London Black Cab Drivers are famous for being fonts of knowledge but can they beat the information super highway?  Some black cabs are being fitted with 'on the move broadband' wireless access providing anyone with a laptop, access to the Web as they travel.

A short article in the Media Week daily bulletin caught my eye today and it made me ponder how all these new ways of getting online are influencing the way we work.  Are we going to become a nation similar to our oriental couterparts who seem to be constantly connected and work 14 hour days 6 days a week?  Or is the proliferation of Wifi networks only going to help us to become more effective?

I was with a client today in the British Library and they have a Wifi network provided by The Cloud.  I had to purchase some connection time, which was dissappointing, but I'll save that gripe for another day.  Once connected I was able to demo our Hosted IP PBX solution by making a telephone call from my laptop to the mobile.  Doing the demonstration reminded me how far we have come with technology - working as if from a fixed office in a public space has only been a recent reality.  As I sat there finishing off an email, I noticed that almost every other table was adorned with a laptop and the general atmosphere in the Library Cafe was a hubbub of activity, similar to offices I've worked in, only those offices didn't share the brilliant architecture.  I finished the email and packed up and wondered what other fantastic place could I make into my office?

Will Cheng

P.S. Check out www.wi-here.com and search for Free Wifi Hotspots.  I'm not sure if all Hotspots listed are actually free but they do list the associated venues' numbers so you can call to check.  Happy surfing!