[MLB-WIRELESS] grumpy people - get a move on

[Shane Chubb]

Alex
I agree that it is sad to see only around 20 nodes operating. i have
invested a lot of time into developing my own wireless set-up at home
and feel that I am pretty much ready to roll. however I am held back
purely by costs. I cannot afford an Orinoco card at the moment and my
current hardware consists of FSHH cards only which as we know will not
inter-operate with the existing gear.  Being subscribed to this mailing
list I see people posting "cheap wireless gear - place your order now"
and I see many people raising their hands and saying I'll have one.  I
sometimes wonder if these cards ever get used or not and would imagine
that if they all were there would be a great deal more than 20 nodes
operational.

I don't feel that it is largely motivation which is needed but probably
also a good source of "cheap" compatible hardware.  Perhaps someone
subscribed to this list has the contacts or resources to do some sort of
promotional work for the melbwireless group such as paper/newsletter
drops or adds (radio or otherwise).  This may make some of the larger
wireless suppliers sit up and take notice. Then we may see bulk buy
offers being made rather than having to try and track them down.

And as Tony says - some people simply want to play with the technology.
When they hear about wireless they get all excited but when they see
AP's for $400 as a starting point they probably prefer to wait.  Not to
say they aren't motivated anymore - they are simply looking for a
cheaper solution.

Anyway this is all my opinion and not everyone will agree.  But if there
was an add for $100 wireless cards and free connection to "Melbourne's
fastest growing public network" I imagine a lot more people would see
past the $100 initial outlay.

Shane


-----Original Message-----
From: Alex F [mailto:alexf at optushome.com.au]
Sent: Wednesday, 9 January 2002 1:50 PM
To: melbwireless at melbwireless.dyndns.org
Subject: RE: [MLB-WIRELESS] grumpy people - get a move on


At 12:44 PM 9/01/2002, you wrote:
>Aggreed..
>
>But my personal opinion is the wireless group will fail long term, for
>these reasons.
>
>Its a expensive cost to a individual who wants to create a node for the
>benefit of others.

I agree with this.
Has anyone else had a look at the statistics on the node database & map?
Total of 301 nodes registered.
There are about 18 nodes "operational", let's say 20 to count those who 
haven't updated their status.
What's the point here?
A pretty sparse node map and not many operational nodes after many
months 
in Melb Wireless' existence?

I think there is some lack of motivation to get this thing up and
running, 
even as a community based network without leeches and internet 
access.   There are many nodes which are interested, but won't commit to

buying anything unless their nearest node (or someone else in range) 
becomes operational to give them someone to connect to.  We get into a 
cycle just with this.  Some people probably wouldn't even fork out $50
for 
an antenna or go to the effort of setting up, even if you gave them a 
wireless network card for FREE, in the chance that there won't be anyone
to 
connect to.

Now let's say that every node becomes "operational", there are still
plenty 
of nodes on the fringes who would out of range to someone.  What's the 
motivation for these people to get set up?

Have I missed anything?
We have to find a way of achieving critical mass and moving forward.

Alex F
BGI, operational



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