[manchesterwireless] Manchester Wireless Meetings
Rob Kyle
rob at manchesterwireless.net
Wed Jan 10 11:24:12 GMT 2007
Hi, it's good to see some activity on the list, and people talking about
doing things again...
I thought I should clarify a few things about the status of
manchesterwireless.net for those who are interested.
As Andy said, the group was set up way back when ADSL was difficult to
come by and very expensive - Our idea was that we could use wireless
technology to build our own network which we could then use to share
internet and intranet services at zero cost.
In the process of trying to do this, we (a group of core members) set up
"manchesterwireless.net" as a charity, so we would be able to raise
funds and work with professional groups on a official basis. The
machesterwireless.net charity has a constitution stating who we are and
what we do, and a bank account for project funds.
If you are interested in the aims of the official arm of
manchesterwireless.net, you should read the constitution, which is
online at:
http://www.manchesterwireless.net/org/constitution-Web.pdf
If there are enough people interested in continuuing the work of the
charity, then there is an official process to go through if you want to
make decisions on behalf of the charity (it's all in the constitution).
On the other hand we also have the manchesterwireless.net mailing list -
which is a discussion channel for anyone interested in related projects
or ideas.
So it is up to you:
a) Get involved with the official arm of the group, and work towards the
goals that the charity was set up to achieve
b) Continue to use the mailing list for whatever projects or related
discussion might interest you
c) Start your own group which can be run to achieve other goals that you
think are more important.
Good luck,
Rob
On Tue, 2007-01-09 at 09:52 +0000, Andy Gauton wrote:
>
> Flood as much as you like. The list hasn't seen this much activity in
> a long time!! It's good to see :)
>
> Have a look on the main web page.
> http://www.manchesterwireless.net/
>
> The initial goal and vision was from Rob Kyle (which unfortunately
> didn't move with the times) was to offer free internet access to one
> and all in Manchester city centre. This was at times when extended
> reach ADSL was only talk. When we started doing something, extended
> reach ADSL was available to almost everyone and then, well, the rest
> is history (with not a lot to show for it I'm afraid).
>
> Check out the mailing list archives.
> http://pointless.net/pipermail/manchesterwireless/
>
> A lot of reading, but will give you an idea who and what everyone was,
> and why a guy from Warrington (me) set up Warrington Wireless and core
> team member of Manchester Wireless.
>
> Andy :)
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Darren Scales
> To: Manchester's Wireless Community Network discussion list
> Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 9:18 AM
> Subject: Re: [manchesterwireless] Manchester Wireless Meetings
>
>
> Forgive me if I seem to be flooding this list!
> I wasn't around when this list first started off, so what were
> the original goals? And how where they going to be met?
>
> If the council wireless project is only for government
> projects/information/etc, then we could beat them to it. If we
> do somehow manage to get free wireless out there, I would be
> wiling to set up a manchester only services domain. Say, each
> company within manchester can have there own "
> my-business.man" domain name. Then if it does prove popular,
> the council may want to join, fund, or something the like.
> This would help create the private and council link for
> everybody to enjoy and use.
>
> Meetings would have to be held regularly yes, as well as on a
> discussion board like this if we want the information out to
> the public. As Andy says, each core member will have to try
> and commit themselves somehow to make this work.
>
> But yes, I'm going on now. What were the original goals for
> this group?
>
> Darren
>
>
> On 09/01/07, Andy Gauton <goot at the-crow.co.uk> wrote:
>
> 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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