A quick update on the Chebucto Community Net’s wireless project: This week, after working through some technical tomfoolery, the Chebucto peeps started testing new software that will manage and stabilize their wireless nodes—basically, the user-hosted, on-the-ground radio antennas that will pass a wireless signal along the ground, originating from Fenwick Tower. If you’re around Fenwick tower with your lappy, look for the Network named “Chebucto Wireless”—even non-Chebucto Community Net members are able to access local sites for free.
If any/all of that went over your analog head, just know this: Chebucto is closer to low-cost public wi-fi service in downtown Halifax. You go, Chebucto.
BTW, on Wednesday, premier RodMac announced a $74.5-million contract to bring high-speed internet to rural communities in Nova Scotia. Which is great…but what about RodMac’s free Metro wi-fi campaign promise? Now that the sticks have broadband, can he show urbanites some love?
This article appears in Dec 6-12, 2007.