[Update: Garrick starts a conversation. Plus higher res version of the Wi-Fi portal.]

The portal pages for the Minneapolis muni wireless system are becoming a reality. This has been called the “walled garden” in the past and some new terminology out of Chicago has referred to it as a “civic garden.”

The portal will be available free of charge if you can connect to a wireless node. You won’t need an account. On one level, this will provide information to visitors. On another level, it’s free internet for those who can’t afford it.

So what should be in the garden?

I’m a member of the portal committee where we will soon (next week) be working on policies for the content of the portal and walled garden.

I’m soliciting ideas.

For those curious, here’s the current USIW portal in the ‘active’ areas (the original pilot project area). As far as I know, you can actively sign up for an account if you can get to this page. There’s a 24-hour rate for $9.95 or a 15 min. rate of $3.95.

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