Matt Peterson, who might be consided the “father of Community LANs”, is profiled in a recent newspaper article. Peterson founded the Bay Area Wireless Users Group (archives from 2000), which now boasts over 2,000 members and is a leading force behind the Bay Area Research Wireless Network (BARWN), a “free” community LAN backbone network in the Bay Area.
Burning Man’s PlayaNet (archives), was arguably the first practical “community lan” back in the fall of 2000. Peterson pioneered many techniques now considered routine for community lans. He went on to develop Surf and Sip, arguably the first Wi-Fi enabled coffee shop, a concept later cloned by Boingo, T-Mobile, CoMeta Networks and Verizon.
Peterson’s insight and leadership showed how the unlicensed 2.4 GHz band could be effectively harnessed to deliver low-cost internet access to many. Other visionaries, both in the commercial and non-commercial sector, expanded upon the concept.
Matt Peterson’s technical skill and gregarious manner as well as the natural talent pool found in the Bay Area, have enabled the Bay Area Wireless Users Group to become an effective force, nationally and internationally. His leadership has been an inspiration to many.
Matt Peterson has made a difference. In the world.
[Via WiFiNetNews]
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