[ebf6]

> The system uses a technology called mesh Wi-Fi (something usually only seen in expensive commercial installations).

This is misleading. You can create your own mesh networks with several off-the-shelf routers / access points using open source software like batman-advanced [0].

[0] https://www.open-mesh.org/projects/batman-adv/wiki

[dragonwriter]

I don't think its misleading to anyone -- the kind of people to whom aftermarket open source software for routers is a reasonable solution won't be misled, and its completely accurate for the people for whom what comes built in with the router is the only thing of interest.

[ebf6]

But that's different from saying "something usually only seen in expensive commercial installations". And it is still misleading, accuracy of some information has nothing to do with what someone is looking for (a self-contained, plug-and-play mesh network).

[dragonwriter]

> But that's different from saying "something usually only seen in expensive commercial installations".

No, its not. The fact that there are inexpensive alternative means by which it can be deployed, and by which certain segments of the population can and do deploy it, doesn't make it any less true that it is usually only seen in expensive commercial installations.

> And it is still misleading if it tends to mislead one group of people more than another group.

I don't think it tends to mislead any group at all. I think that the group to whom the exceptions to the "usual" case accurately described here is relevant will be well aware of it and so not misled, and the group who is not interested will also not be misled by the accurate statement, even though they are likely to be less aware of the nature of the alternative.

[ebf6]

>> But that's different from saying "something usually only seen in expensive commercial installations".

> No, its not. The fact that there are inexpensive alternative means by which it can be deployed, and by which certain segments of the population can and do deploy it, doesn't make it any less true that it is usually only seen in expensive commercial installations.

Well then they should have made that more clear. Expensive + commercial means, well, expensive, and commercial installation means proprietary and hard to access (which, by the way, is also untrue).

> I don't think it tends to mislead any group at all. I think that the group to whom the exceptions to the "usual" case accurately described here is relevant will be well aware of it and so not misled, and the group who is not interested will also not be misled by the accurate statement, even though they are likely to be less aware of the nature of the alternative.

Sorry, I edited my comment for clarity. Anyway I don't think it's right to just say that because a certain population can't be mislead, it means that the information itself is not misleading.

[dragonwriter]

> Well then they should have made that more clear.

"Usually" generally means that they are exceptions, but they are less common. There's no lack of clarity here, you are just ignoring that word.

[ebf6]

Of course I am ignoring the word "Usually". It's not a substantial word. How much is usually? There are always "uncommon exceptions" to some subject (see the implicit flaw with this sentence? That's because I don't use the word "usually". What kind of an argument can I make without the word "usually"?)

It disregards a whole field of volunteered hard work to make mesh networking technology accessible by people who don't want to buy "expensive, commercial" hardware and software.'

It sends the message: "Don't look further, because it's not worth it -- because usually other solutions are expensive and commercial."