Wireless Network
 

Hi peeps! - I'm thinking of setting up a wireless network so that I can use my laptop in other rooms around the apartment - anyone got one of these, and if so what kit can you recommend - I was in the store at the weekend, and there are a shit load of products to choose from - cheers!

Paul :-)

I use D-Link :)

I've use the Linksys wireless ones a lot and they work very well. In my own home I have the Apple Airport and it seems to have better range, but you need a Mac to configure it.

Whatever you get be sure to put a password on it or you will end up being a wireless access point for everyone within range.

Thanks Cleo - Surfn :) What should I be looking at in terms of performance with these things - I have looked at both you guys have mentioned, plus a couple of others - thanks :-)

If all you are using it for is the internet then just get the cheapest since even the original standard is way faster then even the fastest internet connection.

The original standard 802.11b is 11Mbps.

The newer 802.11g standard is faster, but unless you are doing computer to computer file transfers on your local network it isn't going to make any difference.

Some of the wireless access points have a USB port so that you can plug a USB printer into it and print wireless to it. I have an older Laser printer that uses ethernet so it got plugged into the ethernet out on the access point and I can print that way to it.

All the wireless access points except the Apple one use a web browser to access the admin and set it up.

Nice one Cleo!!! Just what I need to know :-)

Wireless networks rock. I've had an SMC network for about 4 years. It's old and it's not as fast as the newer ones but it's never missed a beat. For home use they seem to be as reliable as copper.

Good luck abd Cleo's consulting seems to be right on the money.

doublep,
I use the Dlink 802.11b. If you use all dlink products you can get the speed up to 22Mbps.

The real beauty is when your friends get WiFi and you also get a list of Hotspots both free and pay for service.

If I'm home and building web sites then I'm usually in my office because I like plugging my laptop into an external keyboard, mouse, and monitor, but for anything else like reviewing, flossing the boards and stuff like that then I can sit in my backyard or lay in bed which is nice.

But where WiFi really rocks is the fact that I can finally leave my house. Most of my friends have WiFi now, I know because I set it up for them, and I have the T-Mobile hotspot service (their Wifi name) , $20 a month, plus I know a bunch of free spots, people don't secure their networks. lol

Basically these days I just carry my laptop and work whereever I end up. I do have a pretty long list of SMPT server's in my mail program.

When I was in Vegas Alex, Luna, and I needed coffee and internet service so we sat in the parking lot of a closed Starbucks using their hotspot service so as to access the internet and find a list of Starbucks who were open and had WiFi service.

It's all pretty much seamless, just open up the laptop and start working. :)

Actually it's 44 with their new 4X upgrade, which I have and it kicks ass, tho now they seem to be concentrating on their 108Mbps stuff now.

this WiFi service: do you have to be in a certain area for it to work? I'm a bit confused. We will be getting the T-mobile service free from 1 month since we will be getting a new sony laptop. How do you like the service?

I have a SMC Barricage.G Wireless Router in my house.
Works very good with my notebook. Its got internatl Firewall and hmm.. thats about it. No port for Printer. Was a cheap model when I got one. I wasn't needed any fency stuff, as I use Notebook to read books basically and chat on ICQ. Buy 3COM <- best there is.

Thanks for all the tips folks - will be going shopping today :-)

T-mobile offers two different internet services.

They offer WiFi at Starbucks, Borders books, etc. For this you need to be within 200 feet of the transmitter. It is as fast as your home broadband, maybe faster.

They also offer GPRS through your cell phone. This works anyplace that your cell phone works, but only gives you speeds that is a bit faster then using a dialup. If you have a phone with Bluetooth and a laptop with Bluetooth then the phone just needs to be within about 20 feet of your laptop.

As far as T-mobile service goes it is very good where I live, better then Nextel or ATT, but as with all cell service it is dependent on where you live and how well they have your area covered.

Went for the Linksys kit - all up and running and sweet as a nut! Cheers again!!!

Paul. :-)

good to hear.. im definately looking into the wireless stuff myself. I've got a laptop and desktop in my apartment, but it would be handy to carry the laptop around and do stuff in other rooms without dragging the cable around with it.

Is the speed alot slower for pc2pc transfers? I don't transfer a whole lot... but it would be nice, sometimes i design sites on the laptop then archive them on the desktop.

I'm 100% wireless on a cable modem, 2 laptops and a desktop and I have never seen a "lag" on wireless that wasn't there when I was still plugged in.

We do camz shows and house camz on it, no issues.

Best thing about it IMHO is when we travel and friends have wireless we can use theirs w/o issue. Over the past 2 yrs of wireless I've had one issue with not getting on at someone else’s house.

I use a wireless network at home and it rocks. I also bought a laptop with wireless and its really cool. Its great to have the wireless option, so anyone thinking of a laptop should definetly consider getting it with wireless capabilities. Its great to go just about anywhere and have a connection.

Cleo...that's great about Starbucks...I didn't even think of that! Right on!

Thanks Stev0!! Yeah- - I have moved over load of stuff over from my pc - megs of it, and it didn't take to long at all :)

Not sure which of my neighbors has an unsecured wireless network setup with a printer attached but just for grins I printed some pages to it that read Greetings Earth Creatures can I use your phone to call home?

LMAO!!! That is funny!

How easy is to find these open networks... I mean if I'm in town having a coffee or something, and I fire the laptop up - will it try to listen for any beacon.. or just mine... ?

I'm a Mac user and there is an icon in the menu bar that shows signal strength with a pull down menu and shows all available networks.

Not really sure how it works on a PC, but it is probably similar.

Also the computer stores here sell a little $30 WiFi finder that goes on a keychain.

Hey Cleo...I didn't know that the sell a little $30 WiFi finder...this goes on your keychain and locates wireless networks? Can you give me a URL of what you're looking at. Now that I have a wireless laptop, that could come in handy...lol. Do you know your networks really well?
Thanks...

Here you go, one WiFi finder for you.
http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/...sp?dpno=241768


When I'm not peddling pics of nekkid flesh I do computer consulting for the advertising, design and print shops in my area. I know Macs really well, know PCs a whole lot less, networks are pretty much the same on both.

Same here on mine Cleo - and that WiFi finder is a cool little gadget!!!

:)