WiFi On Two Wheels 200
MeGaBiTe1 writes "Yury Gitman is not the average cyclist from Brooklyn. His goal is to bring more easily accessible free wireless hotspots to the masses. To do this, he has created what he calls the Magicbike, a bicycle equipped with a laptop, power supply and antenna. Gitman's bike has allowed people in NYC to browse the internet freely in local parks and gardens. 'I am like the ice cream man, but with no music and I deliver free wireless access and not ice cream'."
"I am like the ice cream man, only not..." (Score:5, Funny)
Re:"I am like the ice cream man, only not..." (Score:1)
"But officer, I didn't download that!"
Re:"I am like the ice cream man, only not..." (Score:2, Funny)
"I'm like a chocoholic, only with booze."
- sm
That wasn't Homer... (Score:2)
That was an article in The Onion [theonion.com].
Re:"I am like the ice cream man, only not..." (Score:3, Funny)
Re:"I am like the ice cream man, only not..." (Score:3, Funny)
What he meant to say is "I'm like the ice cream man, only instead of ice cream, I bring pr0n". I think it's a perfect analogy.
Re:"I am like the ice cream man, only not..." (Score:2)
Re:"I am like the ice cream man, only not..." (Score:3)
Now you're in the park, babe, need a hotspot to connect to.
Ah you're in the park, babe, need a hotspot to connect to.
Better look out now though, Yury's got somethin' you can use.
Tell ya what it is...
I'm your WiFI guy, stop me on my Magicbike.
Oh my, my, I'm your WiFi guy, stop me on my Magicbike.
See now all my frequencies are guaranteed to satisfy.
Hold on a second baby...
I got WEP, ah, WPA,
All for free, and ready to cruise,
I'm your WiFi guy, baby, stop me on my Magicbike
See
Re:"I am like the ice cream man, only not..." (Score:1, Offtopic)
Ah now summertime's here babe, need somethin' to keep you cool
Better look out now though, Dave's got somethin' for you
I'm your ice cream man, stop me when I'm passin' by
Oh my my, I'm your ice cream man, stop me when I'm passin' by
See now all my flavors are guaranteed to satisfy
Hold on a second baby
I got good lemonade, ah, dixie cups
All flavors and push ups too
I'm your ice cream man, baby, stop me when I'm passin' by
See now all my flavors are guarant
Re:WHY GOD WHY (Score:2, Funny)
Wardrivers (Score:4, Funny)
Let me relay a story about wardriving (Score:1)
Re:Wardrivers (Score:1)
Past Review (Score:5, Informative)
http://www.wirelessreview.com/ar/wireless_magicbi
Re:Past Review (Score:1)
Sounds good.... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Sounds good.... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Sounds good.... (Score:1, Funny)
next thing you know, river rafting with a cluster of notebooks running folding@home with a propulsion system of 120mm pana-flo fans will be extreme sports...
Re:Sounds good.... (Score:2)
Yes, in the same way that carrying your wallet prevents muggers from taking it.
Re:Sounds good.... (Score:5, Interesting)
At first glance, you're right. The whole thing lacks practicality. That is, until you realize that someone riffed off of the MagicBike and found an innovative and economical way to deliver internet access to rural Cambodia by strapping wifi to a bike and riding through villages [dailywireless.org] twice daily like the mailman.
And all of a sudden, MagicBike seems like the work of a visionary.
Re:Sounds good.... (Score:1)
But the bike still has to be in range of another hotspot with the directional antenna. Why not just set up a real stationary repeater? The Cambondian motor bike is like the proverbial station wagon full of tapes, but uses wifi to load up instead of physically swapping media.
I agree this is too much hype for a laptop with two wireless cards and a directional antenna.
Re:Sounds good.... (Score:2)
This reminds me of the carrier pigeon transport protocol thingy, except without pigeons...
Re:Sounds good.... (Score:2)
Same with the slashdot article. So he brings WiFi... occasionally, and briefly. Does he ride around ALL DAY? I don't get it.
Re:Sounds good.... (Score:2)
It's for e-mail and other not-so time-sensitive data. It's just like a standard postman, except that they carry around data in electronic form.
Once they get to the "main office", all of that data gets exchanged through a satelite dish.
Total cost per point was under $500.
Read the article, it's all in there.
Re:Sounds good.... (Score:2)
Yeah, I'd be more worried about the RF overexposing his "equipment". If you know what I mean.
Re:Sounds good.... (Score:2)
Chances are he is riding in Prospect Park, and probably on the weekend when cars are banned from the Park's cross streets.
It really is rather safe on the weekends if it is nice, as there are tons of people in the open sections. I mean, he isn't going to be chilling in the nature preserve sectio
Not that his effort isn't appreciated but... (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Not that his effort isn't appreciated but... (Score:1, Flamebait)
Re:Not that his effort isn't appreciated but... (Score:3, Informative)
p
Better last mile options exist... (Score:2)
I don't know his cell provider, but where I'm from, thats some expensive bandwidth, so $500 a month for T1 connectivity doesn't sound too unreasonable. Be better if there were a Navini [navini.com] provider or someone else that does
So yeah... (Score:1)
legal ramifications? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:legal ramifications? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:legal ramifications? (Score:2)
which may vary I guess, but bejeesusing hammocks, why would it be any different because his hotspot happens to be on a bike?
the usual (Score:3, Informative)
so... (Score:4, Funny)
Not exactly a dupe, but... (Score:3, Informative)
The Internet by Motorbike [slashdot.org]
I do have to wonder, though, if this is really that fast. His uplink is either cellular (dog-slow) or bridged to another WAP, and I'd have to say I suspect the latter isn't the dominant mode of operation.
In case the site gets slammed later, here's the About page text:
Magicbike is a mobile WiFi (wireless Internet) hotspot that gives free Internet connectivity wherever its ridden or parked. By turning a common bicycle into a wireless hotspot, Magicbike explores new delivery and use strategies for wireless networks and modern-day urbanites. Wireless bicycles disappear into the urban fabric and bring Internet to yet unserved spaces and communities. Mixing public art with techno-activism, Magicbikes are perfect for setting up adhoc Internet connectivity for art and culture events, emergency access, public demonstrations, and communities on the struggling end of the digital-divide.
Weaving Internet Infrastuctures into Cultural Fabric
Magicbike aims to weave wireless infrastructures into an existing mobile and socially active cultural fabric, bicycle culture. Bicycles are extremely versatile vehicles that travel many places inaccessible by automobiles and other forms of transportation. Bicycles are also traditional symbols of political movements ranging from the women's movement in the latter 19th century, to the labor movements of the early 20th century, through today where bicycles are held in high esteem as a clean, energy-efficient alternative to a global dependence on oil and urban sprawl. Since WiFi is an emerging technology based on open standards it is malleable. Superimposing WiFi technology onto bicycle culture pushes the technology towards the particular needs, tastes, and motivations of bicyclists. Wireless and computing technology gain from becoming more (mobile and) bicycle and street friendly. The culture around wireless is also influenced by century-old cultural trends of political consciousness, social responsibility, and physical health.
Bicycle Hotspots Tech Description
Magicbike turns common bicycles into WiFi hotspots. The end effect creates bicycles that broadcast free WiFi connectivity to their proximity. The technology behind this is not complex. Magicbike is simply a creative configuration, or reconfiguration, of widely available computer, bicycle, and WiFi gear. WiFi antennas mounted on the bike's frame feed into a laptop embedded into a specially outfitted bicycle side-bag. The bike's embedded laptop is configured to be a wireless repeater and hotspot. The bike receives its uplink connection either from the cellular network or from far-off WiFi hotspots (with the help of its mounted antennas). With this uplink connection from any one of various sources, the bike is able to serve-up its own Internet connection.
A Magicbike hotspot operates like standard hotspots, able to serve up to 250 users in a radius of 30 meters indoors and 100 meters outdoors [although its antennas can increase the hotspot's accuracy and range]. A group of bikes can repeat and/or bridge the signal down a chain of wireless bikes. Meaning, a bicycle gang can snake into subways stations or across hilltops to provide Internet connectivity to (fringe but) vital communities and spaces ignored by the traditional telecommunications industry. A grassroots bottom-up wireless infrastructure can be formed and pedaled to any place accessible by bicycle.
Wireless Bikes as Art Objects
Wireless bikes are a tacitly surrealistic Ready-made that playfully reframe our assumptions about the interplay of technology and art. The tradition of Ready-made objects in modern art is credited to start with Marcel Duchamp's "Roue de Bicyclette" or "Bicycle Wheel," his first "Ready-made." The bicycle's role in art seems to be that of a transcendent object acting as a vehicle to interface conceptual and m
Re:Not exactly a dupe, but... (Score:2)
I actually saw MagicBike at an art and tech show in New York last year. Spoke to Yury Gitman who was actually a pretty cool guy. MagicBike actually came before the Cambodian project and inspired quite a few others like it.
Re:Not exactly a dupe, but... (Score:1)
Re:Not exactly a dupe, but... (Score:1)
Re:Not exactly a dupe, but... (Score:2)
Bah. You really wanna impress me? (Score:4, Funny)
Pigeons? (Score:1)
Why don't you come with me
And we'll arp poison the pigeons in the park.
And maybe we'll do
In a wifi-enabled squirrel or two,
While we're arp poisoning pigeons in the park.
(With profound apologies to Tom Lehrer)
Pigeons? (Score:2)
I am like the ice cream man... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I am like the ice cream man... (Score:1, Funny)
Re:I am like the ice cream man... (Score:2)
That seems about right, looking at your logo [magicbike.net] there. It looks like the WiFi comes out of your ass as you ride...
Re:I am like the ice cream man... (Score:1)
just say it like it is (Score:3, Insightful)
^ Why I hate being an artist. Make your mark with your work, not with the hype.
Not that magical (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Not that magical (Score:2, Interesting)
A neat idea (Score:1)
Or bam, you've just stolen a bike with a bunc
Bah (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Bah (Score:1)
Slashdotted bike? (Score:4, Funny)
Wardriving? (Score:1)
But guys! (Score:5, Insightful)
What a nifty idea, wow. And I liked his analogy too, which I saw as more of a humor thing than a real analogy anyway.
Re:But guys! (Score:2)
To the optimist, the glass is half full.
To the pessimist, the glass is half empty.
To the engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
Re:But guys! (Score:2)
If doing something makes you feel better about yourself, then that's a wholly internal process. Why do you feel better about yourself when you do good for someone else? Why, it's because you've helped them out. That's the only personal benefit, and it's fairly nebulous. (And if feeling good about himself is all that this guy cared for, well, he could get it a lot more reliably from your friendly neighborhood dope peddler.)
It doesn't make sense to
Is it just me (Score:2, Funny)
Icecream indeed.
Re:Is it just me (Score:2)
Like an oscillating fan of internet access. . . (Score:5, Funny)
the reload button while you have the chance!"
-- Connected to Wi-fi bike boy --
-- 11.00 mbits per second --
-- signal stregnth low --
*swoosh*
--wireless internet conneciton unavailable--
"damnit. . . "
Whats the point? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Whats the point? (Score:2)
run it set up with thesame way they set up nocatauth.
no matter what web address you type in, you end up at the local http server.
works great, I have a nice dowload section and a shoutcast server running streaming from a bunch of random mp3's as well as a set of informational pages and a "portal" using myphpnuke.
you would be suprised how many logins I see in there from people that "accidently" find it.
Re:Whats the point? (Score:2)
I've been thinking about doing something similar as an experiment. I have a few questions, but can't find your e-mail.
What exactly do you use? Is it an integrated system? What are the specs. Do you have pictures?
Thanks
Re:Whats the point? (Score:2)
Um, why wouldn't he. My PCS phone can give me 128Kpbs (even more with a little knowhow) and it has 24-hour unlimited access. Plug this into a laptop, then use the RJ-45 port to connect to the WAP and you have portable sharable internet. What this guy did is not hard to do, but it is a very cool concept. I might make one of these up when I get a new laptop (gave my old one away).
Re:Whats the point? (Score:2)
It even has a nice little picture for those of us who can't understand the text.
Insightful? OK!
All this free WiFi stuff is great, but... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:All this free WiFi stuff is great, but... (Score:2)
Does anyone remember a bike called BEHEMOTH? (Score:4, Interesting)
Big Electronic Human Energised Machine, Only Too Heavy
Check this out [microship.com]
Maybe I'm to cynical (Score:5, Insightful)
LK
Re:Maybe I'm to cynical (Score:1)
"The event was headlined by Hillary Clinton, who I half expected to see wearing a 'If abortions are outlawed, only outlaws will be allowed to screw around with my husband' T-shirt." She didn't say that. The article is here. [worldnetdaily.com]
Re:Maybe I'm to cynical (Score:1)
LK
Re:Maybe I'm to cynical (Score:2)
Re:Maybe I'm to cynical (Score:2)
This guy is on a bike, he's taking the access to them.
LK
Well... (Score:5, Insightful)
You want to be a hero or feel good about yourself? Be a volunteer firefighter. Restore PCs for senior citizen centers, donate to cancer research foundations, give a starving Afican or Chinese kid lunch money. Driving around giving out free wireless internet... *snickers*
The very point of it is pointless. It's basically just a "Lookit me, I'm special-decial like Homestar Runner." I think the guy needs a hobby...maybe he should try being a kernel hacker, I hear that eats into your free time.
Uh, you wanna try your comment again? (Score:2)
Hmmm.... Well, rural villagers in Cambodia don't seem to be complaining about the concept [slashdot.org].
"An interesting combination of wireless, wheels, and store-and-forward email: 'In Cambodia, motorbikes act as routers for a store-and-
and here's the backpack version (Score:1)
Why not free Wi-Fi on Caltrain? (Score:4, Interesting)
PointShot (http://pointshotwireless.com), the folks that provided ACE passengers with the country's first Wi-Fi train service, is in the process of trying to bring a Wi-Fi service to Caltrain here in Silicon Valley.
But according to Caltrain management, it is going to take a year to find a free provider:
"Caltrain is currently working on a request for proposal to provide wi-fi on its trains. Our goal is to be able to attract a provider who will provide free wi-fi service through more than just a pilot period. If the entire process goes smoothly, we may be able to offer wi-fi within about a year.
Our long-term vision is to provide complimentary wi-fi and work with companies along our corridor to allow their employees to start their workday by logging on while on the train. We believe this will be a huge quality of life benefit to our customers and their employees."
For those of you that don't know, Caltrain is the Silicon Valley commuter train that serves passengers from San Jose to San Francisco.
If you find "a year" to be entirely too long or you know of interested Wi-Fi providers, email boardsecretary@caltrain.com or go to http://www.caltrain.org/contact.html.
Re:Why not free Wi-Fi on Caltrain? (Score:2)
Picture of magic bike (Score:1, Informative)
four teenagers from the Bronx (Score:1, Funny)
nothing line a ice cream man! (Score:1)
So he is infact nothing like a ice cream man
That's a deep analogy (Score:5, Funny)
And let us not forget the classic:
I can just imagine... (Score:1, Funny)
Ok... So... (Score:2, Funny)
It's great! Lugging the laptop around adds to the exercise potential of my jog and being able to read my spam, while in the middle of my jog, really goes a long way to breaking the boredom of exercise regime.
I wouldn't exactly call this exciting. (Score:2, Funny)
Using a Bicycle to Uplink on a Downtown Platform (Score:4, Informative)
WiFi On Three Wheels (Score:1)
iTrike [psand.net]
Re:WiFi On Three Wheels (Score:2)
quote (Score:2, Funny)
Cool, but - (Score:1)
Hmmm (Score:3, Funny)
If we had bacon, we could have bacon and eggs if we had eggs.
I like my bike mod better (Score:4, Interesting)
Oh yeah, and how does he get his connection while on the road, cellphone? Even with Vision or Edge it wouldnt be that great internet access now would it.
get a life! (Score:4, Funny)
arg, I hate pop culture. I bet this guy is a 'metrosexual' too. Let it die! techno-activism is a made up word. You're a fruit on a bike! There are tons of wireless hotspots out there anyways, the chances that you're doing the world even a minute's worth of good are slim to none. If you really want ubiquitous wireless net access, try, oh , say, setting up a hotspot in your house. Or donating to a cause or group or company who would set up these spots. The idea that your bike provides wifi is hardly useful. get a life, and this is coming from a computer geek.
the next step (Score:2)
www.fossilfool.com
www.tireflys.com
Nomadic computing (Score:2, Interesting)
My Solution: (Score:2)
The original (Score:2)
Re:why not city busses? (Score:3, Interesting)
Managing multiple links intelligently is the key.
At work we have a SUV with a DirectPC dish on the roof under a radome, 1X, GPS, and 200 mW 802.11b
We already have it on trains: PointShot Wireless [pointshotwireless.com]