Champaign-Urbana Community Wireless Network (CUWiN)
Website:
http://www.cuwin.net/ Location:
Urbana, IL
CUWiN (the Champaign-Urbana Community Wireless Network) is a world-renowned coalition of wireless developers and community volunteers committed to providing low-cost, do-it-yourself, community-controlled alternatives to contemporary broadband models. CUWiN is fiscally sponsored by the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center, a non-profit 501c3.
Our mission is to develop decentralized, community-owned networks that foster democratic cultures and local content. Through advocacy and through our commitment to open source technology, we support organic networks that grow to meet the needs of their community.
To achieve that mission CUWiN maintains international and domestic partnerships with dozens of research institutions, not-for-profit organizations, community groups, businesses, universities, and government institutions. To inquire about becoming a CUWiN partner, send an email to cu-wireless-support@cuwireless.net.
Supported Projects
Outreach Coordinator and Wireless Network Installation
Ross Musselman
3/2006 — 9/2007
Ross worked with CUWin developers and community members to implement CUWin software by setting up wireless access points. Ross also worked closely with the CUWiN core staff to build sustainability and growth with the project.
Ross was required to wear many hats during his work with CUWin. On the technical and external side Ross work closely with CUWiN developers and local activists to implement CUWiN software in our domestic network sites—setting up wireless access points in areas that community members had identified as key sites. He helped install and troubleshoot network nodes in Champaign and Urbana and develop manuals and instructions in order to provide technical support to local residents and partners to help maintain the local wireless network. Internally, Ross worked closely with the CUWiN core staff to facilitate the growth of the CUWiN project. This showed itself in our growth and the development of our leadership and advisories boards and the partners we have developed.
Wireless Network Deployment
Matthew Isaacs
9/2006 —
CUWiN develops and deploys wireless networks across the US, focusing on areas that are either priced out of the broadband Internet market or areas that telecomm incumbents won’t connect. The VISTA will work closely with the CUWin core staff to facilitate the growth of the CUWiN project.
- Identify ideal node locations. Install and troubleshoot network nodes in Champaign and Urbana
- Provide technical support to local residents and partners to maintain the local wireless network
- Participate in solving problems within CUWiN networks nationwide.
- Help update and maintain cuwireless.net
- Answer questions on the support list
Matt Isaacs has been a remarkably productive member of the CUWiN team. His development work has included numerous upgrades to CUWiNware (e.g. porting uDHCP, adding nightly builds and an automatic upgrade script, as well as a firmware builder web-application). He has been actively involved in system administration of the Tribal Digital Village network and has worked closely win CUWiN’s Chief Engineer
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