On Mon, 4 Feb 2002, Andy Warner wrote: > What kind of network do people want ? Localised areas of free > connectivity with backhaul via DSL/Cable/<whatever> to the Internet ? > Or do people envisage a local version of Seattle/BAWUG/Portland/NYC > model, with a wireless network which provides connectivity without > relying on traditional pay ISP services ? What kind of services would > people make available locally (local to the wireless 'net that is - > i.e. without having to go out over a traditional ISP) ? I'd like to see a model where we have a private network that can also be used for internet access -- that is, if we want to play LAN games against each other, we don't have to rely on slow internet connections (I know this won't be totally possible until we get quite a few people signed up), but you can also go to any (most?) nodes and get 'net access. If a node doesn't have local 'net access, you could just gateway through a remote one. Also like to see authentication via something like NoCatAuth. That way, even if we do offer totally free access, people will still see the TCWUG splash screen the first time they join. :) I'm planning on getting it set up on my wireless gateway sometime soon.. if I'm ever home long enough to actually do it. > Having done this kind of thing before (there's a 9600baud data > repeater on top of Moos Tower that I built many years ago) the sprawl > that characterizes the metro area really sucks for reaching critical > mass with a cellular/mesh model. Yeah, it does. 'course, probably better than a place like Denver... :) > > I'd want to keep that private, for the security conscious among us (myself > > included - thus abbreviated lat/long data), but you get the idea. > > Either way, folks can mark down 44.9232N/93.3333W as having an open > node up and running. 8dB omni to be added soon (if the snow stays off > the roof.) I ended up selling most of my wireless gear to a local company who needed a link to replace dead fiber, so I don't have anything besides a few weak AP's inside my house right now.. hoping to have the extra cash to buy a few real AP's again soon so I can actually get an omni on my roof. Helps that I have a couple friends who have halfway reasonable LoS that I can give net access to.. :) > I'll happily maintain a list (and create pretty maps) of metro nodes, > if people send coords to the list or me. I'll probably not have time > to do anything fancy like stick up a web page that automatically > updates maps etc in the near future, so if someone wants to do that, > speak up - I'll happily pass on being bookkeeper :-) Anyone know where to get on anline app that'll let people add their own AP's? I know there's been talk of it on bawug/seattlewireless/nycwirelesse, but I haven't paid a ton of attention.. -- Nate Carlson <natecars at real-time.com> | Phone : (952)943-8700 http://www.real-time.com | Fax : (952)943-8500