Now that construction of the Wi-Fi Internet network is complete, the Louisville, Ky-based firm tapped to build and operate it throughout the Golden Triangle is gearing up for a trial run.

Staffers at US Wireless Online and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, the neighborhood advocacy group that pushed for the Wi-Fi network and raised $500,000 from local foundations to launch it, will give it a shot next week.

Tim Pisula, US Wireless Online's local chief technology officer, said he still expects the network -- which will offer two hours of free Web surfing but will charge for longer service and higher speeds -- to be ready for public use by September.

Mr. Pisula and Michael Edwards, the partnership's chief executive officer, also are busy seeking subscribers and advertisers to buy into the Wi-Fi network.

The duo said they are talking to businesses interested in placing ads and links on the Wi-Fi network's home page and Internet portal.

Two hours of free high-speed Web surfing outdoors is guaranteed, but the network isn't engineered for indoor coverage, Mr. Pisula said, adding that in many places, an indoor Wi-Fi connection will be available, but could be slower or shaky.

In turn, US Wireless is selling private gateways to the Internet -- wireless networks for Downtown residences and businesses for a price of $39 per month and $69 per month, respectively. These indoor private networks are likely a good fit for homes and small companies with more than one computer, Mr. Pisula said.

A one-time fee of $2,000 buys the equipment and service to bring the super-fast public network indoors. That's an option, Mr. Pisula said, for Downtown businesses big and small, shops and restaurants who want nonstop high-speed Wi-Fi access for their employees and customers.

The Verizon vs. Comcast showdown for the affections of Pennsylvania consumers moves to the homefront Tuesday at 9 a.m. in the East Lobby area of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

The state House's Consumer Affairs Committee is hosting a public hearing on a controversial bill allowing would-be cable operators to bypass local franchise agreements.

Weighing in will be Verizon Pennsylvania President William B. Petersen (yea) and Jim D'Innocenzo, Comcast's state director of legislative affairs (nay), who will be joined by various think tank and industry experts as well as representatives from various municipal and consumer groups, offering their perspectives. State Rep. Robert J. Flick, R-Chester, and committee chairman, will oversee the hearing and make opening remarks.

Almost a week later, state Sen. Jane C. Orie, R-McCandless, will convene the first public meeting of her seven-person Senate panel, charged with exploring how Pennsylvania has spent the $11 billion tobacco windfall it received in 2001. Also sitting on the panel, created last month from legislation passed in the state Senate, will be fellow Republicans, Sen. Gibson Armstrong, R-Lancaster, Sen. Jake Corman, R-Centre, and Sen. Rob Wonderling, R-Montgomery. On the Democratic side will be Sen. Connie Williams, D-Delaware, Sen. Andrew Dinniman, D-Chester, and Sen. Jim Ferlo, D-Highland Park.

Some members of the local technology community will be on hand to offer their perspectives on how the tobacco dollars have been used to grow Pittsburgh's life sciences industry. They include the chiefs of local biotech startups, RedPath Integrated Pathology's Mary Del Brady, Fluorous Technology's Phil Yeske, BodyMedia's Astro Teller and D. Lansing Taylor, who heads Cellumen Inc. and also sits on the board of biotech generator Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse. Doros Platika, the greenhouse's CEO, will make remarks, as will Steve Zylstra, CEO of the Pittsburgh Technology Council.

Also scheduled to speak are private equity firm Birchmere Venture's Gary Glausser, and members of the academic community including Carnegie Mellon University Provost Mark Kamlet, Steven Reis, M.D., professor of cardiology at the University of Pittsburgh, and the Pitt/UPMC Cancer Institute's Maryann Donovan, M.D.

The Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse said yesterday that it has invested $100,000 in Applied Computational Technologies LLC , a Windber-based developer of software designed to make the planning and execution of radiation cancer therapies, quicker, more accurate and ultimately, more effective.

Big Big Design's Cynthia Closkey is moonlighting from her daytime gig running the Butler-based Web design and marketing firm. She's also a "mixologist," a sort-of wine and spirits guru -- an Ann Landers for the Happy Hour set -- who for 99 cents per minute via her "Happy Hour Hotline,'' will coach you through what wine you should take to your boss' dinner party or what cocktail you should order when you're at a restaurant with friends.

"I love the idea that I can be at some bar somewhere -- and a person elsewhere in the world can tap me for a drink suggestion," Ms. Closkey said.