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Show HN: The Wifi Block – Let your guests connect to WiFi with just a tap

thewifiblock.com

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Re: Show HN: The Wifi Block – Let your guests connect to WiFi with just a tap

#31

Post by jgaudette »

Rotten194 wrote: post #30

Cool product! I wouldn't worry about the HN naysayers too much (very "just use rsync to a VPS"-esque vibe here). I think you should clarify on your site that the app is only required for setting up the block, and that your guests won't need it -- I knew that from using the NFC wifi feature before, but not everyone does, and right now centering the app makes it seem like everyone will need it. You could also maybe mak…

Thank you so much for the kind words and support! These are all great points that you brought up! We'll be adding a new feature shortly that will allow companies to upload logos and we will (albeit manually like you mentioned) convert them to vectors.

I can't thank you enough for the positive/constructive feedback. It's really hard creating something new and staying positive with all the naysayers!

Re: Show HN: The Wifi Block – Let your guests connect to WiFi with just a tap

#32

Post by beachy »

aaron695 wrote: post #12

This is very cool. Combining tech, with oldie wood, with I assume tech to cut it. Need more of this in the world. I hope it does well for you.

Wood's cool factor is underrated.

I worked with a salesman in Sweden. We sold very expensive mainframe software. One of his things was, when someone signed up, to present them their copies of the contracts in a beautiful slimline rosewood briefcase that the customer got to keep. So beautiful it made your eyes water to look at it.

Of course he brought one to meetings so the customer could form a longing for it. It seemed like he may have buffed it with furniture wax as well, perhaps there was an olfactory element at work too.

Without doubt this object of desire moved the needle significantly in getting people over the line on a sale, they wanted the wooden briefcase so badly. He was extremely successful.

Re: Show HN: The Wifi Block – Let your guests connect to WiFi with just a tap

#37

Post by prepend »

macNchz wrote: post #16
jgaudette wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks!!! The most cases we find that the average people run into issues with mobile is in bad connection areas or when staying at one place for a while (staying over with friends or family, or at a party, etc). A big use case as well is airbnb's and home rentals. One of the first things that you want when entering a rental is free wifi! Thanks again for the feedback!

Yeah I'd love if airbnbs had these. I tend to rent places in mountainy areas with bad cell service. It feels like 90% of the time we arrive bleary-eyed from a long drive, needing to look up a place to get dinner, only to find the welcome packet which has a handwritten password like "FJ#)@Jkfsf2JBbnNVnIOfQPOWre230F(&J%^". Minor annoyance, but a bother all the same. I always type it out in the Notes app first to make i…

I’ve rented many an Airbnb where that long password is scratched out and it looks like a previous guest has written in “torpedo” or something much easier to type.

I guess the upside of default router passwords is that it allows friendly “hackers” to help.

Re: Show HN: The Wifi Block – Let your guests connect to WiFi with just a tap

#38

Post by 8fingerlouie »

It it's anything like the Wifi Porter (https://tenonedesign.com/porter) i purchased a few years ago, then it's a somewhat decorative way of getting guests online.

I have a couple of them, one for guests, one for the kids network, and they're in use almost daily. Still need a couple for my vacation house, so maybe this will fit :)

Re: Show HN: The Wifi Block – Let your guests connect to WiFi with just a tap

#39

Post by m-p-3 »

I did my own cheaply-made "WiFi Block" for my guest network with an old CD jewel case, a printed piece of paper with a WiFi symbol, the SSID name and a QR code specially formatted to create a connection, as well as a small NFC sticker under that piece of paper programmed with the same information.

So far it works well, and makes a nice conversation piece with new guests :)

Re: Show HN: The Wifi Block – Let your guests connect to WiFi with just a tap

#40

Post by ta17711771 »

prepend wrote: post #37
macNchz wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah I'd love if airbnbs had these. I tend to rent places in mountainy areas with bad cell service. It feels like 90% of the time we arrive bleary-eyed from a long drive, needing to look up a place to get dinner, only to find the welcome packet which has a handwritten password like "FJ#)@Jkfsf2JBbnNVnIOfQPOWre230F(&J%^". Minor annoyance, but a bother all the same. I always type it out in the Notes app first to make i…

I’ve rented many an Airbnb where that long password is scratched out and it looks like a previous guest has written in “torpedo” or something much easier to type. I guess the upside of default router passwords is that it allows friendly “hackers” to help.

Friendly hackers should know better than to leave a trivially crackable passphrase for an easily captured network.
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