Reply to Laurel
Okay, there should be no problem with this. I've looked into the same stuff myself.
Do we need to buy a special wireless modem for this? Our ISP, Comcast, allows us to rent a modem for $3 a month. Does that mean we can't use this?
No. And you should look into one of these Circuit City "Free Cable Modem if you sign up for any cable service" things. It might save you a decent amount of money. But you do need a cable modem. And it absolutely needs to have an Ethernet port (some cable modems only have USB, sillily).
If we don't need a special wireless modem, do we need a special wireless router? Or do we need both?
You need a wireless router. This is like Apple's AirPort Base Station (less than $200 for a regular 802.11b one). I suggest, though, that you get a combination base station / router (like a LinkSys one) from Best Buy. It has a port where you plug in an Ethernet cable directly from your cable modem into the router, a few ports which it distributes the connection to other wired Ethernet computers, and also broadcasts a wireless signal that wireless-equipped computers can pick up.
How much would the necessary modem/router cost?
The Apple base station costs less than $200. The LinkSys (I think that's the name) ones cost around $100. I actually saw an offer for a refurbished one for $40 after rebates, but I don't know if that's such a good idea.
Does my iBook have a wireless ethernet card in it? Is there a chance the other (fairly modern, I believe) PCs do?
You will have to purchase a $79 card from Apple (their education store which you qualify for sells it for maybe %10 less). It's an internal card with very easy installation and is very good quality. Many new PC laptops come equipped with wireless (it has to be 802.11b or 802.11g, not 802.11a, which is incompatible). All laptops marked with "Centrino®" technology have built-in wireless (I am 98% sure on this). If you have a laptop that doesn't have an internal AirPort slot and does have a PCMCIA slot on the side, a card from that will cost maybe $40 - $70 from Best Buy.
If not, how much would one cost (for each of us; I assume the Apple one will be more expensive, because they always are, but I suppose that's the price you pay for quality)?
I just answered that, silly!
Also, if you want to hook up a desktop to your wireless network / internet, buy an Ethernet cable and plug it in to the wireless router if possible, because it will make it cheaper AND faster.
Whew! That is all. You're welcome.
Do we need to buy a special wireless modem for this? Our ISP, Comcast, allows us to rent a modem for $3 a month. Does that mean we can't use this?
No. And you should look into one of these Circuit City "Free Cable Modem if you sign up for any cable service" things. It might save you a decent amount of money. But you do need a cable modem. And it absolutely needs to have an Ethernet port (some cable modems only have USB, sillily).
If we don't need a special wireless modem, do we need a special wireless router? Or do we need both?
You need a wireless router. This is like Apple's AirPort Base Station (less than $200 for a regular 802.11b one). I suggest, though, that you get a combination base station / router (like a LinkSys one) from Best Buy. It has a port where you plug in an Ethernet cable directly from your cable modem into the router, a few ports which it distributes the connection to other wired Ethernet computers, and also broadcasts a wireless signal that wireless-equipped computers can pick up.
How much would the necessary modem/router cost?
The Apple base station costs less than $200. The LinkSys (I think that's the name) ones cost around $100. I actually saw an offer for a refurbished one for $40 after rebates, but I don't know if that's such a good idea.
Does my iBook have a wireless ethernet card in it? Is there a chance the other (fairly modern, I believe) PCs do?
You will have to purchase a $79 card from Apple (their education store which you qualify for sells it for maybe %10 less). It's an internal card with very easy installation and is very good quality. Many new PC laptops come equipped with wireless (it has to be 802.11b or 802.11g, not 802.11a, which is incompatible). All laptops marked with "Centrino®" technology have built-in wireless (I am 98% sure on this). If you have a laptop that doesn't have an internal AirPort slot and does have a PCMCIA slot on the side, a card from that will cost maybe $40 - $70 from Best Buy.
If not, how much would one cost (for each of us; I assume the Apple one will be more expensive, because they always are, but I suppose that's the price you pay for quality)?
I just answered that, silly!
Also, if you want to hook up a desktop to your wireless network / internet, buy an Ethernet cable and plug it in to the wireless router if possible, because it will make it cheaper AND faster.
Whew! That is all. You're welcome.
posted by Seth at 7/28/2003 11:09:00 PM
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