MIND
MIND stands for Mesh Interface for Network Devices. The MIND will be an open, free, and global telecommunications network. It is the ultimate end of the movement, and one of the greatest endeavors ever undertaken by our species. There are two basic layers to the MIND. The first layer is called the interface, and the second is called the backhaul.
Architechture
Interface
In the interface layer, humans connect to the network via computers equipped with radios. This is akin to conventional wifi, though the routing protocols, network architecture and radio frequencies may be slightly different. This is the surface of the mesh. This is what we are designing and building. Yet, the interface layer only works so long as individual human/computer nodes are able to communicate with one another - this requires each node to be within radio range of at least one other node. The idea works well, but only for localized communities, what we call digital villages. For a while, this is where we were stumped. We can make it so that nodes are able to communicate with all of the other nodes in their village, but the MIND needs to be global. That's where the backhaul comes in.
Backhaul
One potential solution for the backhaul problem was suggested by [user:martin martin]: We could use the networking software called freenet to establish secure links between digital villages via the wider internet. While this would require that someone within the mesh to maintain an outboard internet connection, it would allow for the private, secure transmission of information on a global scale. This is essentially akin to creating a functional mesh within the existing structure of the internet. It is immediately viable, and an excellent stopgap. Still, a more permanent, less internet-dependent solution is probably desirable.
A few weeks ago, it came to our attention that the problem of village isolation could also be solved through the use of telecommunications satellites. It won't come cheap, but Kosta Grammatis has started an initiative called Buy this satellite to acquire just such resources. The plan is to use satellites to connect up each of the individual villages in a global network. Thus the MIND springs to life, a nervous system for humanity. It will offer everyone in the world the chance to communicate with one another, to learn, to rejoice in our common humanity, and to tackle the problems that our civilization now faces on a global scale.
Deployments
GrinnellMIND
Freenet members at Grinnell College have made (tentative) arrangements to procure networking hardware. The provisional request is for as many as four mesh potatoes. The plan is to experiment, hack, and otherwise abuse the hardware until building a mesh network is second nature. Initial experiments will include relay challenges and establishing inter-mesh connections via Freenet/Darknet protocols. Eventually, we hope to conduct extensive testing of device performance, resilience, and reliability.