Wi-Fi Hotspots Span The High Country By Marie Freeman As Larry Griffin sits in the Higher Grounds Coffee shop, he sips espresso while perusing a proposal he will soon email to a potential client. Griffin is one of many High Country residents who prefer the cafe’ environment in which to surf the Web connected via a high speed wireless (Wi-Fi). And free Wi-Fi hotspots are cropping up in the area. In Griffin’s case, his job requires frequent travel and having his Blowing Rock condo connected to a high speed Internet hardly seems worth the expense. Instead, he throws his brief case, cell phone and laptop in his car, heads to Higher Grounds and sets up office at a cafe table. “I like the coffee shop atmosphere where I can hang out, see some friends and do my work when I’m in town,” said Griffin. For Higher Grounds owner Matthew Scott, adding the Wi-Fi to his business was a no brainer. “I like it. Overall it has been positive. I do get plenty of people coming in here because of the Internet. Of course, we prefer you purchase something if you use our Internet,” said Scott. Wireless access is Internet access using radio frequencies as opposed to using cables. This enables people to bring laptops or wireless devices and use the Internet connection from anywhere within the building’s “hotspot”, or the range of the wireless signal. Other local business owners are seeing the benefit of offering free Wi-Fi. Black Bear Book’s general manager Scott Wheeler made sure that people know that they offer the service in their cafe’ by adding a note on their marquee. “We’ve always had it, but we were surprised how many people didn’t know it so we made a point to put it on our sign,” said Wheeler. According to Wheeler, he does get a smorgasbord of people coming into the store connecting to the Internet. “We get a lot of travelers who want to check their email and we get a lot of students too. It is a nice quiet place off campus.” said Wheeler. For those not wanting to buy coffee, there are public Wi-Fi hotspots which offer a bit more seclusion. The Watauga and Ashe County libraries as well as 30 buildings on the campus of Appalachian State University are such examples. According to Tom Culver, Associate Director of ASU’s Information Technology Services, there are several visitor captive portals that may be used by anyone who has a valid email address. Approximately, 30 buildings have wireless access which extend several hundred feet beyond the exterior and into many parking areas. Essentially, anyone can sit in the parking lot of the Holmes Convocation Center and connect to the Web. Of course, this would also require that one have a visitor’s parking pass to avoid a parking ticket. Free Wi-Fi hotspots are growing in the High Country. The following list is only the few that could be verified via phone. Boone Espresso News 267 Howard St (Covers to outside the shop, cable modem speed) Higher Grounds Coffee Shop 201 New Market Blvd. New Market Center Conrad’s Coffee 240 Shadowline Dr. Shoppes on Shadowline Dr. Conrad’s Coffee 2575 Hwy 105 Highland Commons Shopping Center Cafe Portofino 970 Rivers St Hardee’s Blowing Rock Road Watauga County Library 140 Queen St. (not networked to printer) Appalachian State University (There are several visitor captive portals that may be used by anyone who has a valid email address. About 30 buildings have wireless access which extend several hundred feet beyond the exterior and into parking lots. The Holmes Center is one of these buildings.) Black Bear Books 2146 Blowing Rock Rd. (in cafe) Blimpie’s 105 2968 Highway 105 Blowing Rock Canyons of the Blue Ridge 8960 Hwy 321 Chetola Mountain Resort North Main St. (Pub area of restaurant) West Jefferson Bohemia Gallery 206 N. Jefferson Ave. (with any purchase) Ashe County Public Library 148 Library Dr. Banner Elk Mona’s Starlight Cyber Cafe 142 E. Main St.