I have installed an IRC client, when can we chat? We could also use Skype as you have up to 5 on a conference call.
I have just got all my bits, Mikrotik router, enclosure, mast etc. Just started to assemble it.
Will check this thread regularly.
Cheers
It should be possible to push advertising into web and maybe email? As a means of offsetting cost.
As a user I wouldn't mind seeing ads in exchange for free hotspots.
Using frames (ala Google Images, About.com, etc) would make it possible to run banners or similar without damaging individual page markup. With a transparent proxy it ought to be possible to enforce all pages be loaded in a parent frame.
To get more advanced, using AJAX or similar technology to force banner reloads - the proxy could log banner loads and disable access if a banner request isn't made every minute or something, that would bypass basic ad-stoppers (they could still be avoided if you were keen).
If you were to create an ad-free paid service the question would then be how to work it... Usage? Subscription? Combination? I tend to think a subscription with maybe additional usage is best - say $5/mth with a cap of 500MB month - then maybe data charges after that point. That balances out in that many users will not actually make use of the service all the time. People like me are (I think) far more likely to pay a few bucks a month for a service which we may only use sometimes, than we are to pay $10 for an hour of access at a Telecom Hotspot.
If usage costs are created - make it by data, not time because time-based is stupid!
FON sounds like a nice idea, but I don't think people in NZ would be willing to give away bandwidth for no money. Especially when we pay so much for it.
Hi.
I'm an IT /Telco consultant just moved back to NZ after several years working in several countries. I'm working with a few companies to setup HotSpots throughout NZ, so that Retailers and consumers build closer relationships (B2C).
If you like to setup your own HotSpot and be paid 60% of the revenue generated by "club users" then email me direct at this temp address: WIFIMobile@gmail.com (Setup cost is simply a specific Linksys router)
In the 90's I worked in the e-business space for EDS and founded Tranzsoft Group and I'm now forming a new group to work in the B2C and D2C (direct to consumer) space.
Hi - do you want to have a chat sometime about your original post ?(WIFI Hotspot service and WIFI-Mobile etc) You can get me on 021-906659
cheers Mobinet. (grant)
Due to start my new life in NZ around the Christchurch area within the next 8 months and wouldn't mind contributing anything that's needed in my spare time. To give you an idea, I've built a successful WISP in the UK and have been heavily involved in building similar networks in Cyprus and deploying large scale "pay as you go" hotspot environments for some large companies. Skills include complete design and build of wireless infrastructure as well as linux/freebsd server backends. I have deployed several hotspots using Mikrotik with RADIUS and MySQL backends to control upload/download speeds, authentication, Credit Card payments, scheduled pop-up advertisements, trial periods, etc. Also, deployed all other standard back-end and frontend server clusters for web/email/domain hosting. Did I mention I'm also a qulified rigger
I am happy to be involved in this. I am trying to setup a mesh here in Rotorua which is taking longer than expected, so if anyone wants to get involed I am keen to here from you. Money and/or APs are our obsticle, we have all the servers.
I am just configuring our authentication (radius/LDAP/sql) server now, and we already host a large array of services on our network including our own VOIP server. Our billing system is next.
I'm heading home to Wgtn after 3 years overseas. I set up wireless mesh using the Friefunk mesh software, chillispot, & freeradius on WRT54G/GL hardware in Africa. Longest link - 22km.
This seems a great idea to me. Most posts are from about a year ago, has there been any progress?
Well I'm still interested in getting some things going
I just need to get ahead in a few bills and get my life on track a bit, and then I;ll do what I can.
I'm working now... and full time too!!! So when I start saving money point me in the direction of what equipment to get. I'm still new and learning. So also tell me if there's any third party firmware that will be used.
IRC Meeting 
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