maemo.org - Talk - free internet (kinda)

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Re: free internet (kinda)

well, you could take the viewpoint that the radio wave's condition is indeterminate, and that the very act of observing it will change its state...

;)

Re: free internet (kinda)

Quote:

I think the problem here is a general lack of public awareness over wi-fi and wi-fi security. It isn't helped by most router manuals (and gadgets like the Nintendo DS) apparently recommending the insecure WEP standard over the much better WPA standard, and there are also some idiots who still think that Wi-Fi means magical free internet access for everyone with no one paying the bill.

My gf's iPod Touch refuses to connect to my home router using WPA, so back to WEP it is.....

Re: free internet (kinda)

Quote:

Originally Posted by briand (Post 177044)

well, you could take the viewpoint that the radio wave's condition is indeterminate, and that the very act of observing it will change its state...

;)

lol... quantum piracy!

Quote:

Originally Posted by brontide (Post 176920)

This is a state by state issue. In NY ( where I live ) if the owner has not taken any steps to secure the AP then I am free to use it without fear of prosecution. If the owner has done anything, including hiding the SSID, that would probably be enough to invoke the trespass laws.

Most states have not clearly spelled out exactly what's the responsibility of the owner and the user of the AP. I, personally, would love to see something at the federal level that spells out the fact that it's up to the owner to take a step, any step, to secure their routers before they can criminalize otherwise non-criminal access by others. EDIT: this is what I want, the current reality is a hodge-podge of state laws and conflicting opinions.

Just more data bolstering my suggestion to err to the side of caution. That includes both ways: name the SSID clearly if you intend to offer your own service up free, and avoid APs that are questionable.

Sooner or later here in the US you know that state-by-state differences will be ironed out at the federal level.

Re: free internet (kinda)

Well, looks like the city's free wifi is too far away from me (or to many obstacles) so the setup doesn't work for that. I'll put the yagi antenna for sale on ebay.

I found another good use for this router, and this time works like a charm. I use a cigarette lighter-to-usb adapter to power it up... and any time I need access to the internet from my car, the router (which has way way better reception than n800 or laptop) will find the strongest open wifi signal, test it for internet access and then rebroadcast it for me. I can be about 200m away from my car and still receive the signal.

-ioan

Re: free internet (kinda)

You need this antenna, maybe?

BTW, cool plan B...

Re: free internet (kinda)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benson (Post 179770)

You need this antenna, maybe?

I didn't get any signal with the other one, so probably this won't work either. I read on dd-wrt forum about people who used 2 of those antennas and 2 routers like mine, and having very good signal and transfer rates for distances over 30 miles... that is amazing.

Re: free internet (kinda)

Well, I was mainly joking. Most people aren't really interested in mounting a 5' dish to catch free wi-fi, even if they knew it would work.

But what can be done is incredible.

If you're putting that Uda up on eBay, may as well drop a link here when it's up.

Re: free internet (kinda)

I saw a amplifier on the antenna page. $3,000 for twenty watts. Why does wifi price increases so much with power. Even a 1 watt access point cost 300 bucks or so.

Re: free internet (kinda)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralAntilles (Post 176472)

Ridiculous and irrelevant argument.

I am not so sure that it is *that* ridiculous and irrelevant.

Both (wireless bandwidth and water) are rivalrous goods.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivalrous

The difference is that one (water) is consumable whereas the other (wireless bandwidth) is not (unless you have a bandwidth cap) which makes it a poor analogy.

A better one might be a your neighbour's shovel laying on the property line. If you use it to dig a hole in your yard and then lay it back on the property line, is that morally/legally wrong? If you have good relations with your neighbour, it might not be an issue at all. If you have crappy relations then the neighbours are likely to call the cops on your for stealing their shovel before even asking for it back.

Also, you could also go dig a hole somewhere that affects your neighbour or dump your dirt on their land. So how you use that tool impacts the situation greatly.

I think if people are concerned about their bandwidth/shovels (and how it is used), they should keep their bandwidth/shovels in a locked WPA/toolshed. If they are leaving bandwidth/shovels laying around, they should expect trouble or be able to deal with it maturely. Luckily it is a lot harder to hurt yourself with bandwidth than with shovels or you could sue the neighbours for hurting yourself with their unsecured goods.

Re: free internet (kinda)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ioan (Post 179767)

Glad you have a successful Plan B for a part of the setup. Besides, I'd already said many posts ago that what you really want in the way of a high-powered receiving apparatus for the Tablet is something that's mobile! :D Looks like you've succeeded!