2hotspot goes public with its community-organizing Wi-Fi software: The company's software joins a growing array of tools that provide Internet connect sharing and community features, such as discussion boards and chats. The trend I've spotted is that the network is slowly assuming as much importance as the Internet: that is WLAN power is just as great as LAN power in the right place. (Cf., Pulse Point, PlaceSite.)
2hotspot offers a Windows (2000/XP/2003) software package that handles the community features. The setup works with several configurations, although the easiest is either to use a built-in wireless card to create the hotspot or to use a two-port Ethernet card to pass through a broadband modem connection and allow the software to facilitate its insertion into the process.
The software is free, but they've raised funding. Their model? Advertising on community content pages.
If dual ethernet is not an option, and external router is preferred, the easiest way for DSL users is to use PPPoE from PC instead of router, or for Cable users to use USB to connect to the PC.
Both ways will free a single ethernet port to connect to the wireless router.
What's nice, is that this simple method works with any router.
Oleg R.