Chuck, Tom- Maraki has a neat product -- but I think that this group of Do-It- Yourself 'ers can do better. I've heard of the FON ap, that was retailing for around $30.00. I bet my knowledge is dated, however. https://shop.fon.com/FonShop/shop/US/ShopController?view=product&product=PRD-001 There it is. Regardless if you like a specific network or not (see: Tom Vs. Chuck) the pricepoint for this device is so low, that I could see the group grabbing a few of these and playing "DIY-networker" with these inexpensive boxes. ...Oh yeah, and FON has a network like Maraki, rabble rabble rabble. I'll leave the exploring of that up to the list reader. ;) -matt -- ----- Matthew Genelin Fast Computer Service Co. 612-605-5382 2010 E. Hennepin Ave, Suite 8-122, Box 1 Minneapolis, MN 55413-2760 fastcomputerserviceco.com On Jul 1, 2009, at 12:41 AM, Chuck Cole wrote: > > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: tcwug-list-bounces at tcwug.org >> [mailto:tcwug-list-bounces at tcwug.org]On Behalf Of Tom Poe >> Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 4:13 PM >> To: Tim Wilson >> Cc: tcwug-list at tcwug.org >> Subject: Re: [tcwug-list] Neighborhood mesh networking >> >> >> Tim Wilson wrote: >>> Hey everyone, >>> >>> It's good to see a little life breathed into this list. >>> >>> I'm looking for some information about the latest technology that >>> could be used to implement a mesh network in the neighborhood >>> around a >>> fixed address like a school. The goal would be to provide free >>> Internet access primarily for apartment residents. >>> >>> -Tim >>> >>> >> Just saw message from S. Earl Jarosh, who is managing two projects >> and >> mentioned Meraki. Www.open-mesh.com is a non-profit spinoff of >> Meraki. >> Two ideal solutions that I would recommend. A one-time fee of $50 >> per >> unit (or less), and one or two Internet access point, which cost each >> month can be shared. Telcos hate that! >> Tom > > > Many members don't live or work in Minneapolis and have little > interest in any fee-bearing or restricted access systems there. I > have less than zero interest, and would have even less interest in > programs or discussion of such. FWIW, my interests are in > small-group and DIY systems, not municipal facilities. > > The last efforts at municipal systems seem to be what killed the > group. There's no way "as a group" to be involved in any public or > municipal projects (gotta be a non-profit org to have any > recognition or responsibility etc), so there doesn't seem to be any > way to > sustain having a municipal project group provide ongoing TCWUG > programs and activities. Best that we try to recognize what sorts of > things may be sustainable by or in TCWUG. > > > Chuck > > > _______________________________________________ > Twin Cities Wireless Users Group Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. > Paul, Minnesota > tcwug-list at tcwug.org > http://mailman.tcwug.org/mailman/listinfo/tcwug-list