Wifi Question

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  • #591647

    If I use McDonalds wifi (via the parking lot) does that cost them any money?

    #684323
    smartcookie
    Member

    No. They pay internet per month not per use.

    #684324

    Thank you

    #684325
    WolfishMusings
    Participant

    If I use McDonalds wifi (via the parking lot) does that cost them any money?

    Does that make it right? Do you know what McDonald’s policy is regarding Wifi?

    There are some places (and McD, for all I know, may be one of them) that allow anyone (actual customers or not) to use their Wifi. Others restrict it to customers.

    You really should find out what it is before you use their Wifi. The very fact that you asked the question shows that you care about the possibility of theft from them — which is good. That being the case, you should make sure that you have permission to use it even if you aren’t an actual paying customer.

    The Wolf

    #684326
    smartcookie
    Member

    However, you are using their bandwidth which will make their service work slower. So mybe you shld check with them if they don’t mind? Usually people lock it so others can’t use it.

    #684327
    jewish girl
    Member

    omg dont tell me ur one of those ppl who sit outside coffee shops and resturants to use their wifi lol its hysterical seeing some ppl try to find wifi!!

    #684328

    The McDonalds website says “For Technical Support, please call 1-877-MCD-WIFI (1-877-623-9434)”.

    That’s an AT&T number.

    The person who answered said “sure, no problem – you can sit in the parking lot and use it” when asked if a non-customer could use the signal.

    Calling 1-800-244-6227 (the McDonalds toll-free “contact us” number) produced this answer: “yes, people outside the restaurant pick up and use the signal”. When asked explicitly if that was OK, the response was “uhhh – maybe ask that specific franchise”.

    Here are factors I can see playing a role:

    1) Does it cost McD extra money?

    2) Does it degrade service for other customers?

    3) Are they happy to have you use it anyway, for goodwill (and the fact that when you logon they advertise via the splash screen)?

    4) If you occasionally pop in and buy a soda or coffee it may be worth it for them.

    5) If you potentially may pop in and buy a soda or coffee it may be worth it for them.

    #684329
    volvie
    Member

    Wouldn’t 4 & 5 potentially run into the problem of Maris Ayin?

    In fact even with sitting in their parking lot logging on, you have that same question.

    #684330
    WolfishMusings
    Participant

    Wouldn’t 4 & 5 potentially run into the problem of Maris Ayin?

    Depends where. A McD located in a rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike, for example, may not be a problem as many people just sit at the tables to take a rest from driving even without buying anything (and it’s well known that this is the case).

    The Wolf

    #684331

    volvie-

    Walking into McD’s is the stereotypical “maris ayin” situation we discuss in yeshiva.

    Personally, if I saw an obviously frum person going into one, I’d assume it was for a coke, the restroom, etc.

    It would probably be a good idea not to eat a KD hamburger in their lot while using their wifi.

    #684332
    smartcookie
    Member

    Just imagine mod 80 sitting near mcdonalds and moderating our posts!!

    #684333
    yitayningwut
    Participant

    Walking into McDonalds is not maris ayin. Everyone knows you could be going in there to get a coke, go to the bathroom, etc.

    If they don’t lock their wifi there is nothing illegal about using it. They could lock it if they didn’t want you to use it. Therefore there is no reason it should be assur with regard to dinei mamonos.

    If the general perception of people is that what you are doing is wrong, even though it is not, then if you are noticeably Jewish/religious you should not do so because it would be a chillul Hashem.

    #684334

    If the general perception of people is that what you are doing is wrong, even though it is not, then if you are noticeably Jewish/religious you should not do so because it would be a chillul Hashem.

    That’s an important consideration. That certainly could be the case, especially in the mind of someone who is looking to think badly of a religious Jew.

    Thank you.

    #684335
    d a
    Member

    If I use McDonalds wifi (via the parking lot) does that cost them any money?

    Does that make it right? Do you know what McDonald’s policy is regarding Wifi?

    Isn’t this a case of “Zeh Lo Nene V’Zeh Lo Choser”?

    You are using Wifi and they are not paying extra.

    Unless

    you are using their bandwidth which will make their service work slower

    Then by using their Wifi, there paying customers are losing out on the services McDonald’s is offering them.

    But, lets say at night, when the store is closed, I don’t see why you could not use there Wifi even without permission

    Please let me know what you think about this.

    #684336

    Please let me know what you think about this.

    I think you are right that it is a case of Zeh Lo Nene V’Zeh Lo Choser.

    But I think you are wrong that it would be ok to use it at night, because it is still a case of Zeh Lo Nene V’Zeh Lo Choser. (Poskining this issue is apparently quite complex)

    And also the consideration of “yitayningwu”

    #684337
    d a
    Member

    yitayningwu

    What did you say?

    #684338
    #684339
    d a
    Member

    I think you are right that it is a case of Zeh Lo Nene V’Zeh Lo Choser.

    But I think you are wrong that it would be ok to use it at night, because it is still a case of Zeh Lo Nene V’Zeh Lo Choser. (Poskining this issue is apparently quite complex)

    I think you contradicted yourself. “I think you are right that it is a case of Zeh Lo Nene V’Zeh Lo Choser” And then you said, “I think you are wrong…a case of Zeh Lo Nene V’Zeh Lo Choser”

    Explain.

    #684340
    YW Moderator-42
    Moderator

    They could lock it if they want to

    This would obviously be bad business for them. This isn’t a private house, it’s a public place where they offer Wifi for their customers. If they locked it, it would defeat the whole purpose. They would have to give the password to all their customers which would just be a pain, and you could get it too anyway so what would they gain other than someone having to come in in order to use it the first time. I think that their business model is that they assume that if they offer Wifi, many people will come into the store to use it and might buy from them. People in the parking lot might also buy from them. The fact that you don’t plan on buying is the issue. If there is a chance that in all the times that you use it, one time you might come in and buy a coke, then it is worth it for them. It might even be worth it for them if you refer them a customer by telling a freind that you use their parking lot. Even though your friend might be Jewish, he still might buy a coke. Or he might refer a friend…

    In terms of using their bandwidth, it is a public place where anyone can, and is encouraged, to log on so I assume they have somewhat good service to handle all this bandwidth. If not, then their customers would be experiencing slow connection even without you. I doubt that one extra person on the network makes that big of a difference. Feel free to argue this last point.

    #684341
    d a
    Member

    42, I agree with you 100%. And even if the bandwidth is a problem, as I said, when the store is closed, there should for sure be no problem.

    #684343
    tomim tihye
    Member

    Why is it “Zeh LO nehne…”? Isn’t it “Zeh nehne…”?

    #684344
    d a
    Member

    tomim tihye, your right. Its Zeh Nene V’Zeh Lo Choser

    #684345

    Well, in any case, I found out that the public libraries around here have wifi. There is one a few blocks from my house, and I can get a signal from the street.

    Thanks for the interesting discussion.

    #684346
    smartcookie
    Member

    Yes mod. In fact many public libraries have free internet access on their compputers. But you gotta have a membership there to use it.

    #684347
    jewish girl
    Member

    you could still use their free wifi from outside or even in the library with your ipod for example

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