Wouldn't it be interesting to walk down the street with your laptop or PDA and be able to access your home machine? Or the business that you're walking by? Or even the Internet?
Of course it would, but that would require expensive hardware and setup costs, and a recurring monthly fee.... right?
Actually, it will cost you something, but done correctly it won't cost nearly as much as commercial wireless data services. It will cost some money for the hardware, some of your time, and perhaps a small amount of electricity. SeattleWireless is about providing a place to develop and discuss next-generation community wireless networks. ( See FreeNetworks:SelfSufficentNetworks)
We want to create a wireless network infrastructure that is easy to set up for the end user, has no recurring monthly fees, and is owned and operated by its users (that's you!), not a corporation.
This is not an easy undertaking and it will require thought and a good plan. That's why we're here, and that's why this site exists. We use MoinMoin so that everyone can contribute to the ideas, the technology, and the execution of this project.
The good news is that we are not alone; other groups in other cities are doing the same thing. We collect links to these groups in our UsefulLinks.
A community wireless network can also provide vital services in times of diasasters. Have ideas or suggestions on just how to make something like this work? Check out EmergencyResponse.
(Feel free to add your comments at SeattleWirelessVisitorComments!)
My take on the social contract for node owners on Seattlewireless: You get some, you give some.
You get: free data connections to and from anyone on SWN.
You give:
- free forwarding service ("transit routing") to everyone else's data
- free access to any wireless client in your neighborhood
Give and take, maintain a balance, you're cool. -ChuckHarrison
Where is Seattle?
