[CUWiN] Info and can I help?

[Steve Izzo]

To the folks at CU CWN;

I have been researching community wireless networks in depth for the past month or so and have come to the awareness that CUWiN seems to be the only open architecture, open source project in existence. It also seems appropriate to me that the source of the Mosaic web browser should also be the home of the next revolution in the Internet - the organic spread of wireless broadband networking. I have read the recent posts by daCosta, Meinrath and Thompson and believe that open source mesh is the only appropriate technology to enable the spread of low-cost nodes and community wireless network coverage. (I suppose the alternatives are securing lots of grant funding and just giving away commercial technology or finding some hack for the commercial wireless routers).

I am writing first to see if I can get additional specs, assembly instructions and a parts list for the current nodes used in CU network. (I can figure most of it out from the CU site and Metrix, but it would be easier to just work from a complete document). I assume this same platform will be used for the upgraded OSI grant software. Although I live and work in New Jersey, my interest is to explore the possibility of a CWN project in rural upstate NY (near Syracuse, but well outside the city). I have some personal connections to the area and it is clearly under-served by the incumbent telecom monopoly. I do have some spare Pentium-class machines, but as you note, the remotely upgradeable, outdoor nodes will be far more successful.

In addition, I would like to offer my time and background to volunteer for this effort. My personal interest (inspired by a friend) and goal is to help in spreading wireless broadband technology to developing nations. 

Let me introduce myself. I am currently a mid-level Executive with Lucent Technologies in operations software. I don't work in our wireless division, so there is no conflict of interest. (Lucent doesn't make any of these products anyway). My undergraduate degree is in physics and math, but my career has been spent mostly on the business and marketing side (via an M.B.A). I also have extensive experience in international business. I have read the OSI Grant application, but without knowing more about your volunteer needs, I am not sure what I might contribute.

I look forward to hearing from someone.

Regards,

Steve Izzo






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