On Tue, Oct 14, 2008 at 10:18 AM, Joe Christensen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hello All, > > My .02: > > PTP specializes in supporting networks that have sponsors. The model is > successful in that PTP can manage a network (it's specialty) and allow > someone else to market the offering (the node owner).
Yes, though don't forget the neighborhood nodes (which is most of the outdoor installations). These nodes are put up by homeowners/renters for the benefit of their neighbors, marketing is the antenna on the roof and the SSID. As the host of one of these nodes, I can say that it's probably the single most rewarding way to involve yourself in PTP. I have gotten many heartfelt thanks from my neighbors and the occasional smoked salmon or fresh garden veggies. > I think this model should be examined for the skyPilots. PTP needs to > consider "Who is the best partner in offering wireless access using the > benefits of a mesh network - outdoor mounted AP?" > > I think the orgainizational unit in the city that most closely matches this > type of coverage is the business associations of each neighborhood. Based on my experience administering the Mississippi Network deployment, I think that the neighborhood associations might be better. Because we had structured that grant around an existing host that was on Mississippi Ave, we naturally approached other business on the street to see if they were interested. While they all welcomed the free WiFi, most were a bit wary because they feared the business association would be asked to take the project on after a period of time. > This would allow for a concentrated coverage area where people gather (away > from the home) and where local sponsors will help with the backhaul and roof > mounting permissions. > > Examples: Belmont, Hawthorne, Multnomah. I would love to first contact neighborhood associations and see if folks who live in a given neighborhood would take it on themselves to support a network. That is really what PTP's original inspiration was. My guess is that it would be of greater value to PTP's mission and would make the city feel even better. That's not to say that we can't also cover commercial areas, and those like Alberta and NE 28th, Hawthorne, Belmont, etc. that are closely tied to residential areas and have heavy pedestrian traffic make perfect sense to tie into neighborhood wide access. > PTP should put together a proposal process that can be worked through with > each business association to petition the city to donate the gear. The > proposal would include network topography, sponsor information, etc. > Basically, the proposal needs to answer all the questions of viability > before the city even has time to doubt it. > > This solution would provide: > > A victory to city hall (the gear is repurposed in the PDX area & by long > standing community associations) > A new offering by our local business owners to encourage use in their retail > areas (yes, iphones will be a primary user) > A use of the skypilot gear that is withen intended design, but with a > coverage area that is realistic > A plan that works in the same way PTP has been successful with the current > sponsored nodes process. Completely agreed. While we develop such a proposal, it would not be a bad thing if folks wrote the city individually and said that they would like to see the equipment donated for community use. *wink wink* *nudge nudge* -- Michael Weinberg President Personal Telco Project, Inc. A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ The Personal Telco Project - http://www.personaltelco.net/ Donate to PTP: http://www.personaltelco.net/donate Archives: http://news.gmane.org/gmane.network.wireless.portland.general/ Etiquette: http://www.personaltelco.net/index.cgi/MailingListEtiquette List information: http://lists.personaltelco.net To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
