[manchesterwireless] Manchester Wireless Meetings

[Andy Gauton]

If IT Week/Computer Weekly is anything to go by, the council wireless networks going in around the country are primarily for accessing local government information etc ie. paying council bills etc and for use by local goverment employees.

It would be nice to see the private sector running a free Wireless service with internet access (just like in public libraries). However there appears to be some debate as to whether the public will be able to use it for internet activity.

There are rumours they may run a paid for service for business users and therefore also allow the public to "pay as you go".

I think the way for Manchester Wireless to go is to think outside the box (and I think Reuben is thinking the same?) Offering free/cheap internet isn't enough, the market is saturated with ISP's as it is. We would need to differentiate ourselves from the rest and offer other services. Offer email facilities, yes free internet would be nice (who pays for it?), NAS storage, web hosting. Local business activity in web portals etc. This could bring revenue in.

It will need some serious thought and to get the old crowd back as well. If Harry, Darren, John et al feel that we have a new goal, and we get core team members regularly involved then I could be persuaded to become a regular again. We had problems last time with core team members attending, it needs a core team to manage the project. Ad hoc, as experienced last time was good to see new faces, but no action was taken.

The website needs a complete re-write due to goals and objectives no longer the same.

We had big ideas (Rochdale to Manchester wireless link?) if memory recalls. That would have been an achievement and a half, plus other local projects. But alas, they never got off the ground.

I don't wish to be negative, but we have to be realistic. If it's going to work it needs you all and on a REGULAR (once a month/every other month basis where possible (yes, I understand work gets in the way).

A good starting point would be to contact Harry and have a chat with him. Then contact the original members and ask them if they are still interested, plus any new people as there appears to be a number new people on here who I've not seen before (hi! *waves*)

Draft a realistic goal and we're away, and count me in for a meeting :)

Andy :)
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Darren Scales 
  To: Manchester's Wireless Community Network discussion list 
  Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 7:38 AM
  Subject: Re: [manchesterwireless] Manchester Wireless Meetings


  I'd agree that you have a good point on the timing, now would be a very good time since wireless is slowly becoming the norm these days. But as there may be a free city-wide wireless installation in the very near future provided by the council, wouldn't it make sense to just hold back and see if that is being rolled out? 
  We wouldn't want to get all hyped up and rolling, only to be overtaken by this larger set up.

  Darren



  On 09/01/07, Reuben Finch < reuben.finch at btinternet.com> wrote:
    Dear All,



    It is great to see some discussion again over the mailing list. Does this mean we are back on track with Manchester Wireless and we can start having meetings again?



    We have a lot of talented people within Manchester Wireless and I honestly feel if we have some good direction and purpose, a revival would be excellent.



    All too often, timing is quite important. Under certain circumstances, one can have excellent ideas, (futuristic) however I have found people are not exactly ready to take on new challenges as they are stuck in a comfort zone. People are used to wireless now and have bought into the idea. 



    Therefore I feel a revival would make a great difference whereby people will buy into Manchester Wireless and projects we can realistically achieve



    I would welcome thoughts/ideas about having meetings again.



    Kind Regards,



    Reuben


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