Bridge to the Internet: A Community Router

[Emceelamb]

Description

I would like to introduce my NYU ITP thesis project, Bridge to the Internet, and highlight how it addresses pressing concerns in network infrastructure and network literacy. I propose how a network router can be used as the site for community network building, and services that it can provide. The project description is below.

Bridge to the Internet is a router image that hosts network bandwidth saving services and robust local area communication applications that activate local area networks to strengthen connection within a local community. With the internet under heavy strain due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it becomes clear that we must maximize our network resources and look for alternatives to internet-based communication.

It implements, in a single device, a wireless access point, a web-cache server, a DNS sinkhole server, and an intranet web server that hosts resilient communication applications that allow peers to communicate over Wi-Fi if direct communication is not possible and when the internet is inaccessible. The Bridge image is designed to be quickly and easily set up with a one-line configuration script for non-technical network administrators. It is distributed as open-source software with detailed installation instructions for multiple build systems.

Type: streamed talk
Length*: 30 minutes |
Date: between August 7-9 (Before is okay too)
Duration: once
Language: english

*Note: all talks will be capped at 30 minutes with time for discussion and questions

Objective

• Introduce the project and how it works
• Share how communities have adapted and used networked technology in the face of COVID 19
• Propose frames for creating community networks

Material and Technical Requirements

Platform: videoconferencing
Technical considerations: I've presented a version of this talk over Zoom, but am open to any video streaming/ conference platform.
Additional considerations: I can provide a recorded version as well as accessible slides

I believe I have an educational license for Zoom that I can use for the conference dates.

Presenter(s)

Name: Mark Lam
Email: [email protected]
Url(s): markofthelam.com,
Twitter: @markofthelam
GitHub: Emceelamb

Presenter Bio

Mark Lam is an artist and educator that works with code, electronics, and found materials to make accessible technology and tools to explore the computer network. His work references design and critical studies to emphasize the materiality of the internet, through web applications and hardware. He earned an MPS at NYU Tisch Interactive Telecommunications Program and BA in Art Practice and Media Studies at UC Berkeley. Previously, Mark was a Digital Accessibility Fellow at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and Visiting Lecturer at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education.