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... which is why god created NetStumbler :)

--Whizzmo

I imagine it would be possible to do a reasonable imitation of casual while wondering around with a pda for a few minutes:

http://www.stumbler.net/readme/readme_Mini_0_4_0.h tml

There are probably even better solutions out there that tell you which way to go, without you actually having to think "Stronger signal down that hall" or whatever.

Perhaps it is time to take back *our* Internet, and more importantly, *MY* Internet. While I am only a generic sysadmin, and not Vinton Cerf, I did help build the Internet in what it is today. I worked at ISPs, webshops, and software huts. I took care of Internet customers. I told everyone how useful the Internet was. I posted to Usenet, sent emails, published videos, toyed with mashups, and other things. I helped make the Internet work, even if only in a teensy tiny small way.

I want to continue to experiment with everything Internet. I want to post, and send email, and publish. A tiered Internet would not make that financially possible for me, if I have to have two or three colocations to publish my stuff. Or, by not being an approved corporation that is allowed to reach certain network endpoints, how do I reach my intended audience?

So I suggest that the Internet's users take back what is rightfully theirs, and ours, and more importantly to me, mine. We can build our own infrastructure, which some groups have already started doing. Go get some wireless gear. Learn about it. Go wardriving. Have fun at a Wi-Fi shootout. Know the geeks in the area. I think the best way to take back our Internet, is to own a larger piece of it. I think the only way this can happen, is if there are more of us interested in wireless networking -- enough of an interest to start taking this more seriously.

Boy do I wish I were a better salesman sometimes.

This is true. Even my mom is using Netstumbler when she visits places. Of course, I got her to also use my pet project to find places to get connected.

Wi-Fi is now a part of most of our daily lives. Some folks have their peeves, convictions, and styles, which give shape to a localized wireless space. In densely populated areas, if one of your neighbors has their AP encrypted, there will be at least 2 APs which are completely unconfigured, and two APs that are obviously configured for use by whomever (with an SSID of "free" or something).

The Internet wants to be everywhere, and the information wants to flow. The {spice|oil|net} must flow.

I just turn the ringer off, and leave my phone on. In fact, if I have a laptop with me, I usually leave it on in my bag with netstumbler running. I always have my GPS with me -- on and next to the window (I've even taped it to the window on some trips).

It would be of poor design to make the airplanes' electronics easily interferable, and if that is the case, then they shouldn't leave the ground in the first place. If I can bring a plan down while snapping pictures with my camera phone, the TSA has far larger issues than pissed-off foreign militants -- everyday American consumers.

No mention of WiFiMaps.com for drawing Wardriving data onto a map? I would figure that even mentioning Netstumbler, Kismet, and talking about maps and stuff would give at least a mention -- sheesh! Guess I'll have to wait for O'Reilly's Mapping Hacks book to come out.

MiniStumbler. It's Net Stumbler for your PocketPC (free)
http://www.stumbler.net

PocketLAN. It allows you to connect to network shares, and print to network printers. ($15)
http://www.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=2 825

If you feel like trying to find it, and screwing around with a few hacks, TodayPlus is an abandoned today screen replacement. It was abandoned about a year ago, while it was in beta testing. The beta versions all expired earlier this year, but there is a small but very loyal userbase that has a crack for it. I still haven't found anything that comes close to the features that this program offers, and it's free. Good luck finding a download though.
http://www.jhollin1138.com/todayplus/

Pocket Streets. Take a map with you. The newest version also supports GPS. ($30-$120)
http://www.microsoft.com/mappoint/pocketstreets/de fault.mspx

Actually, the application mentioned in the first link is here.