advice on going wireless at home

[Wanderer]

I want to get a wireless router for home (1 desktop and 2 or 3 laptops).

Any advice on what type to get, setup obstacles to watch out for, virus protection, etc.

[thomas.stright]

I want to get a wireless router for home (1 desktop and 2 or 3 laptops).

Any advice on what type to get, setup obstacles to watch out for, virus protection, etc.

Make sure the router is restricted by MAC Address.

[Wanderer]

Make sure the router is restricted by MAC Address.
erm.... ~smiles dumbly and nods~ mac? moves adds and changes?

[Mike.Perry]

Hi

This is what I bought for home use, have had for 6 months, highly recommended -

Linksys Wireless ADSL Modem Firewall Gateway 4-port Switch 802.11G And Wireless 802.11G USB Network Adapte (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=3831429356&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=76427)

WUSB54G (http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=36&prid=578)

Have a good one, Mike

[thomas.stright]

erm.... ~smiles dumbly and nods~ mac? moves adds and changes?
In simple terms.... The router will only talk to known devices. You tell the router the mac address of the laptop and it will only allow the listed ones to access the network.

[Wanderer]

In simple terms.... The router will only talk to known devices. You tell the router the mac address of the laptop and it will only allow the listed ones to access the network.
oooh, cool... I get it ~nods vigorously, faint rattling is heard~

[robert.1.hall72202]

Too bad a wireless kit doesn't use your existing network card....you would think for a around a hundered bucks you could get a kit that includes a transmitter and 4 receivers that plug directly into your existing network cards.........for now, Im staying with the cables

[thomas.stright]

The onlt reason IMHO to use wireless at home is for laptops and a remote location for a desktop.... Speed being a larger issue with me than security.

[Wanderer]

The only reason IMHO to use wireless at home is for laptops and a remote location for a desktop.... Speed being a larger issue with me than security.
I mostly work on my laptops at home (the kid can reach my desktop pc and it is hard to keep him away while I'm working), and I have to keep my desktop downstairs in the dining room because (old brick house, plaster walls and 1 teeny tiny chase) I can't easily run a wire upstairs without mangling anything.

So, because I want to work upstairs, and still be able to get online, and because I have 3pcs that I use for different jobs (but the laptops lack the oomph to do CAD), and because I hate the phone line we have strung between the living room, up across doorways and down to the pc in the dining room... but, we can't leave it plugged in because the cats/baby/clumsy us will strangle ourselves...

I'm sorry, what was the question???

oh, also, just an excuse to play with technology I am currently unfamiliar with... nothing like forced education. ;)

[thomas.stright]

Sounds like your place is a perfect place to go wireless. Good luck with the install...
Just take your time and read before doing....You'll be fine.

[Andre Baros]

How computer literate are you... The only truly plug and play solution I've found is the Apple Airport. It works just fine with PC's and completely takes care of itself. Going wireless was this years rage here in the office and so far everyone not using the Airport eventually gave up due to technical frustration. The others work, I've taken several other peoples devices home with me and gotten them set up, but for my own purposes I stick with the Airport. I don't have time to keep trouble shooting devices.

[Wanderer]

How computer literate are you?
:confused: depends on who you ask. lol. I can format and setup a pc, which isn't impressive to most of youse guys, but, to 90% of the world's population, I am awesome.

I can read directions, I can tweak, I can search, I am dumb, but, I persevere... I am not necessarily looking for something 'plug-n-play', I am willing to do a little work on it, hope to find it educational.

[Glenn Pope]

Check out this site.
CNET: Wireless network buying guide (http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3243_7-1023478-1.html?tag=fs).

This should give you all the info you need. From what to buy, how to set it up and how to secure it.

[waynes03]

Mel- I have the same router as Mike, Linksys Wireless (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=3831429356&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=76427)G (for short). Its pretty easy to set-up and cost effective, too. I'm happy with it.:smile:

[thomas.stright]

Mel- I have the same router as Mike, Linksys Wireless (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=3831429356&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=76427)G (for short). Its pretty easy to set-up and cost effective, too. I'm happy with it.:smile:

^^^^ Same here at My place, My Parents and My Sisters