Volunteer Projects

This page describes the various projects that are ongoing within the MassMesh community. If you are looking for something to help with, this is a good place to start!

Device Selection

We are always on the lookout for inexpensive hardware to run our software. Specifically, we are looking for devices around or under $100 that can run OpenWRT or other open distros such as Debian, and contain multiple networking interfaces to reduce the extra cost of adding adapters. Examples include multi-radio devices and small SBCs with multiple network interfaces such as the EspressoBin.

We are also keeping our eye on custom hardware like the LibreRouter. If you have experience with small embedded devices or custom hardware, we encourage you to get in touch or attend one of our meetings.

For more information about our supported devices, see our devices page.

Mesh Gateway Configuration

125px

One of the challenges of bridging a mesh network with the wider internet is determining how and where traffic will traverse between the 2 networks. We are working on producing software that will help users of the mesh choose an exit to enable browsing the wider internet. This involves automating discovery of nodes that are set up to provide internet access, as well as automating the configuration of tunneling traffic. We are currently working with yggdrasil and transitd, so if you have programming experience (especially with Go or Lua), this would be a great area to help out with.

Outreach

Our outreach strategy is informed by the practice of design justice in order to intentionally build neighborhood power. Apart from connecting with people during our Meetups, we want to cultivate practical knowledge about mesh networking in the working class neighborhoods of Boston.

Our current programs include Performing Mesh, which we have piloted with Ujima Boston. Our education project is meant to spread the word about our project, galvanize installs, and cultivate political knowledge/discourse.

Growing our install base is another key goal of our outreach program. In order to differentiate our project, we have to approach this process differently than traditional ISPs. Our installation project should be embroiled in the education project, and vice versa.

You can help!

If you care about the Internet, we need you to organize with us. You can help us most by doing any of the following:

• Contacting institutions about becoming neighborhood Internet beacons, or becoming one yourself.
• Organizing and/or hosting events.
• Creating materials to help spread the word.

For more information about our outreach programs, share resources, or get involved, check our our Outreach page or join our chatroom.

Mesh Services

<insert mesh services description here>