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Contender for V1.0
Bill Moller's got some great stuff here for the "less is more" camp:
"Before too much work is put into the design of the "graphic" used to depict the message, perhaps we should first decide on the features of the message:
Some ideas...
The message itself (by message, I mean "chalk drawing") should be:
easily interpretable, language independant, etc...
As for the content of the message, let's clarify why these drawings are drawn at these locations...
1.) "to indicate that there is some form of wireless network near the message"
2.) "to indicate the required information to access that wireless network"
For scenario 1, "form of network", and "near" must be defined... "form of network" should probably remain one of the 3 types, "Open, Closed, or Encrypted (not specifically WEP, which will allow us to support future encryptions). "Near" should either be defined external to the message, as a general rule that messages should be placed within X meters/feet of a successful access; or "near" could somehow be defined in the message itself. If "near" were defined in the message itself, it could contain as much information as is required to appropriately vector the location (as in direction & distance). However, if "near" is to be defined in the message itself, how might one determine where "near" is... in what direction and how far, without actually seeing the WAP antenna. At its minimum, a message should contain at least as much information to answer scenario 1.
For scenario 2, "access information" must be defined. What actual information is required to access this WAP?
Here are some examples:
-ssid (though it can be detected by certain external means, should probably remain included to satisfy everyone)
-bandwidth (but only if required as a configuration setting to any wireless nic, for example, if every wireless nic has a "full auto" bandwidth mode like my linksys, then bandwidth needn't be a required piece of information. If however, there exist any nic's where they will not function without the appropriate setting, then it's required. I just don't know about all "nics", and since I don't know about current or future nics, I'd tend to leave it in.)
-protocol (is it 802.11b, 802.11a, etc... or something that has yet to be invented?)
-encryption ((if designated as Encrypted) is the type of encryption.
My humble recommendation:
Level 1:
-Form of Network:
-Open: The existing suggestion of two half circles, placed back to back.
-Closed: The existing suggestion of a normal circle.
-Encrypted: The existing suggestion of a normal circle (denoting closed), with the exception of the letter placed inside. I think it should be a letter, but the letter should coincide with the type of encryption (which would also satisfy the "encryption" information from level 2) and be uppercase. For example, if a new form of encryption comes out called XYZ encryption, the letter for that type would be collectively designated as "X"... and so the "Encrypted" "Form of Network" would be a closed circle with an "X" in it... Since currently there is only WEP, we should define "W" for WEP, and keep the circle with the "W" for WEP encrypted networks. "?" for an unknown encryption type (indicating that there is encryption, but it is unknown).
-Near: For near, I think it would be much simpler to just declare that the messages should be within 50 meters or 164 feet of a successful access. In addition, it would be hard to determine direction and distance much less "indicate" them. therefore, no additional information to the message is needed.
Thus, a Level 1 message should be a circle or half circle placed back to back, and in the case of a circle, with or without a letter indicating encryption.
Level 2:-ssid: The existing suggestion of the ssid being written in text above the level 1 message.
-bandwidth: The existing suggestion of the bandwidth being written as text below the level 1 message. However it should be a decimal, with 1 decimal place, and should be assumed to be mbps.
-protocol: The same principal as the letter for encryption... 802.11b could be "b" as Docherty suggested, 802.11a could be "a", etc... I think it should be placed to the right of the level 1 message (just an artibrary choice). The letter should be lowercase so as to be distinct in some sense from the encryption letter (even though one will be inside the circle and one will be outside).
-encryption: the uppercase letter contained within the circle. This is included as a feature of level 1.
Attached I have examples for both the level 1, and level 2 type messages.
~Bill"
Posted by matt at June 27, 2002 10:05 AM
Comments
Hi!
There might be a slight risk of "blue" being interpeted as bluetooth...instead of ssid!
:-)
DEScypher
Posted by DEScypher at June 27, 2002 10:21 AM
Hi,
my opinion leave it simple and clear. So if somebody comes along a sign he recognize it at once.
actually you only need a minimum of information:
{OPEN/CLOSED/CRYPTED} NODE
if CRYPTED NODE {WEP/...}
SSID
and some definitions, like:
the network must be reachable if you stand in front of the sign.
In short, I like the original design.
a german wardriver
Posted by a wardriver at June 27, 2002 12:53 PM
For the most part, I like it.
Could the range be considered a best estimate that there is a network within 50 meters (150 ft), or should this be confirmed beyond a shadow of doubt? My understanding of the 802.11 protocol is that without a large extending antenna, 50 meters is the "default" range. Would someone mind verifying this for me? : ) Beyond that 50 meters, just put down where the node is, if you know for sure.
Also, I'd like to amend my idea for node position, based of the idea of the 360 degree model posted previously on the main page. Instead of putting say (>), you could put )(> or <() or ()^, as the case may be, like the arrows on the face of analog clock to indicate how you might improve signal reception.
I'm starting to come around to the use of )( as the symbol for an "open" node; my original thought of (O) to denote "open" disregarded the native spoken language of a region. My apologies, I'm American, so my "world-view" is a bit blind in some cases, so it can be hard to think "outside the box" at times. (*laughing at self*)
So, () for closed node, )( for an open one. Works for me. The isse of denoting encryption seems to be between (W) and (E) at this point, the way I see it. : )
Posted by Wo|f at June 27, 2002 02:12 PM
On the distance/direction thing:
It would be nice to have a symbol denoting 'network ends here', i.e. the point beyond which the signal is too weak to get a connection.
I'd like to sugest )| (thats half a circle, and a verticle bar). To include directional info the symbol can be rotated so that when it on a wall you face it, mentaly rotate it 90 degrees away from you so it's flat, the bar then shows you where the network isn't, and the half circle where it is.
So )| == network is to your right.
|( network is to your left
_
^ (sorry, pushing the limits of ascii) network is behind you.
Posted by Jasper Wallace at June 27, 2002 02:27 PM
Nevermind, I re-read Bill's post. "within 50 meters" answered my question. Thank God for caffeine, I'd never get going in the morning without it.
Posted by Wo|f at June 27, 2002 02:28 PM
- - - - -
http://www2.bc.edu/~benedicw/_misc/warchalking.gif
This is a quick mock up of how I think this whole symbol thing should go down. Simplicity is so so key. Three symbols should be the max. Alpha numerics should have a preferred location, but should be kept optional by all means (along with direction). SSID along the bottom (looks better, makes sense), with maybe the WEP code across the top (where known/applicable). If you want bandwidth on the right and a/b/g on the left, sure, but all of these things are super secondary. The important thing is the IDENTIFICATION OF THE LOCATION. They're just an extension of the Original Three, but (if I don't say so myself) clearer, more unique, and too pretty :) . This whole idea will fly--but I want it to look nice and clean, too.
If the data can be easily put by the symbol, well great. If the only surface is a stone wall face of a coffee shop, best stick with the nice looking simple symbol and the rest can be gleaned with software, or friggin walking inside and asking the story. Direction can be as simple as nothing (you are * here), a clock-compass (noon = forward, 6 = backwards, 3 = right), or a simple map (through the door, down the hall, passed the restroom, door on your right with circular window).
The original symbols are a bit too simple. A circle on a wall is way too ambiguous, as is (though less so) the open butterfly-circle. Combine the two, and it takes on the qualities of a true rune (not that all runs are encased in circles, but that they are obviously intentional and meaningful shapes). The W was always no good. Also, the way these are drawn, the status of the node could be easily updated by erasing or adding a simple line here or there. They're also symbols I wouldn't mind making a cool sign out of and posting in front of my coffee shop or library or whatever...easily transferable to other mediums, but also good-looking (again, if I don't say so myself ;) .
Sorry I've posted this a dozen times, but it seems to address a lot of suggestions, and I didn't know where else to post. I'm just trying to get the word out...pimp my wares, I guess.
Posted by Tremelune at June 30, 2002 05:02 AM
geen
Posted by adli at August 16, 2002 01:16 PM
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