moscow wireless

[Ry Jones <rjones@airgap.net>]

Hello,
I am involved in a project in Seattle which has as a goal spreading
802.11b access to the Seattle area (http://www.seattlewireless.net).
This is not the same as wireless internet access; think of it more as
wireless community network access.

I installed some hardware in my office this weekend to try it out.
Sadly, the range was pathetic. From my office I can cover the
building I'm in and anyone parked in the street in front of me,
including Mingle's.

My question is, would anyone here care about setting up 802.11b
networks in local establishments and linking them together? The
laptop toting population here seems smaller, but I still want to see
how many other people are interested. The cost is about $300 for an
airport and $200 per laptop for the Cisco card.

I see this as an alternative to the microradio
which the fcc has so effectively shut down (thanks NPR). If you run a
business (coffee shop, bookstore) you throw a $300 airport and a $350
emachine in a closet and people who come to your shop can see any
nifty content you have.

Check out the seattle wireless site for a lot of details.

Anyone out there care? Anyone want to try to get this going in
Moscow?
Ry