How would you like to surf the web from the comfort of an armchair at Rock Island coffee house?

Now laptop and PDA (personal digital assistant) users can, after local Internet provider Logic Communications partnered with the Reid Street cafe to create a public 'hotspot' to test out wireless Internet access technology.

So far, Rock Island is the only public 'hotspot' where the service can be accessed with Logic still in a testing phase.

The service, which goes by the technical name of '80211B/G', is different from the fixed wireless technology being offered by other companies.

So, how do you get online? Senior systems engineer Clan O'Sullivan said the service "allows anybody with a laptop or Palm Pilot, with an industry standard wireless card installed, to be able to connect to the Internet ? all without cables or wires".

Internet access ? at a speed of 512K ? can only be accessed inside the cafe itself as the technology is installed inside the building.

Logic has also put brochures with 'Get Connected' information at the cafe.

Although the service has only been available in recent weeks ? and with little fanfare made to make its availability known ? the company said there were already "lights on" indicating cafe patrons were already online.

The trial period ? during which people can surf from Rock Island at no cost ? will give Logic time to test the service and make sure it is ready for a bigger roll out. The company is also looking for feedback on the service from hotspot users, which can be sent to marketinglogic.bmLogic Communications is opening a new retail office next to the Spot Restaurant on Burnaby Street on May 1. Wireless Internet access will also be available at the new site.