Being a web and graphic designer I need an office. A place to get away and just work. To stick in my headphones and work away. When I was in search for an office I just assumed it would be Starbucks. They offer fuel, and they usually have great seating and atmosphere. Near where I live the Starbucks is a bit to be desired. It has 8 places to sit… maybe, and its a bit darker than normal. That was something I could live with but then as everyone knows I found out their wifi was not free (unless you had T-Mobile). And along with 97% of the rest of the population I didn’t have T-Mobile.

It just so happened that right next door was Caribou Coffee. They on the other hand had a mouthful of places to sit, a warm and bright atmosphere, and plenty of outlets. So began my love affair with Caribou. It started slow and then I started to love their coffee and what they offered.

Well recently Starbucks announced what they are calling the SDN (Starbucks Digital Network) that they will be offering to their wifi users. And on top of that, their WiFi is now free.

The SDN, in a nutshell, will have 5 channels: News, Entertainment, Wellness, Business & Careers and My Neighborhood. It will be pulling the best content on the web into these categories for you to browse for free. Some of the free content includes: Free apple itunes downloads, Nick Jr. games, Rodale (the publesher of the Men’s Health magazine, Runner’s World and Women’s Health) . They are also offering full-fledged access to Wall Street Journal, USA Today and The New York Times (all of which you have to pay for otherwise.)

I love the idea of the SDN! In fact its the best web idea i’ve heard in a long time! Its a brilliant idea for Starbucks as its the first idea like it and will draw in plenty of customers (maybe… just maybe, even me).

So I move down to Chicago August 18th and begin classes a few days after that.

I think deep down i’m pretty excited! A little scared of some of the details but thats ok, i’m sure they’ll get worked out.

DOB: May 8th, 1991

Way of thinking: Outside the bun.

Bucket List: Stopping Time, Finding a Job I Love, Create my own flavor of Vitamin Water

Want to know more about Vern? Read more at about section.