Slashdot Mirror


Project Rainbow - 802.11 Across the U.S.

rakerman writes "IBM, Intel and a number of wireless services operators are considering building a wireless data network across the U.S., according to the New York Times."

217 comments

  1. 802.11a, b, or otherwise? by gandalfnm · · Score: 1

    The article doesn't say which standard they would propose to use - And I seriously doubt if they would cover rural areas.

    1. Re:802.11a, b, or otherwise? by silicon_synapse · · Score: 1

      The article doesn't say which standard they would propose to use - And I seriously doubt if they would cover rural areas.

      I would guess b. a and I believe g make use of the 2.4 GHz range of frequencies which would screw up cordless phones, wireless video transmitters/recievers, and other such things.

    2. Re:802.11a, b, or otherwise? by scott1853 · · Score: 2

      It would be easier to cover rural areas than it currently is for cable or DSL. You just need to build a tower and put a repeater at the top. What's that going to cost, $20K. That's nothing compared to running cable to cover the same area one antenna could. I'm sure the cities are first on the list, but rural would be more feasible than it is now.

    3. Re:802.11a, b, or otherwise? by gandalfnm · · Score: 1

      With a coverage area of maybe 2000 feet from a tower under standard 100mw power they would have to have a LOT of towers! and you couldn't up the wattage much with a omni or sector since you'd cook everyone living nearby. I wouldn't want to live under a 5watt 2.4 Ghz tower! Microwave ovens are something like 2.54Ghz!

      -G

    4. Re:802.11a, b, or otherwise? by Budgreen · · Score: 1

      yes but a microwave is running at 800W to 1kw or so.. if it can cook a hotdog in 30seconds it would take quite a bit longer to cook you :)

      --
      The greatest right given is the right to be wrong...
    5. Re:802.11a, b, or otherwise? by FCAdcock · · Score: 1

      But it would cook you none the less... it just might take 80 years to do so. Even then, though, I don't want to be cooked.

      --
      --Forest C. Adcock--
    6. Re:802.11a, b, or otherwise? by neilb78 · · Score: 0

      They may propose a new standard based on 802.11, so it may be none of the above, but rather a new and improved 802.11 spec.

      Yum. Yum.

      --
      © 2004 The SCO Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    7. Re:802.11a, b, or otherwise? by Unstrung · · Score: 1

      I'd suggest that some kind of wireless peer-to-peer mesh networking set-up like MeshNetworks or Skypilot are working on might help boost coverage. These systems use other wireless devices as nodes in a network, so they take data from a wired connection and pass it over the mesh of devices, like a soccer team passing a 'data ball' down a field. I doubt Project Rainbow will use this, but then, I expect that Project Rainbow is problably means nationwide in the sense of coverage in major cities. DJ@Unstrung

      --
      "The stars are matter, we're matter, but it doesn't matter." - DVV
  2. Aptly named by sllort · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Because there's a big fat pot of gold at the end: freedom from the tyranny of the DSL/Cable monopolies.

    Questions to ponder:
    1) Will the punnily named Current Techonologies succeed in bringing IP over AC to households everywhere, bringing yet another monopoly to bear in the war for household broadband... and
    2) How will the 802.11 spectrum deal with multiple, competing wireless carriers when/if the spectrum becomes clogged with them?
    I still can't get a cable modem OR DSL in my house, so bring it on.

    1. Re:Aptly named by Alan+Partridge · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      The rainbow is also widely used to denote something as gay friendly.

      --
      That was classic intercourse!
    2. Re:Aptly named by IncohereD · · Score: 1

      ...bringing yet another monopoly to bear in the war for household broadband.

      You seem to be mixing your concepts here. I'm all for more powerful opponents in the connectivity war. But the very fact that they're competitors implies that none of them are monopolies, n'est pas?

  3. Finally! by Paul+E.+Loeb · · Score: 1

    wow so maybe now i can get internet access where fuckin qwest says i am "too far away" from their router. stupid blue-glowing, men-loving qwest.

    1. Re:Finally! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      [bzzzt] I'm sorry, your answer is incorrect. Please read the story and submit a new answer. this wireless network is not designed for home access.
      Quoth the story "...would build access points in public places such as airports but would not try to supply access to people's homes, according to the report."

    2. Re:Finally! by Allaria · · Score: 1

      Oh trust me, you can still easily be "too far away" from an access point. Think about it this way, when you're out in the boonies, how well do you get cell phone reception? I'd imagine that the proposal would start in the cities, and then they might stick up towers and such in the towns. The problem arises that you can't multi hop very well with 802.11. The bandwidth decreases exponentially with each hop. I don't believe (though I may be wrong) that cell towers work that way. I think their signal can be bounced around a ton without as much loss. So not only will you get 'broken reception' (packet loss) farther away from the tower, but if they set it up as a repeater then your bandwidth will be blown away too. Between the two factors, I can't imagine it happening any time soon. They'll wait until they figure out how to hop without losing bandwidth.

      In any case, I'm pretty sure we're still far away from having 802.11 coverage throughout the nation. If you're lucky you might be able to grab a connection from the city, but that's as close as we're gonna get for awhile.

      --
      If a and b in c, and a can create b, and a can create a, and b can create b, and b cannot create a, then a created c.
  4. "Wireless" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Do they have to offer a definition for "wireless" in three places in the article? I think any clueless readers would click the first link.

  5. Wonderful.. by iONiUM · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    No longer does anybody have to actually go into your house/company to get your data, they'll be able to just stick an antenna into the air and get it all. Seems even less secure than our already waning security due to networks becomming larger and more diverse..

    1. Re:Wonderful.. by Wiseazz · · Score: 2, Insightful

      It'll be the same as when DSL and cable started becoming more popular... people will have to learn how to protect themselves. Even my parents know what a firewall is, now... (it's built into that old computer on the floor in the basement that doesn't run windows and keeps their recipies and email safe)

      --
      My sig sucks.
    2. Re:Wonderful.. by hagardtroll · · Score: 4, Funny

      What kind of recipes do your parents have that need a firewall to keep safe?

    3. Re:Wonderful.. by Arthur+Dent · · Score: 1
      (it's built into that old computer on the floor in the basement that doesn't run windows and keeps their recipies and email safe)

      Too late!. Someone already got to it!

    4. Re:Wonderful.. by mother_superius · · Score: 1

      The Terrorist's Cookbook.

    5. Re:Wonderful.. by Wiseazz · · Score: 1

      Mom makes a mean cheescake... I'd hate for it to fall into the wrong hands!

      --
      My sig sucks.
  6. End of the world by cHiphead · · Score: 0

    Isn't a rainbow across the world part of certain prophesies of the end of the world? As if there weren't enough problems in the world coinciding with all the nostrodamus voodoo (war in Israel, missle defense, armies of mercenaries, etc), lets name this project rainbow. Conspiracy theorists unite.

    --

    This is my sig. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
    1. Re:End of the world by phpinfo() · · Score: 1

      No. The rainbow represents God.

    2. Re:End of the world by Alan+Partridge · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      and homosexuality

      --
      That was classic intercourse!
    3. Re:End of the world by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Same thing.

    4. Re:End of the world by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually, the rainbow represents the fact that God will not destroy the Earth with a flood again (Genesis 9).

  7. Please release me, let me go by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    from this dial up 56k hell --jingle--

  8. Project rainbow? by ruiner13 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Does that make anyone else think of a gay pride parade slogan? I'm not homophobic, just stating what popped into my mind! I do think it is a pretty good idea, as long as MS doesn't force them to use their new 802.11b secuirty implementations they claim they are releasing later this year... Although I doubt this will succede. A lot of people have interference problems in their own home, let alone cross-country. Anyone care to come up with an estimate on how many base stations would be needed to cover all the US? I bet it's a lot!

    --

    today is spelling optional day.

    1. Re:Project rainbow? by laserjet · · Score: 1, Flamebait

      Yes, that's what I thought too initially. It is a pity that gays took such a generic thing to use as a symbol for themselves and their propaganda.

      Related to this, I use to have an Apple "Think Different" sticker on my car (the shape of an apple, but in horizontal rainbow striped colors). I took it off because others told me it could be mistaken as a gay symbol, something I do not want in my car.

      --
      Moon Macrosystems. Sun's biggest competitor.
    2. Re:Project rainbow? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Whenever I think rainbow... I think of Jesse Jackson's RRRRRRRainbow Coalition.

      I guess that kinda dates me.

    3. Re:Project rainbow? by Mr.Sharpy · · Score: 2

      Wow, it must suck to be so insecure that you had to take an apple sticker off your car because you thought it might make you look gay.

    4. Re:Project rainbow? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I've always wondered, is the similarity with the gay pride symbol the reason why apple changed their logo from this to this? Personally I kinda liked their first logo ;)

    5. Re:Project rainbow? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      " Wow, it must suck to be so insecure that you had to take an apple sticker off your car because you thought it might make you look gay."

      Shut up, FAGGOT.

      It would be no different than when you took off your Playboy sticker because you thought it might make you look straight.

    6. Re:Project rainbow? by rusty0101 · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Anyone care to come up with an estimate on how many base stations would be needed to cover all the US? I bet it's a lot!

      US Surface Area 3,618,770 square miles
      1 square mile = 27878400 square feet
      802.11b radius 300 yards (outside) or 900 feet
      Area of circle = pi r^2
      Area of base station coverage = pi *(900^2) = 2544615
      base stations per square mile asuming perfect coverage = square mile in feet / area covered by base station = 27878400 / 2544615 10.955+, or for all practical purposes 11.

      That means we need 11 * 3,618,770 or 39,806,470 base stations for 802.11b coverage.

      If you assume that each base station, including required infrastructure to support it (minimum requirements solar cells, storage batteries, built in routing software/hardware) were $100 (in the volumes we are talking here I think we can get some discounts...) you are looking at the stray 3.9 billion that worldcom misplaced in it's accounting records.

      The perfect coverage assumption is based upon the assumption that there is neither overlap, nor dead space. With circular coverage patterns you can not get that kind of coverage. You will always have some of one or the other. However this calculation does provide an estimate for an average overlap and blind spots.

      Oh, source of surface area information was a 1991 copy of the World Almanac, and the area does include a lot of water surface that could be partially eliminated.

      -Rusty

      --
      You never know...
    7. Re:Project rainbow? by pauljlucas · · Score: 1
      Does that make anyone else think of a gay pride parade slogan?
      FYI: the "rainbow" word was used by the Rainbow Family way before the gay movement adopted it. It's also been used by Jessie Jackson's "Rainbow Coalition" since.
      --
      If you reply, do so only to what I explicitly wrote. If I didn't write it, don't assume or infer it.
    8. Re:Project rainbow? by Unstrung · · Score: 1

      ...And then think of the backhaul requirements as you're shuttling data between the 802.11 nodes and the wired broadband connection, it'd be a nightmare. I think by "nationwide" we can safely assume hotspots in major cities rather than carpeting the US. DJ@Unstrung

      --
      "The stars are matter, we're matter, but it doesn't matter." - DVV
  9. Does this mean... by Karl+Cocknozzle · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...I'll finally be able to surf for pr0n and read slashdot in traffic? Now all I need are tinted windows....

    --
    Who did what now?
    1. Re:Does this mean... by Budgreen · · Score: 1

      woo-hoo! mobile porn!

      better drive around till I get the fastest speeds

      --
      The greatest right given is the right to be wrong...
    2. Re:Does this mean... by gerf · · Score: 1

      one of my crazy ideas "if i won the lottery" was to just drive around the country with my g/f or whoever, just surfin the internet, drivin around and having fun. how much would i pay for this? quite a bit if i use it that much

    3. Re:Does this mean... by Anonvmous+Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      Hmm people reading Slashdot in the car...

      Mark my words: One day Slashdot will be mentioned in the Darwin Awards.

    4. Re:Does this mean... by Mr+Guy · · Score: 1, Offtopic

      Sometimes Slashdotters just ASK for it.

      Your idea for if you won the lottery involves sitting next to your girlfriend WHILE SURFING THE INTERNET!

      Damn man, look up some porn and figure out what you SHOULD BE DOING.

    5. Re:Does this mean... by the+way,+what're+you · · Score: 1

      Now all I need are tinted windows....

      Not to mention internal windshield wipers.

      --
      example.org - powered by Linux!
    6. Re:Does this mean... by kleinux · · Score: 1
      This is the honest truth!!! While on my way to OSU to see my girlfriend (ok, that probably sounds unbelievable on slashdot, but I swear I have one) I found myself driving behind some guys in a really old and beat up Buick watching porn on a small flat panel TV. I think the flat panel was worht more than the car actually. It seams that porn is already available in your car.

      Now, as for slashdot in the car... better be careful, you wouldn't want to get pulled over for some kind of public indecency law.

    7. Re:Does this mean... by byrd77 · · Score: 1

      tinted windows....

      because of the pr0n or slashdot?

      --
      - Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.
    8. Re:Does this mean... by gerf · · Score: 1

      haha, you got modded down. oh, and there'd be stops along the way *wink* *wink*.

      too bad it wouldn't go rural routes too, cause all we can get is dial-up and sattelite... ^sad face^

    9. Re:Does this mean... by Anonvmous+Coward · · Score: 2

      "because of the pr0n or slashdot?"

      Probably Slashdot. Looking at porn is cool, reading Slashdot in lieu of pr0n will earn you a beating by Nelson.

    10. Re:Does this mean... by Anonvmous+Coward · · Score: 2

      "Not to mention internal windshield wipers."

      Oh that is sick dude, hahaha.

      You'll need a set of these too.

    11. Re:Does this mean... by tssm0n0 · · Score: 1

      Yeah, what's next? Morons talking on the phone in the car?

    12. Re:Does this mean... by Anonvmous+Coward · · Score: 1

      Or unjustified anger directed people who use cell phones for anything?

    13. Re:Does this mean... by tssm0n0 · · Score: 1

      Or perhaps justified anger for people who needlessly endanger people around them by doing something that has been proven unsafe and violates the law in several places?

    14. Re:Does this mean... by Anonvmous+Coward · · Score: 2

      "Or perhaps justified anger for people who needlessly endanger people around them by doing something that has been proven unsafe and violates the law in several places?"

      You mean like eating in the car, changing the radio, or running red lights? The first two aren't outlawed, and the third has little being done about it. Either you're really really angry at all those people or you're unjustifiably angry at cell phone users.

    15. Re:Does this mean... by tssm0n0 · · Score: 1

      You mean like eating in the car, changing the radio, or running red lights?

      Yes


      I'm not angry at cell phone users. I'm angry at irresponsible people. That's basically what I said in my previous posts. I did not imply that I was angry at cell phone users. Please, re-read my comments before making accusations.


    16. Re:Does this mean... by Anonvmous+Coward · · Score: 2

      "That's basically what I said in my previous posts."

      Here's what you said:

      "Or perhaps justified anger for people who needlessly endanger people around them by doing something that has been proven unsafe and violates the law in several places?"

      I bolded the part that makes me think you were focused on cell phones. If you had replaced 'something' with 'things' then I wouldn't have responded the way I did.

      Understanding what you mean now, I think we totally agree. I am just not a big fan on placing more emphasis on cell phone usage when the things I mentioned earlier score way higher on the statistics. Get what I mean? All I'm after is proper prioritization.

      To put it another way, I don't want them banning cell phone use without banning car stereo use if car stereos cause considerably more accidents than cell phones. If they ban car stereos and THEN ban cell phones in cars, that's not nearly as offensive to me. I remember reading somewhere that 20% of accidents were car stereo related vs. only 3% caused by cell phones. Assuming those stats are even close to true, then it seems to me that Cell phones should get much less attention until the radio issue is resolved. :)

    17. Re:Does this mean... by tssm0n0 · · Score: 1

      Understanding what you mean now, I think we totally agree.

      Glad to see we're on the same page and we're not just starting another slashdot flamewar. I'm also glad we agree. I'm not against any new technologies as long as they're not abused in a way that could endanger other people.

      I took this view specifically about cell phones because of several incidents that occured in this area (an especially congested area known for its bad drivers), and because of studies such as:
      Direct Line reported that the results showed drivers' reaction times were, on average, 30 percent slower when talking on a handheld mobile phone than when legally drunk -- and nearly 50 percent slower than under normal driving conditions.

      http://www.wirelessnewsfactor.com/perl/story/16908 .html

    18. Re:Does this mean... by Luyseyal · · Score: 2

      So.... you're saying our drunk driving laws are off-target?

      hehehehe
      -l

      --
      Help cure AIDS, cancer, and more. Donate your unused computer time to worldcommunitygrid.org. Join Team Slashdot!
    19. Re:Does this mean... by Anonvmous+Coward · · Score: 2

      Thanks for the info. *will read it soon*

      And I do apologize for being snide with you earlier.

      There are people out there who want cell phone restrictions with safety in mind, and there are people out there who want cell phone restrictions with predjudice in mind. "I dont like cell phones, so I want them jammed" -- is an attitude Ive heard a lot on Slashdot. That is how I read your post and why Im apologizing now. I basically pre-biased what you said.

      I think we're all cool now. :)

  10. Re:Check those links! by Valiss · · Score: 1

    Love those n00bs. Hey reg is FREE and then moves you to an article. Read the page first amigo.

    --

    -Valiss
  11. Warchalking... by alienmole · · Score: 4, Funny

    Damn, I'm going to have to buy a whole assload of chalk now!!

    1. Re:Warchalking... by Alan+Partridge · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      could someone enlighten me as to haw much an "assload" is, approximately? When I take a dump, I get maybe half a kilo of loaf-matter at most - usually a lot less. Do Americans take bigger dumps?

      --
      That was classic intercourse!
    2. Re:Warchalking... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Maybe we should switch to an opposite convention and warchalk areas that are *not* connected.

    3. Re:Warchalking... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It all depends on the size of one's rectal cavity. However, that's a rather flexible surface, which could a decent amount of flux in an objective definition of an assload.

    4. Re:Warchalking... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This guy does.

      Seriously, I think of an "ass-load" as a giant backpack that is so big, it covers my whole back with a lot of weight riding on my hips and ass.

    5. Re:Warchalking... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Insert oblogitory goatse.cx link here.

    6. Re:Warchalking... by alienmole · · Score: 5, Funny
      could someone enlighten me as to haw much an "assload" is, approximately?

      That's easy, it's 1.6 arseloads. A little more in Texas.

      For more information, I suggest the All-Purpose *load Unit Conversion Calculator.

    7. Re:Warchalking... by queequeg1 · · Score: 1

      Although not quite on target, I believe it is closely related to "shitload," which I have always understood to mean the maximum amount of any given substance that an average human being can carry. This is opposed to a "fuckload", which is all of any given substance in the universe.

    8. Re:Warchalking... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Half a kilo is a METRIC arseload. The average overweight American standard assload is 13 ounces.

    9. Re:Warchalking... by blitziod · · Score: 1

      an assload is roughly 10 shitloads.

      --
      The only way to bust a doper--is when you yourself become a smoker!
    10. Re:Warchalking... by millette · · Score: 1

      It all depends which pampers you get. See, some are good for up to 20 pounds, some even 30. There is a limit to the technology, but you can choose from a range of values.

  12. G3 mobile phone networks by pubjames · · Score: 2


    If they do this, is there any point in building G3/G4 mobile phone networks?

    1. Re:G3 mobile phone networks by sllort · · Score: 1

      If they do this, is there any point in building G3/G4 mobile phone networks?

      Absolutely! How else can we fuel the media's need for financing scandals and collapsing telecommunications firms?

  13. celphones first! by paradesign · · Score: 4, Insightful

    id like my phone to work everywhere first!
    if they cant do that how are they ever going to do this?

    --
    I want 2D games back.
    1. Re:celphones first! by wowbagger · · Score: 2

      The reason the cell system doesn't work everywhere is that the systems aren't in place everywhere.

      Now, if you have to build a new system anyway, why not build a system with higher throughput, greater flexability of use, and longer lifespan? Given 802.11a speeds (or even 802.11b speeds), you can do voice, SMS, and other stuff....

    2. Re:celphones first! by jared9900 · · Score: 2, Informative

      there intent is not to get wireless networking everywhere. just to specific locations such as airports. be patient, infrastructures take time to develop, they also require a clear need. unless companies think they'll make a good profit off of it they won't be quick in development.

    3. Re:celphones first! by EvilBudMan · · Score: 1

      Right now we are out in the boonies. There are lots of dead areas for cell phones. A bag phone helps but you have to pay extra for the second number.

      As far as broadband for home goes, we have ISDN and that is IT. I would be very interested in what it would take to deploy a wireless network. Could it be done? Could you even break even? We do have plenty of mountains and hills. Maybe repeaters could be deployed on the power poles.

      I would be very interested to know if anyone is doing this in rural areas and what their experience is?

    4. Re:celphones first! by Lumpy · · Score: 2

      cellphones dont work everywhere because of massive stupidity in the parts of the cell companies.. you have 5-10 times redundancy for cellular. Everyone having their "OWN" cell sites and \wasting time, money, energy.

      double redundancy is good enough, and force the cell companies to create infrastructure companies and have the consumer side ride on the backbones. this will eliminate the "no service" from AT&T wireless people when standing in view of a Nextel tower. (And vicea versa.... nextel has the WORST coverage next to cingular)

      but it aint gonna happen, wireless sucks and will keep sucking until someone in the cellular companies finally pull their heads out of their asses... or someone starts buying them up like with what is happening in cable TV.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    5. Re:celphones first! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Get rid or your SprintPCS phone...

    6. Re:celphones first! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      the hell with 'celphones'.... how about spellcheck?

    7. Re:celphones first! by sergiori · · Score: 1

      use www.vonage.com which is an IP phone.

      now if wireless networks using 802.11b or a get popular, someone could make small ip phone that use the network that would be ideal.

      As my economic situation recovers, I am planning on building a wireless network and then use an IP phone. no more need for traditional or celular phones.

    8. Re:celphones first! by Unstrung · · Score: 1

      Only problem with that idea is that there isn't support for voice over IP in the 802.11 standards at the moment. Companies like Symbol do properitary voice extensions, but it isn't part of the standard. DJ@Unstrung

      --
      "The stars are matter, we're matter, but it doesn't matter." - DVV
  14. Re:Oh yeah? by shadow303 · · Score: 1

    This is the funniest post I have read in a long time.

    --
    I've got a mind like a steel trap - it's got an animal's foot stuck in it.
  15. The state of Kansas suddenly becomes cool... by punkrider · · Score: 2, Funny


    I have driven cross-country several times now, and nothing would've make the entire state of Kansas more cool than being able to surf the web while riding through it.

    sorry, but it's true.

    1. Re:The state of Kansas suddenly becomes cool... by Richard+M.+Ferko · · Score: 2, Insightful

      This is what scares me. My friend just lost his father to a cell phone impaired driver. I can just imagine what this would do.

      I'm all for wireless (have 802.11b at home now), but I fear things like this would happen (yes I know the parent was intended to be humorous). I'm just not sure what could be done about it. I like personal freedom, dislike too much gov't regulation, but don't trust in the intelligence of my fellow road warriors. Any ideas?

      --
      "Always do what you are afraid to do." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
    2. Re:The state of Kansas suddenly becomes cool... by laserjet · · Score: 2

      Yes, that would be nice. Cruising the information superhighway while cruising the great highway system of the US. Wind blowing in your hair, pr0n just a click away anywhere...

      we can dream, can't we?

      --
      Moon Macrosystems. Sun's biggest competitor.
    3. Re:The state of Kansas suddenly becomes cool... by Chanc_Gorkon · · Score: 2

      Yeah. No more new laws concerning cell phones or wireless. Wireless equipment can be used safely and effectively for many things in a car.....GPS based way of delivering online maps (onboard computer pulls up new maps when traveling), it could also be used for regular web surfing too. But we ALREADY have laws on the books for distracted driving (what you are when your gabbing on the phone and driving at the same time). We should probably increase the fine butt loads for those who are multiple offenders of distracted driving and those who cause a death because of it. I am sorry to hear about your friends father, but making a new law making it unlawful to use cell phones and wireless internet in a car is not going to bring him back or save lives. People will continue to be assholes.

      --

      Gorkman

    4. Re:The state of Kansas suddenly becomes cool... by thud2000 · · Score: 1

      Yeah, that would be nice until you see the blue lights in your rear view mirror. [Alt+F4][Alt+F4][Alt+F4]

    5. Re:The state of Kansas suddenly becomes cool... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why not just [ctrl]-q?

      It quits the browser.. none of this closing all the windows bs.

    6. Re:The state of Kansas suddenly becomes cool... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why do all the posts think this is going to be available everywhere? The article spcifically said (limited) public access points, like airports.

    7. Re:The state of Kansas suddenly becomes cool... by blitziod · · Score: 1

      wireless in cars would be a great thing for internet radio stations. Why would anybody listen to anything else? Also wireless net in cars would likely lead to an increased use of voice recognition apps and also voice instant messaging(like on yahoo. Maybe it would even cause voice email to take off.

      --
      The only way to bust a doper--is when you yourself become a smoker!
    8. Re:The state of Kansas suddenly becomes cool... by smyle · · Score: 1
      I'm from Kansas (and still there now). No offense taken.

      It's a nice place to live, but you wouldn't want to visit there.

      --

      Sleep is just a poor substitute for caffeine, anyway. -Bob Lehmann

  16. The threat! by Mr.+Mai · · Score: 0, Troll

    And then microsoft will try to buy it and try to controll everything as usual.

  17. Yawn... by bitmason · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Sure it would be cool to have the long promised everywhere, everywhen connectivity. But aside from the technical issues (e.g. what version of the standard), it's difficult to see us getting anywhere close to the point where enough people are willing to plop down the requisite amount of monthly $$'s to make this viable.

    Pick a number: $50/month, $100/month? How much are you willing to pony up for patchy wireless internet connectivity primarily in relatively heavily populated areas? Consider that even broadband penetration seems to have plateaued to a large degree in the areas where it is available. Not everyone's willing to pay $40-$50/month for better computer access.

    1. Re:Yawn... by Zelet · · Score: 1

      Think about it this way. Would you pay to have broadband in your home... and EVERYWHERE else you are going? Remember you get to get rid of your current broad-band connection at home. I would easily pay a good $50-$70 for this (if it worked right).

      --
      ...And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me." - Martin Niemoeller (1892-1984)
    2. Re:Yawn... by kspencer · · Score: 1

      Right. So, how much are you paying for your cellphone? More importantly, how many other folks are paying similar prices for cellphones everywhere?

      This won't be an immediate-profit action. It'll take at least a couple of years for the general public to catch on. And there will be nightmare consequences as well. But at $50-$100/month to have computer connectivity anywhere I go, it'd be a winner fairly soon. It'll break free when the public as a whole discovers nifty uses - such as email alerts (of weather, stock changes, and traffic patterns), which will be utterly terrifying when the user's driving a car.

    3. Re:Yawn... by bitmason · · Score: 1

      There are analogies with cell phones. However, I think it's difficult to see people wanting to use computer communications instead of cell phone (voice) communications. Which implies that -- to succeed -- you're going to need an infrastructure that does double-duty for voice and data.

      On the other tentacle, there's little evidence for and quite a bit against a widespread desire to have internet-enabled handhelds. Stock quotes wherever you go? Puhleese! That's so 1999:-) Yes, I'd like to check directions every now and then or lookup restaurants, but how much is all that worth?

      And while I might like to pull out my laptop outdoors sometimes and check my mail, it's not a compelling need that I'd spend a lot of money for. If I could get it for free/cheap as part of my cellphone plan, then sure! But otherwise...

    4. Re:Yawn... by sadcox · · Score: 1

      Exactly...

      Three years ago I thought mobile phones were a plague, but for an extra $3/month I was able to replace my land line with no options and long distance charges with a mobile phone including voicemail, call waiting, call forwarding, and nationwide long distance. True, limited minutes, but still more than I need.

      The $$$ I save on the land line and cancelling my dialup ISP is enough to pay for broadband access.

      If someone offers me MOBILE broadband access for $10-$20 more than I'm paying now, I'll be the first to sign up.

      --
      "He hated Mexicans, and he was half Mexican. AND he hated irony!"
    5. Re:Yawn... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Unless you live close to access points, you'll likely have to pay twice. And I don't think of 802.11b as broadband.

    6. Re:Yawn... by blitziod · · Score: 1

      i'd be playing EQ online while sitting on the beach drinking !

      --
      The only way to bust a doper--is when you yourself become a smoker!
  18. Can you h4X0r me now? by okie_rhce · · Score: 5, Funny

    Good...

  19. Mobile hacking by Budgreen · · Score: 1

    I can see this creating a stir in the FCC...

    How many new field agents will they need to track down mobile IP's of hackers/spammers etc. etc.

    --
    The greatest right given is the right to be wrong...
  20. A real 3G cell network would be better. by Delta-9 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    They should be worried about getting a real 3G cell network off the ground first.

    Then we can do all those things with more flexibility than what is mentioned in that very short "article."

    1. Re:A real 3G cell network would be better. by byrd77 · · Score: 1

      hrm, toss in voice-over-ip, and this is the 3G network... seems it would be much more flexible than the existing 3G systems in other countries as well.

      --
      - Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.
  21. This will fail! by Dutchmaan · · Score: 2

    There's nowhere to put the golden spike!

  22. How about Boingo by msichiti · · Score: 2, Informative

    Boingo already started something similar quite a while ago. It's not clear from the story if they will be partners with Boingo or competitors. Any ideas, anybody?

    1. Re:How about Boingo by Unstrung · · Score: 1

      Boingo is not quite the same thing. Boingo doesn't build their own hotspots, their software sniffs out existing free hot spots and partner networks. Too early to say if Intel and the others will partner with existing WLAN companies like Boingo and iPass or go it alone.

      --
      "The stars are matter, we're matter, but it doesn't matter." - DVV
  23. Nope by Subcarrier · · Score: 4, Informative

    802.11, 11b and 11g are 2.4 GHz. 11a is 5 GHz.

    --
    "I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them." -- George H. W. Bush
    1. Re:Nope by silicon_synapse · · Score: 1

      Sure enough. I should know better than to post at any point during the work week.

    2. Re:Nope by pete-classic · · Score: 1

      Your sig is out of date. Numeric Karma is dead, man.

      -Peter

    3. Re:Nope by cetan · · Score: 2

      Long live numeric Karma!

      --
      In Soviet Russia...michael would be rotting in Siberia!
    4. Re:Nope by silicon_synapse · · Score: 1

      Your sig is out of date. Numeric Karma is dead, man.

      Actually I didn't create that sig until they took away numeric karma. I'm keeping track of it manually out of spite. It's probably still the same behind the scenes at least for the time being.

    5. Re:Nope by rakslice · · Score: 1

      I just noticed that. So, are these new status indications just fuzzy text labels corresponding to the hidden numbers, or is this an indication that the karma system has been replaced?

  24. Right! by brian6string · · Score: 0

    Yeah, just as soon as I can get reliable cell phone service all across the country, I'll believe they will build a wireless data network.

  25. finally something more to do by NotAnotherReboot · · Score: 2

    I normally play civ2/3 in the back seat of the car on long trips, but hey- as if I'm not wired enough I need wireless internet access too.

    Hopefully pricing would be decent (if this does actually come) or at least you could buy it in a timeblock (let's see- I've got a road trip the 3rd week of August, and then book that time).

    1. Re:finally something more to do by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      By the time this materializes (if ever) you will be old enough to drive and you won't have the time to play games on the computer. Ah, the joys of being a teenager with mom and dad driving you around.

    2. Re:finally something more to do by NotAnotherReboot · · Score: 2

      hey, I'm going to be a loving parent- my kids need internet access when *I'm* driving.

  26. So what coverage exactly? by Matey-O · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Across the WHOLE US? Or across major metro areas?

    I've got some users that could really USE true border to border access (petroleum tank inspectors) but since live access= digital cellphone coverage, there's a BUNCH of the state that's unreachable via cellphone.

    Meaning we've got to add a LOT of logic to the custom apps to handle dead zones.

    Now, if coverage were limited to cities with more than 60 people (and could be, at $100 per basestation) that'd be a Very Good Thing.

    --
    "Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus."
    1. Re:So what coverage exactly? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is explained IN THE STORY. It's practically what the story is about. How do posts like this get mod'd as Interesting?

      It's bad enough when posters can't take the time to read the story, but when a moderator can't it's just plain pathetic. Next some cholo is going to come along and meta-mod this moderation as a good thing(tm). How friggin slashdottin typical.

    2. Re:So what coverage exactly? by k2enemy · · Score: 1
      from the nyt article:
      ...provide on-the-go professionals and other Web surfers a unified way to reach the Internet from a wide range of "hot spots" like airports and other public places. It is not intended to supply broadband connections to customers' homes, an executive involved in the discussions said.

      pretty much answers your question. did you read the article?

  27. MOD THIS UP by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    +5 Interesting.

    Current Technologies, for those who don't know, employs the high-speed data modulators that are used to remotely address and read power meters, in order to provide broadband to the masses. They have deployed many meters on the left coast and are expanding into the more populous mountain states next.

  28. I'm sorry, I really am by Mr+Guy · · Score: 3, Funny
    The companies will take several months to decide whether there is a workable business model for the plan
    But it has to be done:
    1. ) Large Wireless network with money going out for security, bandwith, and support.
    2. ) ???
    3. ) Profit!
    1. Re:I'm sorry, I really am by laserjet · · Score: 2

      Dear Sir,

      I think for step two, maybe we should steal underpants and warehouse them. That might help build a profit, but I am not sure. As soon as I get my MBA I should be able to figure it out.

      I will let you know. If not, maybe we could at least make it look like it.

      Thanks,

      United CEOs of Enron, Worldcom, Merck, & Tyco

      --
      Moon Macrosystems. Sun's biggest competitor.
  29. Rainbow Connection by pridkett · · Score: 5, Funny
    Can anyone else picture themselves wandering about aimlessly singing this age old tune whenever they can't find a network connection?
    Why are there so many songs about rainbows
    And what's on the other side?
    Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
    And rainbows have nothing to hide.
    So we've been told and some choose to believe it
    I know they're wrong, wait and see.
    Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
    The lovers, the dreamers and me.
    --
    My Slashdot account is old enough to drink...
    1. Re:Rainbow Connection by wemmick · · Score: 1
      age old tune???

      If I recall correctly, this is from the Muppet Movie... from 1979.

      I guess I'm more than 10 years older than "age old".

      --
      ___
      Cognitive Overflow
      more than yo
  30. This is without a doubt... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The stupidest idea I have ever heard. So many factors will contribute to this madness being cast aside. Such as the enormous cost, the impact on the environment (they'll have ot put up relay towers), and the increase in ambient radiation that will be ripping through our bodies.
    I used to wonder why slashdot carried stories about projects that anyone with half a brain would realize will never get off the ground, then I realized that the editors were clownshoes.

  31. Article by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yet another poor writeup for slashdot. The article clearly states this is being considered for areas like airports, and they have no intention of providing wireless internet access in people's homes or rural neighborhoods.

  32. Not what it seems by Jack+William+Bell · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Most of the posts here seem to assume this means wireless connectivety everywhere. Such is *not* the case. The article states that the players in this network will put access points in airports and other public spaces and will not try to provide access to peoples homes.

    In fact this doesn't seem to be so much a 'Wireless Network' as a bunch of access points connected to the Internet. Not what I was hoping for when I saw the subject line.

    What I want is a nationwide variant of the Ricochet network. Anyone remember them? They used light-pole mounted units that acted as wireless routers, letting them provide access anywhere by routing the packets through the air to the closest wired router. It worked pretty damn well (if slow). I used it here in Seattle for a couple of years and being able to check my email while stuck in traffic alone made it worth the cost. The fact that I had Internet connectivety pretty much everywhere else was just gravy.

    A similar scheme can work with 802.11 devices, given cheap hardware and proper software. Many groups are already working on this. Here in Seattle there is even a group trying to set up a non-profit community network this way -- http://www.seattlewireless.org

    If such home-brewed networks were to spread across the country we could tie them together via the Internet, or even via leased lines between cities. Now that sounds like the kind of thing I would like to see! No way anyone could ever control that...

    Jack William Bell

    --
    - -
    Are you an SF Fan? Are you a Tru-Fan?
    1. Re:Not what it seems by Mr.Sharpy · · Score: 2

      Hmm, that makes an interesting points. Light poles are everywhere, and they obviously provide a source of electricity. Maybe if somebody came up with a really cheap 802.11a & b access point/router they could start strapping them on to light poles or even building them into new ones. Light poles are just the right height to provide access to people on the ground and in their homes.

      Maybe they could have a dual band solution where routing is done mesh style; cell to cell on 802.11a and access is provided on 802.11b. 802.11a works best with line of sight since it uses a 5Ghz frequency,and most light poles, in cities at least, are in line of sight with an adjacent pole. The higher frequency could also cut down on interference by devices that down play well. A crappy microwave might interrupt service in a cell, but it wouldn't affect the routing of the rest of the network. The extra bandwith of 802.11a would also help in routing by reducing bandwidth saturation.

    2. Re:Not what it seems by doorbot.com · · Score: 1

      If such home-brewed networks were to spread across the country we could tie them together via the Internet, or even via leased lines between cities. No way anyone could ever control that... ...except maybe the individuals who actually owned the hardware, or those who had control over their configurations. Do you really think it would be any different than the how the major backbone providers have it now?

      While some people may decide to lose some money in the interest of building a network like this, most people are more self-interested and will find a way to make you pay.

    3. Re:Not what it seems by eweu · · Score: 1

      Light poles are everywhere, and they obviously provide a source of electricity. Maybe if somebody came up with a really cheap 802.11a & b access point/router they could start strapping them on to light poles or even building them into new ones.

      Yeah, that worked really well for Metricom's Ricochet network.

      Sadly, leasing space on light poles involves local governments. That's a sure fire way to screw up any plan.

    4. Re:Not what it seems by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How would most people make you pay? I currently use my college wifi network and I don't pay. They could make me pay, and I would, but they control all of the points. If I setup a wireless AP in my apartment, I won't even bother noticing that my neighbors are getting on the net through my connection. And how would I make them pay? I could block their MAC address, but what is the point in that. We are trying to build a nationwide "free" network.

    5. Re:Not what it seems by doorbot.com · · Score: 1

      We are trying to build a nationwide "free" network.

      Who exactly is "We?" If you have major corporations involved, while you may have their support, I'd be very very surprised if they were paying out of the goodness of their hearts. I'm not trying to be cynical; I'm just being realistic here. You, and other "free thinkers" may want a free, wireless network but unless you fund it entirely on your own, don't hold your breath. If you want corporate backing, you will pay somewhere, although the price may not be entirely obvious (eg, public school research is funded by grants and taxes, or grants from the Feds which is funded by taxes).

      The consumer always pays (always). The question is only how much and how often.

      It would be simple-minded to think that we do not have sufficient technology to limit your access to the wifi network. Perhaps you could only access "local" nodes, or perhaps you are denied access entirely unless you logon (PPPoE comes to mind). Just because "they" don't restrict you doesn't mean "they" can't.

      And therein lies my concern. People can get all hyped up about a free wifi network... and both are good things. But if you don't own it you don't control it so don't be surprised if you start paying for it too.

  33. Actually, you'll still be without... by YanceyAI · · Score: 3, Informative
    You: I still can't get a cable modem OR DSL in my house, so bring it on.

    The article: The companies involved -- which also include AT&T Wireless Services, Verizon Communications, and Cingular Wireless -- would build access points in public places such as airports but would not try to supply access to people's homes, according to the report.

    It's a bummer.

    --
    Can I bum a sig?
    1. Re:Actually, you'll still be without... by doorbot.com · · Score: 1

      The companies involved -- which also include AT&T Wireless Services, Verizon Communications, and Cingular Wireless -- would build access points in public places such as airports but would not try to supply access to people's homes, according to the report.

      It's a bummer.


      If you had to pay the full cost of a telephone line to extremely rural areas (or even to most residences) you wouldn't bother. They're not profitable. That's why telcos have exorbitant prices on their business-level services; they offset their losses on residential services with the profits from the business end. If you don't like that you can thank the government (you really should thank the government, though, because it benefits us all a lot more than it hurts a few businesses).

      So it's no surprise that they'll be providing access in airports (for a fee, of course) and not to homes. Maybe it's because they want a return on their investment, and that requires profit...

  34. I'm Confused.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What's and 802.11? Everyone keeps talking about it at work, and I just keep quiet cause I don;t know what it means. Please help.

  35. Because by Subcarrier · · Score: 2

    You're highly unlikely to get WiFi anywhere except in densely populated areas. You get the maximum bitrates only over short distances. This requires a base station every 100 meters (or 60 yards) max.

    The cellular networks offer much better coverage, and something that people forget, higher mobility. WiFi doesn't function seamlessly over much more than walking speeds, if at all. A subscriber in a cellular network can do 120 kilometers (or 80 miles) an hour and maintain a connection.

    --
    "I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them." -- George H. W. Bush
    1. Re:Because by AnyoneEB · · Score: 1

      "This requires a base station every 100 meters (or 60 yards) max."

      I'll have to remember to use the metric system whenever figuring distance for a wireless network since that gives it more range...

      100 meters = ~109 yards

      --
      Centralization breaks the internet.
  36. this is already being done and working by valmont · · Score: 2
    well it's still only working in very select areas but EarthLink rolled out its own nationwide 802.11b service. The plans are pretty good.

  37. Dude by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That is, like, so gay.

  38. Great.... by LordMyren · · Score: 1

    So we can all enjoy what would become a 200 baud wireless connection?

    Yes, its wrong, but in many ways the technological divide is what enables technology in the first place.

    Myren

  39. excellent by PoitNarf · · Score: 1

    Perhaps if this is implemeneted you'll be able to look at all the crap on the web AND all the crap on route 66 at the same time!

    --

    "0101100101? It's just jibberish. *looks in mirror, gasps* 1010011010@!? AHHHHHH!!"
  40. Bad connection by shmuc · · Score: 1

    Error: Cannot establish connection with service, fat man is in the way.

    --

    Efren Belizario
    headspeak.com
  41. Beaten to the punch? by Andy+Dodd · · Score: 2

    Boingo (http://www.boingo.com/), if they have not already started service, will be starting service soon.

    And unlike IBM and Intel, who are "thinking of a business model/plan", Boingo already has a plan in effect - They're either buying or partnering with smaller wireless ISPs, and also setting up franchise systems. "You set up the hardware, we'll get you the users and handle billing, we share the profits." It's basically the same technique used to build Earthlink into the national ISP it is now. Not surprising, considering that Boingo's founder Sky Dayton is the man who built Earthlink.

    Toshiba is also entering the market soon with a turnkey $200 POP system - Same basic deal. A customer installs the system, Toshiba handles the billing. I'm not sure if it's designed to be nationalized easily, though. I got the impression it's more of the type of thing that your local coffee shop would install, and you'd only purchase access for that shop.

    In addition, Boingo is allowing those who operate open APs (such as those in NYCWireless, etc.) to submit their APs into Boingo's AP database.

    They're even taking it one step further: Supposedly their software can sniff APs. Wardriving goes corporate...

    --
    retrorocket.o not found, launch anyway?
  42. Bridging networks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Ok, I've been looking into various community-based 802.11 networks...most of them are in the "just getting started" phase. None of them have addressed the fundamental question of HOW they're going to bridge the wireless network together.

    Having a bunch of AP's scattered around is fine and dandy...if you like connecting to a bunch of stand-alone networks that don't really go anywhere. But what about bridging them all together?

    You can go one of two routes...you can bridge access points via the Internet, or you can bridge AP's directly (and relatively cheaply, via a couple of WAP11's).

    Until these "wireless neighborhood" people start addressing this issue, all this talk about universal wireless access is just that--talk.

  43. Ricochet? by chiph · · Score: 1

    How is this different from Ricochet's service? Sure, it's going to be 802.11, and not a proprietary protocol, but it'll still have to be a subscription-based service (unlike the free WiFi service in Aspen Colorado being sponsored by some generous guy with deep pockets). Any idea of cost? Chip H.

  44. summary of the article by wompser · · Score: 3, Funny

    For any Tinfoil hat types out there worried about the NYT registration I will gladly summarise the "article" for you

    From the New York Times:

    Earlier this month a bunch of really important advertisers in our newspaper had a meeting. According to several people close to the talks, these companies have now invented a new wireless standard called "802.11" The big companies are very proud of their invention, calling it "the next really really big thing (tm)"

    While they realize there are many compatitibility issues that need to be worked out, executives from all the major advertisers agree that by Q4 of 2009 they will be rolling out preliminary test programs in Bumfark, South Dakota and the 'Pendelton Hills' Starbucks in Pendelton Oregon. This test program will only allow for compatibility with 3 brands of cell phones and one PDA, but all of the companies suspect that they will be able to offer service to their propriatary hardware within several years of a sucessful test program.

    When asked if the meeting attendees had ever heard of a grassroots open source movement around 802.11, the spokesperson said: "huh?"

    Thank you, I'll be here all week....

    --
    .....
  45. Wow by L600R · · Score: 1

    Downloading porn anywhere. Sweet!

  46. Everyone take a minute and *read the article*!!! by Wakko+Warner · · Score: 2

    There are no plans for residential coverage.

    So before you all start dancing like retards because you'll finally be able to get rid of evil Time Warner Cable, or whatever, let that sink in.

    You're still fucked. (Please read next time, though.)

    Thanks!

    - A.P.

    --
    "Remember when the U.S. had a drug problem, and then we declared a War On Drugs, and now you can't buy drugs anymore?"
  47. Warez Sites with a new defense method. by OS24Ever · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just think, put a web site in the trunk of a Porsche and whenever the MPAA or RIAA come to shut you down, take off down the road.

    Then you can watch yourself live on Worlds Wildest Police Chases via your wireless connection while serving up countless bootleg MP3s & DVDs :)

    --

    As a rock-in-roll Physicist once said, No matter where you go, there you are.

    1. Re:Warez Sites with a new defense method. by BigJimSlade · · Score: 5, Funny

      Just think, put a web site in the trunk of a Porsche and whenever the MPAA or RIAA come to shut you down, take off down the road.

      It's the new movie "Pump Up The Bandwidth", starring Christian Slater as a troubled geek with a message to send. JonKatz says "This e-movie will be a defining moment in our post-Columbine-post-9/11 society!"

    2. Re:Warez Sites with a new defense method. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      It would be cool if when you are stopped at a stop light your eMpeg "www.riocar.org" would link up to the guy's next to you and download all of those mp3's onto your player. You could sort through them when you got back home. That would be a network you couldn't shut down.

  48. BTW, regarding coverage by Andy+Dodd · · Score: 2

    Boingo is the ONLY company I've seen with 802.11b coverage in Central Jersey.

    Like the IBM/Intel effort, the target is hotels and airports...

    But even a few hotels (not just one) have APs in Bridgewater, NJ. Impressive. Very impressive.

    --
    retrorocket.o not found, launch anyway?
  49. Re:Oh yeah? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I love the way you lick my feet
    The way you stroke my thigh;
    I love the way you take me hard,
    disdaining lube, you always go dry.
    I love the way your smegma tastes
    and the way your thick fur feels.
    I ache for the touch of your herpetic lips,
    your fingers wriggling against me like eels.
    I love your warm soft tongue on mine
    and the way you haven't banned me yet.
    I adore the caress of your bushy tail
    and the way you make my hermaphro-gina wet.
    Baby, always remember that no matter where you may be,
    You'll always, always, always, always, always, always have me.

  50. No way to disconnect by Tenebrious1 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    That's what I'm afraid of, soon manufacturers will start producing pager, cell phones, and laptops with no way to turn them off.

    Personally, I like, no I revel in being disconnected on weekends and after hours. I turn off my cell. I turn of my pager. I work on my laptop as it was meant to be used, on my lap in a lounge chair on the back deck with a big ol' glass of lemonade.

    At this point, I can still tell my boss "no, I didn't get your email, I didn't have internet access at the cafe." After Project Rainbow, I'll have to resort to "No, my laptop was off/ran out of battery". When they start making laptops with 24hr batteries and no power button, I'll have to tell my boss the truth- I DON'T WANT TO CHECK EMAIL ON WEEKENDS. IT'S MY TIME, LEAVE ME ALONE!

    --
    -- If god wanted me to have a sig, he'd have given me a sense of humor.
    1. Re:No way to disconnect by intermodal · · Score: 1

      linux, linux, linux. i know i'll probably get modded down for saying that, but free software will never be party to such things as "won't turn off" or "won't disconnect when I want to." As a non-business, the free software community makes software with options so they can use it how they want to, not software with friendly daemons to decide what you do. That's the difference between playing the corporate/political control game and writing a game of your own.

      --
      In SOVIET RUSSIA... erm...NSA AMERICA, the Internet logs onto YOU!
    2. Re:No way to disconnect by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      So, you've ported Linux to your pager now? My Motorola Adviser certainly doesn't seem to want to run it.

    3. Re:No way to disconnect by JUSTONEMORELATTE · · Score: 2
      ... I'll have to tell my boss the truth- I DON'T WANT TO CHECK EMAIL ON WEEKENDS. IT'S MY TIME, LEAVE ME ALONE!
      The sooner you say that to your boss, the happier you will be. Either she'll respect you for drawing the line and you'll get along swimmingly thereafter, or she'll fire you on the spot, and you'll be done working for a slave-driver. Either way, you win.

    4. Re:No way to disconnect by Leebert · · Score: 1

      That's what I'm afraid of, soon manufacturers will start producing pager, cell phones, and laptops with no way to turn them off. I doubt that. I'm sure there will always be off switches on devices like laptops, cellphones, and pagers, otherwise you couldn't take them on a plane.

  51. Re:Oh yeah? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I love the way you lick my feet
    The way you stroke my thigh;
    I love the way you take me hard,
    disdaining lube, you always go dry.
    I love the way your smegma tastes
    and the way your thick fur feels.
    I ache for the touch of your herpetic lips,
    your fingers wriggling against me like eels.
    I love your warm soft tongue on mine
    and the way you haven't banned me yet.
    I adore the caress of your bushy tail
    and the way you make my hermaphro-gina wet.
    Baby, always remember that no matter where you may be,
    You'll always, always, always, always, always, always have me.

  52. I-5 and I-10 by huckda · · Score: 1

    They should start with these two corridors :)
    Lots of Mountain Tops to blast signals from and would cover the good part of the states =)

    --Huck

    --
    "Just Smile and Nod." --Huck
  53. This is good? by Catbeller · · Score: 3, Insightful

    802.11 networks are springing up for free, from Maine to Seattle. Well, free as a few hundred bucks per node.

    So, inevitably, someone's figuring out how to make us pay 50-100 bucks a month for something we could have for free.

    Q: will this wonderful pay network interfere with the free radio nets?

    It makes me rather sad. I was hoping an alternative internet would be born in the airwaves without busybodies charging for it and guvmint trying to control it.

    Can't we have anything that big business players and government will keep their damned hands off?

    1. Re:This is good? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There is also a company called NABNET (www.nabnet.net) that is trying to create an alliance network of Wireless ISP's so that you can roam from one WISP's network to another across the US.

    2. Re:This is good? by interstellar_donkey · · Score: 4, Insightful

      What will scare me is when big companies start taking up all the wireless 'channels'.

      I live on the edge of a pretty heavy commerical district. Company decides to set up a wireless lan on the channel I use for mine. There is really nothing I can do about it; either switch channels (despite the fact that I was there first) or keep using my channel and cause the potential for both our networks to interfere with each other. However, if my laptop happens to see some of thier network traffic as I walked from one end of the house to the other, somehow I'm a criminal.

      What I see in the future is, companys sets up nation-wide lan. Decide amoung themselves how to divy up the channels, get their lobbyists to go to congress and tell them 'We are running a business, there are private individuals who are broadcasting that interfere with our business'.

      Suddenly, my WAP is illegal. It interfers with a company, I get fined by the FCC.

      --
      The Internet is generally stupid
    3. Re:This is good? by tvsjr · · Score: 1

      A very simple solution.

      You: Get a nice, ultra-high-gain, highly-directional 2.4GHz yagi antenna. Connect said antenna to (WEP enabled) access point. Aim antenna at business.

      Company: Jimmy Wayne and Bobby John, the fine IT staff, discover that their WiFi net isn't working. They change channels and everything works. So, they change all the computers.

      Remember - it's not malicious interference if you actually intended to use it for something ("I wanted to access my network from my... porch, yard, etc.)

    4. Re:This is good? by interstellar_donkey · · Score: 2

      Remember - it's not malicious interference if you actually intended to use it for something ("I wanted to access my network from my... porch, yard, etc.)

      For now. But I have a sinking feeling that it will be in the future. Companies have ways of taking something people do for fun and pleasure, finding a way to make money off of it, and removing the freedom from individuals.

      --
      The Internet is generally stupid
  54. 802.11what? by Whispers_in_the_dark · · Score: 1

    I didn't notice anything in the article indicating which standard they were planning on using. It would sure seem short-sighted to deploy 802.11b right now with 802.11a starting to spin up. Anyone know the details here?

    1. Re:802.11what? by greymond · · Score: 1

      "Of course the superior performance of 802.11a offers excellent support for bandwidth hungry applications, but the higher operating frequency equates to relatively shorter range. I've seen demonstrations of 802.11a radios delivering 54 Mbps with distances of about 60 feet, which is far less than the 300 feet or so that you'll have with 802.11b systems. As compared to 802.11b, you'll need a much larger number of 802.11a access points to cover a facility, especially large ones."

      More at 802.11b vs 802.11a here
      http://www.80211-planet.com/columns/article/ 0,4000 ,1781_961181,00.html

      Keep in mind there is also a technology called "BlueTooth" that has come out which acts the same as 802.11b but as far as I know is NOT IEEE standard.

  55. Re:Oh yeah? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I love the way you lick my feet
    The way you stroke my thigh;
    I love the way you take me hard,
    disdaining lube, you always go dry.
    I love the way your smegma tastes
    and the way your thick fur feels.
    I ache for the touch of your herpetic lips,
    your fingers wriggling against me like eels.
    I love your warm soft tongue on mine
    and the way you haven't banned me yet.
    I adore the caress of your bushy tail
    and the way you make my hermaphro-gina wet.
    Baby, always remember that no matter where you may be,
    You'll always, always, always, always, always, always have me.

  56. Re:Oh yeah? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I love the way you lick my feet
    The way you stroke my thigh;
    I love the way you take me hard,
    disdaining lube, you always go dry.
    I love the way your smegma tastes
    and the way your thick fur feels.
    I ache for the touch of your herpetic lips,
    your fingers wriggling against me like eels.
    I love your warm soft tongue on mine
    and the way you haven't banned me yet.
    I adore the caress of your bushy tail
    and the way you make my hermaphro-gina wet.
    Baby, always remember that no matter where you may be,
    You'll always, always, always, always, always, always have me.

  57. Re:Oh yeah? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I love the way you lick my feet
    The way you stroke my thigh;
    I love the way you take me hard,
    disdaining lube, you always go dry.
    I love the way your smegma tastes
    and the way your thick fur feels.
    I ache for the touch of your herpetic lips,
    your fingers wriggling against me like eels.
    I love your warm soft tongue on mine
    and the way you haven't banned me yet.
    I adore the caress of your bushy tail
    and the way you make my hermaphro-gina wet.
    Baby, always remember that no matter where you may be,
    You'll always, always, always, always, always, always have me.

  58. Project Rainbow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    We're all gonna disappear or be imbedded in ship hulls. Gee thanks alot.

  59. I can see the commercials now by BigJimSlade · · Score: 2

    (Guy out in a field with a laptop, surfing /.)

    Can you see me trolling now? Good!

    (same guy on the subway in NY)

    Can you see me trolling now? Good!

    (same guy at the beach in CA)

    Can you see me trolling now? Good!

    Yeah, you get the picture...

  60. Re:Oh yeah? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I love the way you lick my feet
    The way you stroke my thigh;
    I love the way you take me hard,
    disdaining lube, you always go dry.
    I love the way your smegma tastes
    and the way your thick fur feels.
    I ache for the touch of your herpetic lips,
    your fingers wriggling against me like eels.
    I love your warm soft tongue on mine
    and the way you haven't banned me yet.
    I adore the caress of your bushy tail
    and the way you make my hermaphro-gina wet.
    Baby, always remember that no matter where you may be,
    You'll always, always, always, always, always, always have me.

  61. Unlimited energy! by Subcarrier · · Score: 3, Funny

    soon manufacturers will start producing pager, cell phones, and laptops with no way to turn them off

    If someone does, be sure to let us know. In my cell phone the batteries have an infuriating habit of running dry in a couple of days. :-)

    --
    "I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them." -- George H. W. Bush
  62. And in other news. . . . by Com2Kid · · Score: 3, Funny

    Pringles is experiancing a sudden upsurge in orders.

  63. Corporate Scum by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Sounds to me like the big monopolistic corporations such as AT&T, Verizon, Cingular, etc are watching the explosive popularity of 802.11 wireless networks through homegrown efforts and non-profits like Seattle Wireless http://www.seattlewireless.org , and now they are shaking with fear that this will loosen some of their strangling grip over telecom. They figure they can co-opt the 802.11 movement by promising a "nationwide network" to attract all the bandwidth-starved users, who don't stop to think that a big benefit of 802.11 is that its NOT CONTROLLED by these corporations!
    SAY NO to corporatization of the wonderful, open, free, enabling, and cooperative world of 802.11 wireless networking!

  64. Cancer. by Fantastic+Lad · · Score: 2
    Hm.

    Weirdly enough, I JUST ran across this item.

    I know that story is about ELF radiation, HOWEVER, there have been conclusive studies which demonstrate that it's not high frequency which affects the body so much as it is low frequency, and pulse and amplitude modulation of high frequency carriers which cause the negative effects biochemists and behavioralists complain of.

    In non-iodizing power levels and at the right frequencies, cancer cells speed up their rate of division by as much as 100 times. Sorry. No links, but if I'm around in the next hour or so and people are interested, I'll key in some quotes from Robert O. Becker's book, "Cross Currents."

    The reason engineers and physicists have such a problem accepting that EM is dangerous is that they can't find any mechanical way for EM to cause any kind of effect on cells other than heating and ionization, neither of which are the causative agents.

    Well. . .

    Guess what? There IS a simple and accepted system by which cells are easily affected by EM. I recommend that book I linked to. It's only $20 and it's very well written by a respected non-quack. Give it a look if you think of yourself as well-informed.

    Anybody who still does as they're told by the big corporate media manipulation, (i.e., believes there is no danger in EM radiation), should also probably take up smoking, because as you have surely heard from similar big-money interests, there's no danger in that, either.

    -Fantastic Lad

    1. Re:Cancer. by Fantastic+Lad · · Score: 2
      My mistake. The book is only $14.95 on Amazon. (And they have about 20 used copies for between $6.95 and $10) There's no excuse.

      I've been researching EM radiation on my own for about two years now, and I've got files upon files of great information. Becker, however, was in the thick of it since the sixties, conducting his own epidemiological studies with access to proper medical research resources. SO much is known, but a study, no matter how well done it is, is worth very little if you can't market it.

      Robert O. Becker's book IS 10 years old now, but the information within is an excellent presentation of what I've been trying to figure out how best to share with people. Here's an MD's review:

      Reviewer: Dr Peter J McKenzie from Oxford, "Others have summarised this astonishing book. It is most unfortunate that the title and cover imply a sensationalist book. It is sensational - but in the sense of new knowledge unknown to most of the Medical fraternity and I write as aa senior MD! This is the most important medical book I have read and I nearly ignored it because of its lurid presentation."

      -Fantastic Lad

    2. Re:Cancer. by greymond · · Score: 1

      wow thats pretty interesting. (puffs cigarette - calls Barnes&Noble on cell phone's speed dial) I want to check that book out. Thanks.

  65. Do They Know Who Uses Rainbows as a Symbol? by TheWanderingHermit · · Score: 1

    I wonder if the people designing this system are aware that lesbians (and male homosexuals, but mostly lesbians) use a six color rainbow as a symbol of theirs and use the word "Rainbow" frequently as a symbol as well?

    I don't think it would matter to most of us, but I wonder if they would have still picked this as a project name if then new. (Or perhaps someone did this on purpose?)

    1. Re:Do They Know Who Uses Rainbows as a Symbol? by Winterblink · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      (Score:-1, Homophobe)

      --
      "I'm a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar."
      -Hoban Washburn
    2. Re:Do They Know Who Uses Rainbows as a Symbol? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      (Score: -1, Hetrophobe, Fag)

  66. Great idea by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I think this is a great idea. The best bet would be to implement a non-routable network whereby the user would have free web access.

    The caveat would be that the user only has web access and they must surf via a frame based web proxy, that forces you to stare @ ads.

    For people who want simple web access this would be very nice and easy to implement. Costs would be low, and for users desiring "real" access routable IP they could register/pay for that ability.

  67. New Articles lead to Car Crashes by TibbonZero · · Score: 3, Funny

    Oh crap, new article. Must post!!! No need to drive, I can type and drive at the same .... (CRASH)..

    --
    Tibbon
    tibbon.com
    1. Re:New Articles lead to Car Crashes by Alan+Partridge · · Score: 2, Funny

      first lamp post?

      --
      That was classic intercourse!
  68. yeah, but not in my NEIGHBORHOOD by drob · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The interesting part of the story in the NYT was that these jokers specifically said that they wouldn't be delivering services to neighborhoods. That's because they have their terrible, overpriced, underserviced cable services there already and wouldn't want to compete with themselves. The jerks.

  69. Workable Business Model by Fascist+Christ · · Score: 1

    Quoteth: The companies will take several months to decide whether there is a workable business model for the plan, the report said, quoting an executive involved with the scheme.

    What a way to end an article. "An executive?" Do we have a name? An executive of what company? Is this a scheme or a potential service?

    Further more, is this a workable business model? If you are limiting access to certain areas I would say no. But then again, that's how mobil phones work ;) If you already have wireless service points accross the nation, the best way to make this "workable" is to convert those to be able to accept the new service rather than putting up whole new access points. Plus, give everyone access, charge if you will (im sure its possible to verify legitimate access), but gosh freagin dangit stop limiting access to certain areas!

    --
    TodayTM BillyJoelTM GoogleTMd for StitchTMes due to WindowsTM while RollerbladeTMing with an AppleTM and a PopsicleTM
  70. Bandwidth Requirements by keller999 · · Score: 1

    Image how much more bandwidth we'll need for something like this. Now, someone will be able to download the latest 5 GB demo of Quake IV while sitting in 5 o'clock rush hour traffic. Multiply that by all the other people in the traffic jam trying to hit the same access point - how do they plan to counter-act the massive load on each access point if this got popular. This is a whole new bandwidth hog that'll take a lot of planning to get right and useable...

  71. Funny... by InfiniteVoid · · Score: 1

    A friend and I have recently become infatuated with finding a way to implement a free wireless WAN. I wonder if we should sue these companies for stealing our idea. Oh, damn, didn't patent it. :p

    Anyway, anyone interested can find a bit of documentation here.

  72. Total Bullshi* ! 802.11 is dead and limited ! by geekster_2000 · · Score: 0

    need to use ac powerline like the Europeans
    having infinite bandwidths over something like
    the PGE power grid. This is a highway of
    billions of miles of possible telecommunications
    connections that have not BEEN DEVELOPED.

    Spending billions on building a new highway
    so they can capture the industry is a scam !!

  73. 802.11 future belongs to the people by gr8ful1 · · Score: 1

    So many comments, so little information. The future of 802.11 resides at http://www.etherlinx.com where 2 guys in a Silicon Valley garage have come up with a software solution to extending the range of existing 802.11 access points, the kind you can get at Best Buy, from 300-odd feet to 50 MILES. Using SOFTWARE. Plus, they interconnect, creating an 802.11 'cloud' over a city. Testing has already been successful in Oakland, CA. This will enable you and I to effectively cover the entire country with stable 2 MIPS access, on the backs of DSL and Cable access providers. Hey, they sold us the bandwidth, why should they care who's using it? I mean, if my neighbor comes over to make a long-distance phone call, where's the harm? They still get paid for what they delivered! Another thing - Microsoft China has already introduced a PocketPC video conferencing program running at only 9 kbps, assuming slow modems would be the norm for that device. Beef up that app, and there's your Dick Tracy!

  74. Hello and welcome to yesterday. Japan is Sooo far by AshsZ · · Score: 0

    ahead of us it is sickening.

  75. Oops! by Subcarrier · · Score: 2

    I'll have to remember to use the metric system whenever figuring distance for a wireless network since that gives it more range...

    One more example of us stupid Europeans not comphrehending the imperial system (or whatever you call it in the States). :-)

    I stand corrected.

    --
    "I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them." -- George H. W. Bush
  76. Project Rainbow? by sharkey · · Score: 2
    I just a picture of the steel mill in Springfield:

    "We work hard, and we play hard!"
    • Everybody dance now!!!
    --

    --
    "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
  77. Intel hiring thousands of gay people by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They are hiring gay people like mad to get them to stand accross the continent and hold out wifi transmitters.

  78. Re:Project SIMMONS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
  79. Re:Total Bullshi* ! 802.11 is dead and limited ! by greymond · · Score: 1

    you should check out

    http://www.80211hotspots.com/

    and/or

    http://www.80211-planet.com/

  80. Non-iodizing radiation? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Quick! Call the Leslie Salt Company! I think they know something about iodizing!

  81. Whats up sis? by ThePlumber2 · · Score: 1

    Are you all so shallow as to not understand why they are doing this? They don't want FREE lans everywhere so they would of course want to enforce who uses it when etc etc... $$$$ is the bottom line but they need to be able to say to the gov, "hey, we have these here, they should pay us $$$ for access charges because we have already invested $$$$ in this.."

    Something maybe like those charges on my phone bill. They call them "Long distance access charges". I don't even have long distance but still get nailed for it. They understand that there is a limited amount of time in hand to "claim this" (Wireless freenet grid).

    The money that we invest in it, we can kiss goodbye because we won't legally be able to share (like cable, do you pay for the tap or for a "family household").

    Fuck them. My thinkpad that I bought is my first and last (The mouse constantly moves 6 cm to the right under linux anways, even in software mode. They don't have an answer but say they "back linux". Bullshit.)

    I'll be going out to get my new netgear 802.11a access point tomorrow (heres to happy drive by hacking on my anonymous network hehe, and to a free neighborhood of IP).

    BTW, you COULD recoup the cost of your high speed connection by having a charity fund in the neighborhood. Until the time that everyone is wireless of course (Which is what they are afraid of).

    --
    Thanks, Steve
  82. Obligitory Mark Leyner reference by ZachReligious · · Score: 0

    corn, corn, corn, corn, corn, corn, stuckeys.

  83. Rainbows? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Rainbows, I hate rainbows. You'll just be sitting there minding your own business when a rainbow will come along, crawl up you leg and bite the inside of your ass...

  84. Cantennas work better... by Goonie · · Score: 2
    From all reports I've seen so far, waveguide "cantennas" perform better and are a lot easier to build...

    In Australia, the general conclusion is that wafer cans are the best, as well as having the tastiest byproducts :)

    --

    Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from a rigged demo
    --Andy Finkel (J. Klass?)
  85. Insults by neilmjoh · · Score: 1

    Fortune at bottom of page:

    Did you know the University of Iowa closed down after someone stole the book?

    Yeah, but an even worse tragedy occurred at the University of Michigan, their library burned down. Both of their books where destroyed too.

    The sad thing was students hadn't had a chance to color them yet.

  86. On Drugs by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Umm. Just curious. Before all the 802.11b hippies give bandwidth to the people, has anyone given a second thought to handling abuse? If random hacker "x" jumps on a network and causes all sorts of mayhem, random hacker "x" isn't responsible. I don't know if there is any legal precidence, but the day that some nut posts a bunch of child porn somewhere from a starbucks I'm sure the age of free 802.11b is over.

  87. Re:Hello and welcome to yesterday. Japan is Sooo f by Unstrung · · Score: 1

    How so? NTT DoCoMo has just started wireless LAN services. Voicestream (through Deutsche Telekom and its acquisition of the Mobilestar network) has been running them in the US for a while, as has Sonera in Europe, I'd hardly call that sooo far ahead. However, it will be interesting to see if AT&T uses any of the NTT tech. NTT has a dual-mode card for roaming between 3G(FOMA) and WLAN networks (see http://www.unstrung.com/document.asp?site=unstrung &doc_id=18192&page_number=5 for NTT's Shoji Suto's comments on they seeing working). NTT is an investor in AT&T Wireless and they tend to export some of their technology as well. DJ@Unstrung

    --
    "The stars are matter, we're matter, but it doesn't matter." - DVV
  88. Re:WTF? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    obviously you don't get the reference. see, it's *funny* to make fun of popular culture. please read this this. I'll expect your apology shortly thereafter.

    P