Re: Tonight's meeting and connectivity

Quoting Fielder George Dowding <fgdowding@iceworm-enterprises.org>:

> barsalou wrote:
..snip..

> Let me summarize my understanding of the situation and the possible
> solutions there to:
>
> 1. For reasons unknown (by me) the Anchorage School District (ASD)
> Information Technology Department (ADS-ITD) or the Highland Technical
> High School (HTH) Technical Support incumbent does not want AKLUG
> meetings at HTH to use the installed and obviously available Local Area
> Network which connects to the Internet through a nice big pipe.

I'm not clear on the reasons either...anyone else know?

>
> 2. There is a Clearwire modem some place in HTH which may (or may not be
> used) by AKLUG meetings. The details of the location and usage
> parameters have not been published to my knowledge.

I thought this was just a cable to an antennae that we could potentially use.

>
> 3. At least three of us (Jim Gribbin, Doug MacLean, and me) have brought
> in our Clearwire modem at one time or other with success. A long
> Ethernet cable is needed to connect the modem to the switch (that
> someone brings) because the modem must be out doors to connect.

Sorry I left you off the list earlier, Fielder. Wasn't aware you were
bringing your connection.

>
> 4. A traditional criterion for selecting a meeting location for AKLUG
> Laboratory Sessions is Internet connectivity. We seem to be agreed that
> the bigger the pipe the better.

Definitely.

>
> 5. My thought is to pursue the easiest course first, namely, the
> Clearwire modem already in place at HTH. We already use a long Ethernet
> cable. Is a longer one needed? Is a key to a classroom or other locked
> space needed? Are there other solvable problems to overcome?

I agree, if there is one in place, we should see if they would allow us
to access that.
>
> 6. Should the easiest course not be a viable solution, then let us ask
> Clearwire if they would like to support us. Support could take the form
> of full or partial discount. If partial discount, we would have to ask
> other firms to help.

This makes sense.

An additional consideration: If we end up asking other firms to help,
how we might display their support? In the past, the group has been
against local company logos and there has been a long standing drive to
keep that sort of "commercialism" off the AKLUG site. Maybe we
considering a new direction? Feedback?

>
> 7. Should Clearwire not be interested in making a contribution to AKLUG,
> then let us ask for support from the various communications businesses
> here in Anchorage. We would want something portable so we could take it
> with us should we have to move. I don't know all the available options
> that the several communications businesses offer. In any case, it would
> be well to come up with a comprehensive list so we can help the newcomer
> to decide on an Internet connection.
>
> 8. Finally, ask for donations from the AKLUG members. My connection with
> Clearwire runs a few cents under $55.00 per month. I took a two year
> contract so there was no setup charge. There may be other options
> available, and Clearwire may charge more for an organization like AKLUG.

Thanks for your thoughts, Fielder.

Mike B.

----------------------------------------------------------------
This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program.

---------
To unsubscribe, send email to <aklug-request@aklug.org>
with 'unsubscribe' in the message body.
Received on Fri Sep 14 12:06:16 2007