Hot Spots and PC Cards

Can anyone give me a quick summary of how to use the wireless in these certain "hot spots"? Does the internal card that comes in the laptop detect the wireless itself? Do I have to get some card to insert? Is the wireless free at hotspots?

Someone I know has some kind of 'air card' and he gets wireless virtually everywhere, even on the road when in transit. Can someone explain?

 

If you are in a public place that has a free hot spot, then your network card will detect the network automatically. Some places require a password or SSID, so you will have to get that from someone that is there. Remember that it is illegal to use networks if you don't have permission.

The air cards are usually provided by cellular companies like Cingular. They send you a PMCIA that has an antenna on it. You have to pay for the data plan which makes you pay by how much data you use. An example of the card is : http://onlinestorez.cingular.com/ce...1&q_categoryId=pcCard&q_deviceId=cdsku9870019

Basically, it works similar to having internet at home except that you can take it anywhere. It depends on where you are at and how good of signal you have as to what kind of download speed you have. As far as I know, you don't have to have a cell phone with you, but I don't have much experience with this card.

SG

 

Yep SG covered it there for you. Also some more info:

If you have a plain wireless card, you cant connect to your router from anywhere, you have to be within your routers coverage. If you have a card that has a monthly plan, then you can connect basically anywhere were cell phones are used. (Speed depends).

 

Thank very much. So I would have to go to the IT director in certain establishments to get the a wireless password? Someone was telling me they paid $20 one time and were given internet access around the campus.

I want to get a router eventually as well. So I will be limited to basically within my home when using a router? I want to be able to take the laptop around the house ect without having to connect via a wire.

Right now I have a single desktop PC with a cable modem connecting it to the internet. I will be connecting the router to the modem, and then from the router to the desktop (via a wire) & have access on the laptop wirelessly?

 

For the password, most of the time yea.

You can connect to your router at home, and it will be pretty fast. At times, you can see your neighbours SSID as well, but they are passworded(most of the time).

DSL/Cable -> modem -> router ->(wired) -> PC
..........................................->(Wireless) -> Laptop

 

If you subscribe to wireless hotspot plan like T-Mobile has (T-Mobile Hotspot, and there are a few others), you can use any hotspot from that provider (they will provide maps like this) when you open your browser window, it will automatically show you a different home page that you would enter your user ID / password into. Hotels with wireless are set up similarly. 'Free' hotspots may or may not work the same way, depending on how it's set up.

Note that these systems use WiFi (802.11b/g, just like your home wireless internet), and require that you be in the range of a hotspot. Cell providers also have PC data cards that can connect over the cellular network. Coverage is greater, but it's usually pretty expensive and not as fast as WiFi.

 

Ah interesting. Thank you. Can I get just any router from the local electronics store or which do you recommend for in the house data transfer/internet browsing for home/office type of processes?

 

The Linksys WRT54GS (speedbooster which will help transfer speeds) or the Netgeat 614 router.

 

Depends what budget you have.

Most routers(Basic 802.11b/g) are inexpensive and have sales/rebates on them all the time. NetGear is my personal brand of choice.

 

Are those available at FutureShop and BestBuy type stores?
Can I set up a home network myself?
And will my network somehow be used by people outside of home? I've heard of 'stealing signals'. Don't know how that quite works, anyone care to expand?

 

Yes most stores cary a variety of routers from Circuit City to Bestbuy. As far as securing your wireless connection read This It's answered alot of questions for myself as well.

 

Yea, and a quick summary about security, you can always put up a WPA/WEP password for your connection on the router, lets say, the SSID(Name of wireless connection) is "MyHome" and the WEP/WPA key(password) is 'ok5lets88rock', and change the PW every once in a while. That will pretty much deter most people.

 

Thanks for using that.

And yes, i do what coriolis said to do to. It works very nicely.

 

Oh thanks. Most of those technicals are over my head but i'm sure i'll manage. I'll check out that link and see if I still have any further questions.