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THE CURRENT LIST OF MELB-WIRELESS\'S FREQUENTLY ASKED AND ANSWERED
QUESTIONS
We used to have a FAQ that was static, and updating it was getting
annoying, so we decided to Wikify the FAQ and make it proactive, i.e.
you create the questions, the best answer to those questions will be
provided by the community or linked to by another user and/or to
provide another point of view to the same question.
It suits the WikiWiki [1] spirit, in that all the terms are
hyperlinked, and easily accessible by a browser. You'll like the way
the WikiWikiWeb [2] works to enable the easy hyperlinking of topics,
so you can browse topics of interest and learn more at the same time.
It also sounds cool, just like TheIncredibleBulk [3].
HOW DO I ASK A QUESTION / EDIT A POST?
CLICK THE _EDITTEXT_ BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.
At the end of each section, put your question after the section break
and someone will move it up to answer it. someone else will check it
eventually to moderate and check the formatting, and answer some of
the questions. Hopefully when you return, it will be answered. If you
want a direct answer, you should head to Google [4] and do some
research, or ask the MailingList [5].
WHAT ARE THE CURRENT HEADINGS?
* ConnectingToTheNetworkFAQ [6]
* CoordinatesFAQ [7]
* FAQ [8]
* FAQYourAdditions [9]
* GeneralQuestionsFAQ [10]
* GettingHelpFAQ [11]
* GettingStartedFAQ [12]
* GlossaryFAQ [13]
* InternetAccessFAQ [14]
* LicensesFAQ [15]
* NetworkFAQ [16]
* RadioEquipmentFAQ [17]
* SafetyFAQ [18]
* WikiFAQ [19]
* Connecting to the Network [20]
* Where can I get the equipment?
* How do I get started?
* Can I use my Apple Macintosh and/or Airport hardware or not?
* How long can 802.11b wireless links go?
* What's the closest node to my house/office/mountain hut?
* When creating a node, how can you get the latitude and longitude
required for locfinder from the Melway street directory?
* What is line of sight / LoS [21] ?
* How can I verify line of sight?
* How do I plot a node on a Melway map using longitude and latitude
from locfinder?
* How do I use a magnetic compass to determine the bearing to a
node?
* What GPS format is required in the Create New Node Form? My GPS
has several "Standard Formats"
* What is a Fresnel Zone?
* General Questions [22]
* What is Melbourne Wireless all about?
* What is a publicly owned and operated RAN?
* Who runs Melbourne Wireless ?
* Why should I join a public wireless network?
* Why dont you use forums?
* Getting Help [23]
* I'm new to this, who do I ask for help?
* What if I have questions that aren't wireless specific?
* I don't do computers, and my computer is running really slow. A
friend told me to "defrag" my hard disk or something. Can you guys
help me?
* OK then, what if I'm having trouble accessing hotmail when I'm
using wireless on a laptop? Surely you can fix it for me!
* How do I ask a question on the mailing list?
* Nobody replied to my question - are you ignoring me?
* I don't have the time to use the mailing list. Can someone call me
on the phone?
* Getting Started [24]
* Newbie
* Medium
* Advanced
* Glossary [25]
* Internet Access [26]
* Can I access the Internet through Melbourne Wireless?
* Uhh, OK, can I share the internet (and not get into trouble) ?
* I didnt read the last three questions and i don't pay attention,
but I want the internet on wireless. When do we get the internet on
wireless ?
* Network Questions [27]
* What's the difference between an Access Point and a PC Card?
* So, how do we all talk to each other on this network ?
* I've got other equipment using the 2.4GHz range (cordless
telephone / old microwave oven / bluetooth camera / HomeRF [28] setup
/ RF lighting solution / etc.), how does 802.11b handle this ?
* I've got more questions on how 802.11b works ... lots more
questions
* Why arent we using IPv6?
* Radio Equipment Questions [29]
* What equipment do I need?
* So... how much does it cost ?
* Which cards have external antenna jacks?
* What is low loss cabling?
* What is a Pigtail?
* What is an antenna?
* What kind of antenna are there?
* OK, I've now realised I don't understand what dB is...
* What is this dBi Gain thing I keep seeing on antenna specs?
* Is an omni directional antenna pattern really omni directional?
* Is there a limit to the height my antenna mast can be?
* How far will my signal reach? Which antenna will see my mate _x_
km away?
* Do you have any tips when doorknocking to get someone's old galaxy
antenna?
* Safety and Power Emissions [30]
* I fell off the roof of my home after installing an antenna, and I
need someone to sue. Who runs this fscking group, and who insures it ?
* Is 2.4Ghz radiation safe? I' ve heard it uses the same radiation
as my microwave oven? Are you killing me / my chances to reproduce ?
* Someone mentioned 4w is the max power output allowed. i want "more
power" and I'm willing to spend some serious money to boost my signal
(and to microwave my neighbours, the people who live in a 10km radius
and the surrounding wildlife). How do I do this? Whats the deal with
EIRP?
* How in the heck do i work out my EIRP then ?
* Licenses [31]
* Is this legal? Don't you need a carrier's license?
* Where can I find out more about the law of wireless LANs?
* Links to other FAQs
* Telex Wireless FAQ [32] - answers many antenna, radio and RF safety
related questions. Includes links to network link budget calculators,
discussion forums and a table for maximum power into a given antenna.
Links:
------
[1] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?WikiWiki
[2] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?WikiWikiWeb
[3] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?TheIncredibleBulk
[4] http://www.google.com/
[5] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?MailingList
[6] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?ConnectingToTheNetworkFAQ
[7] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?CoordinatesFAQ
[8] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?FAQ
[9] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?FAQYourAdditions
[10] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?GeneralQuestionsFAQ
[11] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?GettingHelpFAQ
[12] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?GettingStartedFAQ
[13] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?GlossaryFAQ
[14] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?InternetAccessFAQ
[15] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?LicensesFAQ
[16] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?NetworkFAQ
[17] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RadioEquipmentFAQ
[18] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?SafetyFAQ
[19] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?WikiFAQ
[20] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?ConnectingToTheNetworkFAQ
[21] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?LoS
[22] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?GeneralQuestionsFAQ
[23] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?GettingHelpFAQ
[24] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?GettingStartedFAQ
[25] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?GlossaryFAQ
[26] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?InternetAccessFAQ
[27] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?NetworkFAQ
[28] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?HomeRF
[29] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RadioEquipmentFAQ
[30] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?SafetyFAQ
[31] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?LicensesFAQ
[32] http://www.telex.com/Wireless/faq.nsf/c
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