...It surrounds us. Penetrates us...

[Mahnarch]

Woodradio.com

"The Force..surrounds us. Penetrates us.....Binds the galaxy together..." - Ben Kenobi.


After three and a half years Ottawa County now has a county-wide wireless internets blanket for users of laptops and home PCs.

The internets are everywhere...

In an interview with Sprint they say that you can access it by buying some hardware (which they reimburse - mostly) and that you will have to pay a $60 fee per month to enjoy the experience.

How is this possible? Internets are internets.
Most computers will link up if there are any internets available.

When Ottawa Co. started this project in Grand Haven my laptop hooked up while I was on US31 without a password while I was doing 60MPH down the highway.

How can they charge a fee, now? When anyone can get it?

I'm also concerned about personal security since; everyone will be on the same network.
I can look at your files. You can look at mine. Just go into your "Network Files" folder.



The $60/month fee sounded high to me, at first. Until I realized that I'm spending about $100 for my DSL service now - which must come with phone service (which I don't use), caller ID (which I don't care for), voice mail (which I don't use) and call waiting (which, again, I don't use).

I may go back to using my old wireless card.

....and, with a little engenouity, I may get free internets from here on out.

I just need a willing guinea pig to test this.


Demona! What are you doing in the near future?

[Mahnarch]

I've emailed Ottawa Co. and asked for specifics.
We'll see if we get any answers.

[Demona]

I don't know anything about wireless. I've seen people plug laptops in to use them when in public. What do you mean what am I doing in the near future? I just came home from work and I'll be going to bed soon, lol.

[Mahnarch]

i NEED YOU.....opps, I hit the Caps lock..


I need you to be my guinea pig for this Ottawa Co. internets thing.

We'll get you a wireless card for your machine and see if you can connect at 1.2Mb after we disconnect your 56k modem.

Most laptops come with a wireless card installed. All you have to do is push a button (or leave it alone) to get a signal.


I'd rather mess up your machine before I fidgit with mine.....heh!

[Phil]

Sometimes what seems to be the most expensive thing isn't when you weigh what's included and having to pay extra for things.

I have a verizon plug in for my laptop. It's like a cell phone connection. I don't use the laptom a lot though. Sometimes on my break at work or to look something up it's on the floor of my truck most of the time.

[Demona]

I don't even own a laptop!

[Kimm]

I have a new laptop and it steals the signal from the nearest powerlink. So technically if Im in my laptop I have the same ip address as whatever signal I am posting from. If Im in my house it would be that IP address but if I am out in the back yard and it reads a neighbors signal it would come back to their ip.

If youre not breaking the law they probably dont care. If I just check my e mail or post a message here Im sure they wouldnt care. If youre trying to access bank accounts and the cops come knocking on their door that might be a problem. ;D

[Mahnarch]

Heh. I hate when the cops come knocking.
They usually want to borrow money....



Also, if you're on your neighbors WiFi you could check out files on their computer - and vice versa.

That was my other concern with this county-wide thing. Everyone would be able to see each other's files.

[Kimm]

Really?

You can access their documents from a remote computer?

[Mahnarch]

Yeah. If you go into Start/My Network (or, /My shared files, etc) you should be able to see anything they're sharing.

I'm no computer expert, anymore, by any means - but, that's how I set up my LAN here and can access my other computers to watch/listen to movies/songs from them.

[fartinggurl]

Our wireless system is secure, which means that unless we program your computer's IP address into our wireless system, you have no Internet access on your computer at my house. That way nobody can access any of our files, or use our Internet connection.

[Mahnarch]

I finally got a response from Ottawa Co.

He explained it pretty well. More than I expected from an elected official.

Hello Doug,

While free access to the Sprint service for Ottawa County residents would have been ideal, that is not the case with this system. The cost to access the Sprint broadband network in Ottawa County is $59.99 per month, which also provides customers the ability to access the wireless network anywhere in the nation where Sprint provides the broadband service. Additionally, although the service is wireless, the signal cannot be directly interpreted by a WiFi-enabled computer. Customers must use an AirCard that is plugged into a laptop or desktop computer in order to access the signal. These AirCards can be purchased at any local Sprint retail store. It is also worth noting that Sprint does offer a "bundle" package for customers that combine broadband service and cell phone service into one plan. If that is something you are interested in, you can contact a local Sprint retail store to speak with a sale representative. The following is a web link to a Press Release regarding the countywide wireless network, which includes contact information for three local Sprint stores.

www.miottawa.org/CoGov/Depts/Planning/projects.htm#Wireless

In regards to wireless in Grand Haven, there is actually a citywide WiFi network that provides limited Internet access. That system operated by a local wireless provider using an unlicensed radio frequency which offers free access within the general vicinity of the City; the system is not countywide.

I hope this answers your questions. Please feel free to contact me if you should have any other questions and/or require additional information.

Thank you,

Paul E. Sachs
Management/Planning Analyst
County of Ottawa
Department of Planning and Performance Improvement
12220 Fillmore Street, Suite 260
West Olive, Michigan 49460
(o) 616.738.4852
(f) 616.738.4625
www.miottawa.org