Hello list, I've been sitting in the shadows for sometime (reading the digest mail). Thought it was about time I emerge and become a fully fledged participant.
I've been involved in the GNU/Linux/UNIX area for just over two years both commercially and as a hobby, maintaining our EDI links with customers (several Linux based servers - RedHat etc and recently Gentoo, which I can seriously recommend, and our main commercial server running HP-UX) as my day job and working on various websites mini-projects on a semi-commercial basis on an evening. I mainly develop in PHP/MySQL on the command-line and I'm in the process of starting my own business providing consultancy in an around the Diss area ( <shamelessplug>I'm available for hire</shamelessplug> :-)
Anyway, one of the main reasons why I decided to make this first posting to the list was to discuss the use of Wi-Fi as a reasonable ADSL alternative. Although Norwich West has ADSL capability, I live further than the minimum 5.5Km from the exchange, so I'm stuck with my BT Openworld 56Kb dial-up connection. We have two local businesses nearby which both have leased line capability but neither of them are prepared to let me hook some Wi-Fi kit up to their connection ;-) So i'm starting to investigate the possibility of a not-for-profit install of a leased line etc, hooking up a beefy machine with a Wi-Fi capability and provide 'broadband' services to the local area. Has anybody done this? is it feasible? what barriers am I likely to face? suggestions etc most welcome!
Regards, Nick
Ps. Hello Mark! hope all is well :-)