How do ask a neighbor to join their airport?

[mjoyce11]

I'm moving into a neighborhood that has 4 or 5 airport networks listed with WEP passwords and i want to ask one of them if I can hook onto their network and help pay for their internet expenses- Can I do this???

[iShater]

While I strongly recommend against sharing a network connection with strangers, if you really must, you can maybe post something in your building asking if someone wants to split an internet connection and see where that goes.

Did I mentioned I strongly recommend against it?

[Peace]

I agree with iShater..

It's a huge security risk to do this.

[TheAnswer]

Yes you can. Provided you know which neighbors are the source of the WiFi signal.

I'd suggest writing a brief, polite letter suggesting your proposition to them. Check in advance what the going rate is for DSL/Cable in the area and make sure the amount you are willing to pay is fair. If you are going to regularly using a lot of bandwidth, make sure you factor that into your offer.

Or of course you could scope them out, bring them some homemade cookies (or a six pack) and actually talk to them if they seem like the "I talk to the people I live next door to" type.

[MacInTO]

be neighbourly and talk to them!

I use my neighbour's connection and we split the cost - it's good for everyone - except the telco - but we don't care about them!

[mjoyce11]

Since I don't know who they are, is there a way for me to email them or find out who they are so I might politely approach them?

Since I am a novice - if I only use the internet for surfing and emailing - i don't do gaming or watching movies - would that affect the signal sharing? Someone noted the bandwidth- but I'm not sure what that is or how it affects the signal.

Thanks!

[TheAnswer]

Since I don't know who they are, is there a way for me to email them or find out who they are so I might politely approach them?

Since I am a novice - if I only use the internet for surfing and emailing - i don't do gaming or watching movies - would that affect the signal sharing? Someone noted the bandwidth- but I'm not sure what that is or how it affects the signal.

Thanks!

Seems like your usage will not be a problem in terms of bandwidth. If you were downloading music/movies constantly, then you'd effectively slow their connection down and in order to be fair, you should then offer more money to compensate. But that's not the case.

As far as finding who owns the connections, maybe canvas your street with a tasteful flier/letter?

[Le Big Mac]

As far as finding who owns the connections, maybe canvas your street with a tasteful flier/letter?


Wanted: Shared internet connection to mooch off cable co. and violate TOS to save a few bucks.

[iShater]

Wanted: Shared internet connection to mooch off cable co. and violate TOS to save a few bucks.

LOL

I wonder how many people would hid their SSID after reading that :D

[savar]

Since I don't know who they are, is there a way for me to email them or find out who they are so I might politely approach them?

Since I am a novice - if I only use the internet for surfing and emailing - i don't do gaming or watching movies - would that affect the signal sharing? Someone noted the bandwidth- but I'm not sure what that is or how it affects the signal.

Thanks!

There's no automatic way to figure out who's network it is.

I'm also pretty sure that it's a violation of the TOS for most providers to share a connection between households.

[wongulous]

What a bunch of killjoys around here. "But the poor telcos, you're raping and pillaging their miniscule profit margins with your excessive and damaging use!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooo!!!!"

[mkrishnan]

Eh, killjoys are as killjoys do....