Dear Eastern Arts

You have not heard from me for some time,
but thankyou for information you have been sending.

I am now involved in something that could be highly
relevant to online Media Arts throughout the country.

It is a very high-speed, low-cost network called Consume.
It is ideal for Media Arts (e.g. I intend using it for full-screen
streaming video among other things).

I am currently trying to get it established throughout
Luton and Dunstable. See http://www.swimsite.dabsol.co.uk

Currently there is a working demonstration system in
London where a group of clever computer people
(including many from Media Arts backgrounds)
are developing it.  See http://www.consume.net

It is based on the use of free licence-exempt radio
(c.f. Citizens Band) which is approved by the
Radiocommunications Agency and is intended for use
by non-commercial organisations and ordinary citizens.

It requires computer transceiver equipment costing about
£350 with a range of between 1Km and 2Km and speed
of 11Mbps (80 to 100 times faster than a 56k modem).
Running costs can be vitually nil (i.e. electricity).

Currently connectivity to neighbouring sites is necessary
for routing over longer distances, thus it is most suitable
for urban areas. One set of radio equipment could serve
a whole block (e.g. of student flats) using ethernet cabling.

A club has been formed to promote the network and help
with local technical issues and support.
It is almost halfway to getting coverage of the whole Luton
and Dunstable urban area (see map on website), with
some support from the University.
I have also approached the local councils.

We are interested in participant support only. That way
the entire network is user-owned. The club has no financial
involvement or interest and is totally non-commercial.

I am inviting you to participate. That means having (and using)
your own node(s). Obviously, I would wish you to have a node
in Luton (perhaps with another Luton based Arts organisation?)
with an antenna on a high building, from where, you could
broadcast multimedia works of art perhaps.

Perhaps you would prefer the Cambridge Area and there is
no reason why a network could not be formed there.

I would be interested in your comments about this.

From Paul Clarke
(Acting Local co-ordinator)
E-mail: swimsite@freeuk.com
For L&D Community Network
http://www.swimsite.dabsol.co.uk
For British Swimsite
http://www.swimsite.org.uk