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Sell Your Wireless Bandwidth

Posted by pudge on from the mmmmm-oney dept.

BilSabab writes "Yahoo! News is reporting on the release of LinSpot 1.0 for Mac OS X. Linspot enables users to sell access to their wireless network to anyone who enters the hot zone." The software is free, but LinSpot takes a cut of the action.

27 of 57 comments (clear)

  1. No thanks by greentree · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'll just continue using my neighbor's cable internet for free.

    1. Re:No thanks by Gropo · · Score: 4, Insightful
      Yes. God Bless Microsoft for fostering a world in which people are so afraid of borking things that they leave everying set up with the base configuration.

      -Posted over 1.3mb down/380k up, leeched RoadRunner :)

      --
      I hate Grammar Nazi's
    2. Re:No thanks by Greedo · · Score: 4, Funny

      Even better: use his internet connection, but resell it to your other neighbours!

      --
      Tuus crepidae innexilis sunt.
    3. Re:No thanks by dr.badass · · Score: 2, Informative

      Though I agree with the sentiment, it's worth noting that by default, Windows XP won't connect to unencrypted access points, and that Microsoft-brand access points are encrypted by default.

      Of course, we all know that WEP is next to worthless, but having it enabled by default is one thing that Microsoft does right.

      --
      Don't become a regular here -- you will become retarded.
  2. Interesting read on I, Cringely by oacis · · Score: 5, Informative

    This sort of ties in with the ideas of Robert X cringely, which can be read here:

    For Love Not Money: How WhyFi can turn hotspots into a real industry

    and

    WhyFi Not? - Bob Defends his Wireless Networking Idea

    Yes, I realise WiFi, not WhyFi - those are the titles.

    --
    This is NOT the best sig in the world, but this IS a tribute to the best sig in the world.
  3. Lin? by Neon+Spiral+Injector · · Score: 2

    So they call it LinSpot, use Tux's head (as a horrific looking background tile), but Linux is third on their list of supported OSes, after Windows?

    1. Re:Lin? by danalien · · Score: 2, Funny
      don't you get it?

      ...'small' ... 'medium' ... 'big' ?

      need I say more? ...

      --
      I don't claim I know more than I know, and if you know you know more than I know, then by all means, let me know.
  4. Automatic Updates? by Abjifyicious · · Score: 2, Insightful
    From the article;

    The LinSpot software is a free download that configures automatically upon installation and features end-to-end encryption, automatic self-updates, and the ability to accept PayPal as well as all major credit cards.

    Call me paranoid, but I don't like the sound of that bit about updates.

    1. Re:Automatic Updates? by System.out.println() · · Score: 3, Informative

      A lot of software (particularly Mac software) does this. " has detected that there is a new version, would you like to download and install it?"
      Sometimes it gives a brief description of what's new, and it can almost always be disabled.

      --
      I've got more mod points and GMail invi
  5. A quick note by Tim_F · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Please be sure to read the EULA that came with your cable or DSL high speed connection. Oftentimes a high speed provider will prohibit the reselling of bits of the connection.

    Be aware people. I'm surprised something like this is even available...

    1. Re:A quick note by Jesrad · · Score: 3, Interesting

      In my country the ISP loses its right to enforce reselling conditions on the access service (or any service or product, for that matter) the moment I buy it. It's called "first sale exception", I think. It allows people to resell whatever they have however they see fit, even electric power.

      On the other hand, a lawyer might argue that I'd have to resell the entire service and not use it ever after...

      --
      Maybe we deserve this world ?
  6. Whose going to use this by zpiderz · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The article is a little light on the details, but who exactly would pay for this? In my apartment building there are about 4 wireless routers that DO NOT restrict connections. I guess no one bothered to properly configure their easy-to-use linksys/netgear router. So why pay for it when you can get it for free?

    ..oh yeah, it's probably wrong or something...

  7. Only works through CPU not AP by Blinkslowly · · Score: 5, Informative

    What they don't make obvious is you can only sell your bandwith with your CPU acting as the access point. You can't just setup your Air Port base station and rake it in.

    1. Re:Only works through CPU not AP by Greedo · · Score: 4, Informative

      What they also don't seem to mention is that you can't set the price of your bandwidth. They do that for you.

      But, in relation to the parent comment, It'll only be a matter of time before this is ported to Linux, and someone gets it installed on those configurable, cheapo LinkSYS routers.

      --
      Tuus crepidae innexilis sunt.
  8. Even better by max+born · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Why buy when you can hack for free ....

    wireless

  9. Mistaken identity? by GoRK · · Score: 4, Interesting
    First, the software is commercial and proprietary (LinSpot takes a cut off of your bandwidth sales), yet seems to tie itself dubiously to OSS. Although I have not actually looked at the application myself, I suspect that there are likely untold amounts of license violations in LinSpot. Read these two faq entries while keeping in mind the way the software is advertised and used:

    From the LinSpot FAQ:
    1.6 WHAT'S UP WITH THE PENGUIN?
    First of all, we LOVE penguins! Secondly, it is the logo of the GNU/Linux operating system. The 'Tux' penguin logo is originally created by Larry Ewing using The GIMP as a drawing tool. With it, we want to honour the OpenSource projects who are at the basis of LinSpot: the Apache Web Server, the ISC DHCP server, the ISC BIND Nameserver, the SQUID Web Proxy Cache and lots of other things created by motivated programmers across the globe.
    The penguin puts the end-users into the spotlight!

    4.3 WHY THE NAME LINSPOT?
    Inside LinSpot there's a lot of OpenSource software: the following OpenSource projects are packaged with LinSpot: Apache Web Server, ISC DHCP server, ISC Bind Nameserver, Squid Proxy server and several other smaller ones. With the first 3 letters we want to bring tribute to Linux and the OpenSource community, as they form the basis of the current Internet and it's popularity. Linux is the best known icon reflecting this FLOSS community!
    Also, LinSpot is free and wants to spread rapidly, just like Linux.

    The other information in the FAQ is very telling, including the telltale "Investment Opportunity" section that is present in the websites of so many dubious businesses.

    I would caution any user against attempting to use this application. There are several good alternatives that are not difficult to set up including using NoCatAuth with a micropayment system. Since LinSpot happily handles the billing of the users for you and then sends you your 'share' later, you'll really have to decide whether or not you trust them to do the right thing, since they do not seem to be forthright in their other business practices.\

    At any rate, this software hardly deserves a "1.0" release or attention on slashdot. It could likely be a scam, though I have no evidence to beleive that it is anything more than a really dubious, hacky, misguided implementation of someone else's good idea.
    1. Re:Mistaken identity? by torpor · · Score: 3, Insightful

      At any rate, this software hardly deserves a "1.0" release or attention on slashdot. It could likely be a scam, though I have no evidence to beleive that it is anything more than a really dubious, hacky, misguided implementation of someone else's good idea.

      Wait a minute. Someone puts together a viable, commercial business model for delivering bandwidth using open source software, and your reaction is to crap on it?

      I don't get it. This is a great idea. It means that bandwidth can go anywhere its needed, and the folk who contribute to setting it up and getting WLAN working in whatever part of the world they want, can participate in the action of selling that bandwidth.

      What's wrong with that?

      Although I have not actually looked at the application myself, I suspect that there are likely untold license violations ...

      WTF? This is such an assinine statement, I can't even handle it. Who are you working for, a competitor of LinSpot?

      If you haven't looked at the apps, you're in no position, no, you are not qualified to raise the issue of whether there have been "license violations".

      Honestly, you are an instant-negative robot. People, please think a little about your negativity before you let it take control of your mind and you end up crapping on something which ... maybe ... actually ... is a freakin' good idea, implemented by a company who ... if it works well ... deserves from profiting in the process of helping people set up public, open networks that can be easily used to access the Internet.

      Especially if they're using Open Source software to do so. What if they are legit, and it does work, and people do get their share of the pie? What then?

      That would be a huge win for Open Source Software, wouldn't it ...

      --
      ; -- the corruption of government starts with its secrets. a truly free people keep no secrets. --
  10. I'd consider it, except... by dbirchall · · Score: 3, Interesting
    ...there are a few things that'd make it difficult for me to do this successfully.

    1. My ISP wants my bandwidth usage to stay within "reasonable" limits (under, say, 40 gigs one direction or the other) each month.
    2. There are good odds my ISP's policies don't allow me to re-sell my bandwidth.
    3. The local kine working-poor, little old Japanese ladies and feral chickens that make up most of the population of the neighborhood probably wouldn't take advantage of it anyway.
    Maybe if I lived on a big street near a center of commerce or something... but I don't think folks are gonna sit around with their laptops at the fishing tackle store a few doors down and surf the web.

  11. My ISP already offers this by bobrk · · Score: 3, Informative

    With Sonic Hotspots, you get a special IP number routed to their VPN aggregator. None of the riffraff get on your network.

  12. Nat masking by goombah99 · · Score: 2, Informative

    Wont the airport's fire wall NAT, mask how many MAC addresses you have?

    --
    Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
  13. Hmm by .com+b4+.storm · · Score: 3, Interesting

    And just what sort of trouble will this get the (many) people in who have connections like Comcast, where you're not even supposed to share within your house without paying for extra IPs (yeah right), much less with neighbors and passers-by?

    --
    "Wow, you're like some kind of superhero able to ward off happiness and success at every turn."
    -- Ryan Stiles
  14. Am I the only one... by System.out.println() · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ....voluntarily sharing my wi-fi broadband as an act of good will to passersby?

    At one of the stoplights the bus I ride stops at, there is a wifi network somewhere within range, and we generally stop long enough for me to get a connection, check my email, click the 'post' button, before we move on. There's no way I'd be able to click 'Pay', enter all my info, etc, while I was there - even if I wanted to.
    I prefer to leave my wifi unprotected and make sure my computer itself is secure... the worst anyone can do is put files into my Guest shared folder, and I may be helping some geek nearby look up something on the internet in a hurry.

    --
    I've got more mod points and GMail invi
    1. Re:Am I the only one... by colinleroy · · Score: 2, Insightful

      ..., and I may be helping some geek nearby look up something on the internet in a hurry. Or the nearby cracker or pedophile. Well, that's your problem now.

      --
      blah
  15. Sharing Bandwidth is a Security Risk to All by Bruha · · Score: 2, Funny

    If you dont think so next time the FBI comes to your door becuase the latest nasty virus that cost companies billions of dollars in one day becuase your wifi was open to all.

    Dont think you'll get off squeaky clean becuase "You didnt know".

    If your system is hacked and the virus came that way then they can let you off. But I doubt that just leaving the door open to anonymous cyberterrorists is going to win you any friends in the court room.

    1. Re:Sharing Bandwidth is a Security Risk to All by max+born · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I doubt you'd even go to court. If you share your bandwidth, you are in fact an ISP. And if ISPs were liable they would have been sued long ago. I may be wrong.

      Also, there seems to be a growing movement in many cities to provide free wireless access with complete anonymity. This will no doubt be a problem for the music industry as illegal file sharing will become rampant on these networks and, unlike Napster, it's doubtful the courts will close them down as their primary purpose is non infringing.

  16. Re-badged NoCatAuth? by Linuxathome · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Has anyone raised this issue up? Is it just me or does this look like a hacked version of NoCatAuth that first serves as a proxy for accessing and paying via your PayPal account? For those of you who are not familiar with NoCatAuth, it's:

    centralized authentication code that make shared Internet services possible.

    On the wifi network, it essentially forces the wifi client to use a proxy and before allowing you to access anything else, it will pop up a web page for you to enter a login and password. By logging on, NoCatAuth can keep track of all the users on the wifi network. Hmmm, sounds a lot like linspot to me.

    --
    Linux at home
  17. Some remarks after testing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting
    Hi there,

    Some remarks that needed comments after I tested this:
    - Auto-updating is a feature that Mac people like, but you can turn it off...
    - Inside the LinSpot application directory is a directory structure which looks like a mini *nix distro, this contains Apache and the other mentioned applications, but also others such as wget...

    It differs from NoCatAuth in the following way:
    - roaming between all LinSpots (I guess that's also the reason why they have to fix the prices - but as they state, they want the prices to go down and charge $2.5 for 2 hours till $25 for one month). Didn't test it between different countries though... yet ;-)
    - users gaining access on the network get immediately the registration page when the browser tries to access their homepage (I guess that's why they use the DNS and proxy). After the first page selection, there's immediately the PayPal screen - a quick process!

    And they paid my tests within a day (only bought 2 hours).