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Wireless Edmonton FAQ

Where can I access Wireless Edmonton?
What do I need to access Wireless Edmonton?
How do I connect to Wireless Edmonton?
My device's web browser displays ‘Notify Failed—Cookie not sent (notify_missing_cookie)' after I click on ‘I Agree' on the Wireless Edmonton page . What does this mean?
What is a Wireless Network?
What is Wireless Edmonton?
Will City staff help me configure my mobile device?
Can I be vulnerable to Viruses while using Wireless Edmonton?
Are the services for Wireless Edmonton secure?
I have a MacIntosh-based laptop. Can I use it on the wireless network?
Will I be able to connect wireless devices such as Pocket PCs, Palms, or Mobile phones to the City's wireless network?
Is there a timeout on the system?
Can I use peer to peer applications on the wireless Network?
Can I use MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, or ICQ on the wireless network?
Are Wireless Edmonton access points filtered?
What are Wireless Edmonton's terms and conditions?
Is there a way to provide feedback?
What does Wireless Edmonton cost?

1. Where can I access Wireless Edmonton?

Wireless Edmonton eZones are located within City Hall, Kinsmen Sports Centre, Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre, Mill Woods Recreation Centre, Central Lions Senior Recreation Centre, ACT Aquatic and Recreation Centre, Shaw Conference Centre, Enterprise Square, Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park, City Arts Centre, Prince of Wales Armouries, Valley Zoo, Castle Downs Arena, Londonderry Fitness and Leisure Centre, Callingwood Arena, Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre, Muttart Conservatory, John Janzen Nature Centre and outside in Churchill Square.

2. What do I need to access Wireless Edmonton?

A Wi-Fi wireless device installed in your laptop or a laptop with built-in Wi-Fi capability.
A web browser such as Internet Explorer.
Set your TCP/IP properties to 'Obtain an IP address automatically'.

3. How do I connect to Wireless Edmonton?

Every wireless device is different, these are general instructions:

Set up your wireless card according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Make sure to set your TCP/IP properties to 'Obtain an IP address automatically' (DHCP).
If requested, choose Infrastructure mode rather than Ad-hoc mode.
Turn encryption (WEP) off.
Open your wireless card/adapter's software, scan for wireless networks. Make sure you are using the SSID name "Wireless Edmonton", which is case-sensitive.
Choose 'activate' or 'connect', depending on the manufacturer of your wireless card. Now you are associated with the wireless network - associated is the wireless term for connected.

4. My device's web browser displays ‘Notify Failed—Cookie not sent (notify_missing_cookie)' after I click on ‘I Agree' on the Wireless Edmonton page . What does this mean?

Your device did not accept a cookie from Wireless Edmonton. Your device needs to accept cookies to utilize Wireless Edmonton.

Make sure your device's web browser (Internet Explorer, Netscape, etc. ) is configured to accept cookies.
Make sure your device's Date, Time, and Time Zone settings are correct.
Certain third-party internet security & firewall products (Norton, Kerio, etc. ) can also block cookies. Check your third-party internet security & firewall product's documentation for information on how to enable cookies.

5. What is a Wireless Network?

A wireless network allows customers to connect their laptops or other mobile devices to the Internet without having to plug into a physical network port.

6. What is Wireless Edmonton?

Wireless Edmonton allows you to access the Internet in designated eZone areas when using your own mobile device.

7. Will City staff help me configure my mobile device?

No. City employees are not available to provide technical assistance and no guarantee is given that you will be able to make a wireless connection with your device.
If you are having difficulty connecting to this service, you may need to contact your device vendor to ensure that your configuration is set up to access this service.

8. Can I be vulnerable to Viruses while using Wireless Edmonton?

Yes, It is recommended that customers install anti-virus/spyware software on your laptop as well as ensuring definitions are current.

9. Are the services for Wireless Edmonton secure?

No, the wireless network is not secure. Information sent from or to your laptop could be viewed by someone else using a wireless device and the appropriate software.

The City assumes no responsibility for the safety of equipment or for laptop configurations or device configurations, security, or data files resulting from connection to the wireless network.

For security purposes, it is recommended that your computer does not have file sharing active (for Windows - click on network settings in the Control Panel, then find and uncheck file and print sharing). Active file sharing allows other users on the network to access your files.

10. I have a MacIntosh-based laptop. Can I use it on the wireless network?

Yes.

11. Will I be able to connect wireless devices such as Pocket PCs, Palms, or Mobile phones to the City's wireless network?

Yes, if they are enabled with an 802. 11a/b/g wireless card.

12. Is there a timeout on the system?

Yes, approximately 180 minutes, after which time the system will display the disclaimer page, and you will need to agree to continue.

13. Can I use peer to peer applications on the wireless Network?

No, Peer to Peer programs such as Bittorrents, Limewire, Kazaa and Skype are not available on the wireless network.

14. Can I use MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, or ICQ on the wireless network?

Yes, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger and ICQ are available on the wireless network.

15. Are Wireless Edmonton access points filtered?

The filter categories we block are:

Gambling, Illegal Drugs, Illegal/Questionable, Nudity, Peer to Peer, Phishing, Pornography, Proxy Avoidance, Spyware effect, spyware/malware source, and Violence/Hate/Racism.

If your web based email or web pages were blocked, it may be blocked for the above reason. Following is an example:

A partial blocked web page (frame/window with error message and was circled) indicates one of its contents violate the web filter policy.

An email with partial blocked content (circled)

16. What are Wireless Edmonton's terms and conditions?

City Not Liable: The City is not responsible or liable for any losses or damages, direct or indirect, arising from any access to or use of the wireless network. The City provides wireless network access and use as a privilege, not a right. Accordingly, such access or use may be terminated, restricted or revoked at any time at the sole discretion of the City or its representatives for any reason whatsoever. Any person who accesses or uses the wireless service is personally responsible and liable for his or her own actions and use. Access and use of the Internet and email shall be at your own risk.

Internet Content May Be Unreliable, Offensive, etc. :The Internet offers access to a wealth of material that can be personally and professionally enriching. Be warned, however, that it is an unregulated environment containing information and opinions that range in scope from reliable and authoritative to harmful, controversial, extremely offensive or inflammatory. Some information found on the Internet may not be accurate, complete, or current and may be subject to change without notice. Reliance upon any material on the Internet shall be at your sole risk: all such material should be verified independently before you use or rely on it. The City is not responsible or liable for the content or quality of material retrieved and makes no warranty, express or implied, as to any material found on the Internet. In addition, the City shall not be held responsible or liable for server, hardware, or software settings, Internet transmission, monitor settings or website design and construction that produce incomplete or inaccurate data, material and information that maybe received and/or displayed on your Internet browser.

Prohibited Activities:You shall not use the access to send spam, bulk, and threatening emails or to hack websites, networks, servers, computers or other devices. You shall not contaminate any other computer, device, hardware or software with viruses, worms, spy-ware, phishing, or in any other way.

Third Party Sites: References, links, hyperlinks and advertising contained on any City or third party website are not approval, endorsements, or support of either the City for the third party or for the third party's goods and/or services. The City is not responsible or liable nor is any responsibility or liability assumed for incompatibility, loss of privacy, invasion of privacy, privacy disputes, non-suitability, viruses, loss of service, or any other problem of any kind arising from or in connection with the third party, the third party's website or the third party's goods and/or services.

Parents Responsible for Supervising Their Minor Children's Internet Use: The City recognizes the concerns about the potential harm caused to minor children when they are exposed to criminal, obscene or hate material on the Internet. The City uses reasonable efforts to prevent access to these types of material by providing a filtered wireless network. However, filtering is not a perfect system. Therefore, the supervision of minor children using the Internet while using eZones, is the responsibility of their parents or guardians. As with all Internet services, parents and guardians are expected to be, and shall be responsible for providing guidance and control of a minor child's access to and use of the wireless network, email and the Internet while using the City's eZones. Any restriction or prohibition of a minor's access and use of the wireless network, email or Internet shall be the responsibility and liability of the minor child's parent or guardian.

17. Is there a way to provide feedback?

Yes, please email us all feedback.

18. What does Wireless Edmonton cost?

Wireless Edmonton service to the public was inexpensive to install because wireless Internet/Intranet systems were already installed or were being installed in various City facilities for staff. For the cost of some additions switches, APs and other hardware, WiFi service was made available to the public.

Wireless Edmonton Cost by Site

For more information:

Email	WirelessEdmonton@edmonton.ca

Copyright © 2012, City of Edmonton.