30 September 2002

Become a WISP SMART MOBS -- You can become a Wi-Fi provider for your neighbourhood by using Proxim's product, priced from about $2,000 to $6,000. The kit includes all the equipment necessary to become a small-scale network provider. Each "ISP in a box" kit can serve about 250 customers. The technology uses 802.11b to create a wireless zone of up to 12 miles long, far beyond the usual 300-foot-radius range that Wi-Fi typically achieves. Setting up this architecture would probably require a Tsunami QuickBridge. It comes in three varieties - Tsunami QuickBridge 60, Tsunami QuickBridge 20, and Tsunami QuickBridge 20 with T1/E1 connection. Tsunami QuickBridge 60 provides data connectivity up to 60 Mbps between buildings up to 3 miles apart. Tsunami QuickBridge 20 offers up to 20 Mbps connectivity at a range of up to 6 miles. Tsunami QuickBridge 20 with the optional T1 or E1 connection, which enables businesses to establish both voice and data connectivity, offers up to 12 Mbps connectivity for up to 6 miles, still at a fraction of the cost of leasing two T1 or E1 lines. Tsunami QuickBridge 20 has a list price of $3499; Tsunami QuickBridge 20 with T1/E1 connection has a list price of $7499; and Tsunami QuickBridge 60 has a list price of $5499. Proxim, which sells a third of the world's Wi-Fi equipment, is the largest company yet to enter the market selling long-range Wi-Fi equipment. Others with uber-Wi-Fi networks include cordless-phone maker Engenius and networking companies Linksys and D-Link. These companies said they've had success peddling the gear to Web providers that are even smaller than Proxim's customers. Proxim's gear is already being used by likes of Mile High Online in Denver and Prairie Inet in West Des Moines, Iowa. The Proxim product can achieve long distances because the company boosted the power inside its access points--the radios that create the network. It also added additional antennas to the access points so signals could be beamed directly to a home, rather than creating a cloud of access.

Information Visualisation Journal PALGRAVE JOURNALS.com -- The first issue of the Information Visualization Journal is freely available online. It's a peer-reviewed international journal, serving researchers and practitioners throughout the world on all topics related to information visualization. The journal publishes articles on fundamental research and applications of information visualization, including theories, methodologies, techniques.

Web Collage JWZ.org -- Enter a phrase into a search engine and capture an image as a result. Then combine the images onto a single Web page. Then you have a Web Collage!

Conwy Valley Bedrock Geology CONWY VALLEY -- Deep gorges expose bedrock geology throughout parts of Wales, where slate grows both horizontally and vertically.

Fresh Air Near Conwy CONWY, Wales -- Ruth and Bernie enjoy some quiet time along a mountainous path, in the shadows of Yr Wyddfa, Glydeririau and the Carneddau. We walked along the Bwrdeistref Sirol lake before taking time out next to dozens of sheep who appeared to be glued to the side of a 45 degree slope.