generation cellular systems (GSM GPRS and CDMA 1xRTT) will enable users to, finally, get close to landline dialup speeds, perhaps even faster.

Wireless + Weblogs have tremendous implications for conferences, corporate meetings, journalism and information distribution in general.

Dave Gillmor hoping to "wireless blog" at Demo

San Jose Mercury News columnist Dave Gillmor, one of the country's premier computer columnists who also writes a great Weblog (redesigned a couple of days ago), is going to the Demo conference in Phoenix this week. Gillmor writes today that there will be a wireless network (WiFi, I assume) at Demo and he expects to update his Weblog.

In the not-too-distant-future, I believe attendees at conferences -- certainly at high-tech events -- will demand WiFi access in the meeting rooms and exhibit halls. I think attendees will consider conferences that don't have at least some areas with 802.11 coverage as being rather primitive. Personally, I think that is the right attitude!

As I have previously written (blogged), the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association will have at least some WiFi coverage during its big Wireless 2002 annual conference and exposition at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando in March.

Link for Dvorak's "Blog Phenomenon" column

PC Magazine has posted John C. Dvorak's column about Weblogs, which I summarized on Saturday.

Wireless Week publishes wireless blogging column

Wireless Week, which is arguably the best U.S. weekly publication for the wireless industry, has published a column about the value of wireless blogging. Not coincidentally <g>, I suggested the idea to Brad Smith, the IP/data editor who wrote the column for the "Wireless Internet Magazine" section within Wireless Week. I emphasized the value of wireless for quickly updating Webogs, the ease of establishing a Weblog and the value of Weblogs for conferences and corporations.

I also pointed Brad to a variety of useful Weblogs that have used wireless for updates. The Wireless Week article mentions Dave Winer, Glenn Fleishman, Doc Searls and Craig Burton using wireless for updating their Weblogs because, well, I told the reporter about them.

I indeed believe the combination of wireless + Weblogs is powerful and valuable, and I intend to promote the concept as part of my wireless Internet consulting. I just added a box on far right column of the home page of my main Wireless Internet & Mobile Computing Web site to promote wireless weblogs.

I am going to publish an article about wireless blogging in an upcoming issue of Reiter's Block, my free weekly e-mail commentaries. In addition, I'm have been promoting the idea to the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA), which will offer WiFi access during its huge Wireless 2002 conference and exposition in mid-March at the Orange County Convention Center. There are some technical/logistical problems with offering WiFi throughout the conference center -- through no fault of the CTIA's -- but there will be some access.

Wireless 2002 -- which is the largest wireless show in the U.S. -- is a great place to demonstrate the value of wireless + Weblogs.

During Wireless 2002 I'd like to demonstrate in real-time how use wireless to update a Weblog. I'm doing a day-long workshop, Wireless Data University, which includes an afternoon roundtable discussion about wireless LANs and PANs. That would be a great time to show wireless blogging in action but, alas, I don't think there will be WiFi access in the meeting rooms.

WiFi Weblog king blogs WiFi conference

Glenn Fleishman, the major domo of "802.11b Networking News," a must-read Weblog for me as a wireless Internet consultant, blogged his way via WiFi in Seattle's Seatac airport on his way to the 802.11 Planet conference in Santa Clara during the last week in November. He reported on the first and second day of this interesting and worthwhile event.

He and I both participated at that conference. There was WiFi coverage in the exhibit halls and, I think, in some public areas, but not in the main session room. The conference organizers, internet.com, are planning a three-day 802.11 Planet Conference and Expo in Philadelphia, June 10 - 12. It looks like I'll be participating in two sessions.