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Technology Stocks : LAST MILE TECHNOLOGIES - Let's Discuss Them Here -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: MikeM54321 who wrote (9184)	11/19/2000 4:14:08 PM
From: axial	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 12823

Hi Mike, and welcome back - Your comments about Internet Cafes are interesting. I found it easier to access an Internet Cafe in Puerto Vallarta than I did in LA: it was certainly a better deal, and a better-understood concept, in Puerto Vallarta. Frankly, the only such place I could find easy access to in Santa Monica, had 2 or 3 computers, a lineup, a kludgy, difficult-to-use mouse mechanism, and a very high usage rates. My upstream post, and the reference to kids to whom such access will be a norm, had two aspects to it: wired, and wireless connectivity. I think there will be, in time, a split in the market, along those two lines. One will be able to achieve a certain minimal-to-quite-good level of connectivity wirelessly (depending on how many others are online), or, one may choose a cafe, such as the ones you speak of. I think the success of these cafes, internationally, derives from two factors: first would be the cost of wired connectivity in Europe, and other places. The second factor is a societal difference: in Europe, even before the Internet, the tradition of sitting in a cafe, reading the paper, enjoying a discussion, or just wiling away an afternoon, watching the world go by, is well-established. The idea is not so prevalent in North America, and I, like you, will be interested in any comments readers have on the observed success (or lack of same) of these new 'net malls. Regards, Jim

To: MikeM54321 who wrote (9184)	11/19/2000 4:32:23 PM
From: Frank A. Coluccio	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 12823

"Maybe Frank can poke his head in once in awhile and see how popular this cafe in NYC will be." Sure, I'd be happy to. And welcome back. Each time you go overseas your absence is felt. ElMat, is the photo, with the Ericsson gear atop the roof, where Mike is referring to? "IMO, it won't be nearly as crowded as the ones in Europe. To many homes are wired in the US as compared to Europe." I would say just the opposite. When folks are accustomed to using the net, even dependent on it because they've made it their M.O. of existence, they'd be "more" inclined to using it on the road - such as in libraries, or cafes - than otherwise. Likewise, I think that this will be a primary driver for users to adopt wireless Internet, as well. They "need" it. The cafe model actually resembles the public library one that is spelled out in the NII, when you think about it. Only the cafe is for fee, where the former is not. Well, not so's you'd notice;-) And if the cafe you are referring to is on 42nd Street, it's only a stone throw from the main branch of the NY Public Library, where terminals are always at a (waiting time) premium. It'll be interesting to see how it works out. Do you happen to have any more vitals on how the cafe works? Pricing, services offered, etc? FAC