Node name: Vivace Coffee House
Live Date: August 13, 2004
Sponsor: Vivace Coffee House
Contact: DarrinEden
Status: Inactive node

NW 23rd and Pettygrove
Portland, OR

Equipment Donated

Software Installed

Network Topology

Installers / Organizers

Maintenance and System Log

Notes

PPPoA w/DHCP

My wife and I (she on an iBook, me on a PowerBook) both note that the internet connection here seems, well, sticky. Sometimes in Camino or Safari we have to click on a link three or four times to get the connection to go through to the site. We get "site cannot be found" notices, and then it finally goes through a bit sluggishly. First day hangups?

Michael Zwirn 08/14/04 5:34 pm PST

It's a 256K symmetric link. I noticed it performing sluggishly as well. It would certainly do well to analyze further. --DarrinEden

First off: So cool to see another ptp node, and one right near me! I'll definitely be using this in future.

I had similar experiences as MZwrin, with me on a Transmeta Crusoe (windoze) tablet, and my wife on a late model HP running a newer [and more evil] form of windoze. Site feels a bit sticky tonight, although it did work acceptably IMHO.

The shop has their AP sitting atop the microwave in the very hot kitchen. Next time they thaw something with the mwave, the node is gonna be completely OUT for a bit. I hope it also stands up to the amazing temperatures that must be endured inside that kitchen in the summer (I also feel for the employees!). I'm sure it will, being a solid state device.

I also looked at the physical AP; it has a single 10cm antenna. Could its location (simply raising it would help; moving it more centrally in the building would also help, perhaps into the South room on the main floor), and/or its antennae situation be improved?

I sat in the front room (first floor) beyond the entry/ordering area, and just on the other side of the half wall that frames the (always open) sliding pocket doors. This is the room immediately South of the front counter. Behind the half wall, I got 80% signal strength. Two walls (mine and kitchen wall) separated me from the AP. By moving a few feet West into the open area of the doorway (with direct line of site to ordering counter, and now only one wall between me and AP) the signal strength was essentially 100%.

I'm pretty sure Vivace would allow a simple wall shelf (or even ceiling suspension) to be created to hold the AP. The unit would experience less ambient heat being outside of the kitchen, and would likely have better signal propagation if it were positioned more centrally and not forced to send signals thru the (unnecessary) first wall separating the kitchen from the North ordering room.

Just my thoughts upon first use, hope they help. I'll definitely be back there to read /. on my tablet ;-)

[I'm the person looking to set up a node at NW 24th and Northrup, see my email to president "at" ptp]

[CategoryFormerNode][CategoryPersonalTelco]

NodeVivace (last edited 2008-02-03 13:59:13 by JasonMcArthur)