Using WiFi to Bridge the Digital Divide 338
andori writes "CNN is running a story about how WiFi is enabling low-income residents Internet access. The project is set at a public housing development in Boston, Massachusetts. Residents buy the WiFi NIC, and the access if free. It is nice to see people making an effort to expand the reach of the Internet to a broader audience."
Re:What? (Score:4, Informative)
There are several programs that specialize in recycling PCs to those in need - one of which I administer in my neighborhood. When a local rent control building wanted to setup a hotspot, we supplied them with free computers. I don't think supply is that big of an issue, especially when a Pentium II will do the job. We're not talking gaming here - just a conduit to the possibilities of the Internet. Of course, they all run Linux ;)
Re:I do that now.. (Score:5, Informative)
http://www.bawug.org/ [bawug.org] - the most technically adept wireless user group. Their mailing list is worth its weight in gold.
Good luck.
Re:Another big brain government program (Score:2, Informative)
25%, 90%, Your careless attitude is part of the reason we still "ghettoize" our poor in this country. To hate and villify the poor for being poor is about as selfish and selfcentered as you can be.
To give them free wifi can only help. Think about all the municiple services that are available on-line these days. With out web access you are forced to wait on line for hours to get forms to even apply for services.
This public housing is an example of the new style that doesn't throw everyone up in a highrise, but Camfield Estates [camfieldestates.net] is different. This is the model of what public housing should be.
The Wi-Fi acccess is NOT a gov't project. It is all donated by companies and non-profits.
Cisco to license Wi-Fi tech at no cost to partners (Score:3, Informative)
I have no (home) phone. (Score:3, Informative)
The lack of a phone does not impede my ability to setup a wireless router. :)