NetStumbler.com

Scientists at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology are offering their WiPeer software for free. The downloadable application can wirelessly connect computers within 300 feet of each other inside buildings and within 900 feet outdoors without the use of routers. Through the wireless link, users can exchange photos, perform online chats, and send 700MB files in no more than 15 minutes.

The application arose from the dissertation by doctoral students Vadim Drabkin, Gabi Kliot and Alon Kama under the supervision of Professor Roy Friedman of the Technion Faculty of Computer Science. Friedman said: “We want to bring this to as many people as possible. When there are two computers in the same room, it doesn’t make sense that they must go out to the Internet to communicate. WiPeer’s main added value is the ability to keep things local.” WiPeer is seen as a possible application for cellphones the software will enable users to do away with operators and call people close by.
Via [networkworld.com]

Is a Fon subscription right for you? Fon is a start-up wireless broadband network that uses other people’s bandwidth to get its clients online. Currently many people use someone else’s open WiFi network to get online, a practice that is generally a violation of the subscriber’s service contract. But that may soon change. Time Warner Cable has signed a deal with Fon that lets its user share their unused bandwidth with Fon customers. Meaning that Fon customers can now use these WiFi services worldwide and, in some cases, the ISP and subscriber will see a small profit for sharing.
Via [forbes.com]