Nodedb is a web application that allows a node owner to advertise
their desire to share it with the public. NYCw has always tried to advocate responsible sharing. There are many other groups working on detection and mapping of wireless nodes. It's just not our main focus although many of our members are actively involved in these activities via other organizations.
- Dustin -
vortex wrote:
is this documented formal mycwireless policy? if so, why?
why is it so *important* for a recommendation for ppl not to publish RF emanation data in public spaces?
passive GIS detection of of 802.11* transmissions in public spaces is both of cwn and general public interest. publication of this can only help in the self-forming of further wireless network links, and planning and deployment of any and all new wireless networks (whether public or private) in the local RF environment.
handballing to nodedb is, in part, avoiding or even exacerbating the issue. wait until someone enters AP details on nodedb claiming to be an open nycwireless node but does in fact point to someone else's private but unprotected AP. essid naming conventions are irrelevent here. actually, recommending the use of nodedb may well increase nycwireless liability risk because it may imply that nycw in some way is endorsing the accuracy and integrity of this db (IANAL).
an email on a mailing list or a node listing on a web site declaring ownership of an AP and authorizing open usage of that resource is far more problematic than just passively mapping RF emanations of wireless AP's and impartially publishing the results.
what level of identity, ownership and usage permission verification do you require for a 'node' to become a 'public access' or indeed formal 'nycwireless' node and why? and have you applied this policy to existing participants?
i sincerely believe that this mapping concern is unwarranted, and the recommendation not to map and publish in order to mitigate any concerns is misguided.
it's a messy wireless world we're in ...
shine brightly,
.vortex
On Tue, 2003-11-25 at 14:09, dgoody wrote:
NYCwireless does not do wardriving or any other sort of access point mapping to find nodes. If you want your free public wireless node to be useful let your fellow New Yorkers know about it. Also if you know of a coffee shop or other public place offering free access please ask the owner to get listed. Feel free to forward this email as needed.
*IMPORTANT* NYCwireless does *NOT* recommend you ever publish data about another persons access point online without their permission.
NYCwireless currently uses a project called nodedb run out of Australia. It is a non-commercial projects that survives because of the hacker ethic and donations (http://www.nodedb.com/donate.php).
To list your node follows these some what none-intuitive steps: 1. If your node in going to be in Manhattan or nearby follow this link http://www.nodedb.com/unitedstates/ny/newyork/? or if your node location cannot be seen in the map view above use this link for nodes further out: http://www.nodedb.com/unitedstates/nj/newjersey-newyorkarea/? 2. Click "Register" fill in the information (please enter a valid & working email addresss) which will lead you back to the New York Region view when your done. You have to click "Click Here" to return to the NY region view. 3. Click "Login" enter your information which will lead you back to the New York Region view. You have to click "Click Here" to return to the NY region view. 4. Now you can click "Create a new node entry" as it will appear as an option on the region view after you complete registration and login.
A few notes on creating your node entry. * Short Name * If you look at all the other short names in the NY region you can see "Short Name" has adopted a life of it's own to help describe the location of a node. This field was intended to list the SSID of the node but it didn't work out that way.
Some examples of current entries: Manhattan: Park - Tompkins Square Park - NYCwireless Queens: Forest Hills - Yellowstone & Austin Manhattan: Cornelia Street - NYCwireless Manhattan: 92nd Street btwn. Colombus and Amsterdam, 21st fl. - NYCwireless
My recommendations is like so: For NYC borough : area : street like Manhattan : Greenwich Village : Cornelia St
for a park a little different borough : parkname Manhattan : Bryant Park
For non-NYC City, ST : Street like Hoboken, NJ : 1st & Clinton
I question the need to encode so much information in the short name maybe we should just use it as the ssid as nodedb intended.
* Node Status * The data suggests confusion reigns when it comes to choosing the correct entry for this field. If your AP is working and broadcasting the www.nycwireless.net SSID please list it as "Fully Operational AP" not because this is the best choice but because it is the most popular choice based on the current list of nodes.
* Open Source Your Data: * Apparently it is safe to select "Partial" or "Full" as the nodedb operator is trusted and only would only offer the data to other community minded projects. But if you really worried select "No Distribution".
* Offers Internet Access * Yes * Non-Commercial Access Point * Free or if you do charge for wifi i-net access (shame on you!) select Pay
* Geospatial site location * This data is the key to having you node list properly on the map. Map sure you fill this information in or use the tools provide to select the best coordinates.
* Descriptive site location * Please be as verbose as space and reason permit in the "Description" field. The more information you can provide about coverage the better.
5. Click "Create New Entry"
Your done. Some additional notes....
The node detail page will list your name and will be linked to webpage through which users can send you an email. Your email address will *NOT* be shown on the email page. The existence of the email link can be controlled via "Preferences" when your logged in. I encourage everyone to set the preference for "Accept Email" to yes(this is the default). I get maybe one email a month via this feature. *** Because email to you is sent via a web form your email address is never revealed to anyone unless you reply.
- Dustin -
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