South Orange Pool WiFi Makes a Big Splash

South Orange last week debuted wireless internet at the pool, just in time for the heat wave. The pool is now  the coolest place in town and a true hot spot for internet access. This Patch editor tried the service on Thursday, its first day in operation and went back to ask patrons what they think of the new service.

"I'm thrilled," said one poolgoer who asked not to be named. "The forecast says 95 degrees, and I say it's my remote office. As long as I stay off facebook, no one will know I'm in a bikini."

A number of poolgoers said they used the service to check email at the pool and, "Believe it or not," said Adam Gorge, "I'm checking the weather. I like to know exactly how hot it is."

Another poolgoer said she was using the internet to check on the power outage around Washington DC, where her mother lives.  Her mother, who is without power, has no access to the online power maps. However, she has phone access, so the South Orange daughter was able to update her mother from the pool. "I'm happy to be checking online from here," said the resident. "Otherwise I'd be home and worrying about her while my kids were bored."

This is just one of several changes the pool has seen in the past year. runs the snack bar, and the bar-code reader for pool passes is in full operation.

Tell us below:  how will you use the internet at the pool this summer??