Slashdot Mirror


Broadband Blimps

mcabiling writes "SansWire Networks will demonstrate their "Stratellite" technology next week. For those of you who aren't familiar with SansWire, they plan to build a wireless network with balloons or "airships" as they call them. "A Stratellite(TM) is a high-altitude airship that when in place in the stratosphere will provide a stationary platform for transmitting various types of wireless communications services currently transmitted from cell towers and satellites. It is not a balloon or a blimp. It is a high-altitude airship." Looks like a blimp to me..."

23 of 232 comments (clear)

  1. Nitrogen as a lifting gas? by NETHED · · Score: 4, Funny

    why use nitrogen as a lifting gas. Everytime I pour nitrogen gas, it settles to the bottom. Maybe they have magic nitrogen.

    --
    --sig fault--
  2. Broadband Blimps? by Kenja · · Score: 1, Funny

    Is the article about that fat geek who's always at the corner Starbucks with his laptop?

    --

    "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
  3. Keith Moon says... by cuzality · · Score: 2, Funny

    This is gonna go over like a lead balloon.

  4. Looks to me like ... by Aggrazel · · Score: 4, Funny

    These guys played too much Final Fantasy ...

  5. Outages by ThetaPi · · Score: 3, Funny

    Just imagine, now we can have network blackouts and weenie roasts at the same time! Who is gonna bring the smores?

    --
    "When God kisses Satan and the Incarnations applaud." "Death is dead. Long live Death!"
  6. simpson obligatory quote! by Man+in+Spandex · · Score: 5, Funny

    What's next? give controls to Barney again?

    Barney: Hey can I pilot it?
    Pilot: I see no harm in that
    Barney: Wooooooarhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
    *crash n burn*

    we don't want that now do we

  7. Of course by iamdrscience · · Score: 3, Funny

    because when I think of technology in the future, I think airships!

    Also, random fact: The spire on the top of the empire state building was originally intended to be used as a docking point for derigibles.

  8. Re:They are NOT Blimps! by Tsali · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's made of wood, it floats, so.... it's a witch!

    Burn it! Burn it! Boo! Boo!

    --
    This space for rent.
  9. Another Halo Network? by WizzleWizzleWizzle · · Score: 2, Funny

    These guys, Halo Networks, tried to do this with planes... I just love the ingenuity that comes from a lack of rational thinking!


    --
    "I'm a karate man. Karate mans bleed on the inside."
    1. Re:Another Halo Network? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
      I just love the ingenuity that comes from a lack of rational thinking!

      No wonder you hang out on Slashdot.

      ("Gosh, it's vaguely similar to an effort that failed. Therefore, it's obviously doomed, and they'd know that if they were as smart as me.")

  10. Blade Runner Here We Come! by venomkid · · Score: 5, Funny

    Throw some jumbotron advertising on the sides of these and I just might start going to seedy chinese food bars in the rain.

    --
    vk.
  11. Oh, the Humanity by bugmenot · · Score: 5, Funny

    If this ever gets off the ground, I will be very worried the next time my network connection goes down.

    --
    This account has been seized by the GNAA. That is all.
  12. sounds like Michael Moore by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    has a new website

  13. Re:They are NOT Blimps! by argent · · Score: 4, Funny

    I for one, welcome our helium filled stationary communication overlords.

    Best line on /. in weeks.

  14. Tech support by invisik · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm sorry, our blimp is down right now--can I have someone call you back when it's up again?

    Doh.

    -m

    --
    http://www.invisik.com
  15. The biggest amount of smallness possible by El_Smack · · Score: 2, Funny

    From the article:
    "At an altitude of only 13 miles, each Stratellite will have clear line-of-site communications capability to an entire major metropolitan area as well as being able to provide coverage across major rural areas."

    So what makes a rural area a "major" rural area? A complete lack of people?

    --


    There are 01 kinds of cars in the world. The General Lee, and everything else.
    1. Re:The biggest amount of smallness possible by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      A "major rural area" means a city like Dallas, where most people drive around town in agricultural vehicles and dress up like farm hands when they go out to clubs.

  16. Re:Nice technology by KILNA · · Score: 2, Funny

    At night you can't see black helicopters.

    --
    Error: PANTS NOT FOUND. Press <F1> to continue.
  17. Re:I thought of this years ago. by thomasdelbert · · Score: 2, Funny

    We can't have that - what if SkyNet becomes self-aware and starts a nuclear holocaust? Do you REALLY think a twit like John Conner can save us?

    - Thomas;

    --
    ___ This sig is in boldface to emphasize its importance!
  18. And in future news by Marxist+Hacker+42 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Spaceship One Launch goes through Stratellite and cuts off cell phone service in the Mojave Desert.

    --
    SJW: a person who perceives an injustice, and while correcting it, commits a greater injustice.
  19. Re:They are NOT Blimps! by A.T.+Hun · · Score: 2, Funny

    Obligatory Monty Python quote:
    "It's not a balloon! It's an airship! Balloons is for kiddie-winkies! Now get out!" -- von Zeppelin

    Aaaaaaggghhhh!

  20. Re:I thought of this years ago. by machine+of+god · · Score: 2, Funny

    essentially creating a dynamic "sky network."

    When you put it in quotes like that, it makes me think of the jump to conclusions mat.

  21. Re:air-space restrictions post 9/11 by CptNerd · · Score: 2, Funny


    Just don't drop a wrench or crowbar or ACME anvil from one...

    --
    By the taping of my glasses, something geeky this way passes