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Comment: Re:The next step is WiFi calling (Score 2) 102

by macemoneta (#42873401) Attached to: Connecting Android Phones Without Carrier Networks

While we are at it, can we make cell phones support WiFi for phone calls?

The phones already have the hardware to do this. People could make calls from places where cell reception sucks but they had Wifi internet. It would also reduce the burden on cell towers as people eliminate landlines and use their cell phones at home, where they probably already have WiFi routers. It also would eliminate the need for those stupid microcells: you could just use your regular wi-fi router for calls without needing to pay for their box.

You want Republic Wireless. We have it, and it works great.

Comment: More challenging than most users are capable of (Score 3, Insightful) 505

In order to do this without exposing your LAN to security issues, and not create liability issues because of the action of guests, it would require more setup than most end-users are capable of.

The WiFi interface would have to be kept separate (not bridged to the LAN), and the WiFi interface would have to be VPN'd to a (legally) safe termination. If companies want users to be able to use open WiFi, they need to step up to make this a default configuration on routers. Sure, those that use openwrt or dd-wrt can configure this, but there's a vanishingly small percentage of users with that skill set.

Comment: Re:maybe their times have passed? (Score 1) 90

by macemoneta (#42603829) Attached to: Public Library Exclusively For Digital Media Proposed

Public libraries were one of the great achievements of Western civilization. However, it seems to me their time has passed. Classic books are available freely anything, and for books still in copyright, a variety of online "for profit" lending options make more sense than somehow tying reading to a physical building. Book rentals generally are cheaper than a milkshake at McDonalds, and healthier too.

You sound like you haven't been to the library in a long while. I get all my TV and movie DVDs from the library. All my e-books (which I can check-out online from home via the web). All my CDs. And free WiFi when I'm onsite. Why are you paying for free stuff?

Comment: Re:Hey, whatever happened (Score 1) 66

by macemoneta (#42526007) Attached to: Tablet Shipments Will Finally Overtake Notebooks In 2013

To the "tablets are a fad" crowd?
  They were a lot louder 2 years ago.

Tablet makers addressed the issue by including HID support, so that keyboards / mice could be used. Some even include a standard size USB port, supporting thumb-drives in addition to input devices. This lets people use a tablet as a laptop when / if needed, and leave the excess baggage behind when it's not.

Comment: Re:What problem does it solve? (Score 4, Interesting) 210

by macemoneta (#42427507) Attached to: FSF Does Want Secure Boot; They Just Want It Under User Control

The boot sector issue has already been solved by most BIOS by (optionally, under user control in the BIOS configuration) preventing writes to the sector. The only time you need to unlock it is when you want to update the bootloader (relatively rare). I'm still at a loss for the value-add presented by secure boot.

Comment: Increase the installation fee (Score 2) 327

by macemoneta (#42227729) Attached to: Nationwide Google Fiber Deployment Would Cost $140 Billion

At $1000 per installation, they would get about $120B for 120M households; close enough to start. I would gladly pay a $1000 start-up fee for symmetrical 1Gbps/service. From other reports, Google is charging $70/month, with an operating cost of $5/month. As the early adopters start to accumulate, the revenue stream will offset the cost for the periodically lowered installation charge to increase penetration.

Establish a nation-wide signup. Require a credit card (Google Wallet) for signup; they won't be charged, but they'll separate the wheat from the chaff. Crunch the data to find the highest population density signups and start build-out in those areas. Provide near-realtime online updates on build-out area priority. This lets those interested in an area act as promoters / ambassadors to increase signups, and raise their area's priority. Like the first cities selected, let people compete - providing free word of mouth advertising in the process.

And don't forget the other side of the equation; offer servers reasonably priced 100Gb local Google data center / site interconnects to keep the on-net customers interested and happy.

The only cultural advantage LA has over NY is that you can make a right turn on a red light. -- Woody Allen

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