FON is a community and its members are called foneros. The basic idea is to share access to the InterNet via WiFi. A fonero opens his WiFi access point for other foneros and in return gets free access to the Internet at the access point of all other foneros. World wide.
It requires custom software in the wireless router. If you have a Linksys or
Buffalo router, you can install the software in your own wireless router. Or
you can buy a fon ready router from them for only €5 ... Well, that is ex
tax and shipping cost. I payed €17.50 to get it delivered to my door, but
that still is a bargain for a Lynksys WRT54GL. The catch is that you must
register it within 30 days or they send you a bill for a €45 surcharge, The
normal method of registration requires a WiFi capable computer running a web
browser.
The WiFi environment is completely separated from the local LAN. Visiting Foneros can not see any shared devices on the local LAN. All access is logged and only registered Foneros have access. In addition you can give five members of your family access via your own access point.
So I installed it, had it registered and now I am fonero # 67129 and my access point is on the map. Presently the range is rather small, but I intend to extend the range with an external antenna, so that I can attract more users. How does that sound to a sysop? "attract users". ;-)
The movement is growing fast. It started in January and there now are over 70.000 members. In the Netherlands the 2000 mark is approaching. Of course this is still a very long way from full coverage, but one has to start somewhere. FidoNet did not start with full coverage either...
So Join The Family of FON: www.fon.com
FON index
FON, the search
FON, the bummer
FON, four years later
FON, SIMPL
This article was first published in FidoNews ,
July, 24th 2006.
FidoNews is the official newsletter of the FidoNet
community.
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Laatst bijgewerkt | last changed April 17, 2011.
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