By now you’ve worked what the Internet’s for and you might use it everyday. You probably know that people love to use it. In fact, people are obsessed with it.
But what is it?!
BBC Webwise have written another really simple Webwise guide about just this. You can read it here.
Our friends over at PolkaSpots Web have very kindly redesigned our Wi-Fi Hotspot login screens.
You’ll notice there’s also an access code version available too. We’ll tell you more about this later.
Public Wi-Fi Hotspot Captive Portal – Registration Method
Public Wi-Fi Hotspot Captive Portal – Password Method
It only takes 60 seconds to set up your Public Wi-Fi Hotspot. All you need to do is plug it into a broadband Internet connection. But which Internet Service Provider (ISP) should you choose?
Don’t be fooled into only using a big provider, like BT. There are dozens of companies out there and sometimes it’s best to use the smaller ones.
The BBC have put a really simple guide together. You can read this here…
The BBC have started a website called ‘Webwise’ that explains the digital world in clear and simple language.
Setting up a Public Wi-Fi Hotspot is child’s play but do you understand how the Internet actually works? Click here to read the BBC’s full article…
During WW1 the American government made it illegal to operate a Wireless radio without authorisation.
Thankfully, these restrictions have now been removed. But if you’re operating a Wireless Internet Hotspot you still need to comply with a few rules.
If anyone shares anything illegal using your broadband connection, you now have to prove it wasn’t you. Here’s what you have to do:
Or, buy a Public Wi-Fi Hotspot box and we’ll do it all for you 
(Oh, thanks to Cory Doctor via Boing Boing and Andrew Medley for Take Down Your Wireless via Submitterator)
No idea what a Wi-Fi Hotspot is? Want to know how to choose a service provider?
We’ve got some good news! PolkaSpots Supafly Wi-Fi has just launched a totally free, 10 part guide delivered by email, that will help you understand it all. Written in a non-technical format for the dummies out there.
Head on over to their site and sign-up for free. You can do this here.
78.4% of the PolkaSpots Supafly support calls from Wi-Fi Hotspot owners were related to problems caused by staff. And not the end user.
The majority of these calls were because a someone had been fiddling with the Wi-Fi equipment, disconnected it and then not understood how to reconnect things. The rest of the issues were mainly caused by staff unplugging things to charge their mobile phones.
This wastes everyone’s time and makes your customers upset because the Wi-Fi’s down.
Try hiding the equipment away or putting some stickers on the sockets.
Fact – installing a Wi-Fi Hotspot is a great way to attract customers. But sometimes a few of your less considerate Wi-Fi Hotspotters will get carried away and download too much, sit around too long, not buy any drinks and use your electricity. On top of this, they’re adding to the general wear and tear of your place.
Get Tough
If they’re sitting around all day using your tables, kick them out! Don’t be scared of losing them – if they’re not buying anything they’re not a customer.
Get Smart
Ever thought about turning your Wi-Fi boxes off at busy times. Or, you could stop giving out the password / Internet Vouchers during these periods.
Get fined
Please don’t! Make sure you’re blocking your customers from illegally downloading files, movies, illicit pornography and music.
Get charged
More customers can mean too many downloads. When you’re picking a broadband provider, make sure you get an unlimited service. And check that unlimited actually means unlimited.
Get clever
Ok, so it’s cheap to install it yourself these days but it’s not that much more to do it properly. There are loads of different providers (like us) out there who’ll sell you a Wi-Fi router, some content filtering, an internet connection and ways to stop abuse.
Happy shopping!
Your Public Wi-Fi Hotspot box has arrived in the post and you’re about to plug it in. But where’s the best place to install it?!
For one, don’t hide it in the basement away from your customers – it needs to be as close to them as possible. Try and install it in the middle.
If your broadband isn’t installed in a convenient place, buy some ‘ethernet’ cable and position the Public Wi-Fi Hotspot box in a central location. Your modem should always be near the master socket. Never connect it to an extension lead, you will suffer terrible broadband speeds.
You should keep your Wi-Fi equipment away from:
Follow the above rules to get the most out of your Wi-Fi connection…
SmartWi-Fi – helping you get the most out of your Wi-Fi.
