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fyi<br>
Grand Rapids has already issued an RFP for public WiFi depoyment.<br>
<a href="http://www.ci.grand-rapids.mi.us/index.pl?page_id=3379">http://www.ci.grand-rapids.mi.us/index.pl?page_id=3379</a><br>
<br>
<br>
Matt Michielsen wrote:
<blockquote
cite="midfaf758920610240627p7b4538d4h37a51ddf773692e3@mail.gmail.com"
type="cite">How about starting a non-profit to run an affordable
wireless ISP? I mean, we could provide PC's too, but the monthly fee
is what's going to turn off people with fixed incomes. Obviously, it
would have to be a fairly limited speed, with P2P stuff blocked. Maybe
it could even be free like Google's or like some cities have.
<br>
<br>
-mm<br>
<br>
<p><DEFANGED_div><DEFANGED_span class="gmail_quote">On 10/24/06, <b
class="gmail_sendername">Bill Littlejohn</b> <<a
href="mailto:billl@mtd-inc.com">billl@mtd-inc.com</a>> wrote:</DEFANGED_span></DEFANGED_div></p>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote"
DEFANGED_defanged_style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">Bill
Creswell wrote:<br>
><br>
> Let's not forget whether there is a market. I used to have P2's and<br>
> P3's around my house to give away, but find very few people who
want a<br>
> computer that do not have one.
<br>
I think this is because people tend to associate the usefulness of the<br>
computer with access to the internet. It is seen as a communication tool<br>
first and foremost. People with the disposable income for an ISP tend
to
<br>
have a computer already (new or secondhand), and those that do not -<br>
tend to not want one.<br>
I would suggest that GRLUG pc's be 'advertised' first as educational and<br>
fun, second as an 'easier and more secure' way to get on the internet.
<br>
In my experience there are many kids 7-15 that are denied the computer<br>
time they want because their family only has one flaky Windows pc, and<br>
they don't want it pushed over the edge, or the parent understands how
<br>
likely it is for their kid to get exposed to various nasties.<br>
I think a full Edubuntu install would work for both the family that<br>
wants the kids safer, and the ones who probably can't get internet<br>
access, but it would depend on the presentation to drive interest.
<br>
Bill<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
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</blockquote>
<DEFANGED_div><br>
</DEFANGED_div>
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