http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/15/placesite-connects-visitors-to-wifi-hotspots/ Engadget Comments for PlaceSite connects visitors to WiFi hotspots http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/15/placesite-connects-visitors-to-wifi-hotspots/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/15/placesite-connects-visitors-to-wifi-hotspots/Dec 19th 2005 1:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/15/placesite-connects-visitors-to-wifi-hotspots/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/15/placesite-connects-visitors-to-wifi-hotspots/
So after you break the ice with some cleverly thought-out opening IM what do you do next? Exchange uncomfortable smiles at each other from across the room as you type? Or just act like the other persons not even there? I think my social skills dropped a few notches just from reading this article.
]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/15/placesite-connects-visitors-to-wifi-hotspots/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/15/placesite-connects-visitors-to-wifi-hotspots/
My wife would be most displeased :)

Seriously, this is another example of technology without a compelling social need. This will die a fairly quick death.

Carmi
http://writteninc.blogspot.com]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/15/placesite-connects-visitors-to-wifi-hotspots/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/15/placesite-connects-visitors-to-wifi-hotspots/
I completely disagree. Most people hide behind something [clothing style, social character/attitude, etc.] when they communicate. This is just another abstraction of self, and in my opinion, a fascinating one. It is here to stay and evolve.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/15/placesite-connects-visitors-to-wifi-hotspots/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/15/placesite-connects-visitors-to-wifi-hotspots/
Before you dismiss this as "technology without a compelling social need," read up about the project if you haven't, particulary it's aim to combat the "Zombie Effect:"

http://www.sims.berkeley.edu/~savage/ps/key-concepts.html#zombie

I've noticed this "Zombie Effect" transpire at my favorite cafe as well. Once lively with conversation, now it's mostly patronized by people with Laptops and headphones. And silence. Myself included. Anything that can inject some community aspect back into the cafe environment, be it technology based or not, is great in my opinion.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/15/placesite-connects-visitors-to-wifi-hotspots/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/15/placesite-connects-visitors-to-wifi-hotspots/Dec 19th 2005 1:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/15/placesite-connects-visitors-to-wifi-hotspots/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/15/placesite-connects-visitors-to-wifi-hotspots/Dec 19th 2005 1:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/03/15/placesite-connects-visitors-to-wifi-hotspots/http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/15/placesite-connects-visitors-to-wifi-hotspots/Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM