1. What's it all about?

Good question.

In a nutshell, it's about building lots and lots of wireless networks. Ultimately for the sake of building freely accessible Community Networks that mirror the existing social networks within Communities.

We're a social network of people who run and build wireless networks, addressing public policy and developing software applications - with the goal of linking them all up to weave a fabric of independently owned and distributed community wireless network infrastructure. Our activities enhance the Internet by focussing on local, sustainable and economically viable Internet-like systems at a grassroots level.

We also use (and in some cases develop) wireless technology to bring connectivity into communities that have limited or legacy infrastructure. We setup community hotspot's that enable local content and media publishing. We develop and experiment with software to create quasi-intelligent network mesh that can automatically discover and route to near by networks. We hack on mobile computing technology to create proximity based network awareness. We also develop educational materials for other groups.

The GeneralOverview addresses more specific questions about us.

2. Can I play?

You bet! We're a non-profit group that works in a horizonal, peer to peer/self-directed manner. We work with other citizens, non-profit organizations, and Industry Leaders who wish to bridge the digital divide and improve quality of life for the public good.

You should create a BC Wireless account, signup as a volunteer and participate in the project forums. We have a bunch of management software that helps keep track of projects over time as well. Don't be afraid to speak up, we don't bite (much).

3. Where can I read up on some technical information?

The FrequentlyAskedQuestions page has many overviews on technical bits.

4. Letting people know you want to set up a network

Hang out in our Internet Relay Chat channel on irc.bcwireless.net.
Create a BC Wireless account, and put in your City and Postal Code. This will let other people find you through the website.
Create a NodeDB entry on http://www.nodedb.com/ so that other people know about you! This is the single most important thing you need to do!
Join the General Group and introduce yourself.
Sign the GuestBook!

5. Figure out where you want to have Wifi coverage

We do not focus our efforts on WiFi, although many of us use it due to its commodity nature. Many of us prefer Fibre and enterprise wireless equipment such as WiMax and gigabit optical network devices.
Wireless101 is LineOfSight. If you can see it, then you can probably throw your Wireless signal there too. Trees can be a problem, but not always. First and foremost, determine where you want to send your signal to, then work out what you need to do, in order to route around any obstructions.

6. Set up some Wireless hardware

The first thing you'll want to do is setup a WirelessAccessPoint (sometimes called a HotSpot as well) and a wireless network card to connect with. The HardwareComparison page lists many Wireless devices and is a resource well worth bookmarking.

You can setup an easy node by purchasing an Access Point and a ClientDevice, connecting them together using a CrossOverCable.
- A Linksys WAP11 acts as an Access Point, users connect here.
- A WET11 can be used as a client, and links Wirelessly to another node.
- The WAP11 and WET11 communicate to each other using the CrossOverCable.
A more advanced, and flexible setup is to build a LinuxNode using an old PC.
- An old 486 or Pentium class computer sitting in the closet can run Linux easily enough, and support a few interfaces.
- Laptops with two PCMCIA/MiniPCI slots.
- Soekris or http://bcwireless.net/moin.cgi/WirelessRouterApplicationPlatform WRAP boards
Most of our Infrastructure nodes are PC's mounted in weather proof cases, running Linux.

After you've become more familiar with Wireless, you can easily upgrade your node. One of the first things you'll probably want to do is increase the range of your network by adding an ExternalAntenna, and possibly putting the AP outside.

6.1. Becoming part of the Mesh

The NetworkStructure is made up of Wireless nodes that connect people together. NeighborHoodNetworks connect people around you with each other, and and UplinkNode can help your NeighborHoodNetwork connect to other communities.

Uplink Nodes are the main points of presence. These nodes have a bunch of Wireless interfaces that connect to other backbone nodes. Generally these nodes need to have a high elevation to provide maximum line of sight, and need to be in a safe and secure area where they won't be tampered with.

If you have RightsOfWay you can give us for a long period of time, let us know! Even if you don't have time or interest in setting up your own WirelessNode, we'd greatly appreciate having a place to put our own equipment at.

7. Link to another node

This is where it all happens. Find another node who you have good line of sight with and get in touch with the node owner. Setup a Point to Point link and routing using the IpAllocations table, and let the everyone else know by updating your NodeDB page, the Wiki and announcing the link to the Infrastructure Group.

8. Getting help

The IrcChannel usually has someone who can help you, or least point you in the right direction. MonthlyMeetings are a good place to come if you want face to face help.

9. Be aware of your responsibilities

You are using a shared resource. You must not:
- cause interference to other users.
  - Work with others to ResolveInterferenceIssues
  - Don't use excessive amounts of power (ie: Amplifiers), we can do a lot with a little bit of power and good antennas.
  - Don't modify radio gear unless you really know what you are doing.
- don't leach copious amounts of bandwidth. Again, this is a shared resource. If you are downloading something at 5 Mbps over an 8 Mbps link, not much bandwidth is left for anyone else. We call this an undue burden.

10. Keep in touch

Our website is a Wiki, and we have some custom tools to help things along. Check out UsingOurWebsite to find out how you can keep in touch over the long term and help make things better.
Hang out in our IrcChannel
Become a volunteer and be kept up to date on projects happening near you, plus get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing you're helping other people get started, do cool FieldPlay activities and learn stuff!
Participate in the Project Groups
Voice your opinion!
Come to our MonthlyMeetings.
Help maintain the Wiki.

11. Spread the word!

Help us grow!
- Tell your friends, setup a NeighboorHoodNetwork, have local meetings.
- Print out flyers and post them around around your region to get let other people know about the project.
- Volunteer your time to help people build their own wireless nodes.