Wireless for Idiots: Freeper needs 'what-to-buy-and how-to-hook-it-up' help with wireless.

Rudder | 07-09-06 | Rudder

[toddlintown]

Nice legs, but no link.

[martin_fierro]

Ping.

[AnnaZ]

Corrected, with apologies, at reply 17.

[TalonDJ]

With Verizon you can direct dial to their older dialup ISP for free. I do it all time. Gives you about the speed of a 14.4 modem but it only uses normal airtime minutes (unlimited on weekends) and word very nicely with my bluetooth.

[TalonDJ]

I use Verizon, bluetooth and a Motorola phone. Costs me nothing at all beyond the phone the laptop and a bottom end verizon service plan (not a broadband or internet plan). It is not fast but I can post to FR while driving on the freeway ;-D

[TalonDJ]

Depends on what you are doing on the net. I don't have any powers issues with it for light email and FR posting use. Beats the heck out of digging up wires and juggling stuff. I can dig up the laptop and check mapquest while I am still driving.

[KoRn]

ping

[KoRn]

If its a new laptop all you need is a wireless "G" access point. They are very easy to setup and get going by virtually anyone.

I can't stress this enough. BE SURE to enable security, at least WEP to keep people from accessing your network and or sniffing your traffic. When I'm bored I'll sometimes grab a laptop out of the office, fire up Ethereal and ride around town during my lunch hour. It would literally scare the hell out of people how many businesses have completely wide open wireless networks, using applications that transfer data in insecure ways.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

With Verizon you can direct dial to their older dialup ISP for free.

That would be cool to try.
Is it an 800 access number?

[N3WBI3]

TechSupport PING

If you are interested in the TechSupport ping list please mail me

[bwteim]

My two cents

1. Figure on about $50-60 per month from a major cell provider for unlimited access with a PCIA modem card for the laptop - add about 150 or so for the card itself if the wireless card you describe does not fit that bill.
1a. Go for 24 hour coverage, not by the megabyte transfer...
1b. See if the provider will let you have a trial run or else your buddy is out big bucks.
2. Driving in major metro areas is a plus - as coverage is flaky in many areas.
3. Find a site such as
http://www.dynamicdrive.com/dynamicindex6/refresh.htm
and bookmark it to refresh your connection. Some providers will drop you like a hot potato...
4. Claimed transfer speeds and realized transfer things are different, IOW, mileage will vary, just like his truck;)

[bwteim]

Here is a good discussion site - EVDOforums.com

http://www.evdoforums.com/forum-3.html

[TalonDJ]

Nope, it is a # number that stays internal to Verizon.

[6ppc]

I see a lot of discussion about using cellphones for connectivity, but if she only needs access when she is not driving the built in wireless should work just fine...no need for additional equipment or services.

Most large truck stops and many hotel/motels now offer free or inexpensive wireless. The laptop should auto-detect any available access points and most likely she will only need a mouse click to connect.

The only reason she would need data access via cellphone is if she needs to have on demand connectivity between rest stops.

[Restorer]

An awful lot of chain motels also have wireless access. It seems they initially required a password, but then their front desk people spent all night doing tech support (probably not very well.)

So it seems most of them are just wide open, now. When traveling I often pull into the parking lot of a Quality Inn or Best Western to check my email. Sometimes you have to try different places in the parking lot to connect.

I hadn't thought of truck stops, thanks for the idea.

[EricT.]

My wife just got that, too. It works very well in town. We haven't used it on the road much.

[Rudder]

The laptop should auto-detect any available access points...

Thanks, that little bit of detail was something I didn't know for sure. I thought something like an antenna might have been necessary, but apparently not. I surmise the Wireless card contains a radio transceiver, correct?

[Rudder]

Thanks for the link.

[Rudder]

I can't stress this enough. BE SURE to enable security, at least WEP to keep people from accessing your network ...

Thanks! I've been slowly catching up on wireless security and am learning about disabling certain Windows components, but...

WEP ???

[bwteim]

You're welcome. Despite its monthly expense, the modem card and then service via cell providers has some advantages over the wireless networks they offer at hotels/truck stops etc.