Sputnik's 1.1 release of its Community Gateway software is now available for download: Sputnik announced a few days ago that its community network will always be free, both on the software and usage sides. The Community Gateway is a way for Sputnik to roll development back into the open-source community, offer a firewalled and bandwidth-throttle-able access point package, and entice developers to look at its code. (Remember, kids, this free server is the Enterprise Gateway drug.)

Sputnik alerts me that the new 1.1 version has a variety of improvements, including PCI and PLX card support, the latest Linux kernel (2.4.18), a better driver autoconfiguration routine, support for latest Intersil PRISM 2 and 2.5 chipsets in newer PC cards, and a smaller ISO image for CD-ROM creation.

David Sifry noted, "We've seen significantly improved bandwidth figures when using the PCI cards - on the order of a 20-30% improvement over the PCMCIA cards. Now people can create APs using just about any old hardware, including those 486 doorstops piled up in basements across the land."

The Enterprise Gateway is still under construction, with expected summer release. For more information about the enterprise, read my article on Apr. 30.

News for 5/6/2002

Nokia announces hot spot tailored access point: paintable exterior, internal antennas, and power over Ethernet (PoE) all combine to make this unit appeal to the public-space owners aesthetic, financial, and technical needs. Ships in June 2002. No price noted.

Add Wi-Fi to your TiVo: a card, some instructions, and then cut the cord [via David Sifry]