APRS is used by Hams. It usesPacket Radio to send position information then plots your current position on a map. That map can be accessed on the web. It's used for plotting the position of vehicles, weather status, radio direction finding, etc. It envolves mapping, GPS tracking and packet radio. Perhaps some of the techniques of APRS could be applied to 802.11b networks.
Take a look. Where is Doug Ferrel right now? Here's a real-time map. Scanning Tallahassee has more. The submersible Alvin will be off the Oregon coast this summer. Track it.
Here's a PocketPC with real-time tracking maps! APRS looks alot likeGraviton which uses a cellular backbone to relay moving telemetry.
I don't know much about APRS but the implications seem significant for wireless networks. Imagine runners with a PocketPC being tracked with real-time telemetry on heart beats and respiration. I smell a $500 Nike shoe/watch!
Mike Condon has the right idea. His Imperial Cruiser is a Dodge van with real-time tracking. A van equipped with a mobile, 2-way satellite dish, live MPEG-4 video and 2-way videoconferencing from anywhere is now affordable by individuals. Broadband can't happen fast enough for me. Schools, libraries and media outlets like newspapers, radio and television could expand their boundries, state-wide.
Group owners killed local radio and have local television in their sights. Fuck them.
Be your own network.
- Sam