August 5, 2004

FREE WIRELESS HOTSPOT GOES ONLINE AT NEW LIBRARY

RAHWAY -- Mayor James Kennedy announced that Rahway’s first wireless “hotspot” for accessing the Internet is now available to the public inside the new Public Library behind City Hall.

This hotspot allows computer users to access the World Wide Web with a laptop computer or PDA equipped with a wireless 802.11b or 802.11g network (also known as WiFi or Airport) card.  There is no charge for access.  The wireless network is firewalled from the existing library network to maintain security.  Users cannot access e-mail or other online services (FTP, VPN, telnet, etc.) with the wireless network.  Use of a library computer terminal is required to print out web sites or to access the library’s automated card catalogue; these services cannot be conducted over the wireless network.

“You can just walk into the library, open up your laptop and begin surfing the Web,” said Kennedy.  “This is the first public wireless hotspot in Rahway and only one of a handful in Union County.  Unlike wireless networks found in many coffee shops and hotels, there is no charge to use our service.”