Want Wi-Fi? Learn the secret code

[Jason Dunn]

<a href="http://news.com.com/2100-1033-939546.html?tag=dd.ne.dht.nl-sty.0">http://news.com.com/2100-1033-939546.html?tag=dd.ne.dht.nl-sty.0</a><br /><br />Warchalking? What a silly name. Interesting concept though. Are people really that desperate for wireless connections? It would seem the answer is yes.<br /><br />"Seventy years ago, during the Great Depression in the United States, hobos drew signs to indicate to each other where they could get a meal. Now, across the Atlantic in London, geeks are talking about using a similar system of chalk symbols to signal where they can get a decent wireless Internet connection.<br /><br />Warchalking, as the practice has been coined by Matt Jones, entails simply drawing a chalk symbol on a wall or pavement to indicate the presence of a wireless networking node. If you see one of these symbols, you should--in theory at least--be able to whip out your notebook computer equipped with an 802.11 wireless networking card, and log on to the Net." Source: Steven Cedrone

[ricksfiona]

Interesting idea. Though, the international organization that creates signs could do something more official, especially for airports and large public places.

[Tom Eichers]

If you found the access with someones PAN, would you mark their clothing ?. :D

Kind of a neat idea. On his site, I like the story about the fight that breaks out between some "WiBos"

""In London today a gang war broke out over a territorial dispute. However, the territory was not physical space, but a wireless cloud of bandwidth. The dispute erupted when a Wi-fi user of a local free network connection accused another of dropping in on his wave. "Not only did this newbie drop in, he launched a p2p flood.", said one of the local Wibos.

Several laptops were broken in the fight, and one Wibo was taken to hospital for the removal of a PCMCIA Card. Residents of the casual cafe strip expressed some distress at the increase chalk markings that have appeared, and the rise of threatening looking white bespeckled males."

OK. Maybe not. But I think it's worth while setting some ground rules for the use of the Wi-fi freenets that are popping up, especially with the increased profile via warchalking."

:D

[Jonathan1]

I nominate Bill Gates's smiling face as the symbol for NET connectivity. ;)

http://www.microsoft.com/billgates/images/billbio.jpg

[Mobile Bob]

Interesting idea. Though, the international organization that creates signs could do something more official, especially for airports and large public places.

Is this what you had in mind?

http://www.80211hotspots.com/

Definitely beats warchalking. :wink:

[fmcpherson]

The problem with that web site is that you need connectivity to the NET in order to use it. With the warchalk mark you would be able to physically see that there was a WIFI access point.

[pt]

find free wifi with hobo phil

meet hobo phil!
http://www.pocketpcmagic.com/warchalking/

cheers,
pt

[pivaska]

Has anyone seen www.netstumbler.com ? No need to warchalk, just get a GPS!

Paul