Internet-in-a-Box
- Shortcut: IIAB
Internet-in-a-Box (IIAB) is an effort to provide Wikipedia and other content via physical media. It is primarily for distribution in places where access to the Internet is limited or controlled. The device includes software which creates a Wi-Fi hotspot that offers closed platform access.
In practice, this means that up to 32 users who are within a couple of hundred meters of the hotspot can connect to the device and access or download the content that exists on the device: Wikipedia slices, medical knowledge, videos and books. IIAB is not intended to further connect users to the Internet or to content, beyond what is presented in the Box itself.
Philosophy
[edit]Internet-in-a-Box is a collaborative and volunteer managed project. What we provide for free is the underlying software, content, and assembly of the devices. Those who wish a device are generally expected to cover the costs of the underlying hardware. We also encourage people to make the devices themselves, including encouraging people to make and sell the devices on to others. All the hardware is available "off the shelf" and we have 3D files for printing the cases.
Talks
[edit]- Use for education and history of Internet in a Box - Wikimania 2019 Video Slides
- Braddock Gaskill, Internet-in-a-Box Full SGVLUG Presentation - 11 April 2013 Video Slides
In the media
[edit]- BBC "People Fixing the World" October 20, 2020
- Taking medical knowledge to where it's needed most, Indian Express, May 2, 2018
- Connectivity for the rest of the world, 2017
Further details
[edit]Further coordination of efforts to develop Internet-in-a-Box are taking place at MDWiki.org a wiki run by Wiki Project Med Foundation.
Links
[edit]- Internet-in-a-Box.org
- GitHub: http://github.com/iiab
- YouTube: https://youtube.com/watch?v=S79H7vYRMuM&list=PL4aZJXViTLmcRFNZ2XYuk6bAmsqXXuz97
- Wikpedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet-in-a-Box
- Tech Docs: https://github.com/iiab/iiab/wiki
- Tech Support Community: https://github.com/iiab/iiab/discussions
- Frequently Asked Questions: https://wiki.iiab.io/go/FAQ