Finally catching up to many of their locally based competitors, Borders Book Stores is offering free wifi to customers in "virtually all" of their 500 locations this month. I called the local Borders on Broadway and asked them if they were offering the Wifi yet, and the answer was that the Saratoga location does now have it.
I am usually very comfortable at Uncommon Grounds, which has offered free Wifi for at least a couple of years, although it can get crowded there at times. Perhaps the Borders offering will lighten up the crowds at our favorite bagel and coffee place, or at least give us an alternative should Uncommon Grounds get annoyingly crowded. FYI Saratoga Coffee Traders also offers
free wifi, and of course library cardholders can use the computers there and also bring their laptops to use the library's free wifi. I assume there are other downtown establishments where you can get on the internet with your laptop, but I am just not sure where. It would be nice if the entire downtown area had free internet service - maybe that day will come. One place we know doesn't have free wifi is of course Virgil's House, which disallows laptops, cell phones, and similar technology. OK, next time you see someone typing away at one of the downtown establishments, it just might be me posting an entry. Enjoy the rest of your week.
Dan
I don't think that one needs a library card to use the wi-fi, on your own computer, at the Saratoga Library. I have found that it also extends out into their parking lot...
This map might be outdated:
http://alloveralbany.com/archive/2009/04/14/capital-region-wi-fi-map
A few years back a newspaper article appeared about open wi-fi in Saratoga Springs and they listed a chalked up sidewalk on Circular Street in front of a (named) location(Warchalking: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warchalking)....The owner read the story--thought it was great that they located his "leaking" wi-fi and EXPANDED out to reach a tiny section of Congress Park so more people could enjoy it.....I don't know if it still is available.
Posted by: toga | October 22, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Hey thanks for that comprehensive information. I will be at the library later (isn't our library great?) so I will ask Kathy Handy, who teaches the computer courses at the library, about the wifi. BTW, the library computer courses are all free and I have taken a number of them - Kathy is great and I appreciate her efforts there.
Posted by: Dan | October 22, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Saratoga Coffee Traders is a good alternative when UG gets too crowded. And it's usually a lot quieter.
Plus: the vintage candy selection in the back is fun.
Posted by: Greg | October 23, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Thanks Dave - I have been in there a few times and it is a good alternative. Plus it is important to support a number of businesses downtown, both chain and locally owned.
Posted by: Dan | October 23, 2009 at 12:55 PM