about all this network stuff..what should I do?

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Todd Z

Todd Z

Well-Known Member
4 wheel drive
2nd Gen owner
V8 Engine
Joined
Sep 21, 2003
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Location
Long Island, NY
What engine do you have?
V8 engine
What year is your Sport Trac?
2010
What Generation is your Sport Trac?
2n Gen Owner
OK, I have set up networks and stuff before, but soo much has changed..

And I am going to be cheep !!!!!



I got a free laptop with wireless. It was on a d-link. I have Ethernet cable modem at home..



Should I get a regular router and just plug and UN plug the lap top via Ethernet, OR use the wireless...

I will do almost nothing at home on the lap top...

What do you think???

THANKS

Todd Z
 
You can get a 54G wireless router for $40. It's well worth it. I can now hang out anywhere around the house and be connected to the Internet.

"Rented" one (buy/return - pass cost onto consumer) from Target when I was at my parents place just so I could be untethered when I was there for a week.
 
Wireless is the way to go with laptops. Most wireless access points are pretty much plugin and go (except for setting up security). If you're just going to be surfing the Internet with it at home, go cheap and get a 802.11b WAP. Connection speed is the lowest of the different protocols you can get, but plenty fast for surfing. If you plan on transferring files in a home network, go with 802.11g (assuming the built-in card is of the same protocol).
 
Travis, glad you see the harm in your "renting" practice from Target. I hope more people don't exploit their goodwill.
 
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Wireless routers are pretty cheap and as long as you set up a secure network, you will find that not being tethered to a line is very enjoyable. For internet access, over a DSL or Cable modem, the slower wireless speed is not really an issue as long as you are getting "Good" or "Excellent" signal strength



D-Link, LinkSys, NetGear etc all make good reliable equipment for dirt cheap prices.



...Rich
 
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TJR - I do not know you but.......Let He Who Is Without Sin Cast The First Stone.

(e.g. have you ever put a dollar in a soda/pop/Coke machine & received 2 cans? Did you give one back or just chalk it up to 'the bonus plan'? Did you get more change back than expected? Did you give it back?)



Actually there really is no harm in that process because the unit will be resold and someone else will benefit as it will be/may be at a lower price. Also note the markup on this stuff is so high anyway, which is why prices are continually dropping so there really is no extra cost involved to pass onto the consumer (and we saw before how at least one consumer would benefit). Oddly enough, I too am a consumer and Target gets a lot of my consummerism - close to $150 just during my rental period that week. I think they would call it a good trade rather than goodwill.



To make sure no one else misses the real point here - The idea behind it was to show the dependency of how much I have come to rely on wireless as opposed to being tethered and stuck in one location and thought Todd Z would like to know the glory of being wireless.



 
I think I will go against the grain here. Unless you have burning desire to wander around your home while using the laptop, I would say, since you already have an ethernet connection I would just use that and you should not have to buy anything. Can't be much 'cheaper' than that. Especially if you generally use you computer from the same desk all of the time.
 
Travis...regarding "there really is no harm"...That's called "rationalization!"



You yourself talked about the rise in prices for the consumer. Surely if everyone did this practice, Target would either have to change their policies or pass the increased cost of more customer service personal required on to the consumer.



Buying a product when you know you are going to return it after a period of its use is taking advantage of a retailer's liberal return policy. When that is done we all pay in one way or another.



It's this reason that many retailers have restocking fees on products that are returned (note, I didn't say "exchanged"), and many have shortened their "return periods".



I have committed many sins....that isn't one of them.



TJR
 
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I have to agree with Uncle_bob, if you not planning to use the notebook at home it's pointless to invest in additional equipment, especially if you're doing things on the cheap.
 
Todd Z, to understand if wireless would be worth the investment, answer yourself these questions:



1) Why do you do almost "nothing" at home on the laptop?



2) Is anything likely to change your answers/views from #1, above, such that YOU MIGHT start using the laptop at home?



3) If you WERE to use the laptop at home, WHERE would you most likely use it, MOST of the time, and would these locations work better WIRED or WIRELESS?



TJR
 
I said the same as Uncle Bob about the wireless.... why do I need it? Then I got it. WOW! We now have 3 laptops and a desktop running wireless, and a desktop connected via cat 5.



I can take the laptop out to the garage when working on the car and look stuff up, I can sit in bed and surf, I can take it out on the deck and do schoolwork while catching some rays, etc. I dont know how we lived without it :)



Also, since we are still subject to moving all the time compliments of our Uncle Sam, i did not want the hassle of wiring the place for all the computers..... wireless makes sense for us. I just keep it secure.



 
The computer is close to everything, and I do all my work on the main computer. Eventually I am going to need a second computer down stairs, But that will be cable..

IF I am going to buy a router any way for the second computer, I can get one that does wireless and Ethernet correct??

Thanks

Todd Z

 
Then thats the one I get,

Thank you

Todd Z
 
Gary, the wire is going straight through the floor from upstairs to directly underneath..

Thanks,

Plus I have seen how you run cable.... Looks like a big bowl of spaghetti !!! HAHAH :p:p:lol:



On a serious note, My brother may want his house still completely wired, I will call you soon....

Thanks

Todd Z
 
Last question???



Patch cable, network cable??



What do I need.. I am getting the linksys 54g.



I need to tie in my existing computer to the hub, then to the modem, Then add on the downstairs??

my guess is 3 cables, but what type??

Thanks

Todd Z
 
Regular straight-through Cat 5e or Cat 6 patch cables (not crossover) are what you'll need - whatever's cheapest (which should be the Cat 5e cables, but you never know). Cat 6 cables are pinned-out the same, they just meet a higher transmission-speed specification.
 
Thats the one I just got off ebay for 40 bucks brand new... Gotta love Ebay!!!!

The cables I can get for free from work. Just needed to know which ones to ask for..

Thanks for all yall help!!!

Todd Z
 

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