Wireless user group
A Wireless User Group (WUG) is a collection of Bluetooth devices that support TCS.[1] When devices in a WUG are joined in a Piconet, the Master of the piconet is also the Master of the WUG. WUG functions are provided by the Group Management (GM) part of TCS.[2]
The term is also used to describe a Wireless community network run by enthusiasts. Most run off the shelf Wi-Fi hardware communicating in the license free ISM bands 2.4 GHz/5.8 GHz. Some do not provide Internet access, but are mainly used to participate in Internet games while avoiding data charges from the landline internet providers.[3] Others do provide Internet access, as with the SoCalFreeNet, a group of 802.11 enthusiasts that provides low income communities in California with free wireless access.[4]
The term Wireless User Group may also be used to describe an organization that helps exchange information about wireless networking. Important in the developed world, the subject is of critical importance in countries where there is no landline infrastructure.
Sample Enthusiast Groups
- The Twin Cities Wireless User Group has the goal of creating a stand-alone, free, high-speed network in the Twin Cities in the USA.[5]
- El Proyecto Inalámbrico in Santiago, Chile uses low-cost wireless technology to distribute high-quality digital videos to schools.[6]
- The Johannesburg Area Wireless User Group (JAWUG) is a group of private citizens interested in creating an interconnected network of computers across the greater Johannesburg area in South Africa using 802.11 technologies, with about 170 members as of December 2008[7]
- The Pretoria Wireless User Group (PTAWUG) provides city-wide free IP communications to its user community for non-profit use.[8]
- WaFreeNet is a community project to form a free wireless network in Western Australia, supporting text, voice and video communications, sharing open source material and multiplayer gaming.[9]
There are many more such groups around the world (See List of wireless community networks by region).[10]
Sample Organizations
- The Toronto Wireless User Group is a non-profit organization founded in 2001 that is focused on the wireless and mobile industries, with about 3000 members, that runs free seminars on wireless and mobile technology.[11]
- The Bay Area Wireless Users Group (BAWUG) was founded in 2000 to promote wireless use for the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, but does not seem to be active now.[12]
- Wug.za.net is a South African community based site geared toward a community based wireless network world.[13]
- The Tamale Wireless Administrators’ User Group in Ghana is a group for updating and sharing knowledge in skills in wireless networking, and promoting wireless networking as an alternative means of deploying internet access to deprived communities in the Northern Ghana.[14]
References
- ^ Morrow, Robert (2002), Bluetooth Operation and Use, McGraw-Hill Professional, ISBN 9780071387798
- ^ "Masters and Slaves: Roles in a Bluetooth Piconet" InformIT. Retreived 4 December 2008
- ^ Bidgoli, Hossein (2004), The Internet Encyclopedia, John Wiley and Sons, ISBN 9780471222019
- ^ "So Cal Free Net.org" Retrieved 4 December 2008
- ^ "Twin Cities Wireless User Group" Retrieved 4 December 2008
- ^ "Difusion Multimedial Inalámbrico IP" inalambrico.reuna.cl. Retrieved 4 December 2008
- ^ "Johannesburg Area Wireless User Group" jawug. Retrieved 4 December 2008
- ^ "Pretoria Wireless User Group" Retrieved 4 December 2008
- ^ Community Wireless Networking in Western Australia Retrieved 5 December 2008
- ^ "Wireless Anarchy" Retrieved 4 December 2008
- ^ "Toronto Wireless User Group" Retreived 4 December 2008
- ^ Bay Area Wireless Users Group Retrieved 4 December 2004
- ^ "South African Wireless User Groups" wug.za.net. Retrieved 4 December 2008
- ^ Norbert Consult. Retrieved 4 December 2008