The Importance of the Inukshuk

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What the Heck is a Hotspot and Why Should I be concerned? Well, for starters, this enables consumers to browse the Web more readily than just after dinner or between the hourly boss checks in your cube. Hotspot Definition: A high-speed Wi-Fi wireless Internet access in public locations. Look ma! No wires! One can find these in airports, Starbucks coffeehouses, Borders Books & Music stores, and American Airlines Admirals Clubs. We really enjoy the one at the Admiral's club. There are at least 46 hotspots in Raleigh alone. Users pay either an hourly, daily or monthly fee to access Wi-Fi networks. Services are provided by companies such as Boingo, Joltage, and T-Mobile, and using either a laptop or PDA that is Wi-Fi 802.11b wirelessly-enabled, one can download email attachments, watch a live webcast, or listen to streaming audio. This is just another reason you need your business under the noses of your prospects. The Yankee Group forecasts 72,480 hotspots in the U.S. by 2007 — doubling 2005's estimate. Local governments are expected to drive the growth to more than 12,000 hotspots by the end of 2003, as access points are implemented in public areas such as libraries, parks, main streets and schools. Dataquest Inc., a unit of Gartner, Inc., indicating that the majority of worldwide hotspots will be located in retail outlets (50,287) and hotels (11,687) by the end of 2003. Community hotspots are expected to grow from 5,637 in 2003 to 30,659 by 2005. Additionally, Wheat Wireless Services said that it hopes to bring wireless access to the U.S. coastline so that sailors can also be surfers. At this rate, by 2004, public Wi-Fi connectivity in cities may be as common as cell phone connectivity is today. Wondering what those obscure symbols are to the right? Influenced by Hobo symbols of yesteryear, they're inscribed around local establishments to let one know the area is a hotspot. I have seen decals on doors of establishments that also indicate the same. So, with this information in mind, one can see the cost of not being Web enabled and at the forefront of your competitors. Your information can be deployed not only as a Web site, but also to PDAs and phones. Pull yourself out under deliberation, and seek our counsel. You can't afford not to.

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