Hello All,
This is an idea for those who are into embedded linux systems. The concept is to create wireless internet access in taxis, cars and buses. The options available today are the wireless data cards or mobile phones or FWP phones attached to individual laptops. But what happens when more passengers want to access the net and everyone may not have a data card. So we need a black box that acts as an interface with the phone's ( net service provided by the transporter) usb cable and the network interface of a Wireless AP.
I don't know if any ready made phone is available with a direct network interface and a built-in ppp dialer but the simple way out would be to use an old pc or laptop as the interface and share that connection at its ethernet port. However that would make it too bulky and power consuming.
The other approach would be to have something like the ADSL modem that is a network interface and a pppoe dialer bundled together. In our black box we need a usb interface that can detect different wireless phones, a pppoe dialer to make a connection and a network interface to connect to the W AP. Everytime the connection breaks, it will automatically redial.
The cost of a dialup session for RIL internet is 50p/minute so Rs. 30 for an hour. That amount can be divided among the passengers and they benefit by being online without a data card. Local buses and taxis can use FWP phones and long distance luxury buses, taxis will use mobile phones as the network device. For buses, more phones and devices with W APs can be added as per demand, for better bandwidth.
Everyday, the gaps between no signal areas is closing in and we will get almost seamless net access across the travel region.
Regards,
Rony. Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
well, as far as the hardware issue goes, I don't find any problem with the size and power consumtion. I am working on a similar project, only difference is that it is for a different task of talking out books. there are very small size embedded boareds with built in processors and ram and sound/ display cards. the bios supports booting from a compact flash card or a usb pen drive. I will grab the small embedded computer board in next fort night. I will let you know how it goes. the idea is good and right now even I am trying to build a kernel that will only have essential modules to boot off a pen drive along with usb support and sound card support. when I get it working I will let every one interested know. I am aware that it is not too difficult but it is not too easy when it comes to implementing the same os on a usb device. I am not going to use any ready made os like slax or puppy linux. for such tasks one needs to compile their own kernel.
On 8/30/06, Rony ronbillypop@yahoo.co.uk wrote:
Hello All,
This is an idea for those who are into embedded linux systems. The concept is to create wireless internet access in taxis, cars and buses. The options available today are the wireless data cards or mobile phones or FWP phones attached to individual laptops. But what happens when more passengers want to access the net and everyone may not have a data card. So we need a black box that acts as an interface with the phone's ( net service provided by the transporter) usb cable and the network interface of a Wireless AP.
[snip]
Do you think this is a feasible idea?. The technicalities can be worked out for sure but the economics are a real suspect especially in a country like india where the density of laptops is 1:1000 and low enough for innovative ideas like this to fail to take off.
Don't get me wrong....am playing devil's advocate. You indeed have a good idea but something that would find better use not in trains/busses but rather at public places/cafes. Ofcourse, then why not just go on and use an AP. For that matter check out the wifi cafe's like CCD/Barrista, how many joints do you see having pple hooked over to the internet over coffee.
Thanks and Regards.
Trevor
Everyday, the gaps between no signal areas is closing in and we will get
almost seamless net access across the travel region.
Regards,
Rony. Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
Hi,
My thoughts below:
--- Trevor Warren trevorwarren@gmail.com wrote:
like india where the density of laptops is 1:1000
It depends on where you want to bring this technology. It will useful in metropolitan cities.
Consider using the Internet when waiting in Bangalore traffic?
WiMAX will be a good competitor for this, but, again it comes down to pricing schemes.
SK
-- Shakthi Kannan http://www.shakthimaan.com
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Shakthi Kannan wrote:
Hi,
My thoughts below:
--- Trevor Warren trevorwarren@gmail.com wrote:
like india where the density of laptops is 1:1000
It depends on where you want to bring this technology. It will useful in metropolitan cities.
Consider using the Internet when waiting in Bangalore traffic?
WiMAX will be a good competitor for this, but, again it comes down to pricing schemes.
The FWP and mobile phone with internet enabled is atleast a wireless WAN. This black box device mainly has use in private taxis and cars and long distance luxury buses.
Regards,
Rony
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On Tuesday 29 August 2006 17:43, Trevor Warren wrote:
Do you think this is a feasible idea?. The technicalities can be worked out for sure but the economics are a real suspect especially in a country like india where the density of laptops is 1:1000 and low enough for innovative ideas like this to fail to take off.
Don't get me wrong....am playing devil's advocate. You indeed have a good idea but something that would find better use not in trains/busses but rather at public places/cafes. Ofcourse, then why not just go on and use an AP. For that matter check out the wifi cafe's like CCD/Barrista, how many joints do you see having pple hooked over to the internet over coffee.
Agreed but then again such people who can afford to travel with a laptop and _need_ an internet connection on the move won't be traveling in regular or even cool cabs. And this also brings the whole bandwidth pricing issue as well as the feasibility as to what actually does the cab driver get after considering the various costs (maintenence, bandwidth, access etc...?) Is it truly going to be profitable?
--- Dinesh Joshi dinesh.a.joshi@gmail.com wrote:
On Tuesday 29 August 2006 17:43, Trevor Warren wrote:
Do you think this is a feasible idea?. The technicalities can be worked out for sure but the economics are a real suspect especially in a country like india where the density of laptops is 1:1000 and low enough for innovative ideas like this to fail to take off.
Don't get me wrong....am playing devil's advocate. You indeed have
a
good idea but something that would find better use not in trains/busses but rather at public places/cafes. Ofcourse, then why not just go on and use an AP. For that matter check out the wifi cafe's like CCD/Barrista, how many joints do you see having pple hooked over to the internet over coffee.
Agreed but then again such people who can afford to travel with a laptop and _need_ an internet connection on the move won't be traveling in regular or even cool cabs. And this also brings the whole bandwidth pricing issue as well as the feasibility as to what actually does the
cab driver get after considering the various costs (maintenence, bandwidth, access etc...?) Is it truly going to be profitable?
Disagree on many counts here. a) First of all we need to stop restricting the category of devices that will use such a system to fully loaded laptops.
b) "People who can afford... .. wont be traveling". This theory is fundamentally flawed. People who are driving on the contrary will not be using their laptops. (Well lets hope so. since them driving and using cell phones is bad enough). I believe I come in the category who can afford laptops but I use cabs very sparingly. Bus is the most convenient, cost effective and environmentally friendly (hehe) way to travel. By your argument, you are restricting such of such a network to only chaffeur driven vehicles. Thats being ultra conservative.
c) Employers might want to give their employees hand held devices so they are in touch. phone is already out. Blackberry is there in the market. Very soon that will trickle down to the masses too as will handheld devices that can support more applications.
d) 1 cab, max 4 passengers. 1 Bus, 40 passengers. If such a system is offered, then I am sure there will be many converts from the car/cab brigade. e) Ofcourse the system will be in cafes public places too. It's only a matter of time. But having it in moving transport would further increase the reach.
To summarize, its not about whether it will work or not, but when. Wager anyone?
-abhishek
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Abhishek Daga wrote:
To summarize, its not about whether it will work or not, but when. Wager anyone?
Well , the way I see it is if someone wants to access the net on the move why not just use the GPRS services . Its dirt cheap . I pay 150 for an unlimited connection @ dial up speed . Sorry , but just being the Devil's advocate here , Anyone who can afford a Laptop would certainly have a GPRS Supported phone . So I am just wondering why go through the trouble of setting up infrastructure ? Cheers; Francis
Disagree on many counts here. a) First of all we need to stop restricting the category of devices that will use such a system to fully loaded laptops.
bravow! that's the attitude to go with. I totaly agree on that abhishek.
b) "People who can afford... .. wont be traveling". This theory is fundamentally flawed. People who are driving on the contrary will not be using their laptops. (Well lets hope so. since them driving and using cell phones is bad enough). I believe I come in the category who can afford laptops but I use cabs very sparingly. Bus is the most convenient, cost effective and environmentally friendly (hehe) way to travel. By your argument, you are restricting such of such a network to only chaffeur driven vehicles. Thats being ultra conservative.
Well abhishek here I have slightly different view. I partially agree with you that laptop can't and wont be used while driving in the first place. but how about a driver driving the car and you using a laptop? but yes I believe that even I wont use a cab. I will rather travel by public transport. and this is true even in other countries where most people have a car. and I think this is any ways a good idea to develop because you wont require to pull out your laptop every now and then and boot up and all that issues. and there is a large community who dirve the car themselves so this device will be of major use.
c) Employers might want to give their employees hand held devices so they are in touch. phone is already out. Blackberry is there in the market. Very soon that will trickle down to the masses too as will handheld devices that can support more applications.
this is not what I believe or may be I did not understand your point?if they want to be in touch, what bad is a mobile phone as far as communication through sms and voice is concerned? if there are some other things then what you say is right. please clearify on this, perhaps you might be right, although I don't find any strength in this argument abhishek.
d) 1 cab, max 4 passengers. 1 Bus, 40 passengers. If such a system is offered, then I am sure there will be many converts from the car/cab brigade.
exactly. that's the reason I hold up your first point (point a)
e) Ofcourse the system will be in cafes public places too. It's only a matter of time. But having it in moving transport would further increase the reach.
again yes I hold your first point. the system can't be taken up with a conservative mindset. Krishnakant.
--- krishnakant Mane researchbase@gmail.com wrote:
Well abhishek here I have slightly different view. I partially agree with you that laptop can't and wont be used while driving in the first place. but how about a driver driving the car and you using a laptop?
That what my point is. With the lowering of laptop prices, availability of wireless devices (which are not necessarily laptops) you dont have to have a chaffuer driven car to be able to use the infrastructure that was suggested by the Thread Starter.
and there is a large community
who dirve the car themselves so this device will be of major use.
You mean if they stop using the cars right?
c) Employers might want to give their employees hand held devices
so
they are in touch. phone is already out. Blackberry is there in the market. Very soon that will trickle down to the masses too as will handheld devices that can support more applications.
this is not what I believe or may be I did not understand your point?if they want to be in touch, what bad is a mobile phone as far as communication through sms and voice is concerned?
The same way 16 MB RAM and 1 GB harddisk was considered good enough at one time. Why are you restricting communication through SMS and voice? The employer may give the employee devices to ensure that employee checks emails, a server admin sshes into the system and fixes something even when he is watching a movie or en route to shirdi. Point in this case being, One does not have to be rich to be able to use such an infrastructure. One just needs to work for rich bosses. :) Hope this clarifies.
We need to stop thinking in terms of what is existing today and who the users are. This is like saying, The jaunpur super fast express should not stop at Ramgarh village on the way, because there were never any passengers waiting for the train.
abhishek
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Abhishek Daga -
Dinesh Joshi -
Francis -
krishnakant Mane -
Rony -
Shakthi Kannan -
Trevor Warren