End of Silence

Intel has released their third annual “Most Unwired Cities” survey and the Austin-San Marcos, Tex. area ranks number three behind Seattle-Bellevue-Everett-Tacoma and San Francisco-San Jose-Oakland.

Here’s how they arrived at the results:

Survey findings are based on the number of commercial and public or “free” wireless Internet access points (hotspots), airports with wireless Internet access, and broadband availability. The survey also included community wireless Internet access points, local wireless networks and wireless e-mail devices. The metro areas included in the survey were the 100 largest in the United States, and based on the definitions of Metropolitan Statistical Areas from the U.S. Census Bureau. The data was also calculated at the per-capita level to determine how many people share wireless Internet hotspots within a given city or region. Data was collected from a variety of industry sources between Jan. 1 and April 15, 2005, and weighted across a 100-point scale to allow comparison between categories.

I have no doubt that our high ranking is due mainly to the efforts of many local activists and groups like free wireless champion, Rich MacKinnon’s Wireless City Project and Less Networks. On the political front, Chip Rosenthal and Adina Levin’s Save Muni Wireless keeps tabs on legislation that threatens wireless growth and access. There’s also the Austin Wireless Alliance.

The next time you enjoy the benefits of free wi-fi at a local restaurant, bar or coffee shop, be sure to thank them and the many volunteers and businesses that support them.

I forgot how I came across it, but Matt from LA Metblog posted over the Memorial Day weekend about the “Click It or Ticket” media blitz from California Highway Patrol.

Here in Austin, if you’ve driven I-35 through downtown, I don’t know how you could’ve missed the same campaign here courtesy of TxDOT. Well, it’s all coming from NHTSA. I suppose they want to drill it into people’s heads at the start of the busy summer vacation travel season. I don’t think I really have anything against it. I always wear one, but it seems like overkill, especially since there’s another billboard with the same image a mere 5 blocks to the south on the same side of the highway.

Hawaii has a post on this as well. What I want to know is why the fine’s only $92 there and it can be as high as $200 here?

Beware Highway Traffic Man, The Metbloggers are hip to your game.

This past Saturday night, The Wife and I secured a babysitter and headed out to belatedly celebrate our anniversary at Wink. We only get over there once ever 12-18 months because it’s a bit expensive with entrees in the $20 range, but it’s well worth it. We’ve been 5-10 times since it took over the spot once held by Ay Chiwawa and Castle Hill in 2001 and it’s been sublime every time.

I try not to use terms like orgasmic, unparalleled or out-of-this-world, but this place makes it difficult. I’m not just saying this because we’re acquainted with Gary, who’s in charge of Wink’s impressive wine selection, and Debra, who’s one of the most experienced wait staff in town, from The Wife’s days of food service at Mars. The place would still be a favorite regardless of who’s serving the food or choosing the wine. The rest of the staff is equally professional, knowledgeable and attentive with Mark and Brendan tending to the arrivals and a waitstaff of four or five serving the 15 tables.
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