For the People, By the People...

"The objective of the research was to create a large (~1,000,000 data points), statistically significant, low error data set of the 802.11b Access Points in NYC. More specifically, the coordinates (GPS long/lat), Signal to Noise Ratio, and Network Name (SSID) of as many 802.11b wireless access points as identifiable from the street level were recorded. To achieve this goal it was necessary to drive every street in the borough of Manhattan (approx. 98%) with the exception of areas that were closed to vehicle traffic due to police or construction (WTC and Wall Street)."