Hive Networks & Hivewares

Hivenetworks is an Open Source project that explores the new concepts of DIY network building, mesh architectures and ubiquitous computing. The aim is to take the DIY networking and publishing to the point where it becomes accessible to anyone with creative mind and basic knowledge of computing.

People behind Hive Networks have been involved in building networked communities and open wireless network development for quite a while. Back in the early days of wireless networking, DIY workshops were developed and given to those willing to build their own “tools of freedom” in UK and Europe. Hivenetworks still maintains extensive contacts with groups like Consume in London and Freifunk in Berlin and is actively involved in development of few embedded open source projects.

Hivenetworks has strong affinity with artists and media practitioners looking for new ways of content aggregation and dissimilation and new models of network publishing. We are art practitioners ourself and are continuously looking for new projects and initiatives to apply and test the concepts of Hive.

What is a Hive Network?

We define Hive Network as an ubiquitous infrastructure that can see, hear, touch and talk to people. It is a concept centered on content generation, dissemination and freedom, and not just connectivity.

Practical realization of the ideas behind Hivenetworks are Hivewares - a range of software tools that transform industrially built, inexpensive, small consumer devices into the much smarter species of Hive device.

What can Hive device do?

At it’s simplest a Hive device is a small, low power, embedded computer appliance running a stripped-down version of Linux. Usually the base unit has been built from a network appliance, so network routing and other related technologies/services will already be available. Other default software includes a web server, PHP, OLSR and Zeroconf (aka Apple Bonjour).

Hive devices become more useful when external accessories are added. These accessories are often connected by USB and could be web cameras, speakers, FM transmitters, I/O boards, and Bluetooth dongles. These can be used to play or broadcast audio, take images, control electronic equipment, and send files to Bluetooth-enabled devices (mobile phones, hand held computers and laptops).

We call the software that controls these functions on the Hive device Personalities, Personalities are configured using a simple web interface, a process that the majority of you will be familiar with. This interface allows to control individual Hive devices or groups of devices.

How do I get started?

If you want to begin to play with Hive devices then just dive in and follow the step by step instructions for preparing, installing and configuring your Hive device. If you get stuck then please post requests on the ‘Help me I’m Stuck’ forum.

You might also find it useful to look at the News & Projects pages for what we've done so far with Hivewares.

For developers, or those of you with a much deeper knowledge of programming, then please head for the more in-depth explanations in the developing section. There is a ‘Development chat’ forum open for questions, requests or discussions.

Finally, if you prefer to explore or learn more about the conceptual base of Hive Networks then please just keep on reading, posting any thoughts or discussions on the ‘Conceptual chat’ forum.

Want to know more

• Background and Discussions
  • Big Idea
    • Spring 2005
    • From Open Embedded to Hiveware
    • The Self-Managed Net
    • Where next
  • How it works
    • Hardware Adaptation
    • Software - Hivewares
    • Simple installation
  • Background and Discussions
• Contact details