Three-wheeled Wireless Internet

An anonymous reader writes "I just found this article which describes how a group of people in the UK built a 3 wheeled trike-type rickshaw to give visitors to a festival mobile Internet access. An interesting read for those /.ers into wireless networks, it also gives good information about the use of satellite for net connectivity and renewable energy sources. They do a good job of lightening a dry subject with a dash of humour." (The festival here is The Big Green Gathering, which sounds like a low-key, English version of Burning Man.)

Comments

Portability perhaps?

[commie_pig]

I don't know if I'm too keen to rent a little bike with an internet connection. I'd much rather have wireless connection points scattered over the festival terrain which would allow a PDA to connect - that way, I can even walk.

One day, when technology is dirt cheap (if that ever happens), then I wouldn't mind having a little computer loaded on a little bike like that.

Until then, I first need personal connectivity

Save the whales! - collect the whole set

Re:Portability perhaps?

[semaj]

I don't know if I'm too keen to rent a little bike with an internet connection. I'd much rather have wireless connection points scattered over the festival terrain which would allow a PDA to connect - that way, I can even walk.

Did you actually read the article?

They describe setting up a number of wireless base stations using 802.11b to "ensure that the majority of wireless clients could connect to our network". They built the rickshaw as a moving terminal so that people without laptops/PDAs could have a chance to use the network.

Green Gathering

[BeCre8iv]

This is on my doorstep, its my local culture and the the comparison with burning-man is a little off the mark.

the BGG is an activists gathering, while there is music at night, by day it is not a hedonists paradise like Burning-Man but more a massive sustainability workshop where you can learn about non-violent resistance through to how to get web without a mains socket.

People on /. tend to see the iTrike as a festival gimmik that is less than practical, when it is realy a high profile proof of concept with a little humour thrown in.

I am realy glad the BGG got slashdotted because it rarely gets a mention in the UK, let alone internationally.

BTW - Heds from overseas looking for a Burningman Type experience should try Glastonbury festival - the BGG is for serious activists, travelers and the free-festival harcore, the first thing you notice is that there is no branding or commercialism on site which is wierd to say the least in this day and age.

As for cost... its difficult to know. Short of the tech itself, the iTrike is probably recycled bits and bobs from...

Rinky-Dink
http://www.baka.co.uk/rinky/

Raymundo's Renewable Lounge
http://www.ray-mundo.co.uk/

and some road protest site somewhere.