networking question wifi

[nu_general]

i just acquired a laptop. 1bm t23, win 2000. it came with a IEEE802.11b wireless Lan card.no other name on the card. i understand that around town, coffee shop, harbor, etc you get a signal. do i need a router at home for that use. or just plug in the network card.for my desktop i have XP i have a cable hookup. no wireless yet.

thanks in advance

nu general

[UrbanMoth]

You need 802.11b (wireless-b) wireless access point - dependant upon your cable setup you may also need a router - i.e. Cable modem -> router -> access pont. However some of the manufacturers sell combined units which is the way to go if you want an easy life.

Try www.linksys.com - doing some great deals on 801.11b kit at the moment

I would just voice a word of warning - although everything with the 'wi-fi' badge on it is meant to work with everything else with the same badge there are some reported issues (speed related) when using different kit - might be a good idea to find out who made your adapter card first....

[nu_general]

if i go to starbucks to drink my latte, how does an access point at the house help me get their signal?

[bAdWaYz]

You can't get the signal from starbucks at home. Unless of course you live within range of it. You need a wi-fi router/access point at home to be able to use your own internet connection from home. You can use the Starbucks connection while at Starbucks drinking your latte.

[nu_general]

so if i use the laptop at the hotel or starbucks, do i need a access point/router here at the house. or do i just turn on the laptop with the network card in and let it detect a connection and go from there. i guess i just want to know if i need to but a router/access point to surf when out of the house..

thanks the latte is still hot

nu general

[bAdWaYz]

When you are at home its best to have your own router/access point. This will give you two things. First it will assure you an "always there connection". Hotspots and even leeching off Mr Browns connection down the street sometimes go down and they change setting in the router causing you to lose connection. The other thing having your own access gives you is security. If you set up your own access and lock it down right then your files and folders will be kept away from prying eye's. Believe me its super easy to snag things off a public wi-fi network. All one really has to do is run a web server within that network, spoof the login and website and they can gain access to all sorts of personal data. Lastly having your own access keeps you from being in an actionable situation. For example if you aren't leeching access from Mr Brown down the street then his isp can't sue you for that. Leeching or hijacking access is a crime and if busted you will pay a large fine. We don't want any of our memeber here at CTH to pay fines because that could drastically cut into the latte funds, and who needs that? So for peace of mind, ease of use, and stable access you just can't beat your own little network. I hope this helps and good luck. If you have any other questions or comments feel free to post them here at CTH. Cheers and happy networking :)