Dec. 4, 2007 at 8:27am

Fix Your Wi-fi Tacoma

Plus a couple free tips

There's so much free wi-fi available around Tacoma it should make me and my iPod touch and/or laptop very happy. Unfortunately, at so many spots around town I'm left completely bummed that that magical, mystical power that moves the Internet and email through the air doesn't work. If it's a hotspot it should be hot.

I'm definitely someone who enjoys having a connection but am simultaneously too cheap too want to pay for something like an iPhone. There's enough supposed wi-fi available throughout most cities there's usually no need for a phone-based connection. Time after time, however, I'll be connected (which is good) at a cafe but nothing will load in the web browser (which is bad). Since it's something being offered free I also don't feel like I should pester a busy barista and say, "Umm, excuse me, I know you have 40 grande latte orders to fill for a line of jittery customers but could you fix your Internets?"

Instead, here's my simple two-step solution that will likely ease these problems and any time sunk trying to fix them:

1. Each morning, whoever opens up shop for the day should find the cable modem and wireless router (sometimes their the same thing) and turn the power off or unplug it
   
2. Wait 5 seconds, and turn it back on

No joke, in most cases that will likely jump start everything into working again without fear for losing settings or anything like that. Though I offer no specific guarantee in my years of working in IT and having this stuff at home it works. Try it out -- your customers will thank you.