today.reuters.com — - It looks like a large Styrofoam takeout container. The 14-pound box would fit into a backpack were it not for the two antennas, set well apart. It can withstand subfreezing temperatures and 165-mph winds; it's even lightningproof. With the lid bolted down tightly, the box offers no clue as to what's inside.
Aug 9, 2006 View in Crawl 4
njankAug 10, 2006
ok, so I just read some of deter1ii's link. It has mesh net capabilities, meaning each node doesn't need a hard internet connection. (outbound traffic 'hops' to one that does.) So, now, instead of hosting a local wifi point for my customers (using my bandwidth), by connecting my connection to this mesh, I'm hosting wide area wifi access for random people around the city, from which I get no direct benefit. ?No?Yes, I like playing devil's advocate. Although I blame ignorance more on this one.
jdoghermanAug 10, 2006
Top Level Domain Registry? Oh too long didn't read. Remember what happens to the muscle that is never used? atrophy. The brain is just like a muscle. Not all knowledge can be found with pretty pictures.
sdizzleAug 10, 2006
Yes, these products are designed for the "last mile" of the connection (where you connect). With these networks there is an extensive backhaul component that is not mentioned in the article. Tropos partnered with Motorola (check out their Canopy products) and Dragonwave for this specific purpose. Everything is backhauled from the Tropos units to the actual internet connection by the stronger unlicenced (Motorola) or licenced (Dragonwave) radios. Why not use WiMax? Because as was already said it is still being developed, yes there is a spec for it (802.16) but the final spec has not been finalized and the mobile component (802.16e I think) is still being developed as well. Also this is designed for you to access the internet ... can you go to the store and buy a WiMax access card? No.
keenanjAug 10, 2006
There is more information on the Tropos gear here<a class="user" href="http://keenansystems.com/tropos_networks_metro-scale_mesh_networking.htm">http://keenansystems.com/tropos_networks_metro-scale_mesh_networking.htm</a>
carlic578Aug 10, 2006
We have those all over the city here. Their excuse for setting them up was automated meter reading but they also have it for city wide WiFi.
yuckfouAug 10, 2006
Hmmm. Libraries, schools, municipalities, etc. have huge "tubes" to send their "internets" that are not being utilized during closed hours. It just so happens, that is the peak time that folks are home using the internet. Sharing those pipes with your community seems like a great idea to me, especially when you aren't using them. Why hasn't anyone considered trying this? Don't tell me.... the communications companies object, Right?Think about it, in a town of 1000 people, if half are paying for broadband @ $29.00 a month, that translates to $18,000 for the telcos each and every month. The town could collectively (co-op) pay less than that and supply wireless broadband to everyone. It wouldn't have to be government controlled, it could simply be a cooperative agreement between town citizens. Seems logical to me.
ryanchappellAug 15, 2006
This is one of the best and most though provoking articles of the year. This is the future and it will change things in ways we have not yet thought of. WiFi, and its decedent technologies should be free as air!WiFi NICs in everything from A/C units, TVs, car engines, wallets, refridge web cams, to sneakers! And on day a PDA cap with brainwave I/O and instant messaging.