[plug] Wireless Internet access in Perth CBD?

[Ari Finander]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Pickett" <bp at broomeTime.com>
Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2003 12:20:12 +0800
To: <plug at plug.linux.org.au>
Subject: RE: [plug] Wireless Internet access in Perth CBD?


> Then you need a donated laptop or hardware of some sort with wireless.  I
> know some folks who have had their daughter in and out of that ward for a
> few years now so I can understand the hygiene factor and the
> "political/beauracratic" barriers as well.
> 

I had productive discussions with staff who were in a position to help make this happen while I was inside.  We discussed portability of equipment (small computer trays on rollers...I'm a bit out of it so use your imagination *grin*), the number of terminals likely to be considered acceptable for this (no more than four due to space constraints on the ward and such), and hygeine issues (patients could purchase a cheap new mouse/keyboard or bring their own from home; external dust filters may be required but probably won't be as none of the other electronics such as TV, radio, fridge have dust filters).  

> I am going to mention this to a friend of mine who is associated with a
> large Real Estate group -- maybe he can run it past their marketing mob for
> discussion. 

Thanks :-)

> 
> I know this will be one of those longer term type solution but considering
> the location this would have to be thought through with the help of all the
> hospital folk too.

I'm getting in touch with an IT manager there via snail mail (I'm pretty sure they're completely windows based there, as a week or two ago they had some major problems with their systems due to worm infection).

> 
> Lets get the ball rollin hey.
> 
> Regards
> 
> Bill Pickett
> 
> www.broomeTime.com 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Weirdo [mailto:linuxalien at optusnet.com.au] 
> Sent: Wednesday, 20 August 2003 9:49 PM
> To: plug at plug.linux.org.au
> Subject: Re: [plug] Wireless Internet access in Perth CBD?
> 
> 
> Couldn't this be done with a wired network? The only cost problem then is 
> the cost of net access. But if you can't get the net access happening 
> wireless or not it may still be an idea to get some old computers in that 
> can play games of some sort. Card games?
> Tim
> At 01:49 AM 8/20/2003 +0800, you wrote:
> >Hi all,
> >
> >I seem to remember hearing something about free-to-access wireless
> >Internet access in the Perth CBD.  Am I recalling correctly that this even 
> >exists?  If so, can anyone point me in the direction of more information?
> >
> >I'll be spending another holiday in the RPH bone marrow transplant unit
> >and it occurs to me that it might not be too difficult to get Internet 
> >access for those of us sealed in the isolation rooms on that ward for 
> >weeks or months at a time if this free wireless access is really there.
> >
> >A few donated pentiums with a GUI and mozilla would be a great morale
> >booster for patients who need all the help they can get on that particular 
> >ward.  A $15 surchage (which could be offset by donations) for a new 
> >cheapo keyboard and mouse for each new patient would take out the 
> >possibility of hygeine issues arising from reusing those items from 
> >patient to patient (people on this ward usually have had their immune 
> >systems completely wiped out, so this is a significant concern).  The only 
> >expensive items would be the wireless NICs/router used to access the 
> >wireless network if it exists.
> >
> >Getting the hospital to provide this is not a possibility.  They simply
> >could not afford it.  It would have to be donated and then maintained by a 
> >group...a group such as PLUG or KLUG.  There're a lot of donated items in 
> >those isolation rooms such as desks and VCRs and radios.  Even just a few 
> >rooms with these computers would be a good start.
> >
> >I wouldn't mind getting the ball rolling and setting things up if 
> >there's
> >even a chance of this getting off the ground.  However, in all honesty, I 
> >doubt I'll be around to maintain anything after this year/early next year 
> >(I'm heading into this unit for the second time later this morning, and if 
> >I'm very lucky a third time later this year).
> >
> >TIA,
> >
> >Ari
> >
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> 
> Riverton, Perth, WA
> 

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