We are thinking of purchasing a wireless notebook, the problem is I am completely ignorant when it comes to this.
So this is what I would like to know : What would it take or what would I have to get to go with it to be able to use the notebook anywhere I take it? My aunt has one and she tried to use the broadband connection at my uncles house and it would not work for her.
I would like to be able to take it to his house or someone else's house and be able to use it immediately. Is this possible?
It'll only work in places that have a wireless hotspot around. So most likely wherever there's a wireless router. The only real way to just go in and use the net is if it's unsecured which generally isn't a good thing, so try to get a WEP from them if you want to use their net access..
Ok, She said that she was totally ignorant when it came to this subject, and I only got half of your reply EEDOK... the other half, was like a foreign language to meh, what was that part about a WEP?
What he is saying is that if you want to go online where there is an wireless access point, you will likely need a WEP security key. a WEP key is an encryption key that you enter in your computer that allows you to communicate with the access point and access the internet.
the infiniteth monkey with the infiniteth typewriter
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Terra, Sol System
Posts: 3,780
and if there isn't a wireless access point.... then you're out of luck. you can still plug in to a physical internet jack, like a cable modem or whatever the place uses (like my parents have a DSL modem that their computer is plugged into, or your uncle's broadband connection). if they dont have a wireless device of some kind, like a router that supports wireless networks, then you cant "be anywhere".
the stuff about a wep key and whatnot is probably a bit too technical if you're just looking to see what's possible and what's not, but its still required information for if/when you do get a wireless notebook.
the stuff about a wep key and whatnot is probably a bit too technical if you're just looking to see what's possible and what's not, but its still required information for if/when you do get a wireless notebook.
Yes... to keep things simple, a 'WEP key' is like a password for an access point. You will need it to connect to a wireless network, but then (of course) there must first be a wireless network to connect to.
Another thing that might be worth mentioning is that a 802.11b network card will not interface with a 802.11a network, so it also depends on where you plan on using it and what sort of network they have.
"I have one report of a frustrated geek who took his PC into the middle of a parking lot and dosed it with two gallons of gasoline. That's a bit much. Two cups would have been more than sufficient."--Kent Norman
pretty much all networks today are wireless b or higher, and all the higher ones are cross compatible with the lower one and vice versa, so it's really not a problem.
