[MLB-WIRELESS] Re: Providing free *real* internet access to the community...

[Brian Jinks]

On Wed, 21 Jul 2004 10:45 am, Ryan Abbenhuys wrote:
> I have to disagree with you Brian, this is not similar to using a linux
> distribution.  You are subject to several government telecommunications
> regulations in this case which you certainly aren't in the case of a linux
> distrobution.
>
> Legally in exchange for internet access he may not accept payment in the
> form of donations, services, equipment, pizzas, etc.

I'm not at all familiar with the legalities so thanks for this advice.
But another way of looking at it that might be of interest to Rowan is that if 
people offer to provide support for his hardware costs, then this would 
likely be seen as being outside the leagal issues that you mention.
It might not exactly meet the spirit of the law but a bit of a look around 
will, I think, show that this is not unusual.

  He may be able to
> provide access covering ALL costs himself, but even if he were to do this I
> would be worried if it were linked with Melbourne Wireless.  The last thing
> I want to see is 3 dozen leechers hearing that Melbourne Wireless offers
> free internet access.

Again, the only way that this could be seen to be linked to MW is that the 
message was posted to the MW list. For somebody to think that this means that 
MW is offering Internet access is "drawing a long bow" and I would expect 
that these types would have it made quite clear to them that this is not the 
case.
I have posted questions to the MW list for advice as to what equipment to use 
etc. for my own use and not to set up as a node for MW and I have yet to see 
any mention made of my use of the list in such a way.
>
> I have no issue with anyone doing this, it is up to them.  I have an issue
> when it moves too close to Melbourne Wireless. At this point I don't think
> it has, I intended my email to be more of a "headsup" than a "cease and
> decist".
>
Fair enough but there have been others who I think have gotten, shall we say, 
a little confused as to what Rowan was proposing.