The National Enquirer reports at 7:59 PM -0800 6/15/04, Tom Wolfe wrote: >I'm sorry if this has been discussed ad infitinum, but I have a wireless >question...
My printer sharing question must have been the same. I never did get a response on it. >My wired router just died, and since I've got to replace it, I figure >it's a good time to go wireless. Just a couple of quick questions, if >you please. >1) Can I/should go 802.11 G or B with a Pismo and Panther? You can if you want. But it doesn't sound like it would be all that valuable to you at this point in time. >2) What inexpensive router do you recommend? Do you get dizzy easily? You just jumped on one huge merry-go-round. :-) You'll hear all kinds of recommendations, including brands that some people like and other people hate. It's like anything else -- what do you (& possibly *will* you) want to do with your WiFi network? Do you need to use AppleTalk over it? Do you need a modem in the WAP (wireless access point or base station) for primary or fall back (emergency) use? Are you going to have anything hard wired via an Ethernet cable to the network? Is cost a factor in your decision? Do you want to share a USB printer? Etc, etc. >3) Would you get a PCMCIA card for the Pismo or an airport card? I don't >currently use the PCMCIA slot for anything. There are pluses and minuses to both choices. I'm sure other list members will contribute their feelings about it. If you are diligent in your shopping, I don't think you will find that much difference between an Apple Airport card and a major brand PCMCIA card. Most of the people I have heard from say that the PCMCIA card usually has better range than a built-in Airport card. But the PCMCIA card will stick out of your PC slot an inch or inch and a half, which makes it somewhat vulnerable to damage. However, it also means that you can put the card in various PBs if, and when, you so desire. >4) If I understand correctly I can't use airport extreme, just the >original airport card in the Pismo, correct? I don't know if there are any differences in physical configuration or not. I tend to say there isn't, but I don't know for sure. I *do* know that you can use a IEEE802.11g PCMCIA card. >Does that mean an 802.11 brouter? Thanks for your time. The 11g technology is backward compatible, so both a 11b card with a 11g WAP, and a 11g card with a 11b WAP will work, though both at the slower speed. >All I want to do is light surfing and email - not heavy file transfers. Like I mentioned above, that doesn't seem to require higher speed or higher cost. However...you wouldn't be the first to expand your horizons far beyond your current expectations, as you really "get into it." So, if money is not a major factor, you may want to get the best that you can. That way, if your horizons *do* expand, you won't be limited by equipment that is feature limited. One last comment. I'm going to let others recommend specific brands and models, but my own personal feeling is that if you can come within $30-$40 when comparing an Apple Base Station and a 3rd party model, I would go for the ABS. If it's more like $100 - $200, then you need to choose the the one that fits your needs and pocketbook the best. One quick example of why I prefer Apple/same-as-Apple products whenever feasible... When a user takes his or her PB out and "roams" looking for open/useable WiFi networks, that's called "war driving" or "drive-by rooting." The program(s) the seem to be the most popular in revealing these open networks -- or Hot Spots -- is MacStumbler for OS X <http://www.macstumbler.com/> and ClassicStumbler for OS 8.6/9 <http://homepage.mac.com/alk/classicstumbler/>. However, MacStumbler doesn't currently support any kind of PCMCIA or 3rd-party cards, and ClassicStumbler only works with an internal Apple AirPort card or a Lucent/Orinoco/Avaya/Agere/Proxim WaveLAN PC card. That's just one small example. There are many others. Well, I see I have gone on too long. I hope some of this info is helpful to you. Good Luck, Bob -- G-Books is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Check our web site for refurbished PowerBooks | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-Books list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-books.html> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-books%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- >The Think Different Store http://www.ThinkDifferentStore.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
