Mar 22, 2010, 6:33 am

Anderson Wifi Hotspot Pilot Program/Project

24 replies [Last post]
Mon, 01/21/2008 - 3:22pm
CC-Gal
CC-Gal's picture
AFP Rasberry

User offline. Last seen 4 hours 50 min ago. Offline
Joined: 11/21/2007
Posts: 4489
Points: 1553255
Send PM
Average: 5 (2 votes)

Did any of you guys know about this?

http://www.cityofanderson.com/splashwireless/default2.aspx

Top
123next ›last »

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.
Mon, 01/21/2008 - 3:57pm
#1
TheDawg
TheDawg's picture
Straight Flush

User offline. Last seen 7 weeks 3 days ago. Offline
Joined: 11/24/2007
Posts: 1488
Points: 55105
Send PM

I remember over the summer, the news article said they were rolling it out at the Town Center Plaza, Shadyside, and a couple of other parks.

Giggity

Top
Mon, 01/21/2008 - 4:33pm
#2
CC-Gal
CC-Gal's picture
AFP Rasberry

User offline. Last seen 4 hours 50 min ago. Offline
Joined: 11/21/2007
Posts: 4489
Points: 1553255
Send PM

That's great.  I'm not at a park. As far as I can tell there's no park around me at all. Yet I can access the wifi network, or I can access Panera.  I can't tell where the AndersonWifi is coming from, but it has to be within 400 feet of me for me to pick it up.

Top
Mon, 01/21/2008 - 4:35pm
#3
TheDawg
TheDawg's picture
Straight Flush

User offline. Last seen 7 weeks 3 days ago. Offline
Joined: 11/24/2007
Posts: 1488
Points: 55105
Send PM

I don't know what to tell you then. Sorry. You asked if anyone knew anything about it, told you what I knew.

Giggity

Top
Mon, 01/21/2008 - 5:03pm
#4
CC-Gal
CC-Gal's picture
AFP Rasberry

User offline. Last seen 4 hours 50 min ago. Offline
Joined: 11/21/2007
Posts: 4489
Points: 1553255
Send PM

Why are you apologizing?  

 

I was serious.  That's great that it exists.  I have questions regarding it. But I've directed those to the proper source.  I just can't believe I've never heard of it.  I had heard about access in the Town Center, but I was led to believe that it was from local business in that block.

Top
Tue, 01/22/2008 - 3:38am
#5
kpaul.mallasch
kpaul.mallasch's picture
Publisher

User offline. Last seen 1 hour 21 min ago. Offline
Joined: 03/09/2006
Posts: 17203
Points: 146451
Send PM

Nice!

That's cool that you're picking up the signal. I wonder if they're expanding it?

Ok, here's the original WiFi announcement and a story press release (including pic!) of the event...

 

 

Top
Tue, 01/22/2008 - 10:08am
#6
medic
medic's picture
Expert

User offline. Last seen 1 year 10 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 11/22/2007
Posts: 610
Points: 46486
Send PM

As you have read in the press release and the website.  The wireless system is through out the whole city that is how the water meters are read.  Some of the system is secured and other parts are not.  The parks they listed are the free wifi areas.  Sometime they are secured.  Email the address provided on the website and see if they will send some more information. 

Madison County Scanner link:

http://madison.in.scanamerica.us/index.php

Madison County Public Safety News Network:

http://groups.google.com/group/MCPSNews

Top
Wed, 01/23/2008 - 4:30pm
#7
elaneous
elaneous's picture
Newbie

User offline. Last seen 2 years 8 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 01/10/2008
Posts: 9
Points: 135
Send PM

I think it would be great if they expanded this for full city-wide coverage.

-el

Top
Tue, 02/12/2008 - 5:53am
#8
CC-Gal
CC-Gal's picture
AFP Rasberry

User offline. Last seen 4 hours 50 min ago. Offline
Joined: 11/21/2007
Posts: 4489
Points: 1553255
Send PM

Finally, I got a reply to my query from the city about this wifi. If you remember, at the time I sent this email, I had not heard anything about it from anyone. First my initial email:

Quote:
Sent: Mon 1/21/2008 2:15 PM
To: AndersonWifi
Subject: Regarding this public service.

I have just recently discovered this "hotspot" service and today for the first time managed to log onto it.  I have several questions.
1. How long has this pilot program been in place?
2. Who is funding this project?
3. Why does it seem that the public has not been informed of this project?
4. Where are the "hotspots' located in the city of Anderson?
5. Who is being targeted to provide the data that would let you know if this is a 'needed' service in our city?
Personally, at this point in time, the only way I can get on the internet is through hotspots, or unsecured wireless access.  There are many people like myself who can't afford to have internet in their homes, but are hanging onto the computers and laptops they have acquired during better times. I use the hotspots not just for internet surfing, chatting and general entertainment, but also as part of my sidework (when I can get it) and to seek out job employment (which I personally can't seem to get)  With the JobSource/Workforce search available online, along with state employment searches, and so many companies placing applications for hire online, being able to access the internet is nearly a must for those looking for new employment, be it full or part time.
I have noticed though that the connection is not completely stable at this access point. I don't know where the access point is locate, but I am sitting in Panera Bread which also offers free wifi service. You may want to look into frequency conflicts, or boosting the signal to cover a wider area so that you can get more positive, or just more feedback on this project.

And this is the reply I got:

Quote:

Pari,

 

First let me start by saying I’m sorry for taking so long to respond to you e-mail.  We went several months with no e-mails so we just figured it was because of winter weather.

 

Let me start by answering you questions.

 

  1. The pilot project started last August with a press release.
  2. The pilot is a by product of the city AMR project.  Bandwidth is a surplus of the city’s internet bandwidth.  As you can imagine public peeks are typically after hours.  City peaks are during business hours.
  3. We did a press release in August
  4. 38th St Park, Town center, Shadyside, Vanbuskirk Park, and Jackson Park.  We opened up other locations around Wal-Mart to see if we could get any more interest during the winter season.
  5. Unfortunately we already know this service is way too expensive to cover the entire city.  Now we need to focus on hotspots that would be best for the city.  Your input would be greatly appreciated.  All I ask is that you think in terms of what will give the city the best bang for the buck.

 

Thank you for interest and please message back you ideas.

 

Sincerely,

 

AndersonWifi Project

Top
Tue, 02/12/2008 - 10:42pm
#9
krolchiha
krolchiha's picture
Cashew

User offline. Last seen 1 hour 9 min ago. Offline
Joined: 11/21/2007
Posts: 2292
Points: 360972
Send PM

I remember when it came out thought it was neat..But don't have a laptop so it didn't mean that much to me...My son enjoys it when he took his kids to baseball practice he cold get online ..lol

Like stars across the sky … .  E per avvincere   …..   Tu dovrai vincere ...
We were born to shine   …All of us here because we believe......

Top
Tue, 02/12/2008 - 10:49pm
#10
TheDawg
TheDawg's picture
Straight Flush

User offline. Last seen 7 weeks 3 days ago. Offline
Joined: 11/24/2007
Posts: 1488
Points: 55105
Send PM

Thats interesting. I wonder why Wal-Mart though?

 

Giggity

Top
123next ›last »
Syndicate content
TOP
Tracker
SCANNER