Open Source Network

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Grant Petersen

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I have heard a lot of complaints about internet in this country and about telecommunication in general. I must admit that I also find the situation extremely distressing, but surely the problem shouldn't be that hard to fix?

Perhaps I am oversimplifying, but is it really that difficult for one to run a network cable to one's nearest neighbour? He, in turn could connect to his nearest neighbour and they to theirs. If nearly everyone in the country connects this way - hey presto, free local internet. Add to that the mobility that wireless connections provide and we could all make free calls from VOIP cell phones.

Now I know that with a network of this size there would be some serious lag and packet loss, but most LAN connections carry about 100 mbps and some up to 1000 mbps. If we could just squeeze 56 kbps out of this network it would be well worth it, but wouldn't it be great if we could get even more?

The technology is available, I think it's time we used it.

I'm willing to donate my time and experience in the pursuit of such a goal, is anyone else?
 
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Thanks, this looks like a great site. I registered right away. I see you are already involved in this, what kind of data rate do you get? Are you guys laying cables as well yet?
 
Grant Petersen said:
Thanks, this looks like a great site. I registered right away. I see you are already involved in this, what kind of data rate do you get? Are you guys laying cables as well yet?
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ja i have one to my nextdoor neighbour :cool:

anywhere from 500kbits to 30mbits sometimes more :)
 
Hey this is great, I didn't realise it was so big already. Have there been any attemps to invlove those who are less technically inclined yet?
 
No, I'm not talking about myself. I have set up numerous wireless networks before. I am referring to complete novices. As members of WUG do we go out and set up networks for those who wish to join?
 
not generally no - the whole point of the wug is that new people will learn how do it themselves, acquire knowledge and skills - and then transfer it to others.

I know of people that bribed current wuggers with braaivleis and bier to put up their kit :)
 
Well it's realy not that difficult to scan for a ssid and to connect, after they are connected we just assist with setting up the routing.
 
protzkrog said:
not generally no - the whole point of the wug is that new people will learn how do it themselves, acquire knowledge and skills - and then transfer it to others.

I know of people that bribed current wuggers with braaivleis and bier to put up their kit :)
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I like it that you want to teach people skills, but is this only for people who are interested in learning them or are you aiming to expand the network to almost every home?

Kloon said:
Well it's realy not that difficult to scan for a ssid and to connect, after they are connected we just assist with setting up the routing.
Click to expand...

Ever work in support? :p

Isn't there also a fairly extensive hardware installation, plus cabling and climbing on the roof... Wait a second, why am I volunteering my services again? I just got a nice desk job... Must be bored or something.
 
Grant Petersen said:
Perhaps I am oversimplifying, but is it really that difficult for one to run a network cable to one's nearest neighbour? He, in turn could connect to his nearest neighbour and they to theirs. If nearly everyone in the country connects this way - hey presto, free local internet. Add to that the mobility that wireless connections provide and we could all make free calls from VOIP cell phones.
Click to expand...

yea youre oversimplyfying a lot. What happens when your neighbour 2 doors down goes on holiday and swiches off all his equipment? The very same equipment you rely on for a link.

I mean you didnt pay him for a connection, he has no obligation to to anything for you. This is where service providers come in, but now its no longer a free service, cause a service provider is there for one reason only, to make some money.
 
Not wanting to poo-poo the whole WUG thing but the average Jane and Joe out there want to surf the web, check their gmail and watch youtube clips.
WUG exists mainly because of the restricted telecoms environment in SA.
If we had cheap 20mbps connections like a lot of countries overseas the WUGs would probably fade into oblivion.
It all comes back to the government and Telkom ...
 
yep Paul_S - wug will then only be used by the true wifi enthusiasts, but who knows when that will ever be...
 
Obelix said:
yea youre oversimplyfying a lot. What happens when your neighbour 2 doors down goes on holiday and swiches off all his equipment? The very same equipment you rely on for a link.

I mean you didnt pay him for a connection, he has no obligation to to anything for you. This is where service providers come in, but now its no longer a free service, cause a service provider is there for one reason only, to make some money.
Click to expand...

It should be fairly easy to add redundancy. I could connect to two or three of my neighbours. They could each do the same.
 
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OK, forget WUG for the moment. Does anyone know about the legality of wired connections? If I run network cables to my adjacent neighbours and they do the same with theirs, can Telkom come and dig them up?
 
The WUGs are cool but what puts me off from them are the expensive hardware costs and what really makes me want to stay away is the whiff of leetism I get from the groups.

By leetism im referring to where the main guys go on like they own the thing and want to enforce rules. It should be truly open like the Internet and if people want to donate time and money and hardware they should be willing to do so without looking for cred.

By the WUG groups purpotraying themselves as the "official" networks where does this leave independant networks that eventually want to plug into the WUG infrastructure...

There shouldnt be an official free open WAN or MAN it there should just be groups coordinating things fairly, much like the internet as a whole. No one group owns the whole internet.
 
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