Panera & WiFi

[joejoe]

I was in Panera today trying out the WiFi feature of the TH55. Understand that I don't have a WiFi network at home (yet...) so I wanted to see if it worked & how.

Apparently Panera has an "issue" with WiFi & NetFront 3.1. A call to them showed two things: 1) they definitely knew about the TH55 (pretty astonishing!); 2) they were able to "enable" it "on the spot" extremely fast (even more astonishing!!).

Bottom line: it worked & seamlessly (after a call to them), following the pre-packaged instuctions. Prior to the call, it was terribly frustrating. So, if you don't get a connection, ask for the info brochure & call - they will enable the site for NetFront 3.1.

I also tried this feature out in a public library in my community & it worked beautifully. And just as easily.

What blows me away, however, is its phenomenal battery life. Mon Dieu, even my T615 when it was new didn't last this long.

This is one heck of a PDA. :)

[Ptah]

Not that it really matters....what's 'Panera'?

[footy]

Originally posted by Ptah
Not that it really matters....what's 'Panera'?

A bread and sandwich shop in the States that has free Wi-Fi at select locations. Not at my local one though!

[Ptah]

Okay thx

[jhintonh]

Good Evening-

:)

Thanks fo the tip on Panera. I regularly take lunch there and have been frustrated at not being able to connect with my new toy...er, tool (THe55).

Next time I am in the place I will be sure to make that call.

-Jhintonh

[JOHNGAETANO]

Here in Canton, Ohio we have two Panera Bread's and ZERO WiFi. :(

[SibesRule]

At Panera right now, DH laptop works great. TH55 doesn't work. Chocolate croissant is outstanding.

[SibesRule]

Originally posted by SibesRule
At Panera right now, DH laptop works great. TH55 doesn't work. Chocolate croissant is outstanding. Called tech support and everything works now! ;) Posting fromTH55.

[jumpyg]

Glad to hear that Panera WiFi works.

Anybody tried it in McDonald's? I know they have introduced WiFi in some cities. If they roll it out to all of their locations, we'll never be far from a net connection!

[joejoe]

Originally posted by Ptah
Not that it really matters....what's 'Panera'?

Since someone already answered that question, I'll add that I read a super article on WiFi somewhere on ComputerWorld online. It said that *free* WiFi was fantastic for business & that Panera's investment in free WiFi for ~130 of its 600 cafes has paid off in spades. In fact, the CEO didn't even want to quantify its value asking instead, "What's the ROI on a bathroom?";)

It seemed obvious to the author of the article that free WiFi was going to eventually be the rule rather than the exception.

Meanwhile, I have a question about security. If you log on to a site which requires a password (from a forum like this one to a bank site) from a public locaton (Panera, library, etc.), how secure is your password & other info from snooping by other WiFi users? I noted that you, SibesRule, logged into ClieSource at Panera, so perhaps you know.

BTW, have you tried the Asiago bagels? ;)

[UZI4U182]

Anyone tried this with an NX70v?

[Unregistered]

Originally posted by joejoe

Meanwhile, I have a question about security. If you log on to a site which requires a password (from a forum like this one to a bank site) from a public locaton (Panera, library, etc.), how secure is your password & other info from snooping by other WiFi users? I noted that you, SibesRule, logged into ClieSource at Panera, so perhaps you know.

BTW, have you tried the Asiago bagels? ;)

Re: bagels. No, I haven't tried them yet. This morning was my first trip ever to Paneras. I will be going back again. :) Tech support call took 1 minute 45 seconds before my issue was resolved. I am very impressed with them. Croissant and hot chocolate very good. Thinking this week I will try them for lunch.

Taken from theWiFi brochure FAQ regarding security...

Panera WiFi access is as secure as a open public access network like public telephones and dial up Internet accounts. It is always a good idea to make sure you ae on a SSL-encrypted web page prior to sending or receiving confidential data.

When you intially access our network, you are presented with an Acceptable Use policy. Please make sure you understand the terms and conditions of usage prior to acessing our network.

Website for a list of WiFi Paneras is www.panerabread.com/wifi

[SibesRule]

Above post is mine, forgot to log in. <bangs head on monitor>

DOH!

[UZI4U182]

Freakin figures, the Panera bread in my area isn't wifi enabled. Hell if I'm going the whole way to harrisburg for it!

[johnnyringo]

SibesRule- try the "french toast" bagel. seriously. awesome.

that said, what did tech support tell you to do? what was the problem?

[sdkat2]

All of the Panera's in Jacksonville, FL are WiFi enabled. I guess I'll be going out for breakfast and lunch more often. :D

[SibesRule]

Originally posted by johnnyringo
SibesRule- try the "french toast" bagel. seriously. awesome.

that said, what did tech support tell you to do? what was the problem?

I called, was connected to techin less than 30 seconds. Craig answered, ask what location I was calling from, aked if I was using laptop or PDA. When I said PDA he automatically said, "NetFront , hold on." I was on hold another 30 seconds, he came back and said to try to connect again. Voila! :) I don't know exactly what he did but he did seem aware of the exact problem when I said PDA. I never changed a setting on the PDA other than making the Panera connection.

Two things that seemed weird. I connected to the netwok with just changing the SSID setting to Panera. I couldn't browse. I was getting a connection TCP error. Also, I never got to the screen where I was suppsoed to accept their AUP. However, in the end everything went great and had an enjoyable morning. I just wish RoadRunner tech support was so good!

Tech support number for Panera is 1-866-943-4457.

[joejoe]

I got the same error, the same speedy service & knowledgeable help from Panera, & the same results. Like you, there was no AUP.

My question about security didn't have to do with logging in to sites but rather the other people in Panera possibly be able to access what I entered since it was all the same network. Do you know?

[jacksonian]

I hope they log the searches for WiFi locations on their website. The Panera 5 minutes from me isn't WiFi yet, but the one in the next town is. Hopefully they log the zip code you put in to search so they'll monitor interest.

[peterb123]

I just posted this in the UX section, but I'm sure it will help ya'll as well. You just have to adapt it for your unit. The important thing is going to the site link below first and then allowing the pages to finish loading and select the proper links.

Pasted:

Ok, I couldn't stand not knowing for sure, so I just drove back to Panera and did it.

SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are the super simple instructions:

1. In Preferences in Network, scan for WiFi access points
2. When Panera appears select it
3. DO NOT 'Connect' now
4. Launch NetFront
5. DO NOT 'Connect' now
6. Input the address: www.qgo.biz/panera/index.cfm
7. Now 'Connect'
8. Wait for the page to FINISH loading and click on the 'Go Online' icon
9. Wait for the next page to FINISH loading and click on 'Agree' icon.
10. Wait for the success page to load, and then surf away.

I repeat that I myself just went to the Panera parking lot and went through this procedure and jumped onto the net to check weather and movie times (both current and refreshed) and check my email.

If I had thought about it, I would have posted this message while I was there, but I needed to get back to work.