This is a page for editing the copy for a trifold handout to have available at and near our nodes (eg, at Heaven and PsychoNautical). I'll hammer something out today and then open it for review. -PatrickSullivan


Free Wireless Internet Access?

You are within range of a PersonalTelco.net Community Wireless Node! This means that if you have a laptop equipped with a WiFi 802.11b card, you can surf the internet from this location using bandwidth donated by a local individual or business!

How Can I Get Online?

You need a laptop and an 802.11b compatible wireless card. These cards are available at local computer stores at reasonable prices, usually under $100. Some popular brands are Lucent, Cisco, Linksys, USR, D-Link, Intel, Netgear, Proxim, and others. These cards come with software you can use to get online. Set your ESSID to 'www.personaltelco.net' to get online. Some new Apple laptops come with 802.11b ('Airport') cards already installed. Also, the owner of the node may have cards to lend out. Check out www.personaltelco.net on the web for reviews before you buy a card. They do vary in quality.

Do I Have To Be Some Kind Of Hacker To Do This Stuff?

No! Using PersonalTelco nodes is meant to be easy. Sometimes setting up your laptop with the proper configuration can be complicated, but there are plenty of people around to help if you run into trouble, whether you are a Linux, Windows or Macintish user.

Using PersonalTelco Nodes

To use a PersonalTelco Node, simply be within range, make sure your ESSID is set to www.personaltelco.net, and open your web browser. When you go to a web page, the NoCatAuth software will redirect you to a PersonalTelco User Agreement. Once you agree and click Login, you will be redirected back to the page you originally requested. You should only have to do this once.

Why Can't I Send E-Mail? PersonalTelco nodes block outgoing email to protect the bandwidth donaters from repercussions of people using the node to send spam. Try mail2web.com. Web-based email is not affected.

This Is Great, I'm Moving In!

Please remember to support the businesses that allow you to use their nodes or sit and surf using a nearby node. Give up a table if there are other paying customers. Please also respect the bandwidth - this means that peer to peer software like Limewire or Gnutella, or constantly streaming video, is not OK. Following simple common sense results in general good will and the creation of more nodes.

What Is PersonalTelco?

Portland's Personal Telco is the largest community LAN organization in Portland. Our members have dozens of 802.11b Access Points and many share internet access with friends and neighbors. Range is limited to 1000 feet but with directional antennas, inter-connected community LANs may soon provide a viable alternative to wired networks. We have monthly meetings where we discuss the network and welcome new people into our community. You can learn all about us, including how to start your own PersonalTelco node, at www.personaltelco.net.

This Node Generously Provided By:

(write or stamp node sponsor here)


[CategoryDocumentation]