Is there a wireless network at the venue?
No, and yes. No there isn’t a wireless network at Turbull House, yet! And yes, we’re working on it.
We’re hoping to get provision by cafeNET (citylink), because, like all the best coffee, they’re very hot, very strong, and very easy to access.
All you will need is your laptop (pc or mac) with wireless (if you don’t have a wireless card in your laptop, grab one from Dick Smiths for about $NZ70) and buy yourself some access time from CafeNET. You can buy this online with your credit card, before you come to the conference.
If you’re from outside of Wellington (or Nelson or Palmerston North) but are going to return to Wellington buying by the Mbytes is probably best. Once you’re off the cafeNET network the meter stops running, but restarts when you come back. Locals might find the Go24 the best option. You do the shopping, you make the choices.
I think you should try approaching companies like Telecom or CityLink for sponsorship so that you can provide free wireless access for the duration of the event. This would be good marketing for either company as everyone at the conference would obviously be internet-savvy and many will have wireless devices (laptops, pda’s, etc…) You wouldn’t dream of paying for a wireless internet connection overseas, it shouldn’t be any different here.
Comment by stuart — January 16, 2006 @ 8:16 pm
Yes, Stuart, you’re right. I approached CityLink last year in October. The official word then was: ‘We’ll get back to you.’
I left a message (again, last year – December) on the CityLink site for a ‘where should we go next’ and proposed Turnbull House. I’m guessing, (but hoping I’m wrong) it’ll be another: ‘We’ll get back to you.’
Now that the summer season is fast becoming a memory I’ll chase them again. While I have no objections to Telecom’s services, I’d rather use home grown as it were. The internationals planning on attending are all pretty excited about the potentials offered by the CityLink connections, so I hope they come through.
Stuart, if you’ve got any influence in CityLink I’d be grateful for any prodding you were able to do.
Comment by lynsey — January 16, 2006 @ 8:47 pm
CityLink have confirmed they have been in negotiation with the Turnbull House (a heritage building cared for by the Department of Conservation) management. Apparently there are issuses in terms of getting cables in without overly disturbing the building. Duncan and Simon and the rest of the CityLink team are doing their best. Hopefully it’ll be thoroughly resolved in time for the Hui.
Comment by lynsey — January 24, 2006 @ 9:28 pm