sascha's blog

VoIP on CUWiN Network in Rural Ghana:

Sat, 04 Nov 2006 22:02:00 -0600

From CUWiN's partners at Wireless Ghana just sent in this update on their use of VoIP services over a CUWiN network:

The VoIP is available at three locations, and allows communications between two community centers in Akropong and one in Apirede, spanning a 6km distance. An application called SJPhone is running the frontend and doing IP to IP dials across our CuWIN-based WiFi mesh network. VoIP marks the first service Wireless Ghana has implemented to work solely on its LAN. The service is available at all times that electricity is available, even when our satellite Internet uplink is not.

As VoIP technology becomes more mainstream the teams at Wireless Ghana aim to deploy such services with greater scope.

CUWiN Staff in Dharamsala, India -- Blogging from the Ground at Air Jaldi.

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 10:29:00 -0500

CUWiN Team members Ross Musselman (Outreach Coordinator) and David Young (Chief Engineer) are on the ground in Dharamsala, India at the AirJaldi summit. Ross has been blogging at:

http://nsneedle.blogspot.com

Blogging from the Alternative Telecom Policy Forum in Ottawa, Canada.

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 10:31:00 -0500

CUWiN Executive Director, Sascha Meinrath, is blogging from the Alternative Telecom Policy Forum in Ottawa Canada today and tomorrow. He gave a plenary session last night on Community and Municipal Wireless Networking and the COMMONS Project (to create a collaborative fiber peering network among participating networks) -- and hopes to have the slides from that presentation up on his blog momentarily.

Meanwhile, Sheila Copps, former minister of Canadian Heritage, just presented. Ile Sans Fil Co-Founder, Michael Lenczner blogs about it here.

Meanwhile if you'd like to "join" the forum -- live video, audio and (occassionally snarky) commentary is publicly available here.

More blogging updates will be available here.

CUWiN/UIUC Partnership Awarded $500,000 NSF Grant To Develop High-Performance Open Source Mesh Wireless Technologies.

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 09:11:57 -0500

July 20, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Sascha Meinrath, CUWiN Executive Director
217-278-3933 x30 sascha@cuwireless.net

Ross Musselman, CUWiN Outreach Coordinator
217-278-3933 x31 rgmussel@cuwireless.net

***

CUWiN/UIUC PARTNERSHIP AWARDED $500,000 NSF GRANT TO DEVELOP NEXT GENERATION OPEN SOURCE MESH WIRELESS TECHNOLOGIES.

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign partners with CUWiN to build high-performance, robust open source wireless mesh networking technologies.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded $500,000 in grant funding to support a research and development partnership between the Champaign-Urbana Community Wireless Network (CUWiN) and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). This initiative, "Toward building a Performance-Predictable Wireless Mesh Network", focuses on the development of wireless routing protocols, network testing systems, and gateway discovery in open-source technology. The grant, part of the Network Technology and Systems Program of the NSF, provides support over a three-year period.

"CUWiN is building the next generation of mesh wireless technologies. Most importantly, CUWiN is releasing our software under an open source license -- allowing communities, municipalities, organizations, and individuals around the world to deploy low-cost alternatives to current proprietary systems." stated Sascha Meinrath, CUWiN Executive Director.

Community and municipal wireless networks have gained tremendous attention in recent years. The ultimate objective of this CUWiN/UIUC partnership is to incorporate research results and system prototypes into production code to be widely distributed by CUWiN. With the help of CUWiN, the research to be carried out by UIUC researchers will make a real impact and effect high-throughput, cost-effective broadband access both for the U.S. and worldwide.

"I am extremely pleased with the fact that NSF recognizes the importance of carrying out research on a real multi-hop wireless network. CUWiN provides us with a city-wide research testbed to understand how, and to what extent, wireless links are affected by PHY/MAC attributes and other environmental factors. All the measurements we make on CUWiN will help characterize the behavior of wireless links and identify control 'knobs' in the MAC/PHY layers with which the network capacity can be optimized." Principal Investigator, Jennifer Hou, stated.

CUWiN's mission is to help bridge the digital divide by developing low-cost, open source, wireless technologies and making them available to community and municipal networks around the world. CUWiN networks have been established in urban settings like Chicago, Illinois, and Washington, D.C., as well as rural places like the Mesa Grande Indian Reservation near San Diego, California, and Apirede, Ghana. CUWiN continues to expand its development testbed in Urbana, Illinois in partnership with the City of Urbana and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

"The wireless technologies being developed by CUWiN as a part of this initiative hearken back to the innovation and vibrancy of early Internet development."stated Ross Musselman, CUWiN Outreach Coordinator. "With a focus on maintaining Internet freedom, these new technologies support digital inclusion around the globe."

For more information on this initiative, contact the CUWiN team at:

E-mail: cu-wireless-support@cuwireless.net
Phone: +1 217 278-3933 x31.

http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/cu-wireless-announce

CUWiN Hack Night -- Wednesday, April 19, 2006 @ 6pm @ the IMC.

Thu, 06 Apr 2006 11:29:23 -0500

From Dan Meredith:

Here's the details:

When: 6pm-??? on April 19, 2006

Where: The IMC -- 202 South Broadway Ave. (AKA "The Post Office", AKA "The big neo-greco-old-federal-looking-building with the big pillars) -- enter through the main door. Downtown Urbana.

What: CUWiN Hack Night

Who: CUWiN experts and neophytes, tech-geekery & Luddites, the wirelessly curious, interested & addicted.

Please come, bring all things interesting. RSVP if you'd like pizza.

Hope to see you then!

Community Wireless Summit: March 31-April 2, 2006.

Thu, 16 Mar 2006 06:39:24 -0600

2006 is shaping up to be a huge year for wireless networking and one of the key events of the year, the 2nd Annual National Summit for Community Wireless Networks, is less than three weeks away... March 31st - April 2nd!

Hosted by CUWiN, Free Press and the Mid-Rivers Community Wireless Network, developers, researchers, programmers and policy-makers will meet for three days for involved discussions at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri.

... Community wireless developers from around the globe will demonstrate cutting-edge technologies;

... Researchers and programmers will discuss breakthroughs and developments;

... Policy-makers and funders will strategize with participants on the new initiatives being launched and involvement in national telecommunications policies.

Participants include Esme de Guzman Vos of Muniwireless.com, Robert McChesney of Free Press and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Dewayne Hendricks of the Dandin Group, Inc., Sascha Meinrath of CUWiN, Harold Feld of the Media Access Project, Paul Smith of the Center for Neighborhood Technologies, and Laura Forlano of NYC Wireless.

More information is available here: www.cuwireless.net/summit

The 2nd National Summit for Community Wireless Networks is going to be a key event that will help set the agenda for further wireless growth.

http://cuwireless.net/summit/2006registration

Become a part of the growing wireless networking movement!

CUWiN Hack Night: Wednesday February 22, 2006 -- 6pm @ the IMC.

Sat, 18 Feb 2006 12:08:24 -0600

CUWiN Hack Night @ the IMC on Wednesday evening starting at 6pm!

Here's the details:

When: 6pm-???

Where: The IMC -- 202 South Broadway Avenue in Downtown Urbana -- AKA "The Post Office", AKA "The big neo-greco-old-federal-looking-building with the big pillars" -- enter through the main door on the West side.

What: CUWiN Hack Night.

Who: CUWiN experts and neophytes, tech-geekery & Luddites, the wirelessly curious, interested & addicted.

Focus: How to join the network, network administration, building the CUWiN software, etc.

RSVP if you'd like pizza.

Hope to see you then!

Announcing the Second National Summit for Community Wireless Networks -- March 31-April 2, 2006. St. Charles, MO.

Sat, 11 Feb 2006 13:24:41 -0600

The Champaign-Urbana Community Wireless Network (CUWiN), Mid-Rivers Community Wireless Network, and Free Press invite you to join us for a Community Wireless Networking Summit, March 31-April 2, 2006 in St. Charles, MO (right outside St. Louis). "Imagine & Implement: The 2006 National Summit for Community Wireless Networks" will focus on grassroots action; impacting national regulations and policies; and building the coalition of community groups, researchers, policy leaders, decision-makers, and activists working to create better broadband services and telecommunications infrastructures.

With Network Neutrality under attack and broadband service continuing to stagnate, it's time we organized to take the public airwaves back from corporate interests and put the public interest back in the spotlight. Community Wireless Networks are often owned by the communities that deploy them and offer better services for cheaper prices than traditional ISPs. Anyone interested in making the "public interest" the number one priority in broadband service provision should definitely attend this summit.

Community Wireless developers from across North America will be demonstrating cutting-edge technologies; researchers and programmers will discuss recent breakthroughs and developments; and policy-makers and funders will strategize with participants on the new initiatives being launched and how we can make an impact in DC.

More summit information is available online at:

www.wirelesssummit.org

www.wirelesssummit.org/register

Have questions or want to present? Send us an e-mail at:

cu-wireless-summit@cuwireless.net

See you in St. Charles,

--Sascha Meinrath
Summit Director

CUWiN Hack Night: Wednesday January 25, 2006 -- 6pm @ the IMC.

Sun, 22 Jan 2006 00:18:34 -0600

The next official CUWiN Hack Night will be at the IMC next Wednesday starting at 6pm!

Here's the details:

When: 6pm-??? on January 25, 2006

Where: The IMC -- 202 South Broadway Ave. (AKA "The Post Office", AKA "The big neo-greco-old-federal-looking-building with the big pillars) -- enter through the main door. Downtown Urbana.

What: CUWiN Hack Night

Who: CUWiN experts and neophytes, tech-geekery & Luddites, the wirelessly curious, interested & addicted.

Please come, bring all things interesting. RSVP to sascha@cuwireless.net if you'd like pizza.

Hope to see you then!

CUWiN Releases Version 0.6.0 -- Includes Major Stability and Scalability Improvements.

Tue, 17 Jan 2006 21:52:26 -0600

CUWiN's latest release includes major improvements over earlier releases. Multiple locations have already been piloting the new software and we're looking for new locations and organizations to help proof the software and help bring things to version 1.0.

Help Maintain the CUWiN Community
If you are interested in using CUWiN software, please consider taking a moment to tell us a little about yourself. By filling in this form, you are helping us to build better user data, which we can use to improve our research and development grant applications. Your information will not be released to any outside person or persons outside of the Champaign-Urbana Community Wireless Network.

Release Notes

This CUWiN release is version 0.6.0, issued on January 17, 2006.

CUWiN Job Announcement: VISTA Intern

Sat, 07 Jan 2006 12:57:09 -0600

CUWiN is hiring a new position to be a part of our Urbana, IL team. This VISTA Intern will be involved with user support, fundraising, and the day-to-day operations of the CUWiN project. Along with the stipend and healthcare benefits provided, CUWiN will help arrange accommodations and help get this team member settled within our local community. If you or someone you know would be interested in working on one of the premier open-source wireless projects in the world, please contact CUWiN at cu-wireless-support@cuwireless.net before January 30, 2006.

--Sascha Meinrath
CUWiN Project Coordinator

More info on CUWiN: http://www.cuwireless.net
More info on VISTA: http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/vista.asp

***

Job Description

Communicate CUWiN's vision and mission to people and organizations
outside the project.

Ensure that CUWiN has adequate operating capital. Create
effective fundraising strategies. Solicit gifts from persons,
corporations, and foundations in support of the project.

Identify and reach out to underserved communities. Help new
communities use CUWiN's software to create new wireless networks.

Keep the project website up-to-date. Staff the email "helpdesk."

Skills

Has experience maintaining websites and mailing lists.
Understands fundraising activities for non-profit organizations.
Knows how to write a grant proposal. Can use email and instant
messaging effectively in a chaotic office environment. Can learn
new computer and Internet technology quickly, and explain it
to lay persons. Working knowledge of wireless networking,
especially WiFi, is a big plus.

We are looking for a well-presented, detail-oriented, outgoing person with good communication skills and a desire to work in a fast-paced
environment.

Management

The CUWiN Project Coordinator and Technical Lead will be
available daily to guide VISTA members. VISTA members will
send to the CUWiN staff regular progress updates on fundraising,
outreach, and website administration.

Pay

VISTAs receive a $10,748 Stipend (the living wage for a single
person in Champaign-Urbana), a $4,725 Educational Award,
healthcare, et cetera.

Community Radio/Wireless Barnraising November 11-13, 2005 -- CUWiN Hack Night 6pm on the 11th.

Tue, 08 Nov 2005 12:21:36 -0600

This weekend - Friday November 11 to Sunday November 13th - will be an historic moment for our community. We want you to be part of it.

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The Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center will open its community space in the downtown Urbana Post Office building!
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Last May, the IMC purchased the Post Office building - thanks to the generous help of our capital campaign contributors!

This historic building boasts a huge 5000 square foot space behind the post office lobby. The postal services will remain. The rest of the first floor, which has gone unused for many years, has been converted into a performance space, media production facilities, a library & reading room, and meeting space. We are starting discussions on adding a cafe, bookstore, food store, or restaurant - come envision with us!

This summer/fall we undertook a major construction project - replacing much of the roof, separating and securing the post office space, adding a wheelchair accessible bathroom, and building a broadcasting studio for Radio Free Urbana.

* Come take tour of the building this Friday at 1 PM. *

* On Saturday, come celebrate the new space with a 5-band show (rock genre): 7pm until midnight. All ages, smoke-free, alcohol free. $5 donation. *

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The IMC will co-host a Radio and Wireless Barnraising with the Prometheus Radio Project!
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First CUWiN Hack Night of the Season Big Success!

Thu, 13 Oct 2005 20:31:24 -0500

Thanks to everyone who came -- we swapped notes, hacked on software, climbed around in the dark on roofs, pondered collaborations -- all the good stuff. In the end we got a node installed in a key location, managed not to die climbing down that ridiculous crawlway, savored numerous potables, were invited to present about Wireless at the WRFU Barnraising, and had ourselves a righteous good time. Look for the next CUWiN Hack Night in early November.

See you all then!

CUWiN Hack Night -- Wednesday October 12, 2005, 6-9pm.

Wed, 12 Oct 2005 17:05:06 -0500

CUWiN's extremely happy to announce the first "CUWiN Hack Night" of the season:

Wednesday, October 12th from 6-9pm at the IMC -- mark your calendar! We've already got a core group of developers who will be there and *we'll buy pizza for those who RSVP* -- so come to talk with the team, get questions answered, hack on equipment, learn, teach & play. We'll be retiring to the Crane Alley Bar & Grill at 9pm for further drink and contemplation:

What: CUWiN Hack Night

Who: Anyone interested in wireless, getting involved, & having fun

When: Wednesday, October 12, 2005; 6-9pm

Where: IMC -- 202 S. Broadway Ave., (use Elm St. Entrance on North Side)

Bring: Yourself, interesting gadgets, wireless equipment, questions & ideas

Post Hack Night: 9pm -- Crane Alley (a block away at 115 W. Main St. in Urbana)

Community Wireless Emergency Reponse Hitting its Stride -- Coalition Expanding Daily...

Thu, 15 Sep 2005 13:03:47 -0500

The coalition of groups, individuals and organizations working to set up emergency telecommunications infrastructures throughout the Katrina disaster area continues to expand. There are now at least four main staging areas (Ponchatoula, Rayville, Algiers, and Bay St. Louis) and well over 50 people working on coordination, logistics, and implementation.

Today we shipped 2600 pounds of phones, computers, and related equipment to our teams on the ground. And more donations continue to flow in hourly.

The Radio Response Website has just gone live and our communications infrastructures (cell, IRC, IM, Wiki, e-mail, etc.) have been fantastic at getting information to our teams on the ground and funneling supplies anf funding to where it's needed most.

We're definitely hitting our stride.