"FireChat was a tool for revolution. Then it disappeared."

"In Iran, forty thousand people downloaded the app when their government blocked internet access. Over one hundred thousand protesters in Hong Kong used the app to coordinate their resistance against Chinese authority. Singaporeans, Indians, Ecuadorians, Russians, and seemingly every pro-democracy movement globally took advantage of the off-grid messaging app."

"FireChat allowed people to communicate without an Internet connection. The mobile app cleverly leveraged Bluetooth and WiFi signals already emitting from our phones to create peer-to-peer connections known as a mesh network."

"One day in February 2020, as COVID-19 swept the globe, access to FireChat was completely cut off without explanation."

See below for new alternatives.

FireChat was a tool for revolution. Then it disappeared.

#solidstatelife #meshnetworks

FireChat was a tool for revolution. Then it disappeared.

With FireChat, people were free to communicate and coordinate with each other without the message having to first filter through someone's data center. Why did the app shut down without notice?

Uncapped Internet at R99pm on a meshed network for South African low-income communities

Maintaining cabled infrastructure in many informal areas is a nightmare (costly to deploy, dangerous, and sometimes damaged/stolen) so a meshed network does really solve this type of challenge, where each core node relays off the next one, to cover a wide area. In the example given in the linked article, a third of a township that’s home to an estimated 80 000 people is served.

Combining this with a commercial model where the core node hoster is earning 15% of the monthly cost from the surrounding leaf nodes, it is a real win-win.

It’s no coincidence, either, that this type of meshed network is proving popular, as we have seen active decentralisation along identical lines with social media, and also with the Meshtastic unlicensed radio that I featured a week or two back.

This type of approach is perfect where a high-cost service can be shared in a cost-effective way across a community who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford such a service on their own.

See https://techcentral.co.za/internet-revolution-in-olievenhoutbosch/241698/
#Blog, #meshnetworks, #southafrica, #technology

Don’t Buy a Wi-Fi Extender: Buy a Mesh Wi-Fi System Instead (if you can afford it)

Wi-Fi extenders (basically just adding a remote router connected by an Ethernet cable, or even just Wi-Fi) are, on paper at least, quite appealing. And why wouldn’t they be? Who doesn’t like an inexpensive solution to a complex problem? Fifty bucks or less to finally get Wi-Fi all the way across your house or out to the corner of the patio where your hammock is set up sounds like a great deal.

And while, in some cases, a Wi-Fi extender can be a useful and economical solution to your Wi-Fi issues, it’s largely a band-aid slapped over bigger problems with your network. They introduce latency, airwave congestion, and impact your overall network bandwidth and user experience.

For the vast majority of people, but especially those in a large or sprawling home, switching to a mesh Wi-Fi system is a massive upgrade in Wi-Fi technology, overall power, and coverage. That’s because far too many people are using really old stand-alone traditional routers and/or relying on the bargain all-in-one Wi-Fi-router-modem combo unit their ISP gave them.

So yes, a mesh Wi-Fi system is often better because it is all new technology, it is the same brand working well together, and it is usually a few devices covering everywhere. It also includes smart software to help manage many devices moving around between those nodes. But they do cost a lot more!

My problem is just a weakish area in my back garden, and it did not justify me spending the money for an area I don’t use regularly. I went for just adding a Wi-Fi extender router, but I cabled it with 1 Gbps Ethernet to the main router, and kept the same SSID to make it seamless. It also does it’s DHCP from the main router, so I can still manage everything centrally. That said, my Asus RT-AC88U main router (powered by Asuswrt-Merlin software) is pretty smart, and it is not a basic ‘free’ ISP router.

So, although a Mesh Wi-Fi is best, you may want to still weigh up your options before diving in. The linked article expands on Mesh Wi-Fi a bit more, with some additional links to more information.

See https://www.howtogeek.com/818404/dont-buy-a-wi-fi-extender-buy-this-instead/
#Blog, #meshnetworks, #networking, #routers, #technology

"How to send messages in Ukraine if the internet shuts down". "Briar is an Android app that enables so-called peer-to-peer (P2P) communication. Two smartphones connect directly via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi without accessing any existing infrastructure such as network routers or cellphone networks, for example. ... Its big advantage is the direct connection, which is secured by end-to-end encryption. Enemies, secret services, mobile phone providers or hackers won't be able to read your messages. Briar's greatest strength is its ability to bring together a large number of these direct connections to create a network. As a result, communication isn't just limited to two people; a great many people can communicate with each other, over greater distances. This technology is called a mesh network."

Article goes on to describe Bridgefy and Silence.

How to send messages in Ukraine if the internet shuts down

#solidstatelife #cryptography #meshnetworks

How to send messages in Ukraine if the internet shuts down | DW | 07.03.2022

The Russian army is targeting Ukraine's communication and internet infrastructure. Here's how you can communicate if your internet connection has been destroyed.