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What hardware do I need to connect?
Manchester Wireless use a wireless networking technology called WiFi (aka 802.11b) to link nodes together
over large distances. To gain access to the wireless network, you will need a PC or Mac and a WiFi card.
To connect to the network you need to be within range of a network node, and have a WiFi card in your computer.
If you are using Windows it should be able to detect a network in the area and connect to it. If the node has a a connection to
the internet, you will be able to surf the web and email from anywhere within range of the wireless network.
What hardware do I need to set up a node?
If you wish to set up a node on the network you will need a WiFi card, PC or Mac, and an antenna for providing greater range.
Alternatively, commercial wireless access points are also available, these require very little setup are available for under £100
If you wish to setup your own node, any PC from 100Mhz upwards is adequate. You will need to use an operating system which can
run the server software needed for others to connect to your node. It is possible to do this using windows (preferably XP or 2000),
but even better solution is to use a free UNIX based operating system such as GNU/Linux.
To extend the maximum range of your node, you will need to connect the WiFi card in your computer to an external antenna.
You could either buy yourself an antenna (prices range from £10 upwards), or make one using a few pieces of metal and a
pringles can.
How much will this cost?
WiFi cards are available for as little as £50. Old PCs are fine for use as nodes, and are often given away by businesses.
An antenna will cost upwards of £10 to buy, or around £2 to make (pringles included).
A Wireless access point which can be plugged
into your home network or ADSL connection will cost around £100.
After the initial costs of the hardware, there are no subscriptions costs. If you are within range of a node with a broadband connection
you will be able to access the net for free.
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