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There used to be free dial-up providers, usually the system doubled as a BBS or shared Unix system of some sort.
Obviously these smaller ones had a limited amount of concurrent connections, sometimes only 1 at a time.. Typically that required a level of trust that the users wouldn't horde it 24/7. Today, it's not so easy.. bandwidth costs money, and people demand faster connectivity.. Now, "Open Internet" could be a private network.. separated from the Internet, meaning a separate root server infrastructure and re purposing IP ranges. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_DNS_root You could setup a such a thing in your area, assuming you have interested friends willing to join the cause.. could use ad-hoc wireless or something. (Or if you're a hammy, packet radio?). |
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I've heard that HAM is falling out of favor. Their is much interest with younger groups. I just started listening to short wave a few years ago and have a little interest in HAM from that.
I going to look into that Alt-DNS thanks. I'd love to try a private network unforunately most people around me most technical skill is memorizing the Steeler's playbook....
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"The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words." -Philip K. Dick |
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I used to secure my WLAN using certificate authenticated IPSec on my othwise public access point. But when WPA(2) came out I found it was easier to setup than IPSEC and also I don't have to renew my certificates.
Furthermore here in Germany you are responsible to some extend if someone commits a crime using your open wireless. |
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Read this (if you understand German...).
The first sentence of this article translated through translate.google.com: "The dispute over the legal consequences of an open wireless continues. The Higher Regional Court (OLG) in Frankfurt continued a recent decision, the liability of the wireless operator for the improper use of his connection by unknown third parties, and clearly highlighted the different judgement of the lower court." Total court confusion . google has a problem to translate the first part of the whole text but it's worth to read it and it's better than the translation through yahoo. |
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I saw this right after I had written my message.
A few months ago I did a little war driving around my neighbourhood and from the 270 WLANs about 10% were not encrypted (WEP counted as encrypted). So I get a good change to find a free WiFi. |
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When you see FBI agents (if you live in U. S.) knocking on your door because you were downloading howto make anthrax or child pornography you will understand that
having an open WiFi is not such a great idea. Actually for most people not familiar with VPN and similar things the smartest thing is to stay away from WiFi all together. |
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Bruce Schneier wrote this article about his own wireless reservations.
When I think about "open networks" I don't really think wireless is the solution - too anonymous and too easily subverted. My own paranoia tells me to stay away from wireless although I do maintain an open access point in my neighborhood which is mostly populated by retirees and the occasional college student. I think the closest thing I can think of that sounds, IMO, like an "open network" or "open internet" is George Lucas' Third Internet. |
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