SWFL WiFi Revolution: 2013

Rules of the free WiFi life:

Nothing is free. Somebody, somewhere is paying for that internet access. Most likely, it's the small business owner and he's offering it in hopes of selling more coffee and donuts. If people are just leeches, simply plopping their arses in chairs and not buying his offerings he'll eventually have to start charging or limiting or just shut his doors. If you visit, buy something (and not just a bottle of water you nurse for the next 5 hours). One bum casts us all in a bad light.
Be aware of those around you. Just because you can access "bigboobs.com" while sunk into the leather sofa in the middle of the cafe doesn't mean you should. Usually, there's plenty of other people around and most of them are snoops. Oh, they don't mean to be, it's human nature to sneak a peek. No matter how involved they may be in a conversation, people's eyes do wander and usually they wander your way just as that popup ad for "asscandy.com" appears.
Hogs should stay in the barnyard. If you show up during off hours and can commandeer a nice table to set up your laptop, cell phone, ipod and whatever portable electrical device you can lug around then more power to ya! However, as the day moves on and the cafe becomes busier, pack up and move to a single table, stool at the window bar or corner easy chair. One person at table for four when it's getting busy isn't making the cafe owner any money.

Click on a location under "Where I Want To Go:" to find connections in a specific area.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

The Brick Coffee & Bar

531 5th Avenue S
Naples, Fl 34102
(239)692-8755

A nice coffee house along Naples sheshe 5th Avenue. Nice size tables with a few outlets. In the window are two large sofas with an outlet but when I visited the Christmas tree was plugged in there. The coffee is pretty good, they serve Lavazza which is not my favorite (not that I consider myself a coffee snob). There is also beer and wine, sandwiches and pastries and ice cream novelties. Outside are several tables under large umbrellas but didn't see any outlets there. Since I visited in season, there were far too many Europeans for my taste but they were not the obnoxious types usually seen haunting the Starbucks downtown. Despite being on the main drag of Naples, it was not overrun and did not feel like I was in the middle of tourist season.
The Brick

United Cafe, Bar & Bistro

2236 1st Street
Fort Myers, FL 33901
(239) 362-1831

Located in the revitalized downtown/river district of Ft Myers, this corner bistro has taken over the old location of Cafe Matisse. The decor has changed, the theme honors a USA and UK connection. There's seating outside (if you can bear the heat) but I couldn't see any outlets. Inside are approx 10 tables, with outlets along the wall, and a small bar at the window. There's also a leather couch and a couple of chairs in the middle of the space but no apparent outlets there. I have only been a few times, in the evening for the Thursday night open mic so not sure how the new menu is but seems to comprise the usual bar food. Service at the bar was quick and friendly and the beer was cold.
The crowd that has been there comprised a great cross section of SWFL. The open mic really promotes a vibrant scene and was quite a contrast from the empty Patio De Leon around the corner.
United Cafe (Google warns the link may harm your computer. I've included it here only to be complete in this review)

Summary:

Free WiFi
Adequate outlets
Outdoor seating
Comfortable staff
Reasonably priced food & drink
No jazz music