I need help. It's been years since I had a laptop--I need info on wireless internet.

[Shakespeare]

As something of a gadget freak, I'm actually embarrassed that I know NOTHING about using wireless internet on notebook computers. I'm getting a new notebook (a tricked out Toshiba) in a few weeks, and want to go wireless.

Somebody take pity on me and tell me what I need to know (and I understand that explanations might be lengthy, so even just links would be greatly appreciated).

[montanto]

1. if its tricked out its already ready. you need a wireless router . ..

for your desktop.

[Shakespeare]

3. Yup, it's wireless-ready. The problem is, I'm not wireless-ready.

I'm assuming it'll be fairly easy to connect at home with the router; what about when I'm out and about?

Thanks. :hi:

[PVnRT]

6. You'll have to find a place with a wireless node

Lots of coffee houses, for isntance, have them, some restaurants, and a couple of rest stops I've seen in Wisconsin.

[Shakespeare]

Do they charge for that?

I'm tellin' ya, I'm clueless about wireless. But not for long...

[SacredCow]

12. Some do

I stopped at a Starbucks specifically so I could have a quick cup of coffee and check my email, and found out that particular location required you to buy an access card.

No matter- I don't like their coffee much anyway and there was a CC's down the road!!!!

[speedoo]

14. Sometimes.

Starbuck's and McDonald's, for example, use providers that require you to subscribe in order to use it. And if you're into boating there are providers that similarly require you to subscribe if you want wireless in marinas.

But there are restaurants, public libraries and coffee houses that offer free wireless to attract customers.

It all depends on your location, really.

[LeftyMom]

2. Check with your internets provider.

I pay mine $2 extra a month and they deal with the wireless stuff for me, provide the equipment, set up the network, fix it when it's screwed up, upgrade it when better equipment comes out, etc.

[flvegan]

4. Seems that for the $2, they also do the initial screwing up that needs to be fixed

Or so I hear.

[LeftyMom]

7. Oh yeah, they're Comcastic! at that.

To be fair, that issue was with the connection itself, although they replaced my router/modem combo thing to be on the safe side.

[PVnRT]

5. I just picked up a router from Circuit City

Plug in the network cable from your modem, and follow the instructions. It should be fairly simple. Just encrypt it (add a password, it will show you how) so freeloaders can't use it.

[SacredCow]

9. Agreed...

I have a LinkSys wireless router and it hasn't been too hard to set up, EXCEPT for one time I had to deal with a system running on Windows Me. That was pretty hellacious.

[speedoo]

10. I don't care about freeloaders, but I do want my wireless secure.

I don't want to be broadcasting my ss#, credit card info, etc.

I have a "b" router that is not secured and I want to upgrade to a more secure router... looking for a deal.

[Shakespeare]

11. How much are those puppies selling for these days?

I'd like to avoid having to go through AT&T (my DSL provider) unless I absolutely have to. They're evil, and they suck.

[Shakespeare]

17. This, by the way, is the computer:

http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/pdet.to?seg=HHO&poid=352297&coid=-31396

Any particular router you'd recommend? Is Linksys OK?

[crispini]

19. I have 2-Wire. It's highly recommended by other geeks. :)

It's quite often just as cheap to get it from your DSL provider, IMO. It was for me.

[Shakespeare]

20. Ooh, thanks. I'll take a look at those.

The best deal AT&T has right now is $99 to get you set up for wireless--that seems a bit high, but I'm still in the preliminary stages of checking things out.

[PVnRT]

21. I use LinkSys myself

Shop around, you can usually find a sale somewhere, or find someone selling their new one on eBay because they couldn't get it set up in five minutes. I paid around $70 for mine and had it running in half an hour.

Plus, when I moved and switched internet providers, I didn't have to change any settings - just plug the router into the modem, no resetting encryption or any other settings. Very nice that way if you have to switch providers at some point.

[Deja Q]

8. And extra protection; it's easier to break through wireless...

best case scenario is free internet for the thief (and that's not always good news), worst case scenario is ID theft

[SPKrazy]

13. I Have A Lap Top

I'm looking for someone er something to put on it.

actually I hate my laptop computer

I need one that is wireless ready because I've had to use a USB wireless adapter and I keep burning them up!

(pins are bent on my serial port due to young child putting something in there)

[hunter]

15. I love my wireless!

I can sit down with a computer anywhere in my house or yard, and there are no problems with cables whenever we move the furniture. Most of the old cables I've strung throughout our house are now unused.

Most high speed Internet Service providers will set wireless up for you.

On the road many motels offer free wireless.

Do set up the encryption on your home wireless, or your neighbors (mostly kids) will steal bandwidth from you. I've met kids whose parents have banned them from the internet who get wireless connections from friends or careless neighbors.

[Strawman]

16. If there aren't alot of hotspots around you and you need a wireless connection

All the time, there are PC cards you can buy from Sprint (and probably other places). Not exactly high speed (at least not when I used one a couple years back), but better than dial up. They were expensive though. Not sure what they run these days.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

18. I have a home wireless setup

Your mileage will vary, because I'm a Mac user, but I bought an Airport wireless router, had the friendly young man in the Apple Store program it for me, took it home, figured out how the wires worked with my cable modem, and I was off and surfing.

I can go to hot spots that offer free wireless (although in England, I was usually forced to pay), and the computer will ask me, "None of your trusted wireless networks are available. Do you want to join the network Coffee Shop (or whatever it is)?" I just click on yes, and I'm online.

Don't do anything secret on a coffee shop wireless network, though. I noticed that when I have iTunes open to listen to music, I can see the music libraries of everyone else in the shop.