WiFi to go
p2pnet.net News:- “I am like the ice cream man, but with no music and I deliver free wireless access and not ice cream.”
That’s what you seen when you hit Yury Gitman’s web page.
Because his Magicbike is a mobile WiFi hotspot giving free hook-ups wherever he goes.
Or parks : )
“By turning a common bicycle into a wireless hotspot, Magicbike explores new delivery and use strategies for wireless networks and modern-day urbanites,” says Gitman, who’s a wireless and emerging-media artist..
“Wireless bicycles disappear into the urban fabric and bring Internet to yet unserved spaces and communities. Mixing public art with techno-activism, Magicbikes are perfect for setting up adhoc Internet connectivity for art and culture events, emergency access, public demonstrations, and communities on the struggling end of the digital-divide.”
A Magicbike hotspot servesup to 250 users in a radius of 30 meters indoors and 100 meters outdoors [although its antennas can increase the hotspot's accuracy and range] and a group of bikes can repeat and/or bridge the signal down a chain of wireless bikes …
…”Meaning, a bicycle gang can snake into subways stations or across hilltops to provide Internet connectivity to (fringe but) vital communities and spaces ignored by the traditional telecommunications industry.
“A grassroots bottom-up wireless infrastructure can be formed and pedaled to any place accessible by bicycle.”
Gitman says he remains one of the first people to ever use the Internet in the New York subway, by employing a network of Magicbikes.
He started and heads the Arts group at NYCWireless and is currently curating a wireless festival in conjunction with the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and the Downtown Alliance for late summer in downtown New York.
It’s an amazing idea. And an amazing art form.
There’s hope for us yet.
And if you think this is cool, check back here tomorrow ; p
