Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Many laptops come with built in wireless LAN and/or ethernet
capability. If yours doesn't have built in wireless, you can get a
PCMCIA card that has a wireless adapter. Most have a built in antenna,
some have a small external antenna. I have one that has a small
external antenna that either attaches directly to the PC card or can
attach with an extension that allows mounting up to 18 inches up and
away from the laptop. You should be able to get a wireless adapter for
your laptop for around $60. Zoom Telephonics and D-Link are two that I
have and both work very well.

If your home DSL is connected to a wireless router, that will be all
you need to connect your laptop to the internet. If you don't have a
wireless router, you would need an ethernet connection on your laptop.
There are several ways to share an internet connection and set up a
small home network. A wireless router would cost about $70 or a lot
less if you settled for one of the "11b" versions.

When you travel, you will most likely need wireless capability to
connect to local networks. I have seen some hotels that have ethernet
connections, but most offer wireless internet access. My wireless PC
card has software that scans for local signals and allows me to "join"
any network that it finds. That is all I have ever had to do to access
the internet in places that offer internet connections for their
guests/customers.

Regards, hawk

Paul wrote:

> I'm going to buy a new notebook soon but I dont know how the internet
> woks with laptops. At home I have DSL so I'm guessing I can use that
> to get online but I dont know what I need. Also when I'm on the road
> what will I have to buy so I can get wireless internet acess. The most
> I can spend at this will probably be $100 so what is the best I can
> get for that?

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Yes, good point. Verizon is another provider of internet access via
cellular. Although I believe the service is limited to larger cities.

Regards, hawk

Aaron wrote:
> "hawk" <hawk@spamex.com> wrote in message
> news:107o8dli464qdaf@corp.supernews.com...
>
>>When you travel, you will most likely need wireless capability to
>>connect to local networks. I have seen some hotels that have ethernet
>>connections, but most offer wireless internet access. My wireless PC
>>card has software that scans for local signals and allows me to "join"
>>any network that it finds. That is all I have ever had to do to access
>>the internet in places that offer internet connections for their
>>guests/customers.
>
>
> Alternatly, if you're truly 'on the road' and at a place that doesn't
> offer networks for their guests, you can get a cellular PC card for you
> laptop from many cellular providers. It's not the fastest way to connect,
> but it's enough to do e-mail and instant messaging. Check out
> http://tinyurl.com/2lyrm to see Sprint's selection. There are other, and
> some networks even allow you to hook your cell phone directly to your laptop
> to access their data networks.
>
> Aaron
>
>

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

I would check on a data cable first, before a cellular PC card: much less
expensive (~ $10 on eBay), and you will not incur additional monthly charges
that will likely come with these cellular cards. I use a data cable with my
Sprint PCS phone and it is fast enough (about ISDN speed) for e-mail and
Internet access on the fly.

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

"Guy Quinn" <orgnlgq@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:E7%ec.51138$XO3.33739@newssvr25.news.prodigy.com...
> I would check on a data cable first, before a cellular PC card: much less
> expensive (~ $10 on eBay), and you will not incur additional monthly
charges
> that will likely come with these cellular cards. I use a data cable with
my
> Sprint PCS phone and it is fast enough (about ISDN speed) for e-mail and
> Internet access on the fly.

Ahhhh, but Sprint is starting to cancel internet access when they catch
people using their phones for that without a data plan.

Aaron

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Well, the b,g wireless PC card should be OK. Yes, the Dell should have
the PCMCIA slot that you need. (Call Dell to be sure.) That should get
you 99+% of all networks available. The lowest cost router will
probably be OK, but I think you could get a D-Link for a little less
cost. But, by getting everything from Dell, you probably get less
hassle if something goes wrong. (Should be no finger pointing.) And as
a suggestion, with a router you shouldn't need Internet Security
software. Get the Norton Anti Virus, and be sure to set it up to scan
incoming E-Mail and downloads. I think the Dell you have picked will
meet your stated needs just fine.

Good luck, hawk

Paul wrote:

> hawk <hawk@spamex.com> wrote in message news:<107o8dli464qdaf@corp.supernews.com>...
>
>>Many laptops come with built in wireless LAN and/or ethernet
>>capability. If yours doesn't have built in wireless, you can get a
>>PCMCIA card that has a wireless adapter. Most have a built in antenna,
>>some have a small external antenna. I have one that has a small
>>external antenna that either attaches directly to the PC card or can
>>attach with an extension that allows mounting up to 18 inches up and
>>away from the laptop. You should be able to get a wireless adapter for
>>your laptop for around $60. Zoom Telephonics and D-Link are two that I
>>have and both work very well.
>>If your home DSL is connected to a wireless router, that will be all
>>you need to connect your laptop to the internet. If you don't have a
>>wireless router, you would need an ethernet connection on your laptop.
>>There are several ways to share an internet connection and set up a
>>small home network. A wireless router would cost about $70 or a lot
>>less if you settled for one of the "11b" versions.
>>
>>When you travel, you will most likely need wireless capability to
>>connect to local networks. I have seen some hotels that have ethernet
>>connections, but most offer wireless internet access. My wireless PC
>>card has software that scans for local signals and allows me to "join"
>>any network that it finds. That is all I have ever had to do to access
>>the internet in places that offer internet connections for their
>>guests/customers.
>>
>>Regards, hawk
>
>
> Ok I'm thinking of buying this laptop
>
> http://configure.us.dell.com/dells [...] 0SAP&s=dhs
>
> Now i'm thinking of buying the router for my home DSL... I want it
> wireless so is the one that Dell offers good?
>
> and when Iam on the road I will need a Wireless Networking Card that
> plugs into a PMCIA slot right? Does the laptop that I gave you a link
> too have a PMCIA slot? If this is all right which card do you
> recommend to get?

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

> 1) Save your cash and get an IBM. You won't regret it.
>
> 2) For any parts, www.newegg.com is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
> http://tinyurl.com/33qbu is a router/Wireless Access Point (WAP). I've had
> one for over a year, and never had a problem with it.


I have bought from newegg before and I agree with you they are simply
the best. Iam probably going to buy the WAP you suggested so thanks.


> http://tinyurl.com/yvgj6 is a PC card that I've been using in my laptops for
> the same amount of time, and again, I've never had a problem with it. Yes,
> the are both 802.11b, and with WEP (wireless encryption protocol), you'll
> only get about 1.2mbits. This is, however, pretty much the limit of current
> internet connections, so you wouldn't notice a difference while surfing.


Yea my DSL connection is 1.5mbits and I probablly wont be doing much
downloading on my laptop.


> And if you need to transfer large files between your desktop and your
> laptop, just hook the laptop up to one of the routers CAT5 ports.


thanks for the tip I'll keep that in mind.


> Things to be aware of: if you plan on using something that requires a
> constant internet connection (i.e. instant messengers), you'll need to
> change the power managment settings for your wireless card so that it's
> never turned off. Pick something odd for your WEP key, so that someone
> can't break through it by just knowing about a few of your favorite things.
> Also, get a firewall if you haven't already. http://tinyurl.com/iwhb is a
> link to download the free version of ZoneAlarm. Yes, the router has a
> firewall built it, but it only blocks incoming connections. ZoneAlarm will
> allow you to restrict internet access to certain programs, and allow you to
> deny it to things like spyware and Trojan horses.
>
> Aaron


I'm usually on FreeBSD and Slackware Linux and I'm pretty sure I
configured iptables and all those other goodies like tcpwrappers ...
thanks for the advice man.