Discussion:
[manchesterwireless] re: network access
(too old to reply)
G.W. Haywood
2005-08-12 14:32:06 UTC
Permalink
Hi there,
network access in North Manchester? I see there is a node in
Crumpsall - maybe the nearest to me altho im unsure.
Because radio waves at the wavelength used for radio networks travel
more-or-less along lines of sight, it's not possible to know if you
will be able to connect to any given node unless you can for example
say something like "I can see it from my bedroom window". Sometimes
even then it's necessary to do a little more work - things like other
networks in the vicinity can interfere. A site survey is necessary to
answer all the technical questions, sounds grand but it's really just
a matter of someone with a bit of experience casting an eye over the
lie of the land/buildings/trees and asking a few questions.
I live in the Blackley / Lower Crumpsall area, near Factory
Lane. Can you tell me if there is wireless network access here, and
if there is how do i go about joining to get it?
Manchester Wireless wasn't necessarily formed with the intention of
sharing Internet access over the ether, although a lot of people
(including me) use radio networking almost exclusively for Internet
access. AFAIK there's no, er, official ManchesterWireless policy on
sharing access to the Internet, and the charity doesn't run nodes of
its own. Not everyone with an access point will be willing to give a
free ride to eveybody who can see it, so you'll need to get in touch
with the owner to establish their policies. As you've seen the
Manchester Wireless site is rather badly out of date. I think the
nodes you're referring to in Crumpsall appear in the Consume website
as 'speculative' but I don't know how up to date nor how accurate that
will be. There's a node further north (Shoka) which might be
possible. You'll have to talk to Harry, who set it up. He's a good
man, and he reads the list, so I guess he'll chime in when he has time.
Im on NTL broadband at the present but want to ditch it
I can understand that. :)

73,
Ged.

PS: Be aware that this list can be read by the public, you might want
to be cautious about any personal information that you post.
Harry Moyes
2005-08-12 20:37:53 UTC
Permalink
Dear all at Manchesterwireless,
Dont know if the question has been answered directly on the website,
but i am after knowing if there is network access in North Manchester?
I see there is a node in Crumpsall - maybe the nearest to me altho im
unsure.
I think the website is substantially misleading, we have never attained
the membership or interest to link up as a Manchester wide network.
Changes have been discussed, but nothing concrete has emerged (yet).

There are a number of very effective local nets, but nothing covering
the Crupsall 'ole I'm afraid. (As Ged noted in his response wireless at
this frequency goes in straight lines. And as I work down by the Irk,
I've thought about how to cover that area off and on for a number of
years, without coming to any conclusion other than its a pig from a
wireless point of view)

I'm over the hill from you on the other side of Higher Blackley, and
again, as Ged pointed out, I'm not keen to offer unrestricted Internet
access to passing strangers. (Cue Darrens dig about how many layers
of Firewalling I run.)
I live in the Blackley / Lower Crumpsall area, near Factory Lane. Can
you tell me if there is wireless network access here, and if there is
how do i go about joining to get it? Im on NTL broadband at the
present but want to ditch it as its way too expensive for the service
i get.
Short answer is to the best of my knowledge there isn't any.

Since down in't'ole you are on your own, possibly we can help you
get a satisfactory broadband service, and maybe you could add some
cover yourself.

If its not too private, what are the issues you have with
your current broadband supplier?

Loading...