There is a movement in the pacific NW, (and elsewhere, I'm sure) to enable wireless access with 802.11b tech for free... We (www.personaltelco.net) are proposing a network of of access points where any user within reasonable range can get free internet access. The set-up is basically a radio with an omni-directional antenna, with ethernet connectivity to a linux box. This box (proposed to run debian at this time) would monitor/authenticate access via a captive portal to the rest of the network- and/or internet access. This box would have multiple nics, for local and/or backbone access to the wireless network via point to point radio links. Users would have to authenticate, but could still remain anonymous. Bandwidth allocated would be determined by a users status --> anonymous: not a whole lot... a contributor ($$ or otherwise): more... There is a large group of individuals involved in this project, but it is still in its early stages.
It's a very exciting proposal, and I encourage everyone to visit and add comment or contribute.
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There is a movement in the pacific NW, (and elsewhere, I'm sure) to enable wireless access with 802.11b tech for free... We (www.personaltelco.net) are proposing a network of of access points where any user within reasonable range can get free internet access. The set-up is basically a radio with an omni-directional antenna, with ethernet connectivity to a linux box. This box (proposed to run debian at this time) would monitor/authenticate access via a captive portal to the rest of the network- and/or internet access. This box would have multiple nics, for local and/or backbone access to the wireless network via point to point radio links. Users would have to authenticate, but could still remain anonymous. Bandwidth allocated would be determined by a users status --> anonymous: not a whole lot... a contributor ($$ or otherwise): more... There is a large group of individuals involved in this project, but it is still in its early stages. It's a very exciting proposal, and I encourage everyone to visit and add comment or contribute.