QUOTE(John Haughey @ Sun newspapers)
ENGLEWOOD -- Less than two weeks after public restrooms opened off West Dearborn Street, the entire downtown area will have free wireless access to the Internet.
Related? Nope.
But the sequence shows that when it comes to plugging into a network, progress truly is exponential.
At least that's what the engineers and architects at Giler Urban Design hope.
Ironically, it was their search for space that led to downtown's complimentary connection to the World Wide Web, starting Feb. 9.
With space options limited, Giler opted last fall to upgrade its computer systems in its downtown offices -- a main office at 353 West Dearborn, and another across the street in Banyon Court at 370 West Dearborn.
It was then, Chris Giler said, they realized the bandwidth for the upgrade was enough for a local area network capable of providing free Internet access for any computer with a wireless modem up to a mile away.
"We were doing it just to get across the street," Chris said. "It kind of just fell into our lap."
Undoubtedly, he said, it will "take some tweaking" to iron out problems.
However, Chris added, it should provide unlimited wireless Internet access for those within a mile of Giler's downtown office.
Giler Urban Design President Aldrin Giler said as the area grows and more people live within the mile radius, the system will need to upgrade and add bandwidth.
At that point, he said, Giler will seek sponsors, particularly in the banking and real estate industries, to keep the network up.
"That won't be necessary anytime in the near future," Aldrin said.
"I don't think we will see 1,000 to 2,000 users at the same time" anytime soon, Chris said.
Aldrin's wife, Janice, said the firm didn't hesitate once it realized it would have the capacity for a wireless network.
"Basically, we started this up because we really believe in downtown Englewood," she said.
As engineers and architects, Janice said, they work on many area projects and recognize how frustrating it can be waiting to see progress.
This, she said, was one way for Giler to prod things along while promoting area businesses and attractions.
"We had the capability and the know-how," Janice said. "We want this area to thrive."
Right now, wireless access is available at three downtown businesses -- the Blue Pagoda, American Pie and Village Gifts & Gallery's Roasters Coffee Bar.
Cory Coxey at American Pie was enthused because, unlike his workplace, Giler's network may extend to his home.
"It might work -- that would be cool," he said. "I'm surprised they are doing it."
Shelly Stout at Village Gifts & Gallery said her business offers wireless access -- or WiFi -- through a Verizon router.
Customers "love that," she said. "We have quite a few WiFiers here."
A free, wireless network would be "a welcomed asset for the street," Stout said. "I think it's a great idea."
Such as system would also offer advantages to business owners, she said. "I go around the store taking inventory and send it right off," she said.
The key, Stout said, is ensuring "easy access" without requiring security codes to get online.
"If it works well for our customers, we'll probably discontinue" the Verizon service, Stout said.
Tony Hollinger at The Emporium said he's considered offering WiFi for a year.
"This will be sensation for businesses (and), for tourists and snowbirds who don't have an Internet connection down here," he said. "Just yesterday, there was a guy here asking, 'Where's the Internet cafe?' I sent him over to (Village Gifts & Gallery). Now he can stay here."
Giler's innovation will help provide the 21st century "info-structure" many downtown residents and businesses need.
But even free wireless Internet access won't help Don Baker. His problem dates back to the dawn of man.
"My wife was big into computers," Baker said as he finished a plate of crab legs at the Cafe on Dearborn. "Then she flew the coop and took the laptop and the dog with her."
Related? Nope.
But the sequence shows that when it comes to plugging into a network, progress truly is exponential.
At least that's what the engineers and architects at Giler Urban Design hope.
Ironically, it was their search for space that led to downtown's complimentary connection to the World Wide Web, starting Feb. 9.
With space options limited, Giler opted last fall to upgrade its computer systems in its downtown offices -- a main office at 353 West Dearborn, and another across the street in Banyon Court at 370 West Dearborn.
It was then, Chris Giler said, they realized the bandwidth for the upgrade was enough for a local area network capable of providing free Internet access for any computer with a wireless modem up to a mile away.
"We were doing it just to get across the street," Chris said. "It kind of just fell into our lap."
Undoubtedly, he said, it will "take some tweaking" to iron out problems.
However, Chris added, it should provide unlimited wireless Internet access for those within a mile of Giler's downtown office.
Giler Urban Design President Aldrin Giler said as the area grows and more people live within the mile radius, the system will need to upgrade and add bandwidth.
At that point, he said, Giler will seek sponsors, particularly in the banking and real estate industries, to keep the network up.
"That won't be necessary anytime in the near future," Aldrin said.
"I don't think we will see 1,000 to 2,000 users at the same time" anytime soon, Chris said.
Aldrin's wife, Janice, said the firm didn't hesitate once it realized it would have the capacity for a wireless network.
"Basically, we started this up because we really believe in downtown Englewood," she said.
As engineers and architects, Janice said, they work on many area projects and recognize how frustrating it can be waiting to see progress.
This, she said, was one way for Giler to prod things along while promoting area businesses and attractions.
"We had the capability and the know-how," Janice said. "We want this area to thrive."
Right now, wireless access is available at three downtown businesses -- the Blue Pagoda, American Pie and Village Gifts & Gallery's Roasters Coffee Bar.
Cory Coxey at American Pie was enthused because, unlike his workplace, Giler's network may extend to his home.
"It might work -- that would be cool," he said. "I'm surprised they are doing it."
Shelly Stout at Village Gifts & Gallery said her business offers wireless access -- or WiFi -- through a Verizon router.
Customers "love that," she said. "We have quite a few WiFiers here."
A free, wireless network would be "a welcomed asset for the street," Stout said. "I think it's a great idea."
Such as system would also offer advantages to business owners, she said. "I go around the store taking inventory and send it right off," she said.
The key, Stout said, is ensuring "easy access" without requiring security codes to get online.
"If it works well for our customers, we'll probably discontinue" the Verizon service, Stout said.
Tony Hollinger at The Emporium said he's considered offering WiFi for a year.
"This will be sensation for businesses (and), for tourists and snowbirds who don't have an Internet connection down here," he said. "Just yesterday, there was a guy here asking, 'Where's the Internet cafe?' I sent him over to (Village Gifts & Gallery). Now he can stay here."
Giler's innovation will help provide the 21st century "info-structure" many downtown residents and businesses need.
But even free wireless Internet access won't help Don Baker. His problem dates back to the dawn of man.
"My wife was big into computers," Baker said as he finished a plate of crab legs at the Cafe on Dearborn. "Then she flew the coop and took the laptop and the dog with her."