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In a nutshell, the 510pen mesh network makes Internet access more available, and it helps to build community. More reliable: 510pen is building a secondary layer of infrastructure for Internet access. It takes advantage of the Internet connections that many people already have, and adds a layer of redundancy on top. It's called a community wireless network, and it uses mesh wireless technology. If you're a part of the "mesh" and your DSL connection goes offline, you won't lose Internet access - it'll just be slower until you fix your DSL line. If you're poor, only visiting, or just cheap, and you don't mind the restrictions placed on folks who don't contribute to the mesh, you can just hop on the mesh from your laptop and do your thing. Build community: Getting a mesh network going makes some minimal level of interaction with your neighbors likely. Even if you join in at the outset without talking to your neighbors, they'll have reason to thank you when your participation in the mesh... - 510pen

Set up your hardware: Buy a compatible router and install the mesh firmware. The open-source ROBIN firmware that 510pen uses can be "flashed" (installed) onto a variety of off-the-shelf wireless routers. Check out the list of supported hardware. For example, the Ubiquiti Pico2-HP is a small but high-power indoor/outdoor access point. Instructions are available for how to flash the mesh firmware onto compatible routers, which usually involves plugging the router into a computer. Or even easier, buy a pre-flashed mesh router. A pre-flashed router comes with the mesh firmware installed and is ready to plug-and-play. Currently the only supplier for mesh routers is Open-Mesh.com. For each node you will need to order one professional mini router. We also recommend adding on a 7dbi antenna for enhanced range. For outdoor installation, pick up an outdoor enclosure. Plug the mesh router into an Internet connection: Unless your mesh node is in range with another node on the network, it will... - 510pen

Here's a use case for why a renter would want to participate in 510pen and how they might do so: A renter would find it valuable to arrive at a new place where 510pen was already within range, and thus immediately have internet access even before the phone service is activated. That access could be slow due to a relatively weak wifi signal (since it's from the house across the street), and yet it would still be useful and appreciated. Perhaps that renter would soon tire of the slow speeds, and get her/his own DSL service from Sonic.net since that was the cheapest mesh-friendly ISP she could find in the area. S/he would then buy a $40 open-mesh unit pre-configured for use in 510pen, so as to take full advantage of the faster DSL (via stronger wifi signal strength) and be a part of the 510pen community. The fact that s/he is using an indoor mesh unit means that signal strength is strong enough to reach neighboring apartments, but not strong enough to give full speed to those neighboring... - 510pen

510pen is looking for volunteers to help test the mesh network in the coming months. Sign up here and as soon as we're ready for beta testing we'll send you an invite. Please make sure to check the beta test checkbox and include your zip code so we're able to map our beta testers. - 510pen

A community wireless network (CWN) is an intranet for your geographic community, with one or more connections to the global internet. CWNs grow with communities - when two neighbors purchase one DSL link and share it using a wireless link between their houses, they have just built the smallest possible community wireless network. Even better is when ten neighbor households share two DSL lines and a cable modem line over a mesh wireless network, while using a virtual whiteboard (in the form of a wiki) to supplement their in-person neighborhood communications. 510pen believes that community wireless networks can simultaneously help bring geographic communities closer together while connecting them to people and resources all over the world. Municipal wireless networks, centrally-maintained cousins of community wireless networks, are growing in popularity - but they're prohibitively expensive to build and maintain. In contrast, CWNs can be started with a small investment (~US$60-$500 and... - 510pen