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

[ABBENHUYS, Ryan]

Alex,

I think the main thing slowing people down at the moment are access to
wireless cards and other equipment.
I mean look at all the people who jumped up and down when I said I could get
20 Orinoco Silvers for AU$115 each from the states.  These are all people
who are obviously not active but want to be and just needed some motivation
like this.

I think if we can strike up some deals to obtain cheaper cards, antennas and
anything else required then things will move along faster.  A good idea for
antennas might be for a couple of enthusiastic people to go and find as many
Galaxy antennas as possible and sell them to list members for $25-35 after
they have been modified to work for 802.11.

I'm sure when you ask most people who aren't yet operating what is holding
them back, most of them are going to say, ah well, it's just getting
equipment and stuff together.  So the solution is, make it easier for them
to obtain some or all of the equipment.

Then interest will surely increase exponentially as their friends see
something in operation and want to jump on the wireless bandwagon too.  

I've got many friends who i've crapped on about wireless stuff to since I
became interested and most of them say the same thing, "Sounds pretty cool,
but I'd like to see it going."


-----Original Message-----
From: Alex F [mailto:alexf at optushome.com.au]
Sent: Wednesday, 9 January 2002 13:50

At 12:44 PM 9/01/2002, you wrote:

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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