> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tom Poe [mailto:tompoe at fngi.net]
> Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 1:34 AM
> To: Chuck Cole
> Cc: TCWUG-List; wilson at visi.com
> Subject: Re: [tcwug-list] Neighborhood mesh networking
>
> >
>
> Open-Mesh is a group of volunteers dedicated to community-owned WiFi,
> not owned or controlled by any one corporate entity.
> https://www.open-mesh.com/store/categories.php?category=Who-is-%22Open%252dMesh%22%3F



I assume that's true, but it seems quite irrelevant for TCWUG except the coincidence that it has the same no control or out-of
control nonentity form.  By that definition of org, TCWUG could not qualify for or get corporate support or donations, so it's all
out-of-pocket, and a very limited uphill struggle.  Seems like a grand loser for TCWUG activities.  Maybe fine in a venue of its
own, but seems very wrong for the basic purpose of TCWUG, a "user group".  Otherwise, it's just a black hole that consumes all time
and doesn't seem to have any predictable quality benefits.  My cell phone gives me high speed internet access over national scale,
and for free.  Volunteers will have power outages and ISP downtime, so the average "availability state" of such a mesh would be
"irregular" on good days.  I see no benefit at all for my interests.  A Minneapolis mesh probably wouldn't provide regular
connections to in Apple Valley, Stillwater, Plymouth or Owatonna and between those points.

I still believe making mesh or similar large scale utility activities is a good way to kill any interest in TCWUG.  Certainly kills
mine:

1) I'm not interested in mesh or public utilities.

2) at no time would there be predictable "homogeneous regular mesh" connectivity over the greater TC area.

3) Always heterogeneous over significant areas, but operational specs probably based upon homogeneity.

4) special topic developer interest seems OT for TCWUG "user group" interests.

5) doesn't mitigate any stated present deficiency or an unstated one I am aware of.

6) probably not "plug and play" security or setup

7) probably not a replacement for a personal ISP connection, because of no assured connection state or security or bandwidth.

8) seems like wishful "thinking", minus any specs for assured availabilities.



Chuck