I am typing this blog post from a location at which I have neither paid for any items, nor do I have a membership.

No, I’m sitting on the patio at the Panera Bread in Olathe, waiting for the oil to be changed on my car and using Panera’s free wifi while breaking one of the cardinal rules of free wifi – always buy something first.

Normally, I would abide by this unspoken rule of free wifi, but this morning, I’ve already had my oatmeal, I’ve got my to-go coffee cup full, and frankly, I’m starting to believe that free wifi is one of the easiest ways for people to gain business, but yet so few take advantage.

Free wireless internet is a service that is genius in this always connected world. There are places that it makes a lot of sense to just throw in some free wifi as a convenience to your customers who may be waiting. I’m thinking doctor’s offices, oil change locations (do you hear me, JIFFY LUBE?), and other locales where there might be more than a 15-minute wait for service.

Free wifi is easy. Take your existing connection. Throw it on a router. Drop in a splash page if you are so inclined. And there you go. Free wifi, allowing people like me to sit for longer than they might normally, very quietly working on whatever it is they might be working on (in my case, blogging).

For those looking for places where free wifi is available, check out this decent directory. And to those hotels and coffee shops (cough) that charge a premium for wireless? Shame on you.