Editing TasWireless (section)

==Introduction ==
The TasWireless site was first started in 1999.  It started as a splitter group from [[TasLUG]], the Tasmanian [[Linux User Group|Linux Users Group]].  There was only a small number of people who were interested in wireless networking at this time, less than five each in Hobart and Launceston.  A node [[database]] ([http://www.nodedb.com]) for Tasmanian regions was started, the mailing list was put on line, but due to the lack of practical experience and knowledge, very little happened.  The cost of [[Wi-Fi]] cards and [[wireless access point]]s was also a problem.
In early 2002, a flood of cheap [[SkyNet Global]] [[802.11b]] [[PC card]] cards flooded the market.  These cards were [[liquidation|liquidated]] stock and cost around [[Australian dollar|A$]]50-60 each - the average retail price was still around A$200.  A lot of these cards were shipped to the state and distributed (both by TasWireless admins and otherwise).