We want to welcome Lotus Moon Yoga Studio to Y-FI. Megan contact us to and wanted to host a Y-FI access point in her yoga studio so that she could have internet for herself and her partons. With varied studio hours and only limited need to use the internet she did not need dedicated internet service at her studio. Y-FI was a great way for her to get the access she needs without the added expense of monthly service costs. Using the Y-FI signal already along N George Street from our other partners, the access point at Lotus Moon is able to join the network and repeat the signal into the yoga studio.

For more information about hosting a Y-FI access point for you and your customers contact us today!

Lotus Moon Yoga
237 North George St
York, PA 17401
(717) 424-2273

We’ve been busy working on the network but slacking at keeping the blog updated.  We’re excited to announce that we have brought on partners at both the East and West ends of the central business district and right smack in the middle of the central district.

On the West we have Star Systems Engineering, Inc. at 232-236 West Market St.  On the square Inside Out Creative has graciously allowed us to install a repeater on their network and provide signal to a large portion of the square. And finally on the east, at the intersection of Philadelphia and Queen street we have a repeater installed in the basecamp/home of the local musicians “Free Breakfast”  All three partners deeply care about the resurgence of energy that’s currently growing in York City and are eager to participate in our network which allows freedom of movement to work and play and use the internet to get things done.

Stay tuned, we have other exciting things coming up soon!  As always if you’d like to help our network check out our page on how to contribute

This week is a big week for Y-FI as we bring online 2 new partners in the endeavor to bring free wireless connectivity to downtown York. We are pleased to announce that The Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center and the Camera Center of York have both joined our mission.

The Strand-Capitol, up until now has not had wifi access for it’s patrons, performers or staff and this will provide a huge benefit to the Strand-Capitol as they use their building to promote culture and arts in the community. Conferences that use the facility will be able to use the free Y-FI as well as guests before, during or after a show. The Free Y-FI will also benefit they Strand-Capitol as they look to future endeavors along their street frontage.

The Camera Center of York, has long been a mainstay of the N Beaver Street merchants. The staff at the Camera Center of York is very knowledgeable about the camera equipment they sell. They can take care of your regular photo printing needs and are also able to do large or unique photo print orders that can’t be done at the 1hour photo shops. The Camera Center joined on with Y-FI as a way to show their support for this community endeavor as well as increase exposure for their business.

If you or your business would like to help support Y-FI please see our FAQ

This coming week will be a busy one for us. We need to roll up our sleeves and get to work installing our very first network nodes.  We’re getting out our ladders, tools and drills so we can run cables and mount our test units. All this so we can provide FREE wireless internet to a major stepping stone to our project. We’ll be having a soft launch very soon and then look for a big announcement in the next couple of weeks!

We Still need a LOT of support

We want to know that you’re interested. Follow us on Twitter and say hello!
Tell your friends, tell your co-workers, tell your boss, tell everyone your know -

It’s Free and It’s Coming

We went to make our first install and instantly ran into a hitch.  We did not have a good quality location for the repeater that wasn’t behind a large masonry wall (thus canceling out most of the signal capacity).  That in combination with never ceasing rain made our tests pretty much a dud.

BUT!!!, we think we’ve encouraged a new partner to come on board that will hopefully help us further the cause. The best part is that we hope their location, in conjunction with The Susquehanna Photographic‘s location, will provide excellent signal to Cherry Lane.  Stay tuned. We’re working hard with various partners in the city and the city government to make this a reality.

Our goal is to have a significant mesh in place in the downtown business district by late winter so it’s ready to be used all Spring, Summer and Fall of 2010.

Thanks everyone for their encouragement

Tomorrow, Friday September 11, 2009 will be a big day for Y-FI.  We will be installing and testing our very first gateway and wifi connection.  We’ve slowly been planning and working with partners to stage the Y-FI network strategically around the central business district.  In less than a month, what went from a hypothetical idea is now being put into action.

Downtown Inc, a non-profit committed to seeing the City of York grow in a positive way, has eagerly joined on board and will share their bandwidth for our initial launch and testing.  Their offices are located on the northeast side of the square and will be a great launching spot for other repeaters.

We will install the very first of our internet gateways upon which the network will be built.  Luckily, the setup of the Meraki devices is a 5 minute operation.  Then we’ll hit the square and see how far we can get coverage.  We’re anticipating only reaching the NE corner of the square until more hardware comes online.

We need your help!

We still need a LOT of business partners to join the movement.  Talk it up, tell your friends, we need their help! People have been asking us how they can help – read up on our FAQ we lay out 3 excellent ways you can help Y-FI grow.