Free as in wifi, public as in network: A practice based investigation of networked public space

Cally Gatehouse

doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.1327989

Free as in wifi, public as in network: A practice based investigation of networked public space

Cally Gatehouse

Design Department

Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review

Abstract

The aim of this research is to ask what ‘free’ and ‘public’ mean in the context of wireless networks. Is it free as in beer? Or free as in speech? Should it be ‘free at the point of access’? Or is it free because we are the product? This practised-based research aims to investigate people’s understanding of free wifi and also looks critically at the design aspects of wifi interface through the design of a cultural probe in the form of a ‘captive portal’. Presenting the project as a work in progress, this paper outlines the insights gained through the design process and also points towards the potential contribution of participatory design methods such as cultural probes to critical design practices.

Original language	English
Number of pages	18
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.1327989
Publication status	Published - 21 Mar 2015
Event	2nd Biennial Research Through Design Conference - Cambridge, United Kingdom Duration: 25 Mar 2015 → 27 Mar 2015 https://www.researchthroughdesign.org/2015proceedings/

Conference

Conference	2nd Biennial Research Through Design Conference
Abbreviated title	RTD 2015
Country/Territory	United Kingdom
City	Cambridge
Period	25/03/15 → 27/03/15
Internet address	https://www.researchthroughdesign.org/2015proceedings/

Keywords

Critical design
Cultural probes
Public space
Wireless networks

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10.6084/m9.figshare.1327989Licence: CC BY

Cite this

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title = "Free as in wifi, public as in network: A practice based investigation of networked public space",

abstract = "The aim of this research is to ask what {\textquoteleft}free{\textquoteright} and {\textquoteleft}public{\textquoteright} mean in the context of wireless networks. Is it free as in beer? Or free as in speech? Should it be {\textquoteleft}free at the point of access{\textquoteright}? Or is it free because we are the product? This practised-based research aims to investigate people{\textquoteright}s understanding of free wifi and also looks critically at the design aspects of wifi interface through the design of a cultural probe in the form of a {\textquoteleft}captive portal{\textquoteright}. Presenting the project as a work in progress, this paper outlines the insights gained through the design process and also points towards the potential contribution of participatory design methods such as cultural probes to critical design practices.",

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AB - The aim of this research is to ask what ‘free’ and ‘public’ mean in the context of wireless networks. Is it free as in beer? Or free as in speech? Should it be ‘free at the point of access’? Or is it free because we are the product? This practised-based research aims to investigate people’s understanding of free wifi and also looks critically at the design aspects of wifi interface through the design of a cultural probe in the form of a ‘captive portal’. Presenting the project as a work in progress, this paper outlines the insights gained through the design process and also points towards the potential contribution of participatory design methods such as cultural probes to critical design practices.

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KW - Wireless networks

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ER -

Free as in wifi, public as in network: A practice based investigation of networked public space

Abstract

Conference

Keywords

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Cite this