Hello All,
I got this idea when I observed a client's SIFY connection. He wanted to have SIFY on his laptop so once the IP settings were done, there was a local LAN link of SIFY to download their dialer from SIFY's local network. Since the link was local LAN, it took about 2 seconds to download a 2 Mb file. Now with wireless I was wondering if we can have local wireless web servers in Mumbai where people can bring their laptops to hot spots and download linux softwares like latest distro ISOs, rpms, debs and tar gzipped files.
The webserver will be simple tiny devices with hard disks, like the one in HBCSE. Their output can be given to a wireless AP. There will be no link with the internet so no wiring or ISP billing. The two devices are small in size and low on power consumption. They can be installed in coffee shops, book stalls, libraries etc. The devices can be provided free to the shops through institutional or corporate or collective funding with the condition that the shop will leave it on the whole day at his cost of electricity. The shop benefits from more visitors and good business like selling beverages and snacks, books etc. The devices will run independently and once in a few months the disks are updated with the latest distros and softwares through....say wireless itself. Just run a predefined package and wait till it says 'ok its done'.
The advantage of this system is that local LAN speeds are much higher than internet so downloads will be much faster and one can simply log into the local web page and select the distro for download. Since there is no link with the net, security is good and the server anyway does not carry any sensitive information.
Regards,
Rony. Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com