Re: Could AVCNet do this?

[James Allard <jallard@lplonline.org>]

I'd have to say stick with wireless.  You're all to correct on the headaches of
actually maintaining kiosk computers.  It wouldn't be worth the hassle/time/money
for the upkeep alone.  With wireless all we maintain is the connection not the
computers much less work / time / money.  As for what people would actually use
the wireless connection at the mall for that in my opinion is not our concern.
Our concern is to actually promote a interest in community networking.  If we can
achieve this by putting wireless connections in the malls / parks / public
buildings or where ever we get permision to do so i'm all for it.  If the shops /
community wish to make donations in thanks or to help so much the better to help
expand our free services.

Jim Allard

jhart@mail.lewiston.lib.me.us wrote:

> James Allard, jallard@lplonline.org writes:
>
> > You may not
> >resell, share, sublicense or otherwise distribute the Residential Power Link
> >Service or any portion thereof to any third party without the prior written
> >consent of Adelphia.
>
> That's what I was afraid of.  Probably any ISP will have this sort of
> provision, with the possible exception of MSLN.  Rick...Jim?  What the
> malls might have is another question.  Since the wireless could be
> considered part of their LAN, it might not be a problem.
>
> Another possibility would be to expand kiosk access in one or more of the
> malls using Jeff's idea of inexpensive machines ( a couple of hundred
> bucks or less ) hooked, via wire or wireless, to a server.  Bates is
> going to junk a bunch of machines that we might be able to get for
> nothing if we guaranteed not to come back on them for support.
>
>   Computer cost = $0
>   Software cost = $0 (downloads from the 'Net)
>   Hard drive    = $100 each (Bates removed the hard drives for data
> security; putting hard drives in makes more sense than messing around
> with PROMs and such, less server overhead, less work for us.)
>   Monitor       = ?  (depends on how many working monitors Bates is
> tossing)
>
>   Ethernet switch ~ $200
>   Wiring        = ?  (would depend on distances and difficulty of running
> it)
>   Securing machines = ? (some Bates machines have a provision for lock
> down, but we'd have to buy cables and locks)
>   Furniture/stands = ?
>
> This is meant to be brainstorming...run the idea up the flagpole, so to
> speak.  Since wireless access only helps people with laptops, free kiosks
> would reach a bigger audience, right?  Maintaining kiosks could be a real
> headache, though, what with food, drinks, sticky fingers, vandalism,
> theft of parts, etc.  Wireless should require much less attention once
> it's set up, assuming the equipment is reliable and coverage of the
> target area is even.
>
> What do you think?  What gets you excited to go out and do?  David
> suggests malls other than the Auburn Mall.  Who would you approach?
> Should LPL be first, or a mall?  Since Bookland went away, is that mall a
> logical place?
>
> Can we discuss these ideas a little more and then come to a consensus?
>
> Jim Hart
> "Working together we _can_ make a difference."