<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">A few points i'll make on this subject</font>
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<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Firstly yes... there are a lot of people out there with spare gear... the problems is, the gear itself. If we are talking about 'key' nodes or 'backbone' nodes, Enterasys cards and dlink/svec/minitar ap's, modified galaxies arent gonna cut it. If you're gonna run a 'key' node you need good gear... (the kind that costs $$$) i think there's very few of us that have cisco/avaya/orinoco ap's and good quality antenna's laying around to just give away.</font>
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<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">I think these issues are much better handled on a localised level... eg if you have access to a 'key' site, liase with the regional groups most likely to benefit from putting a node on that site. Even if you think there is a site that might be worth approaching, but you dont know how to do it... again, ask the local RG for help. Have a local meeting or bbq, get people to the site to have a look... nothing motivates people more than seeing there own place from a golden site! (I distinctly remember falling on my ass... totally gobsmacked when i first saw the view from GHO)</font>
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<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Another option to source gear is to ask someone to sponsor it. eg for node GHO I asked my company to purchase the Avaya AP3, which they did in exchange for a link on the nodes wiki pages.</font>
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<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Who better to take responsibility (both financially and physically) for creating a key node than the people who will benefit from it the most. Sure there are probably others in different area's that will be willing to help out, but why not seek assistance from local people first... then hit the main list for help if you fall short. All it takes is one person who is commited to coordinate the effort, and the equipment and skilled people will come.</font>
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<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">An example of this is NodeGHOv2, which through the efforts of Ryan A mustering the troops on the outer eastern, and southern areas mailing lists, has resulted in people getting together to organise some more gear to further improve performance in those areas.</font>
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<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Oh, and btw... NodeGHO is not defunct... merely in hibernation for it's reincarnation! lol</font>
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<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Later, </font>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Darren</font>
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<td><font size=1 face="sans-serif"><b>"Winder" <winder@iinet.net.au></b></font>
<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Sent by: owner-melbwireless@wireless.org.au</font>
<p><font size=1 face="sans-serif">14/02/2004 04:56 PM</font>
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<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif"> To: "Melbourne Wireless" <melbwireless@wireless.org.au></font>
<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif"> cc: </font>
<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif"> Subject: RE: [MLB-WIRELESS] Major Node Working Group</font></table>
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<br><font size=2 face="Courier New">Sounds like a good idea.<br>
<br>
I was also thinking that there must be a lot of hardware out there that no<br>
one is using and might not ever get used. So I'm suggesting that everyone<br>
bring along all of your old hardware to the next wireless meeting (that you<br>
are willing to give away for free to a good cause), and that people from<br>
Melb wire try and make working systems out of them to use as hardware for<br>
these Major Nodes. Anything that is not usefull to us might be usefull to<br>
other members too, so it could be like a *real* swapmeet with first dibs for<br>
Major Nodes.<br>
<br>
As for names, how about Key Nodes? I'd suggest something like the defunct<br>
GHO would have been classed as a Key node, and if the plan to lock it down<br>
so only certain other nodes can connect, I would say those 'certain other<br>
nodes' would be key nodes also.<br>
<br>
I have hardware to donate. In fact my wife would LOVE it if I cleaned out<br>
all of my junk.<br>
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Regards,<br>
g@z.<br>
<br>
<br>
-----Original Message-----<br>
From: owner-melbwireless@wireless.org.au<br>
[mailto:owner-melbwireless@wireless.org.au]On Behalf Of Dan Flett<br>
Sent: Saturday, 14 February 2004 4:05 PM<br>
To: Melbourne Wireless<br>
Subject: [MLB-WIRELESS] Major Node Working Group<br>
<br>
<br>
Hi,<br>
<br>
Is anyone interested in joining me in starting a "Major Node" Working<br>
Group? I think it'd be good if we had a centralised, organised way of<br>
finding and exploiting high-visibility sites for Melbourne Wireless<br>
nodes. We'd aim to find people who have "insider" access to these sites<br>
and get their cooperation. We'd also discuss ways of obtaining gear for<br>
these nodes without betraying the Melbourne Wireless philosophy of free<br>
and open access for all. We could also possibly discuss a better name<br>
for the WG than "WGMajorNodes". We could also possibly drink some beer.<br>
<br>
Anyone keen?<br>
<br>
Dan<br>
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