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11/23/2004: "sit n surf"

Doc writes, "A magazine photography crew is here this afternoon to shoot me working in my Natural Habitat. Which could be a) my terminally messy office; b) by the pool overlooking the Pacific; c) on the toilet. Guess which one they'll use — which is where I most like to work while I get the least done."


Assuming that he's using WiFi on the john, I call this the "Biba pose". Named after Ken Biba, who not only helped invent Wireless Ethernet (back in the day (and I mean the early 90s, not the late 90s)), but was likely the first to envision that this would be the classic mode of use.

Another story from the distant past.

Brett Stewart (founder of Wayport) and the guy who started Mobilestar (Mark Goode) (Mobilestar was absorbed by T-Mobile after they flamed out) were on the same team once (with Phil Belanger) in a company with the working name "PLANcom" (Public LAN Company).

Anyway, after the founders tore the sheet (Phil went to Aironet, which was bought by Cisco). Brett once admitted to sitting in the (public) restroom of the building where Mobilestar was located (in Richardson, TX (Wayport was always in Austin)), and attaching to Mobilestar's corporate network.

About a year later, Brett 'tested' the (first) install at the Four Seasons in Austin, from, yes, the lobby men's room.

The idea is not new. Witness the iLoo, and this.

The beaches here need WiFi. The (public) restrooms seem a near-perfect spot. Hmm.

Jim