1src Forums - Panera & WiFi

02-28-2004, 06:56 PM	#1
joejoe Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 424	Panera & WiFi 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. Last edited by joejoe : 02-28-2004 at 06:59 PM.

02-28-2004, 07:26 PM	#2
Ptah Tales of the Future Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dutchieland Posts: 250	Not that it really matters....what's 'Panera'? __________________ Ptah

02-28-2004, 07:36 PM

footy

Member

Join Date: Feb 2004

Posts: 32

Quote:

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!

02-28-2004, 07:58 PM	#4
Ptah Tales of the Future Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dutchieland Posts: 250	Okay thx __________________ Ptah

02-28-2004, 08:37 PM	#5
jhintonh Eradicating Mental Myopia Silver Contributor Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Corner of Walk/Don't Walk Posts: 516	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 __________________ *"What can be conceived...can be achieved"* My PDA Timeline: Casio Digital Diary\|Royal DaVinci\|Palm Vx\|Handspring Visor Deluxe\|Handspring Edge\|CLIE360\|Palm m500\|CLIE n610c\|CLIE NR70\|HP Jornada 720\|CLIE NR70v\|Dell Axim\|CLIE TH55\|PalmOne T3\|CLIE TH55\|Tapwave Zodiac2\|Fossil Abacus...

02-29-2004, 07:09 AM	#6
JOHNGAETANO Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: OHIO Posts: 112	Here in Canton, Ohio we have two Panera Bread's and ZERO WiFi.

02-29-2004, 09:52 AM	#7
SibesRule Guest Posts: n/a	At Panera right now, DH laptop works great. TH55 doesn't work. Chocolate croissant is outstanding.

02-29-2004, 10:03 AM

SibesRule

Guest

Posts: n/a

Quote:

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.

02-29-2004, 11:14 AM	#9
jumpyg Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: D-Town Posts: 557	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! __________________ I just neutered the cat. Now he's a liberal.

02-29-2004, 11:32 AM

#10

joejoe

Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2003

Posts: 424 joejoe is on a distinguished road

Quote:

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?

Last edited by joejoe : 02-29-2004 at 11:52 AM.

02-29-2004, 11:49 AM	#11
UZI4U182 NX70v+WiFi user Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: York County, PA Posts: 506	Anyone tried this with an NX70v? __________________ Devan \| UZI4U182@suscom.net

02-29-2004, 12:26 PM

#12

Unregistered

Guest

Posts: n/a

Quote:

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

02-29-2004, 12:27 PM	#13
SibesRule Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Houston, Texas US of A Posts: 16	Above post is mine, forgot to log in. <bangs head on monitor> DOH!

02-29-2004, 12:32 PM	#14
UZI4U182 NX70v+WiFi user Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: York County, PA Posts: 506	Freakin figures, the Panera bread in my area isn't wifi enabled. Hell if I'm going the whole way to harrisburg for it! __________________ Devan \| UZI4U182@suscom.net

02-29-2004, 12:35 PM	#15
johnnyringo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 45	SibesRule- try the "french toast" bagel. seriously. awesome. that said, what did tech support tell you to do? what was the problem?