Slog - Comments on Why WiFi? http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi Posted by news intern Chris Kissel The Central District News blog (one of the newer and definitely one of the better neighborhood blogs around) reports today that the CD's free WiFi service is going to be decommissioned by the end of the month. Matt Towers, who uses his own technology to beam his internet service across the neighborhood, is going to be moving out of town. Towers says on his website that he set up the service because "my inner idealist thought this was a worthy cause." Free wireless not only has a unifying effect on low-income communities, which Towers... Copyright 2008 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:47:06 -0800 Sat, 07 Jun 2008 15:24:54 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Fnarf In what way is it an "investment"?

Good idea, beneficial, charitable, sure; but it's not an investment.

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042320 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042320 City Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:10:23 -0800 Comment by Dougsf Free wifi would be cool. So would my current wifi if it actually went all the way from my living room to my bedroom. Maybe one day.

]]> Dougsf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042337 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042337 City Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:28:28 -0800 Comment by keshmeshi What are the stats on people who have computers but don't have internet service?

]]> keshmeshi http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042340 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042340 City Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:30:41 -0800 Comment by Chris If you live in the Central District, it's an investment toward living in a more stable and unified community.

]]> Chris http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042343 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042343 City Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:40:39 -0800 Comment by Bellevue Ave Chris, assume a partially efficient information market on whether wi-fi is a good investment or not. If it was a great opportunity why hasn't anyone stepped up to the plate to offer the service in the capacity you describe?

]]> Bellevue Ave http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042344 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042344 City Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:41:28 -0800 Comment by Chris I guess I was thinking qualitatively. Investing in karma, maybe? Good points, anyway.

]]> Chris http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042348 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042348 City Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:48:25 -0800 Comment by mattw If people are interested in helping us create a locally owned, community mesh network, check out the seattlewireless.net project.

]]> mattw http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042374 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042374 City Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:42:22 -0800 Comment by Dan Savage god forbid some kid should have to walk to a library.

]]> Dan Savage http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042385 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042385 City Fri, 06 Jun 2008 19:31:00 -0800 Comment by eric well... there have always been a business case for wifi - even for free wifi - but so many of these that have been implemented with "city or government sponsorship" only means that the cities are looking for additional revenue sources or tax from franchise taxes... These are what cause cost overages - and why most fail - those politicians get in the way...

They did for me here in Kansas - I offered to buy the entire city over a hundred wireless access points from various vendors - I asked for access to easements only so that I could install the radios with licensed electricians and make use of an already negotiated pole lease with the utility company - a single greedy city council person wanted franchise taxes... was put in charge of the technology committee and never had a meeting... what a POS. too much BS in american politics these days - if you thought washington was dirty - you only need to go visit city hall to see worse at times...

yeah - our business plan was modeled by other - but we have about 50 other facets to it as well.. . Free WiFi CAN work - it CAN be profitable - but one must look past simple isp business models.

We are working on software to link media, advertisers, existing sites like google and yahoo apis, real estate, county and state public records, video and so much more... all private - all free to use... imagine any tv station using our web cams on their broadcasts... you'll figure it out - we did... it works. I can show you how...

-Eric Henderson
US Navy Vet.
Real Estate Broker
Owner Zippy Networks, llc /Developer/Geek/Father/Library Board Trustee...

... if I can do it - I know you can... I have a recepie for success and several developers helping - now all I need is access to building and towers or utility poles to make it happen.. FYI - I got tired of waiting on my local city - so I just started buying dozens of houses in the area and renting them out - putting up ugly tall towers on each rooftop to give access to my tenants at that address - but instead it also give the surrounding houses and business access too... my little FU to the city...

]]> eric http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042410 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042410 City Fri, 06 Jun 2008 22:32:24 -0800 Comment by casey What are the stats on people who have computers but don't have internet service?


Perfectly good computers are free. They are hard to get rid of. Given that fact, everybody without the internet has a chance of getting online with a community project such as this.


Libraries are okay, but that is significantly limiting compared to having one in your home. Getting to the library or having one near by is also another challenge.


The internet, on the other hand is expensive: $40-$60


Q: Are there really people who cannot afford or who prioritize other necessities above recurring internet costs?


A: Tons ... the problem becomes more compound for those without stable living arrangements. Even those with stable living arrangements have more important things like rent, food, transportation, other bills, etc. I know quite a few people in particular that could benefit.

]]> casey http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042420 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042420 City Fri, 06 Jun 2008 23:14:28 -0800 Comment by Emily What are the legal issues? Would the wifi broadcaster be liable for people using his service downloading kiddie porn or music or movies?

]]> Emily http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042423 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042423 City Fri, 06 Jun 2008 23:53:38 -0800 Comment by Tiktok Anytime someone says "It shouldn't be too difficult to [x]...", you can be sure that [x] is either not easy or it's not cheap, and frequently, both.

]]> Tiktok http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042429 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042429 City Sat, 07 Jun 2008 01:37:11 -0800 Comment by dawicksta The challenging pieces of this are worth the fight. And good for you Eric!

]]> dawicksta http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042446 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042446 City Sat, 07 Jun 2008 06:20:57 -0800 Comment by Stinky The work that Towers does is too important to let slip away. We should pass a law requiring him to remain here and operate his service.

]]> Stinky http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042677 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/why_wifi#c1042677 City Sat, 07 Jun 2008 15:24:54 -0800