I respond to this not because I am a knowledgeable techie, but because I am 
not. As such, I can assure you that it may be much simpler than you can 
imagine.

A while back, I had purchased a router and wireless adapter in anticipation 
of getting broadband. Well, I hadn't quite gotten around to getting it, but 
thought "What the heck, let me see if there are any unsecured networks in my 
neighborhood I can hook into." So, I broke open the box, installed the 
software, and plugged the adapter into my USB port. Within seconds, I was 
speeding along the information superhighway. I opened up my browser, typed 
in a URL, and all of a sudden I was flying. And, FWIW, the adapter was 
something like $15 after rebate, so this was a cheap thrill. Internal 
adapters are also available if your laptop has space.

Obviously, the denser the neighborhood, the more likely there will be an 
unsecured network. But it also increases the chance that nefarious types are 
just waiting for you to hook into their network so they can hack your 
computer. This is especially dangerous in places where people expect a 
wireless signal, such as Starbucks, because they let their guards down. (And 
the bad guys know that.) Now, I share this with you not to suggest you 
should pirate somebody else's signal - - only to advise you just how easy it 
is to do wireless. (I was pleasantly surprised how effortlessly it worked.) 
If you have any friends with a wireless USB adapter, you might ask to borrow 
it to see just how easy it is to use.

So, I would suggest that one of your biggest concerns should be computer 
security. And I will leave the lessons on that to somebody else on the list 
who actually knows what they are talking about. If you were at home with 
your own broadband connection, you could set the router and adapter to not 
recognize outside signals. But since you are going to be depending others, 
you will need to take additional security precautions.

If you want more reliable and consistent access, perhaps you might want to 
get a new cell phone? Or, if I am not mistaken, you might also be able to 
get a wireless card that works without a phone, although I have no knowledge 
about that. But, on the most part, I think you will be more limited by the 
remoteness of your destinations (and service) than limitations of your 
technology.

Of course, YMMB, but does that help?

William Closure

PS As an aside, there is a class action settlement on some Belkin wireless 
products that will get you a FULL refund for the purchase price. For more 
information, you can go to 
http://www.belkin.com/class_notice/classnotice.asp

Most class action settlements are worthless. In this case, it is 
unbelievable.


----Original Message Follows----

Date:    Sun, 13 May 2007 10:35:48 -0700
From:    David Gillett <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: going wireless

   A wireless *adapter* -- for a laptop, this could be on a card, or a USB
device -- allows your laptop to connect to  other wireless devices.  There
are two kinds of such connections:  "ad hoc", to other nearby computers, and
"infrastructure", to some sort of "base station" device.

   To get to the Internet, you want to make an infrastructure connection to
somebody else's base station that will forward your connection to the
Internet -- I expect that more and more campgrounds and RV parks will
include such base stations amongst their amenities.

   A wireless router is the most popular sort of home "base station" device.
So while it's a popular kind of device, it doesn't address your particular
needs.
   [Some router models can be made to function as wireless clients, but
that's more than you need to deal with at this point.]

   A wireless base station will typically be configured to put out an
intermittent broadcast of its SSID, a string which identifies the
service/network it's on.  Typically, your laptop will give you a list of
SSIDs it is currently hearing and allow you to pick which one to connect to.
   You may have to enter a password or security code, either at that point,
or when you launch your browser, to use that network.  The campground should
be able to tell you their SSID and any login information you need in order
to use their service.

   If there's a Panera sandwich shop in your area, they generally have free
wireless for customers and a nice little brochure that covers the details of
getting connected.

David Gillett


On 11 May 2007 at 19:26, Laurel Schmalz wrote:

Date sent:      	Fri, 11 May 2007 19:26:10 -0600
Send reply to:  	Personal Computer Hardware discussion List
              	<[log in to unmask]>
From:           	Laurel Schmalz <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:        	[PCBUILD] going wireless
To:             	[log in to unmask]

 > I will be travelling in a 5th wheel trailer RV around the country
 > (I know, lucky me!). I would like to be able to access the web on my
 > laptop. Currently I do not even have a wireless card. I connect in
 > campgrounds through a 56K modem. I am so confused when it comes to this
 > subject. I don't know the difference between a router and a "card."
 > Please help clear up all this information. What is the easiest, least
 > expensive way to connect while on the road. I used to have a Mobile
 > Office through Verizon set up that allowed me to connect through my cell
 > phone but this is no longer available to me on my current cell phone.
 > If anyone can help me see the light through all the foggy information on
 > wireless connections I know it will be you. I have a Toshiba laptop
 > running Windows XP and my internet provider is currently Juno.
 > [log in to unmask]
 > Laurel Schmalz

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