wireless geeks in t.o.?
Any of you know any geeks in Toronto? I’m doing a presentation with Gabe - who co-created [murmur], a locative art project. He’s trying to jumpstart a Toronto ISF.
This is the email he sent out:
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WirelessToronto: a community wireless network for Toronto
The costs of deploying WiFi access points have dropped over the past few
years, but commercial WISPs (Wireless Internet Service Providers) are
still trying to charge crazy rates for casual wireless Internet access.
The same WISPs have been slow to deploy in Canada — those hotspots
that do exist are in areas obviously targeted at business users… the
only ones who will pay their exorbitant rates.
Meanwhile, community wireless groups have emerged, attempting to fill
the gaps by offering free wireless Internet access.
Montreal’s Ile Sans Fil has an impressive centrally-managed network of
hotspots — 30 to-date. In addition to offering Internet access, part
of Ile Sans Fil’s goal is to develop their hotspots’ captive portal
pages into a community resource — for hotspot hosts to post information
about upcoming events/exhibits/etc., but also for discussion, sharing of
information, and the presentation of art projects. This initiative
could have as — or more — important a role in the community as simple
connectivity.
Toronto is sorely lacking a community wireless group; at the April
Social Tech Brewing we’ll discuss creating a group in Toronto which
offers these services. Michael Lenczner from Ile Sans Fil will talk
about the work that’s been done in Montreal, and Gabe Sawhney will lead
a discussion about approaches, models, and strategies for a community
wireless group in Toronto.
So, please mark April 7th in your calendars! The event details are:
5:30 - 7PM
@ The Centre for Social Innovation (the215.ca)
215 Spadina Avenue, Suite 120
Just north of Queen on the east side of Spadina
Also, Please RSVP so we have enough chairs: phillip AT communitybandwidth dot ca
Social Tech Brewing: www.socialtechbrewing.org