If I wanted to go wireless... (NEWBIE THREAD)

[Homie_S]

Alright.

So let's say I wanted to expand the abilities of my clie. How about going wireless? Great! Fantastic! So! What do I need.

I'm going to need the card. Now, as far as I know, there are two versions. I assume I will probably be buying the newer (and maybe better, but sometimes newer != better) one. Does anyone know where I can find some good prices on these? I would assume an online retailer can set me up for a good deal, but what should I expect to pay?

Now, to connect to my PC, I'm going to need a wireless router of some sort. The last time I saw a wireless router (which was like 7 months ago) was selling for like 130 bucks at CompUSA. I don't think it's the same price anymore. I have NO CLUE about wireless routers. I don't know which ones are best (although I hear Linksys makes good ones), but hopefully something just plainly for wireless Clie use. Any extra info on this would be apperciated.

One last thing, any software that could help me out? Browsers, Utilities, anything? Preferably something that can be downloaded.

Once again, any information about this would be great. I know quite a bit about clies, just not wireless ones :(

Thanks in advance.

[dannn]

1. dont get the wl110, get the wl100 you can use it with a CF adaptor to use it on laptop. the newer version does not allow this. i probably wont use mine in a laptop but its nice to have the option without a price difference. expect to pay about 70 - 140 for one. if youre lucky 50.

2. I bought a router from compusa for 40 bucks. it works really well! Although linksys, dlink and netgear are probably better beacuse they are more wlel known my 40 dollar router works perfectly. expect to pay about 70 - 200 for a router depending on the features. make sure you get one that is 802.11b compatiable. not 802.11g. as long as it is 802.11b it will work with the proper settings.

3. netfront is wat i use to browse. verichat can log on to MSN,Yahoo, ICQ and AIM at the same time. and i use iambic mail for my email.

Im sure the rest of the members who know more than me can fill you in on what i missed.

[Unregistered]

you can get the routers pretty cheap on sale. you can modems for free (usually with in store sign up with the carrier). then you should also get a card for your pc, so you can fully enjoy highspeed. then you might want a tmobile hotspot sunscription as well. you can also connect to a cell phone via ir, bt, or cable.

[wilsondk]

Originally posted by Homie_S


Now, to connect to my PC, I'm going to need a wireless router of some sort. The last time I saw a wireless router (which was like 7 months ago) was selling for like 130 bucks at CompUSA. I don't think it's the same price anymore. I have NO CLUE about wireless routers. I don't know which ones are best (although I hear Linksys makes good ones), but hopefully something just plainly for wireless Clie use. Any extra info on this would be apperciated.


First, your avatar cracks me up...!

I have a DLink DI-614+ router that I use with my laptop and I really like it. With a Dlink DWL-650+ card in my laptop, I can get 22MB (double the 802.11b standard), but other 802.11b devices have no problem connecting at 11MB. I got the card and router in a bundle at Costco and it cost somewhere around $150 about a year ago--I'm sure its less for 802.11b routers now, since everyone is pushing 802.11g (which should work with the Clie, since it is backward compatible, but a waste if you aren't going to connect any 802.11g devices to the router [the wl100 and 110 are 802.11b])

I don't have my clie hooked up to wireless yet, but my experience with DLink on my laptop has been positive. If you buy a router, make sure that once you have configured your clie and got it working with the router in its default configuration, you then lock down the router using WEP (128 bit or better), a unique SSID, and if you are paranoid like me, MAC level filtering. Routers typically ship with no security and anyone can use your router if it is left in this condition.

[Homie_S]

Are the security features availible with the router or do I need to find them separately (ie third party software, etc)?

Another question, does anyone know about 802.11b interfering with 2.4 ghz cordless phones? Does it cause problems?

Oh yea, in your average house, how well does the system work? (ala range from room to room next to eachother, wide open space) I know the specs are probably listed, but I want your feedback because you guys probably know better.

By the way, this helps A LOT. I'm just trying to see how much this would all run me if I wanted to go wireless. Thanks again guys.

[wilsondk]

On most routers, the security features are included in the router's firmware, so no extra software is necessary.

YES!!! 802.11b and 2.4GHz phones do have problems, depending on the brand of phone. I had a Panasonic 2.4GHz phone and had to move it to my shop (another building) and move back to 900MHz phones. I think it has something to do with the Digital Spread Spectrum (DSS) feature in the phone--not sure.

My house is not that big, and was built in 1840 (with various updates through the years), so I know the signals go through drywall and plaster. My laptop is one floor down and one room over and I get good strength (3 bars out of 4). Your strength will vary depending upon the router and wireless card you get. The construction of the inside of your building will also affect the strength (e.g. if the signal has to go through a metal door or you have metal studs).

Good luck!!!

[Homie_S]

Thanks

Well this is not good, we're using 5 different Panasonic 2.4 ghz phones on the base station system, I'm pretty sure they use DSS. Darnit. Well thanks for your help guys.

[n2ifp]

I don't have any problems with my Panasonic 2.4 GHz Elite DSS phone. I can't use the Jabra Bluetooth with it, but have not had any problem between the phone and the wireless network.

Signals for both the phone and my Clie are wall to wall and treetop tall, to coin an old CB phrase :).

[Homie_S]

Hrm...

Well I'm wondering how I could really find out if it would work or not. Because the base is located about 7 feet away from where the router would be. So I dunno. But going wireless actually seems cheaper than I thought it would be, so that's not bad...
But still, if it ruins the phones, then I can't do it, for the sake of my family not being able to make phonecalls!

[wilsondk]

Actually, I found that the phone clobbered my wireless connection by searching for an available channel. The phone usually didn't have any problems working, but then my base station was downstairs, the WAP was upstairs and the phone was next to my laptop when out of the base