The contractor who is supposed to be putting in the wireless internet service has not completed the installation. There is discussion of renting a portable satellite transceiver to give coverage for the lodge and the rec center - which would include the vendors. I've been checking of this daily and that's the latest as of PM on Tuesday

 

bummer.. no wonder we haven't heard a whole lot from people down there already..

 

As long as there is an internet drop (cable or DSL), I can finish the installation. I am off this week from work, but if it's a T-1 drop I could swing past work and get the equipment.

Steve

 

Sam -- see if they have wired internet LAN available at the lodge. I carry with me a small ethernet-to-802.11g router that could provide limited coverage wireless -- I just need a live ethernet hose. I'll arrive Wed afternoon.

Tom

 

the tools and connectors are always in the car... should I bring a few thousand feet of CAT5E a network hub and we can start making our own little network?

had to chime in I guess even though I have no intention of bringing an internet capable device....

 

seriously? isn't part of the point of being at the dragon to be in the woods? away from civilization? no contact through cell phones, computers, etc? just what i thought...

 

So far, every Internet @ The Dragon thread has turned into an argument of The 'must be connected' crowd vs. The 'peace & quiet and away from technology' crowd.

Bottom line: Some people, whether its what they want or not, simply cannot be out of touch for 4 days straight.

 

not to mention it was part of the commitment made by the Fontana if we booked it solid... also, some of us, it's the only way family, etc. can get in touch with us in case of emergency.. my fiance will be going out of town as well, my parents aren't doing so hot and I have my dogs being boarded.. I need to be able to be gotten ahold of if something happens...but that's just me.. also doesn't mean I'd be online the whole time and forgetting why I was down there

 

Keep in mind that you can always give out the toll-free number to reach Fontana. If the emergency is important enough, they'll be sure you get the message somehow. The 800 number (per their website) is (800)849-2258.

As for the differing opinons... I'll offer mine. I think that wireless (or even wired) Internet in the recreation hall is a good thing... but only there, not in the cabins, inn, etc. Make it relatively easy to get to if necessary, but not ALWAYS there wherever you go. That way it's easy to disconnect simply by not being AT the recreation hall!

 

Just because it's available doesn't mean you have to take advantage of it.

I, for one, hope the internet is available one way or another. (Let me guess...no ethernet ports in the cabins?) I'm right in the middle of a huge project at work, and the only reason I felt comfortable about coming was that I could monitor stuff while at the Dragon.

Ugh. And I'll still have to. If internet isn't at the Dragon, I'll have to go to the internet. Rather than resting or socializing, I'll have to drive around until I find a Starbucks or Barnes and Noble or someplace with an open hot spot.

If people want to set up service, you have my complete, but non-techy, support!

 

Why does it matter where it is? If WiFi is going through your cabin, are you not going to be able to sleep at night? The more coverage the better, and if you don't want to use it, dont.

 

When it came to booking for the Dragon I was deciding betwen the Microtel in Robbinsville (with WiFi) and Fontana (with WiFi). If I had known that WiFi was not going to be available at Fontana, I would have picked the Microtel instead. Clearly people last year voiced that concern at Fontana and I think that should have been taken care off. While quite a few of us are glad to get away from daily stress others have to be close to the internet for various reasons, plus some of us enjoy being on the net to blog and keep an online diary for folks who can't come to the Dragon.

Herbert

 

You'll be driving quite a while to find Starbucks or B&N!

The nearest Starbucks is 57 miles away and the nearest B&N is 67 miles away!

I'd like wireless to be throughout Fontana, but even just a little bit of connectivity somewhere is acceptable.

Although many want to disconnect at the Dragon, the ability to use PM's here to leave messages for each other, etc, would be really nice.

 

one thing that is everywhere is - telephone service - get an AOL account and connect using the 800 line @6.00 per hour. Check and send email and logoff. Dump AOL when you get back. That is how I am sending this message

 

The issue for many of us who are vendors is the ability to handle credit card transactions. For you the customer this is equally important so you don't have to carry a bank roll with you. I understand that not everyone is going with the sole purpose of spending money and have no use for the internet. For others who want to get a special deal at least access to Paypal would make things far easier.

 

Hi everybody... the wi-fi is relegated only to the inns. Luckily, the network stretches into the main lobby. So if you have a laptop, just lug it to the lobby and you'll be golden.

Last night there were a few of us hangin' out in this impromptu 'net cafe'.

 

As of last night some time after/during the welcome dinner WiFi was enabled/working in the Rec Center. Right now I'm in my "garden level" inn room and I get a pretty strong signal too. So I believe anyone near the Rec Center should be able to get a pretty decent signal (I think the antenna is on the roof).

 

It's working in Cabin #429, much to my delight! I'm on the corner of Welch & Fontana, across from the Dam Room's side door.

 

Enjoying breakfast.. enjoying the wireless... All is well.