| |
G4EBT > WLAN 30.09.03 12:09l 192 Lines 7454 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 131608G4EBT
Read: GUEST DB0FHN OE5RCO DK5RAS DO6NP
Subj: Re: VK3JMA It's not ham radio
Path: DB0FHN<DB0RGB<OK0PPL<DB0RES<ON0BEL<ON0AR<GB7FCR
Sent: 030930/0913Z @:GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU #:17426 [Blackpool] FBB-7.03a $:131608G4
From: G4EBT@GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU
To : WLAN@WW
Mark, VK3JMA wrote:-
> G4EBT:-
> > (With apologies to anyone in VK who thinks that this is none of my
> > business, and that as I don't live there, I'm not entitled to hold
> > and express opinions, or take an interest).
Mark
> Fantastic bulletin. I will definitely be downloading that paper you
> quoted.
> This is just the sort of message that inspires one to continue
> regardless or any negative influence that may be happening.
> Many thanks
To paraphrase the late Martin Luther King: "Fame at last, fame at
last"...!!
If there's one thing I've learnt on packet these last few months,
it's that if a VK pays me a compliment, it will be 100% genuine,
even if only 10% deserved:-)
Mark:
> M1BYT wrote:
>Thanks for that David, I had no idea WLAN had made such progress amongst
>non-radio amateurs in VK
Mark:
> That sentence itself should shock many radio amateur radio operators
into > action!! Again, we are being left behind because we look to the
past
> instead of the future too much!
Exactly so. Too many amateurs are trying to create a future by living
in the past. If we want this hobby to survive into the future we need a
"can-do" culture. We won't achieve that by recollections of the past, but
by our future actions.
It's puzzling why packet sometimes brings out the worst in people, myself
included. A few seem to wait in the wings to swoop down on any unguarded
comment or minor slip, look for the worst in other - not the best, weigh
the benefit of any doubt against the writer, and swoop down like avenging
angels with censorial comments. Often, they look for attributes in others
that they don't possess themselves.
I mentioned earlier about progress on a non-amateur radio WLAN's network
around Melbourne. Melbourne is by no means unique. Contrast the
adversarial ethos that often pervades packet, with the Mission Statement
of Sydney Wireless - another group, creating a WLAN network around Sydney.
See the similarities with packet, but note the stark contrast in the
ethos. Then ask yourself what packet has to offer that Sydney Wireless
doesn't:
Quote:
SYDNEY WIRELESS MISSION STATEMENT
To create a community-based communications infrastructure that is freely
available to all who wish to participate.
Who?
Core individuals who generally have a strong information technology
background, and a stronger desire to give back to their community.
Others assist with equipment, location, funding, or just the desire
to "help out". Many are just users of the system whose contribution
is themselves - the community.
Why?
Many people are currently dissatisfied with the commercial broadband
offerings. Many wish only to connect/share with people in the community -
why subscribe to a service that is not structured to handle this?
Sydney Wireless is a community-based network which is not driven by
profits - it's driven by the community's desire to communicate.
How?
Using common and easily available hardware, free software, and the desire
of individuals and organisations to contribute. We can connect large
groups of people by installing "cells". Often, the basis for a cell is a
PC with a wireless network card and an antenna. With the correct software
and configuration, this becomes another "node" on our network, allowing
more people to connect.
When and where?
Right now - it's happening all around you, yet it goes unnoticed. Like
all good technological implementations, Sydney Wireless is a facilitator,
not an imposition.
End quote.
I've no idea how many radio amateurs use packet in Sydney but my guess is
that they're declining in number and in activity levels, are mainly men,
mainly old, sometimes grumpy, with few, if any, new users.
I don't say that to denigrate anyone - it's a simple fact of life
being played out in amateur radio the world over, including the UK.
Similarity, I've no idea how many people are involved in Sydney Wireless,
but I'd speculate that they're growing in number and activity levels, are
spread across the age spectrum - skewed towards the younger end, of both
genders, and all get along well together.
Apart from the fact that some in this recent debate have denigrated the
desire of amateurs to experiment with WLAN's; whether it has a place in
amateur radio; and whether the rules allow it, in the UK tired old
arguments are re-surfacing about "freeloading users", who use sysops
equipment, yet make no financial contribution towards the upkeep of
the network. This only clouds the technical issues.
Comments along the lines of "who do you think's going to pay for all this
WLAN stuff?", and "if you're so smart, why don't you get on and do it?"
don't help. Not only will this not move the debate along, it might even
lead to a further decline in activity levels as opposing factions retire
to lick their wounds.
The commitment and magnificent efforts of sysops and node operators to
the packet network worldwide is beyond question. They do this 24/7, using
time, money, and expertise, for little thanks and no reward, and they have
other commitments in life - family, job, social, etc.
It's my belief that they do it because running a BBS is their hobby,
just as being a packet user is mine. I see this as a symbiotic
relationship between sysops and users, in which undoubtedly, the
contribution of sysops in every way is much greater than mine.
I can dip in and out of packet on a whim - sysops can't.
Nevertheless, realistically, a sysop without users, or with minimal
activity levels, no longer has a hobby in running a BBS, the fixed
costs of which are just as great with low activity levels as with high,
and the variable costs differ little too.
I've always taken the view that just because packet is freely available,
it isn't free of cost. Hence, I've always offered to contribute to the
running of any BBS I've used, and have donated equipment such as PC
components, etc.
As often as not, financial contributions are refused, so I ask the sysop
to name a charity of his choice, to which I contribute, and that is what I
do with my present sysop. We can each do that according to our means.
It's my experience that sysops generally refuse contributions. I can
understand that, as it could impose additional pressures and obligations.
It changes the relationship from one of fellow amateurs using packet, to
that of service provider and service user - a pseudo business
relationship.
I do though think it's disingenuous of some individuals (admittedly few in
number) to then say or imply that users are pararasitic freeloaders who
are just takers, need to be spoon-fed, and contribute nothing to packet.
True, my only contribution is to write bulletins. I do so to share ideas,
for intellectual stimulation, and to offer and provided help in any way
I can. I do it in the hope that at least a few out there will find what I
have to say of interest. Hence, I try to write as though I'm not sat on a
pineapple, but we all have our off days.
That sounds OK to me.
Sent with goodwill to amateurs everywhere.
Zen for computers:
Out of memory,
we wish to hold the whole sky,
but we never will.
73 - David, G4EBT @ GB7FCR
Eddystone User Group Member
G-QRP Club Member No: 1339
QTH: Cottingham, East Yorkshire.
david@crofters89.freeserve.co.uk
Message timed: 09:52 on 2003-Sep-30
Message sent using WinPack-Telnet V6.70
(Registered).
Read previous mail | Read next mail
| |
