Alndln Posted May 26, 2004 Share Posted May 26, 2004 This is one area where I know next to nothing.I recently put together a desktop PC for my girlfriend,but she only has a cell phone as far as internet connection possibilities.Since she lives in a condo in the center of town,the possibility of Wi Fi hot spots seem good(right near a University/Starbucks/Airport ect.).Since Iv'e never needed this before,I'm not sure what to buy card wise and I'm a little confused by specs(802.11b/11g,11 mbps ect.).Also since her condo is a bit enclosed and probably just out of range,I'm sure I'll have to connect a more powerful external antennae(buy or build) to this card.I don't want to spend too much on this venture(in case it's not possible),but I'm not really sure where to start or what to buy.I saw this Belken Wireless PCi desktop network card(Model F5D6001)at New Egg www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=31&manufactory=1450&DEPA=1&sortby=14&order=1 Which seems to come with a small external antennae that hopefully can be replaced.Then I'm seeing small radio cards that connect via USB.What do I buy? How would you go about this? "A Robot Playing Trumpet Blows" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super 8 Posted May 26, 2004 Share Posted May 26, 2004 When you're the one asking for the computer help....I KNOW we're screwed. Super 8 Hear my stuff here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alndln Posted May 26, 2004 Author Share Posted May 26, 2004 Originally posted by Super 8: When you're the one asking for the computer help....I KNOW we're screwed. "A Robot Playing Trumpet Blows" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alndln Posted May 26, 2004 Author Share Posted May 26, 2004 Well,since Iv'e played music for a living all my life and never worked in an office and still have a free dial up IP I never had to deal with this sort of thing.I must say it's seems a bit perplexing. "A Robot Playing Trumpet Blows" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spokenward Posted May 26, 2004 Share Posted May 26, 2004 If your thought is to "bootleg" these are the ancient links that emptied a thousand Pringles cans... (read on, it will all make sense) i, cringely story about access in Sonoma CA follow-up i, cringely from 2001 there was a lot of slashdot chatter at the time these were published. Things have moved on to 802.11g. The 802.11b gear is nearly free now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeke Smith. Posted May 26, 2004 Share Posted May 26, 2004 You'll want an 802.11g spec card, as that (54mbps) is the emerging standard, and is also completely backward-compatible with the current wide-spread 802.11b standard. Which means that one card will access both types of wi-fi networks. Some people in the corporate world use 802.11a, but not too many, and you won't find it as a standard in nearly any wi-fi hotspots. You can go to a 1/2-wave antenna, but it's not going to gain you too much if the signal is already weak and has to penetrate the outside walls of the structure from the outside. So don't get too hung up on modding the antenna on a consumer-level (read: affordable) card. As to signal boosting? Most public wi-fi network access points are fairly localized as to coverage, so you'll need to go fairly close to where they are to get any signal worth using. If your girlfriend is lucky enough to live next door to one, a wireless repeater can help boost the signal level, but only if it's already accessible, even weakly, and there's not a lot of other RF junk in the same bandwidth. Hotspots located in downtown areas lose range quickly because of all the other things sharing the same frequency range. Once you get above the consumer-level gear, wi-fi gets very expensive very quickly, and it will quickly become more economical to get a dial-up or basic DSL connection than it would be to sink lots of money into directional wi-fi arrays and signal processors. Current live rig: Roland RD700SX, Hammond XK-3 with Leslie System 21, and Muse Receptor. Also a Nord Stage 76 other times instead. And a Roland FP-7 for jazz gigs. HOME: Kawai MP8 + a bunch of VI's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
videoeditor1 Posted May 26, 2004 Share Posted May 26, 2004 Al, I'm not sure how you've going to get internet access. Feeding off an existing w-lan? Subscribing via cell service? If you plan to piggyback off existing wifi signals, check if they require authentication first. You can get a wifi finder for $10-20 bucks (Kengsington makes one) to see WHERE in that area you're getting a usable signal... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alndln Posted May 26, 2004 Author Share Posted May 26, 2004 Thanks guy's,I'm getting the picture.I actually saw the Wi Fi Finder in Staples and almost bought it,now I think I will.If I dont get a signal in her condo then it's on to the cell phone.Anyone ever connect to dialup via a cell connection?Is it horribly slow? "A Robot Playing Trumpet Blows" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rog Posted May 26, 2004 Share Posted May 26, 2004 Originally posted by Alndlnbot: Thanks guy's,I'm getting the picture.I actually saw the Wi Fi Finder in Staples and almost bought it,now I think I will.If I dont get a signal in her condo then it's on to the cell phone.Anyone ever connect to dialup via a cell connection?Is it horribly slow?Cell phones will be slow as hell. Even the new 3G ones over here top out at 380 kbs. I think you can connect over bluetooth, at least you can with my phone and Macs. "That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." - Banky Edwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wewus432 Posted May 26, 2004 Share Posted May 26, 2004 Here\'s the antenna you need. For snooping out access points you can use Net Stumbler . I've heard good things about the Orinoco PCI cards, probably find some other recommendations on The Net Stumbler site. Although the 802.11g standard is available, it's being implemented very little, and probably won't be for a good while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcskid Posted May 26, 2004 Share Posted May 26, 2004 best thing is to buy the sniffer and really everything locally. this way you can take them back if needed. over 1/2 the networks will be unsecure..as in homeowners not setting security. the best will will be the A/G cards they will be the most compatitble. my experiance with signal boosting antennas you can buy is they suck. you will need to make one. do a search for "war driving" this will get you all kinds of ways to boost. it will be hit or miss. as to the cell phone.. she may need to buy another phone and then the service aint cheap plus it really sucks. slower than a modem and drops out alot. i tried this for my wife who does craft shows and had it connected to her laptop to process credit cards. what a nightmare. now we just take our chances and process when we get home. even in an area with a very strong signal it was poor at best. Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GY Posted May 26, 2004 Share Posted May 26, 2004 Regarding wireless antennas: I think the problem at these radio frequencies is that even though you can have an antenna with some gain, there's too much loss in the coax/feedline. GY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henryrobinett Posted May 31, 2004 Share Posted May 31, 2004 I just went over to our neighborhood Starbucks to inquire. It's seem that to use their wi-fi you have to subscribe to T-Mobile?? She said it was sometihng like $30 a month?? Is this right? Kind of a disappointment. I think the coolest thing is to drive around and pull out the laptop at a hotspot like an apartment complex and jump on line. I suppose if I was traveling a lot it would be worth my while to pay for a T-Mobile account. I suppose it's got to be more useful than just to hang out at Starbucks, huh? All the best, Henry Robinett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikegrijak Posted May 31, 2004 Share Posted May 31, 2004 Originally posted by henryrobinett: I just went over to our neighborhood Starbucks to inquire. It's seem that to use their wi-fi you have to subscribe to T-Mobile?? She said it was sometihng like $30 a month?? Is this right? Kind of a disappointment. I think the coolest thing is to drive around and pull out the laptop at a hotspot like an apartment complex and jump on line. I suppose if I was traveling a lot it would be worth my while to pay for a T-Mobile account. I suppose it's got to be more useful than just to hang out at Starbucks, huh?No, no, all you have to do is find your nearest Panera Bread Cafe; they have all the free Wi-Fi you can handle if you buy a sandwich and coffee from them! NEVER pay for Wi-Fi at a public place if you can go down the street and get it free for the cost of a sandwich! Here is a link to a directory of free spots for Wi-Fi: http://www.wififreespot.com/ This way, no, wait, that way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henryrobinett Posted May 31, 2004 Share Posted May 31, 2004 Originally posted by mikegrijak: No, no, all you have to do is find your nearest Panera Bread Cafe; they have all the free Wi-Fi you can handle if you buy a sandwich and coffee from them! NEVER pay for Wi-Fi at a public place if you can go down the street and get it free for the cost of a sandwich! Here is a link to a directory of free spots for Wi-Fi: http://www.wififreespot.com/ Thanks! That's perfect! All the best, Henry Robinett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alndln Posted June 1, 2004 Author Share Posted June 1, 2004 Originally posted by henryrobinett: I just went over to our neighborhood Starbucks to inquire. It's seem that to use their wi-fi you have to subscribe to T-Mobile?? Funny,she dumped T-Mobile because it had too many dead spots in favor of AT&T.Anyway she has a desktop so the trip to Starbucks is out.She decided to get a landline so she'll connect free that way. "A Robot Playing Trumpet Blows" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanmass Posted June 1, 2004 Share Posted June 1, 2004 Go HERE Those WiFi finder suck in general...They have a very limited range. Depending on where you live, do a google on 'open nodes' or hot-spots. You'll find something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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