Sam Churchill

I'm a LAN enthusiastic and live downtown near Portland State University (11th & Market). I want to do live webcasts of weddings (a church is right across the street). I have an RG-1000 Access Point, a Sharp Tripad (a nifty little Windows CE machine) and a FreeGeek box with Mandrake. BTW, the Tripad works great but I'm selling it for $200 if anyone's interested (503.228.6459).

Here are some related links:

• [http://www.sdots.com/wireless The Community LAN Revolution] - A 12 page (and counting) resource, spun off from an Article in [http://www.computerbits.com/archive/20010100/communitylan.htm Computer Bits] (Jan, 01).

• [http://www.universitypark.org/hope/index.html Proposal for North Portland Wireless Network] This web presentation describes a proposed wireless system for North Portland. A rooftop antenna on University Park Community Center would provide wireless "last mile" service using the 5 Ghz band (prefered). I may submit the proposal (if it's viable) for a Mt. Hood Cable Grant. Is it workable? Please give me your opinions on this proposal. Thanks.

• [http://www.sdots.com S Dot S Publishing] is a publishing business I share with my mom (Dorothy), and sister (Sue).

• [http://home.teleport.com/~samc/index1.html My current homepage] sucks. All my web pages on Teleport were erased by Earthlink when they moved servers. Earthlink is awful. I'm bailing.

• [http://www.sdots.com/telecom/ The Oregon Telecommunications Atlas], researched Oregon Telecommunications infrastructure for the Oregon Economic Development Office. That prompted my interest in the "last mile". I think [http://www.satnews.com/free/linkstuff/servcat.html satellite providers] in the 20/30 Ghz band could be the key to cost/effective broadband in rural areas. I'm crossing my fingers for Echostar 6. Too bad we can't get Boeing at The Government to re-direct some of that $100 Billion spent on spy satellites for a $20 two-way wrist telephone.

• PgePark wireless lan proposal. Why not? [http://home.teleport.com/~samc/wireless/map.html Here's more on my web page]

• ChurchLan is a wireless LAN webcasting proposal for [http://www.oldchurch.org/ The Old Church]. They offer a community space for performances and weddings. I live kitty-corner from them and their director seems open to the idea. This project might provide a good showcase and offer publicity for anyone who wants to get involved.

• InteractiveSculpture. Constructing some sort of mobile, interactive sculpture for neighborhood celebrations intrigues me. A Calderesq sculpture might have movement and sound built with PVC pipe, small motors and other junk for $100 or so. It interacts with passersby. The idea here is to make people smile. A liberating, self-actualized theme, it would work on the sub-conscious with stylized simplicity and innocence.

http://www.letsgodigital.nl/webpages/news/df/sony/IP55_article2.jpg I think it would be cool to webcast the Rose Parade. From a float. A laptop runing webcam software and linked with 144 Kbps Sprint or Voicestream 3G cellular as well as the PioneerSquare node could work. [http://www.sdots.com/wireless/webcasting.html Here's more on Webcasting] How about wiring an Oregonian or Tribune reporter with a Steve Mannish http://www.wearcam.org Track the reporter 24/7 during Rose Festival week. [http://www.letsgodigital.nl/webpages/news/df/sony/IP55.html Sony's MicroMV DCR-IP55] could work as a Bluetooth-enabled helmetcam. The Bluetooth modem connects to a laptop or mobile phone. A lipstick camera and mike attached to eyeglass frames makes it inconspiquous. A small wire would run down to the camcorder in the reporter's pocket while Bluetooth connects the camcorder to the 3G phone or laptop. [http://www.sonystyle.com/vaio/sr/index.shtml Sony's $1,500 laptops] with built-in 802.11b can run up to 12 hrs. Add a $500 Bluetooth phone and [http://www.sonystyle.com/vaio/sr/index.shtml $1,500 Bluetooth camcorder] and a dedicated [http://www.steves-digicams.com/2002_reviews/360one.html 360 degree camera] for good measure. Are you are ready to rumble?

[http://www.panasonic.co.uk/nw/products/product.asp?c=NVEX21B Panasonic has a similar $1500 MPEG-4 camera]. Their [http://www.matsushita.co.jp/corp/news/official.data/data.dir/en011218-4/en011218-4.html $350 camera records MPEG-4 on chips]. Reporters carry audio recorders. This is better, smaller, all solid state (no tape) and records 2 hours of audio/video per 128Meg chip. NY Times reporters carry consumer camcorders. Print reporting can be more immediate and nuanced with on-scene video interviews. Broadcasters have a tiny news hole and don't want to take eyeballs away from expensive video advertising. They're SO 20th century. TabletPCs are connected. Broadcasters aren't. If [http://www.realnetworks.com/company/press/releases/2002/nascar.html RealVideo can put fans in the driver's seat at NASCAR.com] then so can newspapers. Newspapers can shut broadcasters down. For good.

The Touch-Screen Community LAN Kiosk

PersonalTelco's Pioneer Square node in downtown Portland consists of a Sylistic 1000 running Linux & NoCat. A wired NIC connects upstream to a T1 feed. A wireless NIC (Orinoco Silver?) is connected to a 120 degree sector antenna. This antenna is mounted in an 8th floor window of the building that is on the north side of the Square. The antenna is tilted down towards the Square to provide coverage for that whole area, including Starbucks.

But [http://www.oregonlive.com/pioneersquarecam/ the big "i" sculpture in the middle of Pioneer Square] wants [http://www.kiosks.org/articles/pr022701a.html a touch-screen].

[http://www.elotouch.com/support/linux.asp Elotouch has one with Linux support] and infrared sensors. The touch frame needs no special physical surface. The laptop display can be located behind a waterproof plexiglass window. Only the external frame is exposed and it can be water-proof.

The laptop display might be placed directly behind the plexiglass window in the "i". The weather-proof frame sits outside using infrared sensors for touch interactivity. A motorcycle battery could provide 18 hours of operation and get charged at night.

[http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/ Tablet PCs] might work. They're driven by touch. A plug and play USB touch-frame would be cheap and easy. [http://www.viewsonic.com/products/viewpad1000.cfm Viewsonic's ViewPad 1000] is available now.

A $6,000 touch-screen kiosk providing free 802.11b access might be subsidized by advertising. If you make $500/month with interactive access to hotel/model reservations, tourist information, and even remote web cameras, it could pay for itself the first year. PersonalTelco profits by servicing the things (at $100/hr).

If each of the following organziations contributed $1000, we might do a one year test.

[http://www.oregon.gov oregon.gov] [http://www.traveloregon.com traveloregon.com] [http://www.tripcheck.com tripcheck.com] [http://www.econ.state.or.us econ.state.or.us]

[http://www.pova.com pova.com] [http://www.pdxchamber.org/ pdxchamber.org] [http://www.portlandprogress.com/ portlandprogress.com] [http://www.rosefestival.org/ rosefestival.org]

Then I'd tie 'em together state-wide with [http://www.realityfusion.com/corp/products/teamview/ Video Conferencing].

The Live Remote Van Concept

I fear that group owners will centralcast broadcast television, shutting down local broadcast news operations. They killed local radio. My solution is a webvan. It would produce live local 2-way audio and video productions distributed via broadband. Schools could produce a virtual field trip, governments could have emergency communications and news media could go anywhere. With live videoconferencing. Oregon has a 2-way video conferencing network - in place - in virtually every high school building. Why not use it?

A remote (live) news vehicle for news media like the Oregonian would be cheaper than broadcast vans because MPEG-4 doesn't require dedicated satellite transponders. Cellular networks could be used in a pinch. And it's 2-way. A remote van might cost under $50,000 and generate a profit, year one:

A. Hybrid Vehicle: These battery/gas vehicles are really generators on wheels.

[1] [http://www.hybridcars.com/ Hybrid Cars] [2] [http://www.howstuffworks.com/hybrid-car.htm How Hybrids Work] [3] [http://www.hybridford.com/index.asp Hybrid Ford SUV] [4] [http://prius.toyota.com/technology/ Hybrid Toyota] [5] [http://www.electrifyingtimes.com Electrifying Times] [6] [http://www.stmi.com/disaster4.html Satellite-equipped HumVee]

B. Network Cameras: These plug into the van's router and supply live wide shots from a telescoping mast on the roof of the van/SUV.

[1] [http://www.dlink.com/products/DigitalHome/DigitalVideo/dcs1000w/ D-Link WiFi network camera] [2] [http://www.axis.com/products/cam_2100/index.htm Axis Network Camera] [3] [http://www.wincam.com/netcam/ StarDot Netcam] [4] [http://www.panasonic.com/consumer_electronics/gate/cameras.asp Panasonic Network Camera] [5] [http://www.x10.com/products/x10_sw21a.htm X-10's Interactive camera system] costs less than $300. A wireless laptop could be your host. [6] [http://www.truelook.com/livetruelooks/livetruelooks.jsp?Cat=go+places True Look interactive webcameras] feature time lapse, 360 panoramas and wireless options. [7] [http://www.videobotics.com/ Videobotics] has more options [8] [http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/PAO/X-Press/stories/103101/new_watr.txt.html HD Long Range Optics] can track the space shuttle at 100 miles.

C. Mobile MPEG-4 Cameras/Encoders: Firewire camcorder plugs into laptop running MPEG-4 encoder. It's linked via 802.11a/g/b to the van. The van uplinks using a $5,000 mobile satellite dish.

[1] [http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2002/feb/12qt6.html Apple's MPEG-4 QuickTime 6] [2] [http://www.apple.com/quicktime/products/qtss/ QuickTime 6 server] (runs on Linux and other platforms) [3] [http://www.sun.com/wireless/streaming/;$sessionid$LHMNKDMMSRM0VAMTA1LU4GQl Sun's MPEG-4 support] [4] [http://www.realnetworks.com/products/producer/index.html Real Producer with MPEG-4] [5] [http://www.realnetworks.com/products/mobile_server/ Real's MPEG-4 mobile server] [6] [http://www.envivio.com/solutions/elb Envivo's live MPEG-4 encoder] works with: [7] [http://www.realnetworks.com/company/press/releases/2001/mpeg4.html Real's MPEG-4 server]

D. Two-way mobile satellite dish: This uplinks at least 64Kbps but ideally 1.5Mbps for broadcast-quality MPEG-4 remotes. The feed goes to a streaming video server for state-wide/national distribution.

Portable 2-way dishes: [1] [http://www.landseasystems.com/land3080a.htm LandSea's TT-3080A Mobile Messenger] [2] [http://www.motosat.com/twoway_001.htm Motosat] [3] [http://www.radiotvnet.com/featured.asp#Satellite Swe-dish]

Potential satellite providers:

[1] [http://www.tachyon.net/ Tachyon] [2] [http://www.onsatnet.com/html/libraries/libraries.html OnSat] [3] [http://www.wildblue.com/ Wild Blue] [4] [http://www.hns.com/products/advanced_platforms/spaceway/overview.htm SpaceWay] Over 100 Native American reservations use solar-powered [http://www.onsatnet.com/html/libraries/libraries.html OnSat] for internet access. A [http://www.onsatnet.com/html/faq/faq.html solar-powered OnSat system] that uses 802.11b for the last mile and supports 50 users may cost $50,000 plus $10/mo for ISP connectivity. That's the equivalent of $1000 overhead per user plus $10/mo and doesn't include administration costs. It would be difficult to price less than $50/month and still be self-sustaining.

E. Voice over IP telephony/videoconferencing:

VOIP cordless phones using 802.11b: [1] [http://www.symbol.com/products/wireless/wireless_sp24_netvisionappli_d.html Symbol's NetVision Data Phone with 802.11b, TCP/IP, H.323 and POP3] (the phone can also receive e-mail), all implemented in hardware ($699) [2] [http://www.spectralink.com/products/NetLinkIP.html Spectralink's full-featured, direct sequence spread spectrum, IP wireless telephone]

Handhelds using 802.11b with software for text/video conferencing [1] [http://messenger.yahoo.com/ Yahoo Messenger] [2] [http://www.pocketpc.com Microsoft PocketPC] [3] [http://www.telesym.com/products.html Telesym PocketPC VoIP] [4] [http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/Embedded XP video conferencing]

With [http://www.octavecomm.com/solutions/mobility.asp Octave Improv], a single command, such as "call emergency team", can be used to reach an entire list of people by phone. The system automatically tries all of the phone numbers and leaves a voice message on an answering machine or sends an immediate text message via email, page, SMS, or instant messaging system, such as AOL Instant Messenger, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, and ICQ.

IBM is demonstrating a tiny computer code-named [http://www.research.ibm.com/resources/news/20020206_metapad.shtml Meta Pad]

It could serve as a laptop, desktop or handheld when snapped into different modules. It could be the basis for everything, the belt-clipped wearcam, the OpenAP repeaters, the laptops and the VoIP telephones. The van could include 24 or them, 8 laptops, 8 wearcams, 4 OpenAP repeaters and 4 spares.

3D collaboration in a simulation world would be enabled by wearcam display technologies like [http://mvis.com/ Microvision] that can project [http://java.sun.com/products/java-media/3D/ Java 3D] or other 3D Java renderers like [http://www.shout3d.com/ Shout3D] and [http://www.anfyteam.com/panfy3d.html Anfy3D] into the eye.

Ultimately, [http://www.jxta.org/project/www/background.html JXTA], a set of open, generalized peer-to-peer protocols, will allow any connected device (cell phone, to PDA, PC to server) on the network to communicate and collaborate. Inexpensive, hand-held canners and sensors using [http://developer.intel.com/design/intelxscale/ Intel's X-Scale] might connect to[http://www.snapappliances.com/products/12000/index.asp 1 Terabyte network storage] in the van and connect to the [http://www.teragrid.org/ National TeraGrid]. A [http://www.webmap.com WebMap] provides one-click access to RFID (radio frequency ID) tags and [http://www.infoworld.com/features/ferealtimecomputing.html real-time data tracking] such as used in [http://www.neptune.washington.edu/pub/whats_neptune/whats_neptune.html The Neptune Project]. [http://www.idgexecforums.com/cgi-bin/demo2002/demonstrator.cgi?t=name Demo 2002 previewed many real-time products] that might be applied by [http://www.oregon.gov/index.cfm?CurrPID=833 Oregon counties], the [http://www.oregon.gov/ State of Oregon], or [http://www.firstgov.gov/ Federal Government] resources. [http://www.evolution.com/product/photo.masn Robot Kits] might pay for themselves the first week by saving costs of security personel.

• Just as dams on the Columbia feed the power grid, northwest server farms at Intel, nCube, HP and others could feed broadband to the [http://www.hpl.hp.com/news/2001/oct-dec/planetary.html Planetary Computing Grid]. My vision of a [http://us.cooltown.hp.com/home.htm Cool Town] is simple; everyone gets an iPaq and communications is free.

I'm basically a writer and web designer focused on content issues. I'm one of these people who likes to embed [http://www.vgmusic.com/ Video Game Midis] in web pages (don't you just that).

• [http://www.sdots.com/wireless/map.html An Oregon Information and Entertainment Network]

http://sdots.com/wireless/onscene.jpg

Broadband can multicast to tens (or hundreds) of thousands of digital cable boxes and internet appliances. Faster, cheaper, better. Here's how:

Neighborhood nodes might use 5 Ghz to deliver "the first mile". The [http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/802/16/ 802.16 Metropolitan Wireless LAN standard] is optimized for the "first mile" while 802.11a is optimized for use inside the home or office.

Five Gig LANs include Enterasys [http://www.enterasys.com/products/items/RBTR2/ RoamAbout2] which [http://www.crn.com/Components/Search/Article.asp?ArticleID=26138 combines 2.4 and 5 GHz Access Points], [http://home.intermec.com/eprise/main/Intermec/Content/About/NewsPages/pressRelease?section=about&pressID=306 Intermec's MobileLAN 2106], [http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1004-200-7093015.html?tag=prntfr Intel 54 Mbps access points] or [http://www.Avaya.com/ Avaya Wireless Access Point-3] ($1,295) which supports a 802.1X port authentication.

[http://www.citynettelecom.com/index.swf CityNet Fiber] goes the last mile and links those neighborhood nodes -- through the sewer system.

[http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/prod_100201.html Cisco's 12404, 10Gbps router] integrates Ethernet with voice and video. Their 10720 router ($43,300) is expensive but delivers multiple, simultaneous IP services and has a self-healing mechanism for automatic fiber cut repair using SONET fiber rings.

[http://www-4.ibm.com/software/speech/enterprise/ep_8.html IBM's WebSphere Translation Server] delivers Web pages, e-mail messages and chat conversations in multiple languages, in real time and is teaming with [http://www.akamai.com/ Akamai] to deliver streaming video.

[http://www.enreach.com/Products/ EnReach] says, "IP based broadband is the most cost-effective and fastest way to launch combined video and data services to the home." Their [http://www.enreach.com/Products/demotrialsys.htm rack-mount IP VOD system] supports 20 simultaneous streams and can deliver IP-based video to apartment buildings using switched Ethernet to bring broadband access to each home.

[http://www.techtv.com/siliconspin/features/story/0,23008,3346050,00.html Five major studios will deliver VOD to computer users](Sony, Warner Bros., Universal, Paramount, and MGM). Disney and Fox, may also have their own VOD service in the works. Streaming content available from satellite includes [http://www.ibeam.com/ iBeam] and [http://www.net-36.com/ Net-36].

[http://www.polycom.com/products/video_family.html Polycom] and [http://www.radvision.com/f_products/f1_platformvip.php3?prod=Platform%2BOverview RadVision] offer teleconferencing with Voice and Video over IP. Apartment buildings and condominiums might profit from distance learning rooms. With [http://www.polycom.com/products/viavideo.html Netmeeting on a laptop] and Wireless LAN or 3G cellular connectivity, mobile, adhoc teleconferences might be practical.

[http://www.nokia.com/multimedia/mediaterminal.html Nokia's MediaTerminal settop box] ($350) or [http://www.digitalnetworks.philips.com/InformationCenter/PhilipsInternet/FArticleWithDomains.asp?lArticleId=1109&lNodeId=13 Philips MHP platform] can receive (and record) video on demand.

[http://www.pace.co.uk/paceproducts/index.asp The Pace set-top box] works with cable or "wireless cable" while [http://www.ncube.com/internet/index.html nCUBE provides VCR controls for the client] using servers in the network. One [http://www.ncube.com/vod/architecture.html nCube server] can stream RealVideo 8 content to as many as 200,000 customers simultaneously.

[http://www.pocketpc.com Microsoft's PocketPC] can receive Wireless LANs and live television with [http://www.microsoft.com/mobile/pocketpc/pocketpc2002/mediaplayer.asp streaming Media Player]. Handhelds can also [http://www.snapstream.com/news/pr09/Default.htm record video programs] for later playback. [http://www.fathammer.com/company/index.html Mobiletainment] is enabled with [http://developer.intel.com/design/wireless/pca/pca.htm Intel Client Architecture].

I figure in 2-3 years, handheld players (with goggles) may be cheaper than a 25" television. And two-way. Are you ready?

I think the solution to ubiquitious broadband may be to buy a UhfTelevision channel! Channels 50-69 go up for auction this June. Here's how to buy a UhfTelevision channel for 2-way internet access.

• http://sdots.com/wireless/3view.jpg

Here are some of my related web sites

• [http://www.sdots.com/seas/ The Subduction Zone] - I think oceanography is interesting and I trek down to Astoria every summer and see what's up with Alvin.

  [http://www.universitypark.org/proposals/ University Park Community Center] - I make web pages (and proposals) at University Park.

  • These web sites might not work; I'm relocating them

  [http://www.teleport.com/~samc/wap/ Bluetooth Article] - Here's a short article I did on BlueTooth. I talked with Nigel Ballard of [http://www.cerulic.com/ Cerulic], located in SE Portland. They are major providers of both 802.11b and [http://www.Bluetooth.com/ Bluetooth] in public places such as airports and hotel lobbies.

  [http://www.teleport.com/~samc/telecom/ The Oregon Telecommunicatins Atlas] - A comprehensive survey of telecommunications infrastructure in the state.

  [http://www.teleport.com/~samc/bike/ Sam's Webcam Cookbook] - The honest truth is I don't know what I'm talking about. It reads nice, though, and got some recognition. You might note I don't have any webcams working. Couldn't figure out how to do it.

  [http://www.teleport.com/~samc/sc/ Portland Supercomputer Conference '99] - Nobody EVER visits this site but I think it's cool. Maybe it's the [http://www.tombrusky.com/ Polka music].

  [http://www.teleport.com/~samc/robots/ Robots in Portland] - Robots are cool. I want to put one inside Mt St. Helens. Controlled by Wireless LAN, of course.

  [http://www.teleport.com/~samc/hdtv/ebook/ Sam's Digital Television Report] - It's The End for local broadcasters. I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Adventures in Homelessness

My unemployment is running out. I'm a decent web designer and writer but looking for a job has never been my forte.

If I can't pay my rent, then I'm out on the street. Really. I've done it before for almost a year. It's not that big a hardship. There's plenty of free food in Portland and you can stay at the emergency shelter and you have plenty of free time.

If I DO become homeless, how could I survive? If I had a cell phone/PocketPC perhaps I could continue making web pages. Meeting clients might be difficult but, hey, that's what e-mail and cell phones are for.

Here's the proposition: I'll put everything into storage for 6 months. Then I'm on the street for real. I have virtually nothing in the bank so I'll have to live on my wits. I'll create a daily journal that includes photos and stories of the people I meet and the places I'll go. Sort of a low-budget Steve Roberts journey. You could have the marketing rights in exchange for a 2.5G cell connection and hardware like a [http://www.ita.sel.sony.com/products/pc/notebook/pcgc1xs.html Sony Picturebook] with a [http://www.xircom.com/cda/page/1,1298,0-0-1_1-1627,00.html Xircom GPRS PC Card]. If I last 6 months (without a job offer) I get to keep it. I already have a Nikon digital and a $30 mini-cassette recorder. They would be my only material possessions except the clothes on my back.

This is a real proposition. I don't have anything to fall back on except my own wits. I'm not after a "big break". I tend to take the easy way out and this is it. I don't have any legal, emotional or chemical show stoppers. It seems like an interesting and useful endeavor.

I'm 53 and should know better. But here I am. I want to write good stories but I'm not good at marketing. What would you do?

- Sam Churchill samc@teleport.com 503.228.6459

• I wish I had some ideas Sam, but I'm afraid I don't. I admire your courage though and that you see this as the "easy way". If you can think of anyway I can help, let me know. -- AdamShand

Hey, thanks, Adam. It's just an idea that seems worthwhile. I'll probably take the easy way out -- and get a job!

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