Something's gotta change

Ok, this isn't a tip post, but it's something that really, really needs to be spoken up about. As a photographer, and specifically one that travels to do his job, I generally need to be mobile with all of my equipment. To do on location photography requires everything to be easily moved, set up and taken down, with low weight and quick response. This also means that I usually have to be mobile to communicate and work, which means I need a laptop computer, with some type of mobile internet.

Luckily, I've got mobile broadband for my laptop, which means that I can go generally anywhere and connect to the interwebs. In case that doesn't work, I can also connect via wi-fi anywhere I'm "allowed" to. It's becoming increasingly popular for places to offer wi-fi connectivity for free, which is great for people like me who may need that quick access.

However, most of these places have overlooked one of the most essential things when it comes to mobile computing. Unfortunately, this isn't a localized occurance, it's a widespread issue. Most of the places that I've mobile computed from don't offer a whole lot of access to power outlets. Yes, that's right, there needs to be more access to electricity. Now I understand that it's possible the businesses that are offering internet access now, probably have been in buildings that weren't built with a lot of outlets, but have joined the 21st Century. But I know there are places that have been remodeled or newly rebuilt that knew they were going to offer access, that still didn't build with enough, or any, outlets for their customers.

Granted, I get the fact that most people won't spend several hours sitting in one location doing work over the internet, unless it's at an office, home or other business specific place. But it's always possible that you might be in a, say famous burger joint with a clown for a mascot, for quite a while, working, eating, or killing time, and your battery run out. Case in point, one locally just rebuilt with their new setup, a nice "modern" look and feel with flatscreen TVs with news, and several signs on the windows and out in the parking lot saying they've got free wi-fi (which is different from most of the others in the area who have decided to charge for access). Of course the idea of fast food doesn't normally include breaking out the laptop to do whatever, but in this era of information and technology, especially for business people who travel in their jobs, it's not unheard of.

Plus, it's good business sense to have people able to stay in the location. They might spend more money if they're there longer, and people see that customers are in the building and it can draw more business in.

I do understand that not everyplace I go and use my computer are meant to be wi-fi hotspots. So they're not always expected to be a place that is going to accomodate computer users. But for those places that are hotspots, please remember that electricity is important.