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Star-News, Wilmington, N.C., Bonnie Eksten column(Star-News (Wilmington, NC) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Feb. 17--I have a confession to make -- I don't know much about internal combustion engines. I have no idea what a manifold does and really am not sure why I need a PCV valve (positive crankcase ventilation valve) -- but I can drive a car. I insert the key, select the gear, hit the gas pedal and go. In my universe, that translates to operating a whole variety of tech gadgets as long as, (a) I don't have to explain how they work, and (b) I never have to fix one that is on the fritz. For instance, I didn't know what the acronym PCV meant until I Googled it. Like many of you, I use Google several times a day -- and I only have the vaguest idea of how it works. I believe it's magic. You and I have the world in our grasp because we are lucky enough to live in a time when technology magic moves at warp speed. And if you thought the first wave of hi-tech was mind blowing, and were somewhat impressed with each subsequent new wave (arriving before you fully comprehended the last one), hang on to your hat, because you ain't seen nothing yet. It's only going to get more magical. Last week, a reader wrote and asked when or if Wilmington would get "muni-wireless" -- which he described as a free-based program versus a fee-based program. If you think, though, that it would mean free Internet for all, you'd be wrong. There is no free lunch. Some cities, such as Seattle, provide wireless service (known as Wi-Fi) in their business districts and are expanding it to residents. While Seattle is now operating under a grant, someone eventually will have to pay for the service -- and since municipalities can only raise money by raising taxes, residents will end up paying at least part of the wireless bill in some form or another. Some cities, such as Granbury, Texas, provide muni-wireless for the entire town of nearly 6,000. It's not free, though. It costs subscribers about $20 a month paid to the Internet provider. Here's how it works, simply put -- residents of a town that provides "muni-wireless" can use their computers and laptops pretty much anywhere --they aren't tethered to their desks because they don't need a wire. I talked with Tony Tull, information technology director for the town of Granbury. Situated on the banks of the Brazos River, this small Texas town, about 35 miles from Fort Worth, is popular with tourists. And while the town is small, the surrounding area has more than 45,000 residents. Granbury, which didn't have an IT department three years ago, has taken a giant leap into the future. Tull said he wanted to expand police and fire personnel's ability to use their computers away from their offices. This would keep police on the roads, able to fight crime, and not force them back to their offices throughout the day. In order to provide the service, he partnered with the town's Internet service provider and before you knew it, the whole town was wired (less). Tull said the town pays about $60,000 per year for five years under the new contract. The town saved $72,000 in police overtime in the first eight months of service. Granbury residents who want the wireless service, contract with the Internet provider directly -- and not with the town -- at a savings. Visitors, especially tourists, can buy service by the hour, day or by the week. While Tull thinks his town's solution is just right, he isn't convinced that muni-wireless would work as well in large cities like Philadelphia and Corpus Christi, Texas, for example, two towns he has been in contact with as they contemplate going wireless. We've just scratched the surface -- and there will be plenty more to talk about as we go through the year and this topic will continue to get interesting. Beam me up, Scottie. Bonnie Eksten is the Star-News business editor. She can be reached at 343-2329, or by e-mail, [email protected]. |