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The Wireless City

bigfatlamer writes "This week's NY Times City Section has an article (FRRYYY) on wireless access in New York City's busiest park, Bryant Park. The director of the park has installed a free 802.11b network with complete coverage of the park with help from NYC Wireless. From the article: 'With some clever engineering and hardware from Cisco Systems and Intel, the wireless park was born. Just as park users could sit wherever they liked, so too could they gain access where they liked. The eight-megabytes-per-second connection was as free as the sunshine and the green grass.' NYC Wireless is currently working with the Parks Dept. to put similar networks in Madison Square and Tompkins Square Parks. If they could do Prospect Park (3 blocks from my house) life would be perfect." NYCwireless helps those who help themselves...

262 comments

  1. Tally by SnowDeath · · Score: 1

    Now, if we could only get people that care and have power/money to look into my wireless scheme for Tallahassee!

    1. Re:Tally by drive · · Score: 1

      i used to be in Tallahasee. thankfully i got out...

  2. Another great free software business-model! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    1: Write free software.
    2: ?
    3: The Wireless City.
    4: Profit!

    1. Re:Another great free software business-model! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      2: Burn penis on laptop.

  3. IN SOVIET RUSSIA by IN+SOVIET+RUSSIA · · Score: 2, Funny

    We have cityless wires!

    1. Re:IN SOVIET RUSSIA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is NOT FUNNY ANYMORE. It was funny two months ago on the shack.

    2. Re:IN SOVIET RUSSIA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      in soviet russia, shackphrases post YOU on slashdot!

    3. Re:IN SOVIET RUSSIA by kjeldsen · · Score: 1

      WAIT!
      THE SHACK!
      As in Shacknews! All the chicks thats fit to link in the eternal Babehunts for GREAT JUSTICE!

    4. Re:IN SOVIET RUSSIA by gosand · · Score: 3, Insightful
      This is NOT FUNNY ANYMORE. It was funny two months ago on the shack.

      I find it funny, in a sad way, when dorks get so immersed in "their" internet world that they don't realize:

      a. not everyone may have heard a joke yet, and 2 months isn't very long.
      b. not everyone knows about these ultra-cool websites that they visit
      c. referring to a website by a slang term gives you no idea what they are talking about. (what is "the shack"?) But I guess that means that they are cool and I am not.
      d. they think they are the coolest, because they perceive themselves to be on the cutting edge.
      It is bad when nerds give nerds a bad name.

      --

      My beliefs do not require that you agree with them.

    5. Re:IN SOVIET RUSSIA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The moderators can't afford so much CRACK, so that lameass troll would not get +5!

      Just goes to show how many mods are trolls or whores hgere to cause trouble.

    6. Re:IN SOVIET RUSSIA by Sloppy · · Score: 1
      not everyone may have heard a joke yet, and 2 months isn't very long.
      Huh?! Wasn't the comic Yakov Smirnoff (?) doing these type of jokes in the 1980s? I think you got two months confused with two decades.
      --
      As copyright owner of this comment, I authorize everyone to defeat any technological measure which limits access to it.
    7. Re:IN SOVIET RUSSIA by jkitchel · · Score: 0

      No shit. You hit it right on the head with that post. Tell that to the AC who dissed me and whomever modded me down as "Overrated" for making a Simpsons related post on the Tintin/Speilberg topic yesterday. I've been watching the Simpsons since "Aye Caramba" was the catch phrase (since the beginning), and I still laugh my ass off at the episodes that I have seen 20 times a piece in reruns. If they don't think someone is funny, tell them to forget about and leave them alone. Like you said, not everyone is as cool as "they" are.

      By the way, nice Rev. Lovejoy-Simpsons quote. Here is a link to some that I found on the web (mostly Homer though). SNPP has them sorted by episode. It's a pretty sweet Simpsons site.

    8. Re:IN SOVIET RUSSIA by ealar+dlanvuli · · Score: 1

      actually I find him quite amusing.

      It will cease to be amusing as soon as someone else starts posting it. But this guy does have a nack of making quite good jokes.

      --
      I live in a giant bucket.
    9. Re:IN SOVIET RUSSIA by Sloppy · · Score: 1
      I think I'm going to have to reverse on this one.

      This is one of those stupid, stupid, stupid jokes that you run into the ground, beat like a dead horse, and the older and lamer it gets... the funnier it gets. The "In Soviet Russia.." joke wasn't funny, but it is becoming funny, simply because it's so damned tired and stupid.

      --
      As copyright owner of this comment, I authorize everyone to defeat any technological measure which limits access to it.
    10. Re:IN SOVIET RUSSIA by Ponty · · Score: 1

      Vat a kantree!

  4. 802.11A? by StormKnightHec · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Are there any plans to do 802.11A around the park, as well? BTW FP.

    1. Re:802.11A? by Gonarat · · Score: 1

      How is this offtopic? While 802.11b (2.4MHz) is the most common form of 802.11x wireless, it has to compete with X10 wireless cameras, 2.4GHz wireless phones, bluetooth, etc. 802.11a (5 GHz) may make sense in cetain areas, especially in the City. I'm not sure how much interferance there is in a park setting, but I could see it being an option as more wireless devices and users appear.

      --
      Beware of Sleestak
  5. yup by dolo666 · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... and Pringles sales skyrocket!

  6. Unacountable bits? by LostCluster · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I'd love to see a wide-open WiFi access system installed at my local park, but I'm concerned that the network might be abused for use in spamming, DOSing, or other hacking. What logical restrictions should be put on a public WiFi center so that the majority of good people can enjoy the system while the small number of people who would do the Internet harm are foiled?

    1. Re:Unacountable bits? by stratjakt · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I'd imagine a transparent proxy that won't let you do anything past HTTP and POP3.

      I doubt they want warez kids sitting in the park to download their gamez on the fat wireless pipe, either.

      --
      I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
    2. Re:Unacountable bits? by don_carnage · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Perhaps a traffic shaper would be usefull as well to keep one node from eating up all of the bandwidth.

      The problem with a free service like this is that it will be free up until the point where someone abuses it.

    3. Re:Unacountable bits? by pVoid · · Score: 2

      I have a dream that in the future, there will a wireless network spanning that planet (a-la star trek subspace frequency).

      I also have a dream that there will be IPv6 to support such a grandiose network.

      As for security, in those years, thing will be 'much more secure'... like only some slight fraction of the servers today are.

      I also see that you will not need to propagate your email address for doing usefull things (like registration to porn sites, or mega-corporations who think they own you)... like some of us are already doing today.

      Ahhh..... it's just a dream.

    4. Re:Unacountable bits? by draziw · · Score: 3, Informative

      Yes, they allow outbound:
      node faq

      Is it secure? No! Wireless Ethernet is insecure by default. Any user on the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) can spy on unencrypted traffic from other wireless users. Wired connections are generally more secure when communicating with other servers. Users are advised to use SSL to connect to web pages and mail hosts, SSH instead of telnet whenever possible, and VPNs (virtual private networks) for all other data to ensure privacy and security. You may see literature saying that the 802.11b standard includes provisions for optional 40- or 128-bit link-level encryption over the air, however, current implementations require the encryption key to be shared by all users of the wireless LAN, effectively eliminating the usefulness of this security feature in an open network environment.

      Also fyi: How to find access

    5. Re:Unacountable bits? by aheath · · Score: 1

      I can't think of reasonable and logical restrictions to impose on a public WiFi network. My intitial thought would be to limit trafic to HTTP, ICMP, SHTTP, and SMTP by using a firewall. However, I think many users would find this to be too restrictive. Allowing ICMP and SMTP opens up the possibility of DOS attacks and spamming. An application proxy firewall is problematic because it might require users to change the proxy settings on their computers before they can access the Internet. A firewall that implements stateful packet inspection would allow some level of control without requiring users to change any settings. I think the best solution would be to implement method of posting a pop-up notice when a computer connects to the WiFi network. This would allow the network operator to display a brief acceptable use policy. Perhaps the pop-up could be extended to require the reading of and agreement to an acceptable use policy or some form of EULA. Presumably this would require some programming by the WiFi NIC vendors and operating system vendors. I am not sure that the network operator of a public WiFi network will want to take the time and effort to set up and maintain a firewall between the public WiFi network and the Internet. I suspect that any business offering this service will be concerned about the legal implications that arise from any active effort to restrict access or use. Can I reduce my liability if I actively restrict access and use or actively monitor activity on the network? Am I less liable for DOS attacks and spamming that originate on my network if I leave the network wide open?

    6. Re:Unacountable bits? by Trunkboy · · Score: 1

      I was wondering too. I'm certain it wasn't "overlooked" -- so I really do want to know what the security tactics used might be. ...it's gonna take a lot of warchalk to cover the entire park. ;)

    7. Re:Unacountable bits? by anthony_dipierro · · Score: 2

      What logical restrictions should be put on a public WiFi center so that the majority of good people can enjoy the system while the small number of people who would do the Internet harm are foiled?

      A big sticker which says "use at your own risk."

      C'mon, if you don't want anonymous users connecting to your system, put access controls on it.

    8. Re:Unacountable bits? by dontod · · Score: 1

      This system is used AFAIK in Bryant Park. There's more information by Rob Flickenger the man behind the infamous pringles antenna.

      Don
      ----

      'Eatthepuddingeatthepuddingeatthepudding'

      --
      Slashdot - The Home of the Tortured Analogy
    9. Re:Unacountable bits? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I doubt they want warez kids sitting in the park to download their gamez on the fat wireless pipe, either

      I g37 m3 g4m32 7hr00 H77P.

    10. Re:Unacountable bits? by eggboard · · Score: 1

      Most of the public-space community folks I've talked to around the country are not seeing anything like this kind of behavior, partly because community networks often (but not always) have enough people using them and aware of what's going on that it deters spammers and crackers. They're too exposed. They'd rather find unsecured mail servers than unsecured networks. They don't have a problem getting wireline access -- wireless isn't a big boon.

      I mean, a cable modem in your house and some anonymous accounts work much better than freezing your tush in a park.

      That said, there are a few simple things that could aid in making anyone trying to misuse a wireless connection, such as requiring a captive portal page a la nocat.net -- it scares people off. You can also use bandwidth restriction to make people don't abuse a segment. Sputnik.com has a free gateway software package that offers that option.

      --
      Freelance tech journalist for the Economist, MIT Technology Review, Macworld, and others
    11. Re:Unacountable bits? by aliens · · Score: 2, Funny

      Well I'll volunteer some time to walk the park and shoulder surf. I see anyone doing anything questionable(SPAM, etc) and it's a simple, "Leave now or I will gladly beat your sorry ass to a pulp." Or simply stand near them with a sign that reads "This man is distributing Child Porn" See what people think of that.

      --
      -- taking over the world, we are.
    12. Re:Unacountable bits? by dwtinkle · · Score: 1, Troll

      I would love to get some Cisco Aironet hardware and setup 802.11b coverage for my entire home communtiy. Of course if I was administrator for this network, I would probably limit traffic to port 80. That would cut down on spamming, plus I would log MAC address to block abusers.

    13. Re:Unacountable bits? by Joe5678 · · Score: 1

      The simple solution is to not make it completly wide-open. I work at a state university in california and we're just starting to put up public access points across campus. The thing is that you have to use your campus account to authenticate over a VPN before you can access the network. Any student or faculty can bring us their laptop, we'll install the client for them and make sure it works.

      Granted you couldn't really do this for everybody in the situation above, but you could have them do it themselves. You could even make it so when they open their web browser they get instructions and even a link to download a vpn client, and then make them stop by some office and register to get a username and password. That way when the FBI come and knock on your door asking who was "DOSing" from your network, you can tell them.

    14. Re:Unacountable bits? by cpmte · · Score: 1

      My school does something similar that would probably work better in this case because no special software is needed. The first time you attempt to connect to the network, all port 80 traffic is redirected to one of their servers and all other traffic is blocked. When a user opens their browser, they are informed of the network policy and have to enter their username and password. Then the router allows their traffic to go through. If only there were some kind of ID that were unique to everyone that they could use for this...

    15. Re:Unacountable bits? by cpmte · · Score: 1

      oops, replied to wrong comment. sorry.

    16. Re:Unacountable bits? by John+Hurliman · · Score: 1

      So this is where it's going, completely anonymous internet access around the globe. Terrifying, in a word.

  7. The net is infrastructure... by the_verb · · Score: 4, Insightful

    As much as we want the 'net to be privately funded, it seems pretty unrealistic to expect networks like this to spring up privately. Like the road system, or sanitation, shouldn't access be a utility?

    --v.

    1. Re:The net is infrastructure... by sys$manager · · Score: 1

      No, because it is not necessary. Sanitation is necessary to prevent disease. Roads are necessary to get people places.

      The Internet is a toy. People think it's a lot more than it really is.

    2. Re:The net is infrastructure... by NDPTAL85 · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Power companies, health care, and telephone service are private interprises. What makes the internet so special that it should be any different?

      --
      Mac OS X and Windows XP working side by side to fight back the night.
    3. Re:The net is infrastructure... by samfreed · · Score: 2, Insightful
      If the net is a toy, then so are all public libraries, all locations and facilities for people met and talk, and, ultimately, civilization itself becomes a toy by you.

      Time to accept that change happens. When we were growing up there was no net but we had phones. When out parents grew up there was no phone but they had electricity. When their parents grew up there was no electricity.... You get the point. It took many years to get my dad to use a touch-tone phone, but eventually he did.

    4. Re:The net is infrastructure... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Meanwhile, they all suck. If they were required to be an infrastructural monopoly(like the USPS was and should be), they would work right. You would pay a tax for the use of the system, rather than lining some greedy fatcat's pockets. The government does not need to turn a profit.

    5. Re:The net is infrastructure... by NineNine · · Score: 2

      Why is it unrealistic to see them spring up privately? Just lock it down and sell subscriptions. The gov't is around to provide for *essential* services (such as transportation and sanitation). Net access is far from essential. I don't have high speed anything now because I don't want it, and I don't want to pay for it. I don't want to pay for it through my taxes, either.

    6. Re:The net is infrastructure... by TheSync · · Score: 2

      Q: Under CDA, do government provided wireless access points have to run censorware filters?

    7. Re:The net is infrastructure... by Rader · · Score: 2

      Yea, but Microsoft says "Where do you want to go today?"

    8. Re:The net is infrastructure... by Rader · · Score: 2

      The failing USPS is an argument AGAINST your statement, not one for it.

    9. Re:The net is infrastructure... by tellezj · · Score: 1

      As long as it is done within a municipality. Presumably the people of a city could influence their council enough to provide this service. They would do so knowing that they would be taxed for it. As soon as it is passed to a larger body (and anything over ~10K people might be too large) then a simple majority might not justify taxing the minority for the majorities benefit. As a result it should never be universally expected, but we may get to the point where most municipalities offer it, like they do with roads, water, etc.

      --

      End of Line.

    10. Re:The net is infrastructure... by Tetrad69 · · Score: 1

      Because the Internet infrastructure isn't completed yet. Everybody in the US (as far as I know) who wants power or telephone can get it. A dismal number of people in the states has broadband.

      And there aren't many private companies that can bear the weight of putting it all together nowadays.

      Sure once it's up and running you can leave it to the ISPs, but until then I'd say it should be gov't run.

  8. There's nothing like a nice day in the park by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Relaxing with your laptop while sitting on a bench... as long as it doesn't burn your penis.

    1. Re:There's nothing like a nice day in the park by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Everyone in the known universe has seen the story. I know this, because I've been forwarded the story countless times by my "friends."

    2. Re:There's nothing like a nice day in the park by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Also cool: Crosstown buses on 42nd St are in the coverage circle. And since traffic moves so slowly between 5th and 6th avenues, I can replicate email on my handheld on my way to work.

  9. Free Information? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Free Internet Access?
    Free Information?
    What is this world coming to! Perhaps someone will get wise, and charge admission to enter the park. Yes... that sounds typically American.

    1. Re:Free Information? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      as opposed to typically Palestinian, which involves blowing themselves and you up the minute you get there, for 'occupying their land'.

  10. Would be nice... by Nickdawwg · · Score: 2, Funny

    It would be nice to get something like that here in New Orleans. Wishful thinking on my part... I just had a 30 minute conversation with a coworker explaining this newfangled internet thing.

    1. Re:Would be nice... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I too am from New Orleans and I think there are a number of other considerations that should take priority over "free" wireless here and nearly everywhere else for that matter. Notably,

      1) decent public schools (something else that is supposedly free)

      2) roads that actually work

      3) end to the tradition of rampant government corruption in Louisiana.

  11. A Nice Sunny Day... by CrazyDuke · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...The perfect day to go leech Gigs of pr0n in the park for free!

    Come on! Smile! You know you want to...

    --
    Any sufficiently advanced influence is indistinguishable from control.
    1. Re:A Nice Sunny Day... by _ph1ux_ · · Score: 3, Funny

      Lady walking her dog in the park.

      Man runs up to her wearing a trenchcoat. Man opens trench coat - flashing lady with moving images from www.hot-sex.com on LCD screens hiden inside his jacket.

      Lady screams.

      Man runs away into the bushes.

    2. Re:A Nice Sunny Day... by GigsVT · · Score: 1

      leech Gigs of pr0n

      Hrm.

      -Gigs

      --
      I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
    3. Re:A Nice Sunny Day... by dolo666 · · Score: 2

      ...The perfect day to go leech Gigs of pr0n in the park for free! ... and the FBI jumps you in the park for virtual indecent exposure!!!

    4. Re:A Nice Sunny Day... by rocket97 · · Score: 0

      FBI would not get involved in something that small. Most of the time they only get involved if the amount of the crime exceedes $150,000. However would each person that see's your screen be concidered another count of indecent exposure? I guess if this is the case and many people strolling by get a glimpse of your screen then the fines can build up pretty fast and then I could see the FBI becoming involved.

      Okay this is getting off topic here which I did not intend to do. But this is a good idea, to bad I live in Po-Dunk's ville USA I guess I will Never get to experience one of these wireless parks.

      --
      "The two most abundant elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity." -Harlan Ellison
  12. internet access? by newsdee · · Score: 1

    In this case, "free network" means that computers are free to network with each other as long as they are in the park, or that the park has free (wireless) internet access as well?

    I guess a free Internet would be expensive for the provider and slow for the user... however I don't think it would be very difficult to have your own provider giving you access (for which you are already paying) wherever you are.

    1. Re:internet access? by LostCluster · · Score: 2

      WiFi is inherently peer-to-peer. When you have two or more devices within range of each other, you have a network. There wouldn't need to be anything that's not user provided unless they were providing a point that reaches the Internet.

  13. hopefully they did it right.. by Lumpy · · Score: 1, Troll

    Block everything but port 80. unless you log in via an authentication system. I can see it becoming a giant liability as soon as one joker spams or sends his joke "threats" to whitehouse and senate officials.

    It's great to offer free, I do... but I require that you prove who you are to me and give me a way of nailing your balls to the wall when you get out of line. for full access.... it's worked great, and I've only had one instance where I gladly gave the police the information about one user...(Yes, I'll rat on your arse in a second too..) and found out it was a joke by a friend of his.. but it kept my butt out of trouble.

    Authenticate, and require proof of who they are before you give anything other than port 80 outgoing only.

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    1. Re:hopefully they did it right.. by draziw · · Score: 1

      I'd vote for ports 22, 80 and 443 outbound. :) If I can't ssh out, or at least get to a https page - it wouldn't be as fun. :) Damn cool though.

    2. Re:hopefully they did it right.. by don_carnage · · Score: 2

      The problem with enabling SSH and HTTPS is that you loose all tracking. Privacy is a good thing until you are running a free service without accountability (as others have noted.) Of course, you could always run SSH over 80 via a proxy...Sounds like they're in for some problems.

    3. Re:hopefully they did it right.. by Bill+Currie · · Score: 2

      80 and 443 wouldn't be a problem (asuming the other end really is a web server:) but 22 is a can of worms. Once you create an ssh link, you can create a VPN and there goes all your blocking efforts.

      --

      Bill - aka taniwha
      --
      Leave others their otherness. -- Aratak

    4. Re:hopefully they did it right.. by pVoid · · Score: 3, Insightful
      Aw come on... you are naive.

      'With some clever engineering and hardware from Cisco Systems and Intel, the wireless park was born.

      Do you not think they made a system that allows triangulation of where you are, and also sends your content through Echelon-Ex v4.2?

      I'm sure if you were to hack into a gov system, they'd have you pinned to the ground before you could leave the park.

    5. Re:hopefully they did it right.. by kaisyain · · Score: 2

      ssh -p 80

      22 is just a number.

    6. Re:hopefully they did it right.. by Lumpy · · Score: 3, Informative

      on my wireless network (6 AP's around the city linked) you can have all ports open if you give me all your vital information (name, address, phone numbers, and then after vaildating that you are who you said you were.. you get a login that gives you unrestricted access.

      works great.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    7. Re:hopefully they did it right.. by don_carnage · · Score: 2

      Yep...you just need a listener on the "outside". Still traceable point to point, they just can't tell what you were doing.

    8. Re:hopefully they did it right.. by Lumpy · · Score: 2

      no problem there.. because then you have to use YOUR resources to get what you want... I.E. a sshd running out there listening on port 80.

      the other way of fixing that is running a transparent proxy on port 80.. thne your ssh connection wont go outside the network and fail when the transparent proxy pukes on your ssh connection to it.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    9. Re:hopefully they did it right.. by 'Lose',+Not+'Loose' · · Score: 1
      The problem with enabling SSH and HTTPS is that you loose all tracking.

      Hi. That should be 'lose', not 'loose'.

      Thanks,
      'Lose', Not 'Lose' Guy

      --
      --thanks for the recent upmods! i'll be able to post again soon
    10. Re:hopefully they did it right.. by chavo+valdez · · Score: 1

      Thanks, 'Lose', Not 'Lose' Guy

      Hello, That should be 'loose', not 'lose'.

      Thanks,
      You've misspelled you're own ID Guy

    11. Re:hopefully they did it right.. by 'Lose',+Not+'Loose' · · Score: 1

      Jesus, you're right. Thank you. That was pretty embarrassing!

      Duly yours,
      LNLG

      --
      --thanks for the recent upmods! i'll be able to post again soon
  14. Security? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Doesnt this have security implications? If someone can anonymously access the net there is no way to trace them back...seems like the ideal camoflauge for anyone up to no good.

  15. FRRYYY? by Aexia · · Score: 5, Funny

    What does that stand for?

    "Free Registration Required, Yo Yo Yo"?

    1. Re:FRRYYY? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      Yadda, Yadda, Yadda, you putz.

    2. Re:FRRYYY? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      In that case it should be "YYYFRR", as in "Yo Yo Yo, free registration required, bee-atch!"

    3. Re:FRRYYY? by jfk3 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Yada Yada Yada

    4. Re:FRRYYY? by Em+Emalb · · Score: 4, Funny

      the scary thing is I thought the exact same thing...then, a moment later, Oh, free reg required, yada yada yada.

      Good God, Slashdot, what have you done to me?

      I'm in acronym hell, and you are Satan with a pineapple!

      --
      Sent from your iPad.
    5. Re:FRRYYY? by Koyaanisqatsi · · Score: 2

      Yadda Yadda Yadda

    6. Re:FRRYYY? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Obviously you got it wrong. I think it's: "Fridays Really Rock, Yo Yo Yo." So they posted it early.

    7. Re:FRRYYY? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      the parent comment begs to be moderated redundant.

    8. Re:FRRYYY? by unicron · · Score: 2

      Flanders: Homer's BYOBBB? What's the first extra B stand for?

      Homer: Beer

      Flanders: And the second?

      Homer: That's a typo.

      --
      Finally, math books without any of that base 6 crap in them.
    9. Re:FRRYYY? by CynicTheHedgehog · · Score: 2

      I figured it was a premonition about the webserver being linked to on the front page of Slashdot.

    10. Re:FRRYYY? by bewebste · · Score: 1

      Must... resist... Simpsons... quote... correction... failing... ack!

      Lisa: "Come to Homer's BBBQ. The extra B is for BYOBB"
      Bart: What's that extra B for?
      Homer: That's a typo

    11. Re:FRRYYY? by unicron · · Score: 2

      Yeah, yeah, I knew it was wrong. I even went to snpp.com to try to find the actual quote, but didn't have any luck.

      --
      Finally, math books without any of that base 6 crap in them.
    12. Re:FRRYYY? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      IIAHYASWP
      (I'm In Acronym Hell and You Are Satan With a Pineapple)

    13. Re:FRRYYY? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Proper google search term:

      BYOBB site:snpp.com

      Then just Feel Lucky and you're golden.

    14. Re:FRRYYY? by colmore · · Score: 2

      Slashdot is nowhere near as bad as the college I attend (coincidentally in New York) as far as senseless acronyms are concerned. It seems like your student group or department or office or whatever is denied recognition and budget until you come up with a clever acronymic name.

      My favorite: Lesbians and Bisexuals in Action, LABIA.

      --
      In Capitalist America, bank robs you!
    15. Re:FRRYYY? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Then just Feel Lucky and you're golden.

      Leave my dog alone, you freakin pervert.

    16. Re:FRRYYY? by keanie · · Score: 1

      So where is the e2 node ?

  16. Not registered? No problem by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative
  17. Rector Park (Battery Park City) by smartin · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I heard that there was a nycwireless node in Rector Park, which is a little park in Battery Park City surrounded by appartment buildings. So one day a couple of weeks ago i was walking past and figured i would give it a go. Opened my ibook, fired up macstumbler and found about 2 dozen nets, 2 of which were nycwireless. I was able to connect to and use all of the ones i tried, thought the nycwireless ones by far had the best signal. I'm willing to bet that if you go and sit near enough to some upscale apartment buildings (or for that matter, live in one) you can be pretty sure of getting access for free. It seems that most people think these things are plug and play.

    --
    The difference between Canada and the USA is that in Canada healthcare is a right and gun ownership is a privilege.
    1. Re:Rector Park (Battery Park City) by Unstrung · · Score: 1

      I think Tompkins Square park is reasonably well covered by NYCWireless anyway. Certainly I've been able to get connected to their nodes there. DJ Unstrung

      --
      "The stars are matter, we're matter, but it doesn't matter." - DVV
    2. Re:Rector Park (Battery Park City) by twisty7867 · · Score: 1

      Definitely! I live in the financial district, and in addition to my (thoroughtly locked down) net, there are five others accessible from my apartment. God knows what I would get if I sat on my roof deck :)

  18. Sustainability? by Mannerism · · Score: 5, Interesting

    NYCwireless looks like a great initiative, but I have to wonder how sustainable not-for-profit wireless networks like this are. Even if sponsorship covers the initial infrastructure (and I can see a "give 'em the network, sell 'em the network adapters" strategy perhaps working for Lucent, Cisco, et. al.), there must be a substantial ongoing operational cost. Does anyone know whether NYCwireless or any similar operations have announced their long-term strategies?

    1. Re:Sustainability? by don_carnage · · Score: 2

      Step One: Set up wireless network...
      Step Two:
      Step Three: Profit

      Tired old joke, but it seems to be a popular business model. There are a ton of websites and services with the same idea: give away lots of free stuff with no hope of gaining a profit. Look what happened to AdCritic.

    2. Re:Sustainability? by LostCluster · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Most businesses have more bandwidth than they need at any given moment, so the bandwidth is practically free to them since they were going to pay for it anyway. That is, until ISPs get wise to this idea and start with TOSes that prevent this use without paying extra for it. For some businesses, like shopping malls, they might write off the cost of WiFi bandwidth as a promotion to try to get geeks to stay in the mall, and therefore not pulling their girlfriends away from their shopping.

    3. Re:Sustainability? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Good one! You had me going there right up until you said Geeks and thier Girlfriends

    4. Re:Sustainability? by EyeSavedLatin · · Score: 2, Informative

      From NYCwireless: "We are volunteer group constructing a community owned network of computers that share internet access over radio connections. Each access point is run independently by volunteers with their own equipment." So their "sustainability" plan is to try and build a community. What? A long term strategy of building a community? What? People should be allowed access to information? This concept would be idealistic and unrealistic if it were the burden of a company, but it's not. Will people try to make a profit off it it? Probably, but overall this is significant because it's a movement where costs as well as benefits are distributed. It's not a get rich quick scheme.

    5. Re:Sustainability? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      actually i think you mean they will put it outside the mall to keep geeks outside and not scare away the girls who are shopping...

    6. Re:Sustainability? by anthony_dipierro · · Score: 2

      NYCwireless looks like a great initiative, but I have to wonder how sustainable not-for-profit wireless networks like this are.

      1970: This Internet thing sure seems like a great initiative, but I have to woder how sustainable not-for-profit wired networks like this are.

    7. Re:Sustainability? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      that, and the fact that the cablemodem access in NYC ir fairly reliable, cheap, and fast.

    8. Re:Sustainability? by NickV · · Score: 4, Interesting

      In most areas of the US, I would say you have a valid point, but it's pretty easy to make a non-profit sustainable wireless zone over Manhattan because of the sheer density of the island.

      The key is having enough wireless routers out there to provide a signal for a bunch of radii of coverage so that there are no "dead zones." In a place like LA, you'd need 100s and 100s of routers spread over relatively sparse sprawl. The nice thing about Manhattan is you can have one or two people put up a router and that router will theoretically cover hundreds to thousands of people.

      This is exactly why (if you look at the map found at the wireless map) you'll see that Manhattan is ridiculously well covered, but the other boroughs (which are sparser) are not.

      Will this work in all of America? Keep in mind that after Manhattan -- The Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens are the three densest counties in America (with SF as #5.) And it's not really working in any borough outside of Manhattan...

    9. Re:Sustainability? by Elwood+P+Dowd · · Score: 2

      Mesh networking/NAT.

      I don't know the first thing about the different mesh networking plans, but this'd be an excellent sort of problem to solve:

      If certain users have bandwidth that they'd be happy to share, and a WAP, someone needs to make a configuration utility that allows them to easily share their internet-bound bandwidth with the network.

      The part that's really different from a wifi bridge is that this needs to be ad-hoc. So that internet access providers can enter and exit the network without fubaring connectivity. Between folks like the pakketto keiretsu author and regular ad hoc networking folks, I'm sure it could work.

      --

      There are no trails. There are no trees out here.
    10. Re:Sustainability? by Cyno · · Score: 2, Insightful

      That's like saying Linux isn't going to sustain itself. What's its long-term strategy to support its developement cost? The long-term strategy is to provide FREE wireless internet access. The long-term strategy is to provide FREE quality software. Only freaks and capitalists care about the long-term strategy you have in mind, ie. money. The rest of us just want it to work.

  19. Finally! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Now I have a reason to go to NY :0

  20. weed (web) services? by smd4985 · · Score: 5, Funny

    this is great news. the drug dealers in the park will be especially happy - they can create a web service infrastructure with their suppliers! .NET has its first customer!!

    --
    smd4985
    1. Re:weed (web) services? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nah all the dealers will be out of business now that crackie can get their 100% Columbian cocaine straight from Columbia

      That's one degree of separation with .Net

    2. Re:weed (web) services? by fhwang · · Score: 2

      This is off-topic, but of interest: Drug dealers don't hang around in parks anymore, and technology is part of the reason. Why? Because pagers are cheap.

      These days most dealers run their businesses out of their cars, not their streetcorners: You page them and they deliver to your home. (Or, um, so I've heard.) Sure beats hanging around on a street corner in the middle of the night with drugs and cash in your pocket. Some believe that this is part of the reason violent crime dropped in the mid-90s nationwide: Less crack dealers on the corner, less people trying to rob crack dealers.

      The exception still seems to be Washington Square Park, which from what I've heard is still an alright place to score. I'd suspect that it's because WSP has lots of tourists and college kids who are new in town.

    3. Re:weed (web) services? by _ph1ux_ · · Score: 4, Funny

      When your "customer" is on the hunt for a fix.
      And you can check the status on the big bust down at the docks - thereby inflating the cost of crack on the spot, thats one degree of separation.

    4. Re:weed (web) services? by gray+peter · · Score: 1

      Actually they use public transportation. Don't you know driving is the easiest way to get busted?

      --
      May no camel spit in your yogurt soup.
  21. Sunshine and green grass? by Quaoar · · Score: 5, Funny

    I don't think you're going to attract too many wireless nerds with THAT approach.

    --
    I'll form my OWN solar system! With blackjack! And hookers!
  22. Sweet by Gary+Franczyk · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Now if they could set up wireless access on the beaches here in Florida, we would have something!

    1. Re:Sweet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But it's not necessary at the beach.. already have access to all the silicone you can ogle at.

  23. So that's what it's all about? by coene · · Score: 4, Funny

    Free Wireless Internet in the Park, thats what its all about?

    Well, at least it's not the Hokey Pokey. Thank god for small miracles.

    1. Re:So that's what it's all about? by ectospasm · · Score: 1

      What's wrong with the Hokie Pokey?

      --


      We are the music makers. We are the dreamers of the dreams.
  24. heh by Ooblek · · Score: 5, Funny
    The eight-megabytes-per-second connection was as free as the sunshine and the green grass.

    They forgot to add free as the smell of dog-shit, annoying joggers, muggers, pick-pockets, mumbling homeless people, ranting homeless people, hari-krishnas, and I'm sure the occasional "hey, wanna buy a watch" guy.

    Sorry, never been there, I'm sure its nice.

    1. Re:heh by Ugmo · · Score: 1

      Bryant Park is smallish, behind the New York Public Library (the big classical greek temple looking building with the lions in front, it was in Ghostbusters 1). Actually it is on the top of the the stacks of the Library which exten underground below it.

      It is the middle of the Mid-Town Business area so there are few if any dogs. It is too small to jog in, too open to hide and mug people in, no homeless, hari-krishna's, watch guys etc. that I've ever seen (which may have something to do by the fact that it is run by a corporation and like a mall they can exclude people, I'm not sure of that part)

      Your description is closer to Tompkins Square Park, Washington Square Park and a few others but they can be nice too.

    2. Re:heh by dr00g911 · · Score: 4, Informative

      Not sure what your opinion of NYC is as a whole, but I have to tell you that Bryant park is a very, very nice area to hang about in.

      I first visited it because my girlfriend works for a downtown revitalization consortium in my city, and when I went to visit NYC (this was a couple years ago) she had me take a pile of photos and QuicktimeVR nodes of the park -- as it's the very model of an urban public park these days. It's a few blocks north of the Empire State building.

      Awesome grass, pretty trees, an awesome view, upscale sandwich carts (reminds me of Central Park) -- and get this:

      The tables and chairs in the park aren't concrete or nailed down. They're comfortable and light and you're encouraged to shift and move around anywhere on the block.

      It's a *VERY* popular lunch and sunbathing spot.

      It's a pretty huge experiment that's been really successful and is being copied by a lot of cities trying to revitalize their own downtown areas right now.

      Sure, you get a couple of wierdos from time to time -- but, hell! It's New York City! You *PAY* to hang around those same wierdos in the Village come nightfall.

    3. Re:heh by bkontr · · Score: 1

      Your not far off the mark, but you forgot the ever aggravatig pigeons and pigeon shit covering the benches not to mention the ever present bum asking you for money. I also just love the pychotic homeless person who starts staring at you and unexplicably begins screaming a steady stream of profanities at you for no particular reason. I guess that's life in the big city. Yeah thanks, but I think I'll stay home to surf the net.

      --


      "You helped our nation celebrate its bicentennial in 17 -- 1976." --George W. Bush, to Queen Elizabeth, Wash
    4. Re:heh by Tenebrious1 · · Score: 2

      Ha!

      The lawn is usually closed, they open it up during the summer now and then, but usually when i walk by it's closed. It's closed right now, probably letting the grass recover after the fashion show.

      You can't sit at the tables this week, all the open areas are taken up by the booths selling holiday knicknacks.

      It's a nice park and all, but it seems that it's more for use by paid parties (fashion show, circus, microsoft, and the current booths) than for the people.

      --
      -- If god wanted me to have a sig, he'd have given me a sense of humor.
    5. Re:heh by evodas · · Score: 1

      It sure beats that Lysol smell of the gated-community or the sterility and eco-disaster ambience of suburban sprawl.

    6. Re:heh by bigfatlamer · · Score: 1

      Bryant Park is more in the vein of a Parisian park (Jardins de Luxembourg for example) than Central Park. More sitting around reading the paper than playing softball.

      FWIW I think the best use for this network in Bryant Park will be to kill time waiting for their summer movie series to start. Every Monday during the summer they show a classic/cult movie for free on a huge screen in Bryant Park. The idea is to drop by after work with a picnic and watch a flick. Of course, 300,000 other people have the same idea so what usually happens is that a group of people will chose one or 2 people to take the day off work and they'll go camp the park starting at 9am to get a good, big spot. Now I might not mind being the camper.

      BFL

      --
      There's one thing computing teaches you, and that's that there's no point to remembering everything.
      --Doug Copland
    7. Re:heh by gray+peter · · Score: 2, Informative

      Not true at all. In the summer there's a bar/munchies spot and movies. The "paid parties" are mostly in the non-sunbathing times of the year. And also to correct a few comments up, it's actually 10 blocks north of the Empire State Bldg.

      --
      May no camel spit in your yogurt soup.
    8. Re:heh by odin53 · · Score: 1

      I love Bryant Park, too! You know, this wireless access has been around for a while, actually -- I got my wireless card in May, and was surfing at the park all summer long.

      BTW, Bryant Park is much closer to Times Square (a couple blocks) than to the Empire State Building (maybe 10 or 11 blocks). Just FYI.

    9. Re:heh by cybercuzco · · Score: 2
      The tables and chairs in the park aren't concrete or nailed down.

      There are chairs? When I visited NYC the one thing that i niticed the most (after walking around all day) is that there is nowhere to sit that isnt on the goround or doesnt require you to buy something first pretty much anywhere in the city. In times square there is a little park with benches in it. This park is fenced off from the general public. Despite this there was a bum sleeping on the bench. NYC's solution to the homeless isnt "build more homeless shelters" its "get rid of places where the homeless can sleep" because that will certainly solve the problem.

      --

    10. Re:heh by Bob+Vila's+Hammer · · Score: 1

      *whips coat open flashing his discs...

      "Hey, wanna by an AOL CD? 1000 hours free?"

      --


      --"The perfect example of the man of action is the suicide." - William Carlos Williams
  25. Always this argument... by Thalia · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I am tired of the usual diatribe from security people that bandwidth is this great outlet for danger. Any system could be used for DOS, DDOS, Spam, spoofing, hacking onto other machines in the park, secret Chinese spy deals, and more. Get over it.

    Some would liken IP connectivity to a printing press, and argue the company providing the press must watch each item printed against copyrighted, subversive, or pornographic works. Others would argue it is like electricity, a utility that is provided fairly cheaply after the initial wiring is installed, and need not be charged for at all for small amounts. The few who see it as a wilderness, full of abuse and crime and desparados checking for weakness tend to sell computer security services.

    1. Re:Always this argument... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I agree, it drives me nuts. They are using the same logic to eliminate pay phones. I expect to see cash and anonymous postage gone in my life time.

    2. Re:Always this argument... by Incongruity · · Score: 5, Insightful
      The few who see it as a wilderness, full of abuse and crime and desparados checking for weakness tend to sell computer security services.

      You've never had your email address harvested by a spammer, have you? Through a security flaw in my University's content sharing arrangement with another university, many many email addresses were harvested and spammed bigtime. The dramatic increase in mail volume caused problems for our mail servers...nothing that the IT folks couldn't handle but it was a problem.

      That kind of thing is the simplest example of abuse of the internet.

      The notion that the internet isn't actually an insecure, unsafe network that should, by its very nature be "untrusted" unless secured is a dangerous one. Just because you haven't had a problem yet doesn't mean that you won't.

      A free wireless connection to the internet means that someone with a laptop could sit out there and gerate millions of spams and never be traced back to anything more than a (likely spoofed) MAC address. The only way to stop that from happening is through thoughtful design and good network practices. IMHO, that includes exgress filtering on the network to prevent excessive spam...

      Not an IT security sales guy, -tcp

    3. Re:Always this argument... by linuxhack · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Your points are well taken. I agree with them for the most part. The problem though is this, how will the law view it. If my network facilitates a DOS attack on some company's server, can I be sued? I have this feeling that the law would hold me accountable for any mis-use. At the very least, they would want me to show I made an attempt to stop the abuse.

      Until the law views it the same way you do, it would be prudent to try.

    4. Re:Always this argument... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, my aunt died from a spam attack once... Oh, wait a second, a little spam never killed anyone.

    5. Re:Always this argument... by SquadBoy · · Score: 1

      Being a security guy myself. I don't think most of this comes from real security people. I think most of it comes from lay people who don't really understand the concepts. So don't paint us all with the same brush. BTW you are pretty much right.

      --

      Cypherpunks: Civil Liberty Through Complex Mathematics. Those who live by the sword die by the arrow.
    6. Re:Always this argument... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, my aunt died from a spam attack once... Oh, wait a second, a little spam never killed anyone.

      Well, it only takes once... And if you know what really went into spam, you'd never eat another bi... oh, this is about email spam? Never mind.

    7. Re:Always this argument... by stinky+wizzleteats · · Score: 1

      You've never had your email address harvested by a spammer, have you?

      Agreed. Run snort on your company's Internet connection, tail -f the alert file, and then tell us how security is nothing more than a marketing initiative.

    8. Re:Always this argument... by Fastolfe · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You bet you can be sued, unless you can demonstrate that someone else used your network to do harm. Here's the tricky bit, though: did you knowingly facilitate that user's illegal acts?

      If your network was broken into and someone did these things without your knowledge, you certainly can't be held liable for his acts. If you ran your network responsibly, you can't even be called negeligent.

      But when you open up your wireless LAN and let any and every Joe get Internet access through your network, and you deliberately make no effort to authenticate or gather sufficient information to a) track down abusers; or b) prevent abuse, one might suggest that you are acting as an accessory to whatever crimes are committed through your network.

      It's possible, though, that if this is going to be treated like any other public utility, that the city is going to be OK with the fact that they'll just need to track these users down in real-time, by triangulating positions and using surveillance cameras, though.

      And keep in mind that this is just the legal end of things. Generally when any customer signs a contract with a network provider, that contract includes bits about the customer not violating the ISP's terms of service, etc., etc. It isn't too far-fetched to assume that the city is subject to one or more ISPs' terms of use, and that they'll have to enforce those same terms on the general public that uses these public networks. If they are unable to reliably do so, the hosting ISP could be perfectly justified in enforcing penalties in the contract, perhaps including disconnection of service.

      There's no reason to assume that just because it's a "city" doing this that they'll be exempt from having to honor an ISP's terms of service. But who knows? Maybe they're expecting to be large enough that they won't consider themselves customers of ISP's so much as peers...

    9. Re:Always this argument... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      When you use a traditional ISP, they usually will have a log of which account was on what IP at any given time. Yes, accounts can be cracked, but some folks will be deterred.

      The point is that there is no deterrence to abuse from the park WiFi.

    10. Re:Always this argument... by Sloppy · · Score: 2
      The security argument is really just a liability argument. For example: When someone sends a death threat to the President through your network, it may result in your network having an outage when the Secret Service sieze your computers. That's a pretty serious DoS.

      Think of liability as a hot potato. You better not accept it, unless you know who you're going to pass it to. If you fail in this, then you are the one who will end up holding it. A common carrier always has someone to point to. Do you?

      --
      As copyright owner of this comment, I authorize everyone to defeat any technological measure which limits access to it.
    11. Re:Always this argument... by ealar+dlanvuli · · Score: 2

      Mail.app allows you to "bounce" an email. I have found bouncing all my "Junk" every few days has all but eliminated spam. It's really quite a nice feature and I wish more mail clients supported it.

      --
      I live in a giant bucket.
    12. Re:Always this argument... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You're tired? You're TIRED?

      Well, I'm tired also.

      I'm tired of the persistent network abuse that ruins my day. Abuse is WAY up, in case you haven't noticed; but maybe life is like that on Planet Laid Back and Grrrooooovy, where you seem to live.

      I have to put up with repeated instances of cluelessness, and the results of the cluelessness.

      Customers who think an Install Wizard is a proper configuration for an SMTP agent; customers who install such agents, and NEVER patch them. Customers who repeatedly run open proxies and insist that they could not possibly be cracked, even after being presented with hard evidence; and who allege: "But I'm an MCSE!" Customers who continue to run IIS, and fail to patch it; and seem to know not even jackshit about Code Red, or Nimda; and dont' even get me started on open relays, FFS.

      You're tired? Of what? Theft of someone other persons' service, or theft of your own? Or just some imagined restriction on your "right" to free access?

      I'm tired; tired of having to track down the exact problem with clueless user running a mail server **over a dialup connection** ( Anyone else want some?

      Abuse desk

    13. Re:Always this argument... by jez9999 · · Score: 2

      This 'bounching' sounds interesting, could you enlighten me as to what it does? Surely it doesn't generate a genuine 'bounce message', as it must be generated by the client, but does it try to generate something close to a carbon copy of one?

    14. Re:Always this argument... by benedict · · Score: 2

      The problem is accountability. With wireless
      connectivity, it can be very difficult to trace
      network abuse further than the owner of the
      access point.

      --
      Ben "You have your mind on computers, it seems."
    15. Re:Always this argument... by Ex-MislTech · · Score: 1

      I guess Cisco selling PIX firewalls to protect the majority of major corporations is just a fluke . Those companies really don't need them . Why can't we all just get along, if we talk to those black hats nice they will stop hacking . I bet we could even talk saddam into being a nice guy and bring peace to the middle east . Evian spelled backwards is Naive ... Think about it ... Ex-MislTech

      --
      google "32 trillion offshore needs IRS attention"
    16. Re:Always this argument... by ealar+dlanvuli · · Score: 1

      send me an email at ealar@mac.com

      --
      I live in a giant bucket.
  26. Re:What about security? by Loki_1929 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Please allow me to translate for all left wondering.
    Note: These are not my views, only what I'm reading between the lines of the previous poster's comments.



    "What security precautions have they taken to ensure that terrorists don't utilize this wireless connectivity to access bomb-making instructions from the Internet?"

    Are they spying on everyone who uses the network? If not, they should. Can't have those hackers/terrorists/pedophiles/'bad people'/etc using the network; only Good People(tm).

    "And even if they've been responsible enough to put a filter on the information available,"

    And even if they're 'responsible' enough to censor the information (in violation of the first amendment),

    "what about all the non-savvy folk in the park who don't have firewalls?"

    We need to protect people from themselves; save the children; treat all people like children - pick any of the above.

    "Are we to just stand by while their hard drives are violated by swarthy assailants?"

    We need to arrest all 'hackers' and those thinking about 'hacking'. We also need to force security software and anti-virus software on all users of the network regardless of whether it will cause problems for them or whether they want it or not.





    Hmm.. wouldn't it be easier to shoot all the citizens instead of trying to mess with all this? That seems to be the Final Solution(tm) you're seeking here anyway.

    --
    -- "Government is the great fiction through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else."
  27. Trivial Wireless News As The U.S. Becomes A by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Offtopic


    Dictatorship.

    Slashdot reports trivial news about wireless while the
    Cheney-Rumsfeld Dictatorship plots to enslave U.S. residents as it broadens its Meta-Wars Against Countries That Opposes U.S. Business Interests

    Put that in your bong and inhale!

    Be Patriotic: Smoke Amerikan Grown Marijuana.

    Cheers,
    Woot

    1. Re:Trivial Wireless News As The U.S. Becomes A by SnowDeath · · Score: 0

      Warning! Those links are redirects to goatcx!

    2. Re:Trivial Wireless News As The U.S. Becomes A by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Warning! Those links are redirects to goatcx!

      No, they aren't. What's the matter, are you a Republican apologist? Will you join Bush, Cheney, and up-the-rear Admiral Poindexter in the circle-jerk as they lay waste to the Constitution, all in the name of "fighting the terrorists." Why not continue the fight against terrorism by going after those who supported Al-Queda and Osama Bin Laden? Why does Bush continue to kow-tow to the Saudis, the true perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks against America? Why continue bombing Iraqi women and children in an ineffectual attempt to show them we're their betters?

    3. Re:Trivial Wireless News As The U.S. Becomes A by SnowDeath · · Score: 1

      Warning! Those words in bold will melt your eyes!

  28. Private vs Public by KarmaBitch · · Score: 4, Informative

    Amazing that this park is run by a private company and not by the city?

    See company's can do nice things...
    Don't bash all of them

    1. Re:Private vs Public by Bearpaw · · Score: 2
      Amazing that this park is run by a private company and not by the city?

      See company's can do nice things... Don't bash all of them

      The fact that Bryant Park Restoration Corporation is a specifically not-for-profit company just might be relevant. And quite possibly they're funded do this "nice thing" by local developers, property management companies, and other businesses, who stand to gain quite a bit from having a squeeky clean park. (Note that park rules prohibit panhandling, which the city can't legally do in parks that it controls.)

      Sure companies can do nice things ... if there's something in it for them. (And quite right, too, but excuse me if I'm not naive enough to start fawning over them for it.)

    2. Re:Private vs Public by gray+peter · · Score: 1

      Bryant Park also has a great outdoor bar in the summertime, and the show old movies too. It's a great spot.

      --
      May no camel spit in your yogurt soup.
  29. Already Done In Pittsburgh by hotsauce · · Score: 3, Informative

    Pah! I am sitting in Oakland (home of U Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon) with my iBook on a free Telerama connection. Apart from Telerama (which will turn to a paid service when they have the entire city covered), the City of Pittsburgh has a free net downtown, and Telerama and others cover all major neighborhoods.

    When Telerama starts charging, I'll just cancel my ISP and use them everywhere. Free would be nice, but my ISP getting me wireless access everywhere in the city is great too.

    Of course, Pitt, CMU and Duquesne have their own wireless points all over for their students/staff. It's already reality in Pittsburgh, buddy.


    1. Re:Already Done In Pittsburgh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wow, tell me more! I want to move to Pittsburgh.

      hahahahaha. You thought I was serious.

  30. Don't forget the mimes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Or should that be MIME types?

  31. Wireless Park In Portland by dailywireless · · Score: 5, Informative
    Portland, Oregon, is planning a re-designed Waterfront Park. Yesterday I sent them A Wireless Park Vision. They liked it!

    Interactive, engaging and site-specific applications are a click away. The Dialtone Symphony (.ram) is wholly produced through the choreographed ringing of people's own cell phones. Here are some other ideas:

    The Public Review Draft of Portland's Waterfront Park Master Plan is available on-line.

    The Morrison Bridge, in the center of Waterfront Park, has phone line access. An Orinoco 2500 ($1000) could drive Wi-Fi repeaters on the north end (near Saturday Market) and the south end, (near the Alexis Hotel), providing blanket coverage. The repeaters could be camouflaged as animals or Oregon historic figures. Waterfront Park also has a direct shot to the Council Crest tower where Winfield Wireless has a wireless ISP.

    Rent out Segway Scooters with built-in Pocket PCs. Your GPS position would trigger Oregon Historical Society's Narrated Neighborhood Tours, Portland Visitor's Association's Self-Guided Tours, Portland Metro Maps or Lewis and Clark Maps. Wireless cameras could be helpful for the police, too.

    Jacksonville Florida's free wireless hot spots provide tourist information as well as internet access. Multi-lingual kiosks, incorporating webtablets with language translation are available now. Text to speech can be output in a variety of languages. And it sounds good. Human voice samples are now incorporated into text to speech. Choose a language, respond by voice.

    Parks have not caught up with the wireless society. Let's make it happen!

    1. Re:Wireless Park In Portland by dailywireless · · Score: 0, Redundant

      Oops. How can I remove this redundant post? My fingers slipped!

    2. Re:Wireless Park In Portland by don_carnage · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Parks have not caught up with the wireless society. Let's make it happen!

      As good as that sounds, I'm sure there are plenty of people who would prefer to keep technology out of our parks. I would hate for the sounds of wind in the trees, children playing, and birds singing to be drowned out by a cell phone symphony. Think about it.

    3. Re:Wireless Park In Portland by _ph1ux_ · · Score: 3, Interesting

      RF-ID wrist bands for kids ($2.99) or "find friends" (free)

      This is a really interesting IDea. It would be a useful thing in theme parks and anywhere there are large crowds. What would be neat is kiosks with screens on them. and when you walked up and stood in the little circle in front of the screen it would show you as a dot on a map - and if the tags could be given a group ID - you could see all the other people in your group as dots (they are here) on the map.

      It would be neat to also be able to touch the map and set a waypoint for all the people in your group to meet up at.

      To add people to your group - you touch add ID - then the person you want to add puts his wrist up to a reader that has a very small proximity reader (so it doesnt add the people walking by mistakenly)

      Each band would just have a unique ID.

      (although it would be funny to watch the map update the location of your friends while they are riding around on roller coasters.)

  32. Riiiiiiiiiight..... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I once considered taking a driving tour of the South as a vacation, with a stop in New Orleans among other places. I never did take the trip, but I *did* manage to scratch New Orleans off my list of destinations when I discovered that more than one travel guide took pains to point out that street crime in broad daylight (even on a crowded street) is quite common, and that if you look like anything remotely resembling a tourist, you're just asking to become a victim.

    <sarcasm>So sure, I'd looooove to sit on a bench somewhere and pull out my laptop, in that environment.</sarcasm>

    1. Re:Riiiiiiiiiight..... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's because the tourists are the only folks here not carrying guns. If you wanted to pick a victim, who would you pick? I'm completely serious.

  33. Peace and Quiet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Ahh, a peaceful day in the park. Trees waving in the wind, birds singing, and geeks typing furiously.

  34. Green. by Trusty+Penfold · · Score: 4, Insightful


    Personally, I go to the local park to get some fresh air, look at something other than Windows and get a modicum amount of exercise.

    The last thing I want to do is check my email.

    1. Re:Green. by liquidsin · · Score: 2

      Then get your exercise and have fun with it. And I'm sure the people who want to check their mail and surf slashdot will do so as well. Can't we all just get along?

      --
      do not read this line twice.
    2. Re:Green. by mjolnir_ · · Score: 1

      I used to work directly across the street from Bryant Park. You have to understand that an urban park, especially one in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, is not the same type of park, in purpose or experience.

      The people heading into Bryant Park are lucky to even get away from their desks for a quick glimpse of sky and some non-HVAC-recirculated air. I was fortunate enough to have a job where I could often take 60 or 90 minutes at lunch, grab a chair and the day's newspapers and sit in the sun, all before returning to my monitor.

      The second-to-last thing I would've wanted to do was check my email, or anything else resembling work, but by far the *last* thing I wanted to do was get up out of my seat and return to buzzing indoor fluorescent lights, away from sky and sun and fresh air...

      Exercise is what you do at a gym in NYC, not a park. That may be sad to some but its true.

      -mj

    3. Re:Green. by Jodka · · Score: 1
      Personally, I go to the local park to get some fresh air, look at something other than Windows and get a modicum amount of exercise.

      It's no so that you can read your e-mail when you go to the park, its so that you can go to the park when you read your e-mail.

      --
      Ceci n'est pas une signature.
    4. Re:Green. by Tenebrious1 · · Score: 2

      This is Bryant park we're talking about. You could walk around the perimiter in about 2 minutes (if you speedwalk). It's two blocks from Times Square, so it's noisy, crowded, and pretty expensive.

      Fresh air? You kidding, there's no such thing as fresh air in NYC.

      It's a nice, cozy park, except it's really crowded; during lunch it's difficult to find a chair or table. The lawn is frequently closed so the grass gets a chance to breathe after hosting the fashion show, circus, the myriad of functions. Right now most of the free space is taken up by holiday shopping stalls.

      Hmm... the antennas are probably just out of LoS... should run downstairs and pick up a pringles can and play with it.

      --
      -- If god wanted me to have a sig, he'd have given me a sense of humor.
    5. Re:Green. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Any spy on minors. You are obviously a paedofile.

  35. Also, Ooblek, men who will ass-rape you! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    not that you mind, even when they use barbed-wire cock. Or shall I say, ESPECIALLY when they use BWC

    1. Re:Also, Ooblek, men who will ass-rape you! by HughsOnFirst · · Score: 2

      Well it IS right across the street from the old New York Telephone headquarters ( now some sort of Verizon outpost ), but that would be a little obvious

  36. In other news... by writertype · · Score: 1

    A wave of laptop-jacking begins...

  37. Who needs a park? by LiquidAsphalt · · Score: 1
    Yeah the park is wireless, but inside theres no bugs or crazy people. What they need to do is make apartment building wireless and tenants just pay a fee to access and its all good.

    I figure if an apartment sets up wireless and leases a T1 for the tenants, around 35 tenants sign up at $30/month, and your internet is payed for and high speed.. viva la resistance.

    1. Re:Who needs a park? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


      I figure if an apartment sets up wireless and leases a T1 for the tenants, around 35 tenants sign up at $30/month, and your internet is payed for and high speed.. viva la resistance.
      ... until those mysterious chalk marks appear on the outside of the building ... and folks with laptops start parking on the street outside ... and speed drops.

  38. Re:Legalize rape Now!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Sounds good, we volunteer you to be the first. Come'on, bend over.

  39. oh yes you are by newsdee · · Score: 1

    Think about all those sunbathing girls that will be in need for tech support.

    Doing things well will... earn you a suntan cream application rights!

    1. Re:oh yes you are by morgajel · · Score: 1


      nonono, that wouldn't work... you'd get your keyboard all sticky.
      </nerd>

      <geek> like that would change anything?</geek>

      --
      Looking for Book Reviews? Check out Literary Escapism.
  40. Ads for near by businesses by LiquidAsphalt · · Score: 1
    I used to work near Bryant park and there are a bunch of restaurants in the area. I bet the next push will be advertisement via the web to wireless users. Heck they could even deliver to the park for you.

    I can see it now, your browsing the web and listning to some performance on the stage in NYC while the traffic flows besides you and bam an ad for Mickey Dees pops up, or heck some dude delivers food on his bike based on your order from the park. Good deal.

  41. bad music joke by newsdee · · Score: 1

    you better not run any portal servers from there or you'll get sued by "Linkin" Park!

  42. Government Sponsored.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting
    I live near the government campus of Some Country(TM), and from the parks arround, you can access many, many WiFi Nets, most of them BEHIND the firewall... You can get at so much stuff it is not funny.

    A whole new meaning to "the government providing a service".

    Why do I post this anonymously ? Because I can get at SO many secret things there, and SO much bandwidth, that I don't want them tightening up....

  43. Re:Not registered? GoatSe.cx! by phritz · · Score: 1
    Uhhh. . . in case you're not paying attention, that URL there is

    http://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/24/nyregion/24FEAT. html?ex=1038978000&en=5e68a294ddda428c&ei=5062&par tner=goatse.cx

  44. In related news by stinky+wizzleteats · · Score: 5, Funny

    Homeland security secretary Ridge today ordered thousands of law enforcement officers to scour the grounds of Central Park looking for a warez web server believed to be operating from a remote control car.

  45. In other news... by psyconaut · · Score: 4, Funny

    The number of people mugged for their laptops and PDAs in New York's Bryant Park has increased dramatically recently. NY Police are baffled.

    -psy

  46. what's next? by p0et · · Score: 1

    first was the cyber-café, now the cyber-park...

    what's next??? cyberspace???

    some day are people debating if someone really hacked into that big mainfraine and if it was made of cheese....

  47. We've run into some problems with this by Slashdotess · · Score: 4, Informative

    In the Wireless Network I worked for on my city, we had quite a few problems with kids using bandwidth for piracy and whatnot. As a result, we unfortunately had to block p2p ports, but the free service has been good for our community.

    1. Re:We've run into some problems with this by /dev/trash · · Score: 1

      So what are p2p ports? 21? 80? 3949? 6109? You close one, someone else just uses another.

  48. Eight Megabyte by Rosonowski · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The eight-megabytes-per-second connection was as free...

    Ok, am I the only one who caught this? I'm hoping (not really) that it's a terminology error, because a 64mbps connection sounds real, real nice, especially when it's free.

    The project as a whole, though, sounds very cool. I think I would like to try that out when I go this summer.

    --
    01101001 01100001 01101101 01101110 01101111 01110100 01100001 01101100 01100001 01110111 01111001 01100101 01110010
    1. Re:Eight Megabyte by BrunoC · · Score: 1

      I was wondering that myself. There's a _huge_ difference between 8 megabytes/s and 8 megabits/s. Now imagine this: You go to the park with your ethereal / sniffit enabled laptop and sniff around until you got some credit cards numbers / logins & passwords / private data or such from the WEP Free park goers... will this create a new type of park mugger?

    2. Re:Eight Megabyte by pknoll · · Score: 1

      I'm certain they meant 8 megabit, especially considering 802.11b's max bandwidth is 10 megabit, and usually (in my experience) more like 3-5, given signal strength and distance to the WEP node.

  49. Yoda Yoda Yoda by wiredog · · Score: 2

    A Jedi needs not registration.

    1. Re:Yoda Yoda Yoda by Oo.et.oO · · Score: 1

      LOL!

  50. Re:What about security? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Go back in your house and sit quietly as your elected officials will take care of you. They are just trying to protect you. They are your representitives don't you know?

  51. Re:Filters are not censorship by mossmann · · Score: 1

    > The Constitution doesn't say you can read
    > whatever you want, only that you can say
    > whatever you want.

    Fortunately, the Supreme Court has found those
    two things to be equivalent.

  52. Ya put yer high bit in.. by wiredog · · Score: 2

    Ya put yer high bit out
    Ya put yer high bit in, and ya twiddle it about.

  53. Brooklyn in the house... by kikensei · · Score: 1

    Wow. It's been awhile since I checked on the status of NYC Wireless, and lo and behold, 2 nodes on my block in Brooklyn, Carroll Gardens! I'll have to add mine to the list later in the week. Coffee and Slashdot from the bench outside Mazolla'a Bakery!

    Not to mention I work down the block from Bryant Park in Manhattan. And of course, every other big corporate presence in midtown has 1 or 2 unsecured WAP's.

    Time to pick up a Dremel tool and a can of Pringles...

    1. Re:Brooklyn in the house... by gray+peter · · Score: 1

      Shout-out from the 718!!! Fort Greene in Da House!!

      --
      May no camel spit in your yogurt soup.
  54. Nice catch. by Your+Fishing+Partner · · Score: 1

    I wasn't sure about the bait you were usin' there, but this one's a keeper.

  55. Tompkins Square Park by image · · Score: 2

    Personally, I'd love to see a public wireless access point in Tompkins. I spend a great deal of my time in the coffee shops next to the park (alt.coffee and pick me up) and would consider dragging my laptop out with me if the range was sufficient. I had been considering getting one of the Sprint PCS Vision plans, but a few public access points would make this less of a necessity. Also, depending on where they put the transmitter, my roof may be line of site (from E3rd between C and D). I could definitely be inspired to set up a pringles can and see how it goes.

    On a related note -- I have a Linksys WAP11 in my apartment and recently stopped bothering with the encryption, figuring that if anyone else in my building wanted to use it, I don't really mind. However, I'd love to know if they were. Is there anyway you can check out who using the connection short of just sniffing the LAN for packets that are not your own?

    1. Re:Tompkins Square Park by rixster · · Score: 2

      I've got the same Linksys - just login to it and check the logs - it'll tell you about the MACs that've been using it and the access they got

      --
      Two wrongs may not make a right, but three ....
    2. Re:tompkins square park by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      At last I will be able to order from the local bodegas online and have my items delivered to me in the park, without having to physically enter the place. Does anybody remember the Sweet Tooth Candy Store?

  56. Unaccountable by caluml · · Score: 2

    What happens when someone starts using that free connection to hack people/companies?

    Or are there lots of cameras in the parks with automatic facial recognition?

  57. Eight Megabytes per second, huh? by L0neW0lf · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Umm, I think that was supposed to read "eight mega-BITS per second." I wish I had eight megabytes per second on my wired networks.

    --

    Never look down your nose at others. Someday, someone is bound to see your boogers.
  58. Get out the wands and pointy hats... by BSDevil · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...because according to the Bryant Park People NYCWireless is run by a bunch of computer wizards!

    --
    Cue The Sun...
  59. Re:Not registered? GoatSe.cx! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    But does that actually take you to goatse?

    I'm at work & I'm not trying it.

  60. How about the other 13k Acess Points in NYC??? by mclancy10006 · · Score: 2, Informative
    Any of you seen the site PublicInternetProject.org They catalog over 13,000 access point in New York City. Including half a dozen in central park.


    From thier site:

    Research Specifics, Overall Statistics:
    1) 13,707 unique nodes within manhattan
    2) 4,038 (29.46%) WEP enabled

    That is a little better than just Bryant Park.

  61. Security options? by JavaJoint · · Score: 1

    Pardon my ignorance on this, but what would the options be for using a public WiFi AP securely?

    I assume that WEP (yes, I know that WEP != "secure") would be turned off, so what does that leave?

    ssh tunnel?

    IPSec?

    Anything else?

    1. Re:Security options? by Russ+Steffen · · Score: 1

      More options:

      PPPoE w/encryption
      PPP over SSL (via stunnel or simmilar)
      CIPE

    2. Re:Security options? by JavaJoint · · Score: 1

      > CIPE

      I have skimmed over CIPE.php So.. if I am reading this correctly, this would allow a lightweight VPN over an arbitrary public AP? (getting hung up over the "how is routing handled?" part)

  62. Re:What about security? by Loki_1929 · · Score: 2

    "They are your representitives don't you know?"

    Not true at all. John Ashcroft isn't. He lost his election bid to a dead manand neither is this guy.

    --
    -- "Government is the great fiction through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else."
  63. Brookly is better! by evodas · · Score: 1

    Yeah! I'm 2 blocks from Propect Park and I want my wireless, too!

  64. interesting by tps12 · · Score: 2

    New York City's busiest park

    In what units does one measure "business"?

    --

    Karma: Good (despite my invention of the Karma: sig)
    1. Re:interesting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      CVM

      Crack Vials per Minute

    2. Re:interesting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Most visitors per square foot on a weekday? I counted over 1500 neighbors and office workers lunching there on the first warm day of spring last year.

  65. Re:Filters are not censorship by Loki_1929 · · Score: 2

    Someone already ripped the part about censorship being legal and right, so I'll work over the next part.

    "And it only applies to Americans anyway, not illegal immigrants."

    Ever heard the saying, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you"? If you deny basic rights to guests in our country (be they here legally or otherwise) then you run the risk of your citizens being treated very poorly elsewhere around the world. If you truly believe in the value of freedom and democracy, then you'll have no problem overlooking where those practicing said freedom are from.

    Selectively applied freedom is the definition of tyranny.

    --
    -- "Government is the great fiction through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else."
  66. tompkins square park by pcp_ip · · Score: 1

    As someone who lives in alphabet city- I wouldn't recommended hanging out in Tompkins Square Park with a laptop.

  67. Well, 5 people seem to have dissagreed. by autopr0n · · Score: 2

    Btw, this one actualy makes sense, like the soviets would wire things up without purpose, etc...

    --
    autopr0n is like, down and stuff.
  68. Yeah, but by autopr0n · · Score: 2

    Once they SSH out they're back in their own system, and acountable again. Unless they are connecting to a hacked box, but they wouldn't be able to hack their first one from the park anyway.

    --
    autopr0n is like, down and stuff.
  69. NYC is broke by N8F8 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Glad to see the city thinks fiscal responsability is a good thing.

    --
    "God fights on the side with the best artillery." - Napoleon, Marshal of France - speaking truth to power
  70. Yes, and ban any computer with DRM too!! by autopr0n · · Score: 2

    What is the difference between what your suggesting and efforts by the RIAA and others to ban computers with DRM? Lets cripple technology so people can't do bad things.

    In this case, it's even stupider. You're basically saying we should put restrictions on everyone because some people haven't bothered keep up with security patches. As far as spamming goes, well I might agree with an SMTP block, but that has more to do with the fact that SMTP is an obsolete protocol, and there's no real reason to be running a mail server from a park with (I'm assuming) a DHCP address.

    --
    autopr0n is like, down and stuff.
    1. Re:Yes, and ban any computer with DRM too!! by Lumpy · · Score: 2

      are you dense?

      you are complaining that I am Covering My own Arse because I am giving something away free I should let you use it to any activities at my risk?

      That's just plain stupid. The RIAA is telling you that something you OWN is not your Property.

      I'm telling you that I'll lend you my internet access FOR FREE if you play by my rules. I am up front about it, and if you fire up your wireless in my zone and go to any ip address you will get only my announcement page with links to register or you must click the AGREE button to my terms that are spelled out in plain english before it will recognize your MAC address for the next 60 minutes for port 80 access..then you need to click agree again. If you get a free account, then you get full access..

      I'm saying block everything so I dont go to fricking jail because you decided to hack some bank with MY wireless access. only idiots and morons would leave access that is under their name open to the world without tight control over who is using it. so yes I'll give you access IF you get a login and give me enough information to nail you to the wall if you use my stuff for illegal activities. It's nothing less than you would do if it was your rear on the line...

      Hey BTW, can I borrow your car, wallet and a ski mask for a few minutes? if you say no you're worse than the RIAA!

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  71. Private Oasis in Manhattan by captdavid · · Score: 1

    Check out this great story on the park:

    http://www.mises.org/fullarticle.asp?record=1091 &m onth=50

    I think this is a great model for how we can more wireless access in public areas...

  72. Great by r_arr · · Score: 1

    Now I just a need a new battery for my laptop. But it's a start.

  73. First amendment? Gimme a break! by mccrew · · Score: 2
    >And even if they're 'responsible' enough to censor the information (in violation of the first amendment)

    Nice troll attempt. Like most other clue-challenged individuals who fall (or blisfully ignorant dive on purpose) into this trap, you are comparing the apples of communications in a private context with the oranges of government attempting to control speech, especially political speech. It is the latter which is protected by the first amendment.

    Just because someone gives you internet access does not mean that they owe you a pedestal. In a private context (such as a workplace or even a public park) the provider of the services can do whatever the hell they want to do. If you don't like it, get off your fat duff and go somewhere else, or better yet, go start your own venture where you can attract all others of your ilk - you can call it "ClueLessNet".

    Thanks for the "translation." It's worth even less than I paid for it.

    Duh,
    -Steve

    --
    Hey, Windows users, there is no such thing as "forward" slash, there is only slash and backslash.
  74. Re:Legalize rape Now!!! by evodas · · Score: 1

    Yes. Thank heaven we can speak and rely on something other than appetites and raw strength to settle our differences.

    Now why aren't you advocating going back to grunts and the law of the (physically) stronger?

    And besides: rape is a crime; murder is a crime. Rape and murder are intertwined in same evolution you see justifying its "naturalness". I would therefore like to kill you.

  75. Re:First amendment? Gimme a break! by Loki_1929 · · Score: 2

    Well, sorry to disappoint, but I wasn't trolling. On the other hand, calling me names, insulting me, etc simply shows that even you place little value in your argument. So let's take a look at the only identifiable argument in your comment, shall we?

    "you are comparing the apples of communications in a private context with the oranges of government attempting to control speech, especially political speech. It is the latter which is protected by the first amendment."

    No, I wasn't talking about evesdropping at all. In fact, I don't think I ever once mentioned anything about evesdropping in that comment. The reason? In a public place using a public service, you have little expectation of privacy; especially with something as inherently insecure as 802.11b. On the other hand, the government selectively making websites unavailable to users is censorship, and is a violation of the first amendment as interpreted many, many times by the Supreme Court. The right to be heard is just as important as the right to speak. As for someone giving me internet access, I have a reasonable expectation that they will comply with a privacy policy which is made available to me upon request.

    --
    -- "Government is the great fiction through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else."
  76. Cool, Tompkins Square is on the list... by DooBall · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I live directly across from it on 7th street (East Village).

    I wonder if I'll be able to tap into the network for free. :)

    The city has been trying to pimp this area for a while now, it was really bad years ago. I guess they'll do anything to get MORE people here (E. Village = one big ass bar and resturant)

  77. SSH by odin53 · · Score: 1

    SSH/port 22 was open during the past summer. 21 might have been; I'm not sure, since I always SSH.

  78. Watch it on CBS Sundays by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That's the park where they do the pregame report for football games on CBS. They also have fashion shows and an occasional circus.

  79. Re:First amendment? Gimme a break! by mccrew · · Score: 2
    No, I wasn't talking about evesdropping at all

    You introduced the word "evesdropping."

    On the other hand, the government selectively making websites unavailable to users is censorship, and is a violation of the first amendment as interpreted many, many times by the Supreme Court.

    I don't suppose that you could cite any cases, either already seen by the Supreme Court, or pending before the Supreme Court, that address the very common situation of public libraries (i.e. government entities) making websites unavailable.

    The right to be heard is just as important as the right to speak.

    I hate to be the one to break it to you, but there is no right to be heard.

    --
    Hey, Windows users, there is no such thing as "forward" slash, there is only slash and backslash.
  80. How long until an abuse? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    How long until someone hides a fixed antenna in the park, relays it to its home over a wireless 2GHz or even a line, and use it 24/7? Will the park owner get fined/trialed if P2P starts blooming over its park?
    How's the coverage in the buildings close to the park by the way? Will appartments there cost more thanks to the free broadband wireless internet?

  81. Mazel Tov by jpellino · · Score: 2

    ...using your laptop out there in anything approaching direct sunlight...

    --
    "Win treats sysadmins better than users. Mac treats users better than sysadmins. Linux treats everyone like sysadmins."
  82. fool. just protect yourself! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    fool. the problem isn't that open networks allow people to spam. your cited problem was that your IT department insufficiently configured their mail servers to deny, as you said, "untrusted" servers.

    this is precisely the problem. people are usually of one of two mindsets in this regard. either they want to limit inherent functionality of the network to preclude undesired use, or they understand that undesired use is inevitable and you simply have to protect yourself as necessary.

    stop fucking with the network. stick to securing your piece of it if it's so important to you.

  83. If only they would do Washington Park too... by GojiraDeMonstah · · Score: 1


    ...then you could score dope AND surf the net.

    --
    "Stop throwing the Constitution in my face, it's just a goddamned piece of paper!" - George W. Bush Nov. 2005
  84. It's privately run by LaissezFaire · · Score: 1

    I've been looking for an article published in the last month (cant' find it, darn it), but I think Bryant Park has been privately run for a few years. It used to be terrible, then the city decided to hand it over to a corporation. Now they have private police, charge good sized rents to vendors who want to sell goods there, and people who want to go. It used to be full of muggers, vagrants, and drug dealers.

  85. Maybe I'm dense, but... by KC7GR · · Score: 2

    I thought the idea of having a park or 'greenbelt' was to be able to get AWAY from being wired, E-mailed, phoned, etc.?

    This idea came to mind because, just last week, my wife and I got subjected to at least two morons in the movie theater who didn't turn their phones off. Damn things rang right in the middle of a couple of good scenes in 'Harry Potter.'

    I will grant that any wireless device can be a useful tool, but let's not forget where the "Off" switch is, OK? There's enough stress in the world already.

    --

    Bruce Lane, KC7GR,

    Blue Feather Technologies

  86. bryant park by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    i wonder if it has anything to do with the zillion dollar fashion shows held at bryant park twice a year...they give out free booze in bryant park during the fashion shows...something is sketchy about all this.

  87. Re:fool. just protect yourself! by Incongruity · · Score: 2
    fool. the problem isn't that open networks allow people to spam. your cited problem was that your IT department insufficiently configured their mail servers to deny, as you said, "untrusted" servers.

    First, if you're going to make an ass of yourself, have some spine and don't do it as an AC.

    this is precisely the problem. people are usually of one of two mindsets in this regard. either they want to limit inherent functionality of the network to preclude undesired use, or they understand that undesired use is inevitable and you simply have to protect yourself as necessary.

    Actually, if you had bothered to really consider my comment, you'd have grasped that I am of the mind that *both* mindsets are worthwhile.

    If you offer network/internet connectivity, you have a responsibility to try to make it as tight as possible. You don't set up an open mail relay, blah, blah, blah.

    Now, as per my previous statement, you need to assume that the network you're connected to (that is, the internet) is insecure and that you *will* face such things as spam or DOS attacks and whatnot coming from outside your boundry router. For that reason, the position that you advocate is indeed also worthwhile.

    Protect your network, sure, but the most you can do is stop it when it gets to your network. That's still load on your connection to the outside network or a load on your mail servers...etc.

  88. Density vs. Effective Range by minitrue · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Actually, NYC's density is both a godsend and a burden. Yes, there is some node overlap, but there are plenty of dead zones too. And although the theoretical range of 802.11b is measured in hundreds of feet, the heavy radio saturation in Manhattan (cordless phones, microwaves, etc) and older buildings (thick walls) can drop the effective range of these boxes to less than 100 ft. I know b/c I have three nodes on nycwirelss - one in Manhattan and two in Brooklyn. The one in Manhattan is within 500 feet of two universities and a major broadcaster. I had to install a high gain antenna on the midtown router to get coverage similar to the range i get on my two nodes in Bklyn.

  89. gives new meaning to the commercials by 2MuchC0ffeeMan · · Score: 2

    can you here me now? can you here me now?

    heh... i'm so mean...

    good job technology!

    --
    Runnin' On Empty .... I'm Still Alive
  90. gas stations get wireless by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    http://isp-planet.com/fixed_wireless/wi-fi_briefs/ 2002/021121.html

  91. Re:What about security? by SpitFU · · Score: 1

    Well since all that's been release from IEEE that is being including in manufacturing of wireless products now is 802.11b which has no reliable sense of security built in, you can bet I'll be grabing your PST files and reading your love notes.

    The private companies and park services will have to wait until Q3 of 2003 before 802.11G is approved by IEEE and manufacturers start to make Wireless secure.

    HACK THE PLANET!!!!!! HACK THE PLANET!!!!

    --
    reassign null to be the tape device - it's so much more economical on my time as I don't have to change tapes_BOFH
  92. Great, free pr0n in the park! by snarkasaurus · · Score: 1

    This is GREAT! Now the scum of New York City can sit in the park and surf kiddie pr0n on the taxpayer's dime. What a breakthrough.

    How long before the dorks start demonstrating for free laptops to surf on?

    In other news, New York State is going to raise taxes because they have a budget shortfall of BILLIONS of dollars. Gee, I wonder why that is?

  93. Uh huh. by autopr0n · · Score: 2

    What you do with your own network is your business, if you're afraid of legal trouble, its your choice. But calling other people idiots for not doing pulling the same restrictions is asinine. Who is going to press charges on the NYC parks dep. for some hack-job? You seem to be saying any anonymous use of the Internet is dangerous, and shouldn't be allowed. Not that offering it opens you up to liability.

    --
    autopr0n is like, down and stuff.
  94. hey by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    the only port you need is right here: *bam*

  95. Huh? by autopr0n · · Score: 2

    Where does it say in the constitution that the government is only allowed to supply essential services?

    --
    autopr0n is like, down and stuff.
  96. No by autopr0n · · Score: 2

    But someone at the NYT might wonder what this 'goatse.cx' thing is their logs...

    --
    autopr0n is like, down and stuff.
  97. 70,000 people per square mile by autopr0n · · Score: 2

    manhattan has the highest population density of anywhere in the world. It works out to just one 6x6 meter square per person.

    --
    autopr0n is like, down and stuff.
  98. Kazaa bliss by billcopc · · Score: 2

    Yay, now New Yorkers can step outside and Kazaa themselves to oblivion without fear of busting their cable provider's monthly download allowance.

    I need to move out of Canada, like, now.

    --
    -Billco, Fnarg.com
  99. You are the dense one by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You are the dense one! Learn English grammar maybe before you post next time so your sentences don't run into one another! What a fuckin idiot you are-my mother can setup a network since it's so simple nowadays, but it takes intelligence to type, obviously something you don't have.

    Hey BTW, can I borrow your car, wallet and a ski mask for a few minutes?
    No, but you're so fucked you'd probably lend it to me.

  100. Last Post! by alpg · · Score: 1

    A biologist, a statistician, a mathematician and a computer scientist are on
    a photo-safari in Africa. As they're driving along the savannah in their
    jeep, they stop and scout the horizon with their binoculars.

    The biologist: "Look! A herd of zebras! And there's a white zebra!
    Fantastic! We'll be famous!"
    The statistician: "Hey, calm down, it's not significant. We only know
    there's one white zebra."
    The mathematician: "Actually, we only know there exists a zebra, which is
    white on one side."
    The computer scientist : "Oh, no! A special case!"

    - this post brought to you by the Automated Last Post Generator...