JW Talk blocked

[RaymondG]

I'm sure there are many here who rely on free Wi-Fi when travelling, even during lunch hours away from home etc...

 

Have you noticed that USA McDonalds' Wi-Fi blocks some forums, JW Talk included? Not every McDonalds, but most of them. I think it must be something to do with the software used, and I think it would be a good idea if the moderators got in touch with them - or Weyport (Wayport?) - who handle their internet and see if they can change things.

[carlos]

I've never had a problem with wifi at MacDonalds in Spain, but I will have a look at it.

[rocket]

I have never had a problem at McDonald's with their wifi and the Forum. I use it often to check the Forum from there.

[RaymondG]

Obviously I was using Wi-Fi a lot on my trip across Europe and the USA, the present situation with McDonalds worsened as I travelled, but only in the USA.

 

Like I said, it isn't only this forum, but it's not all forums. So it's the forum software, I'd suggest.

 

Laughingly there's a message - 'blocked for your safe browsing' or similar.

[Tortuga]

1 hour ago, RaymondG said:

Obviously I was using Wi-Fi a lot on my trip across Europe and the USA, the present situation with McDonalds worsened as I travelled, but only in the USA.

 

Like I said, it isn't only this forum, but it's not all forums. So it's the forum software, I'd suggest.

 

Laughingly there's a message - 'blocked for your safe browsing' or similar.

Did you ask anyone at McDonald's about it?

[Qapla]

We eat at several different MCD's in various locations for lunch (often it is the only place within distance) and I have never had a problem with JW Talk or any of the other forums I use - even when I traveled by train to NY from Florida (to work at Warwick) I was able to connect to some MCD's when the train stopped and experienced no problems.

 

In other travels (like for LDC work) we often pul;l into MCD's parking lot to use their free wifi and still, no problems .....

[SUNRAY]

9 hours ago, Qapla said:

We eat at several different MCD's in various locations for lunch (often it is the only place within distance) and I have never had a problem with JW Talk or any of the other forums I use - even when I traveled by train to NY from Florida (to work at Warwick) I was able to connect to some MCD's when the train stopped and experienced no problems.

 

In other travels (like for LDC work) we often pul;l into MCD's parking lot to use their free wifi and still, no problems .....

I used to rely on Mac Ds and D&D and even our grocery stores (in and around Daytona Beach, Fl.) for wifi to download pubs...I never tried to visit this forum, but when visiting Meekspace.com, I got a msg. that I was going to an "un-trusted site"! Haha! Also, I used to download videos onto my tablet, but now, once I try that, it doesn't work! So now I use the Kingdom Hall for downloads.

[RaymondG]

John, I frequently had to rely on linking via my cellphone because the McDonalds Wi-Fi didn't word. There is no question, you get a message which I have saved somewhere that tells you to get in touch with their webmaster. No, it's not the same at all McDonalds, but at many the problem exists and, once again, it is not just JW Talk, but it's not all forums.

 

Here's the message...

 

 

And yes, I did send them a message and I got no reply.

[RaymondG]

Actually, that's the message I got sometimes, other times I got a more stylised message in a similar form to the McDonalds/Wayport 'you are connected' message, that one said something about 'your safe browsing.'

[hatcheckgirl]

Hi Raymond (I'm sure you're enjoying your trip, happy travelling!)

 

I've been reading about similar problems to yours.  If it is an intermittent problem, it may have something to do with either of these:

 

1. McDonald's wifi is actually provided by Wayport which is now owned by AT&T. So when you go there and connect you have a TOS (terms of service) to agree to and then you click connect.   Sometimes there is another program that gets to the browser and tries to open before the TOS page loads.  In this case, you won't even be able to load any web page because you're not connected to wifi yet until you agree to the TOS.
2. Depending on what browser you are using, you may have to clear the cache of cookies.  I read another user mention "that there may be a limit on the number of cookies stored in a browser. Every time you accept the terms on that login site, it saves a new one. Clearing the data allowed me to login again. In chrome, I went to Settings>Privacy>Clear Browsing Data. I checked Browsing History, Cache, and Cookies,Site data. Once that was cleared, I closed Chrome, reopened it, and the T&C page came up so I could accept the terms. I've been scouring the web and this was the first thing that helped me. "
3. For another user, he switched to using Firefox instead of Chrome, and that forced the wifi to connect seamlessly.
4. Last point, (but I really don't think this applies) is that the site is somehow blocked due to very stringent filters.  Gay sites in NZ have been blocked because they were seen to be porn, when actually they were help-sites for people suffering from issues related to being gay.  But this was in every Mcdonalds, not just intermittent issue. 

In my experience with computer error messages, they often don't reflect what the real error is - just spit out a generic message that masks the real issue and confuses/frustrates.  Try the cookie clearing option as it is a good go-to solution for a lot of issues.

[RaymondG]

I'm home now, Lucy, and I assure you it's not an 'intermittent' problem, it's a problem that's permanent at different locations.

 

I went somewhere when I got home, not sure where, but maybe Hungry Jack's, and had the same issue. I am convinced it's the software used because it's only certain forums... and the same ones each time... which are affected. Others work fine every time.

[Qapla]

I'm sitting in a MCDONALD'S as I post this using their WiFi 

[Old]

6 hours ago, Qapla said:

I'm sitting in a MCDONALD'S as I post this using their WiFi 

 

Just as our brothers and sisters provide a valuable service in the use of their vehicles in service and remunerated for their expenses we recognize that McDonalds is likewise providing a valuable service that aids us in our ministry. Many follow this basic schedule to assist covering the costs of their McDonald's contribution to an enjoyable service morning.

 

 1 senior coffee per a restroom break.

Coffee and strawberry cream pie for restroom break and internet.

Coffee, Egg McMuffin , and 2 strawberry cream pies when down loading a video.

A big breakfast with a latte when conducting a return visit and showing a video.

 

Please note: These are recommended minimums*, many have been seen going the whole 1/4 pounder and a milkshake just to show appreciation. 

*These rates are good in our area, but may vary according to local custom. 

[RaymondG]

John, it's clear you are using a McDonalds with a different setup to many of the ones I tried. Please don't try to prove that I am wrong with this, it happened to me time after time and it was sufficiently selective about the way it happened for it not to have been as I have suggested.

 

Jerry, what does it take to get a 'senior coffee' at McDonalds in the US? Here you have to buy a burger.

[Tortuga]

13 hours ago, Old said:

1 senior coffee per a restroom break.

It our area it is easier and faster to use a hotel restroom while out in service, the restrooms are usually  cleaner than fast food restaurants and the hotel staff is accustomed to guests and non-guests using the restrooms...

[Old]

2 hours ago, RaymondG said:

 

 

Jerry, what does it take to get a 'senior coffee' at McDonalds in the US? Here you have to buy a burger.

Must be 65 or older. Cost 75 cents locally and no other purchase required. I am told that the price varies at different locations.

[RaymondG]

Certainly does...

 

Here they're free if you buy a burger or meal.

 

Which is actually what they're worth, in my opinion.

[Qapla]

10 hours ago, RaymondG said:

Please don't try to prove that I am wrong with this

 

I am not trying to prove you wrong ..... just saying I haven't had that happen so I do not think it is a McDonalds thing. It may be a Wayport thing or an ATT thing - after all, you are "down under" and I am in Florida.

[RaymondG]

I am talking about the experience I had in the USA, however. I'm fairly sure it will be a conflict with the Wayport software and the software used by the forums involved.

 

 

[Qapla]

Well, you know how it is, cell phones and computers, can't live with them, can't live without them and it does no good to shoot them.

[RaymondG]

Making cracks about it doesn't solve the problem, either...

 

 

Carlos, how did you go looking into this?

[Brenda]

http://www.businessinsider.com/customers-cant-watch-porn-at-mcdonalds-2016-7

McDonald's has put an end to an unexpected consequence of offering free Wi-Fi

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-mcdonalds-starbucks-wifi-porn-20160718-story.html

McDonald's, Starbucks agree to filter Wi-Fi porn

 

Looks like corporate owned stores have decided to ban porn sites.  Maybe they can (at their discretion) ban other sites as well.  Maybe they are bias against JWs...and ban our sites.  I know the local McDonalds have just recently put up "No Solicitation" signs in their drive-thru windows.  I guess they got tired of JWs offering a tract when going through drive-thru for coffee every morning.  I haven't checked the wi-fi yet.  I don't eat there so never had a reason.  I'll try to check it out though...just to see.  I'll let you know.  Individually owned stores may also have the option to ban...not sure.

[RaymondG]

It will not be individual stores, it will be the software...

 

It is not JW Talk which is blocked, it is a particular forum software. It is not all forum software.

 

But I would appreciate you checking your local store(s) as it will most likely confirm what I have said and prove it's not an Australian issue to those who forget that I just spent six weeks in America. In fact, McDonalds in Australia have given me none of this thus far, just Hungry Jacks.

[RaymondG]

9 hours ago, Brenda said:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-mcdonalds-starbucks-wifi-porn-20160718-story.html

McDonald's, Starbucks agree to filter Wi-Fi porn

 

Just to underline the actual problem we have here, this excerpt from the above story says it all:

 

A spokesperson for Seattle-based Starbucks says it is implementing filtering once it can find a system that "also doesn't involuntarily block unintended content.

[Alexa]

4 hours ago, RaymondG said:

It will not be individual stores, it will be the software...

 

It is not JW Talk which is blocked, it is a particular forum software. It is not all forum software.

 

But I would appreciate you checking your local store(s) as it will most likely confirm what I have said and prove it's not an Australian issue to those who forget that I just spent six weeks in America. In fact, McDonalds in Australia have given me none of this thus far, just Hungry Jacks.

I used to experience not opening site one time in our computer library. But I can access JWTalk back then, haven't tried what site you are trying to access with and no further for that now