Wi-Fi networks: a new technology and grass-roots movement


This symbology, called warchalking, is an update of practices begun in the 1930s, when hoboes marked in chalk locations of places friendly and not-so-friendly to people on the streets. Wi-Fi users who find a hotspot are encouraged, in much the same way, to mark the spot with a standard chalk mark. Whether the civic authorities or the building owners consider that practice graffiti, is still not resolved.

The coming public policy debate

This phenomenon presents an even more vexing question for authorities. Is the use of an organization's wireless LAN capacity in a public place legal? According to Wi-Fi advocates, some companies (assuming they have the security issues covered) don't mind the public using their excess capacity. They see it as a contribution to the neighborhood or a chance to get some good PR.

In New York, Time Warner Cable, a division of AOL Time-Warner takes a different view. According to a 1 July New York Times article, the company sent out letters to cable modem customers with Wi-Fi networks, warning them against redistributing their service for use outside their homes or offices.

New York is one of the hot-beds of hotspots, with Bryant Park in mid-town Manhattan (Sixth Ave, between 40th and 42nd Streets) already set up for Wi-Fi. A sponsor of the Bryant Park project is Intel Corporation, which suggests that the movement is beginning to attract some muscle of its own.

Even Doonesbury has devoted a cartoon strip to the subject; see below for the link. Can a public policy debate be far behind?

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Links:

Technical discussion of 802.11 security, from the Wireless Development Network: http://www.wirelessdevnet.com/articles/8...

Online list of 802.11 hotspots: http://www.80211hotspots.com/

Personal Telco project, one of the more comprehensive and organized resources: http://www.personaltelco.net/index.cgi/F...

NYC Wireless, encouraging public networks in New York: http://www.nycwireless.net/

Warchalking introduction: http://www.blackbeltjones.com/warchalkin...

Doonsebury cartoon on hotspots: http://www.doonesbury.com/strip/dailydos...

The copyright of the article Wi-Fi networks: a new technology and grass-roots movement in Technology & U.S. Politics is owned by Alan Kotok. Permission to republish Wi-Fi networks: a new technology and grass-roots movement in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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