Basic WiFi Info Needed

[ronbo613]

Looks like I will be spending time on the road soon so I'll need some kind of wireless internet access. Will spend most of my time between San Diego, CA and Hood River, OR.
I'd like to use a PCMCIA card. B, G, don't have a clue, never been in a Starbucks. Service provider?
Any tips, info or advice?

[rkawakami]

There's several little flash-drive looking WiFi detectors on the market that's useful for finding local 802.11a/b/g access points (AP). Or you could take your laptop out, boot it, and use whatever utility program that's been installed to find nearby APs.

Regarding which system to get, just my opinion but it seems like 802.11b/g systems are more popular than the "a" version. But I don't visit any Starbucks with my laptop to know for sure. If you get a card that covers all three, then you have all that you need. I wouldn't even consider 802.11n (or draft-n or pre-n or whatever) since that's still pretty new.

Any specific route you are taking? Up 101 or I-5? Both routes have places where I'm sure nobody has ever heard of WiFi . But I would be suprised if you throw a stone in any direction and NOT hit a Starbucks.

edit: As far as a service provider, I think that depends upon the public hotspot you find. The Starbucks that I have been into around here (San Jose) seem to use T-Mobile (corporate tie-in?). You can find info here:

http://hotspot.t-mobile.com/

There are some public WiFi access points that are free:

http://www.wififreespot.com/

Basically, Google "public wifi access points", or some variation on that theme.

[richp]

You will find quite a few places, truck stops for one, hit the drivers area and you will find usually an RJ45 wall outlet and a power outlet in one gang setup, parking lots will have wireless, some charge, some don't.
Starbucks, 802.11a/b/g in some, others will be running a/g. Get a good pcmcia card like the linksys WPC55AG, that one does a/b/g, stay away from Dlink especially if you have a dell, they tend to blue screen alot.
The wifi finders are handy as you don't have to fire up the laptop to see there is anything around. Also be aware that there are people out there that pretend to be a wireless access point in order to gain passwords and such so personally I would stick with a wired connections at a truck stop or starbucks wireless. If they start asking you for information before allowing you access I'd defer. Towns in mass, cape cod area have a town network that is free, though they do ask you for a valid email address and give you access to your email account in order to verify your who you say you are, usually for 15 min then if you don't 'click the link' to verify they drop you off line.

[ronbo613]

I'm 100% non-wireless at this point so I gotta figure it all out. The scenario I picture is myself pulling up to some WiFi-type spot, plugging the T-30 into the cigarette lighter of my truck and communicating 21st century style.
I was shocked to find out that service wasn't free, except at some hotels and public libraries and offices. What kind of country is this anyway?
I'll have to do some homework, for sure. That truck stop idea sounds great but I wonder how many there are left here in coastal California. I imagine truckers would want to keep in touch, that makes sense, most of them probably have cell phones as well. As a semi-vegetarian/healthy eater, nothing will ever stop me from sampling the biscuits and gravy at every truck stop I can.
Do you think checking email would be better on a cell phone these days?

[ronbo613]

Or you could take your laptop out, boot it, and use whatever utility program that's been installed to find nearby APs.

The idiotic questions will begin here: if I get a PCMCIA card(thanks richp, the WPC55AG looks as good as any) will a utility program come with it?
edit-never mind, just found netstumbler

Any specific route you are taking? Up 101 or I-5?

I'll probably be on I5. A quick check of service plans rates makes me believe I'll be looking for free access points.
edit-I usually used my Thinkpad at airports. Whole different ballgame in a motor vehicle.

[rkawakami]

Make sure Netstumbler works with whatever card you choose to use.

http://www.stumbler.net/readme/readme_0_4_0.html

[Purcy]

The idiotic questions will begin here: if I get a PCMCIA card(thanks richp, the WPC55AG looks as good as any) will a utility program come with it?

I bought a Linksys WPC11 (b) notebook card off of E-Bay for $4 (brand new) but off course it came with no software. The good gentleman here suggested I grab a driver off the Linksys website for the great wireless connection utility program and it works great.

I might also suggest that if you are going to be on the road for a long period of time that you get one of the broadband service cards-Verizon and Sprint both have them and I think at least for Sprint it is $79 a month. That way you pop the card in and you get true broadband speed wireless connection through their existing cell phone system; heck with that you can use Skype to make phone calls on your laptop.

[richp]

Install the card and software, look down in the lower right hand corner in the task bar, see the red computer with the antenna sticking out of it ? double click it, it will open a tabbed window and the second tab is 'networks' click on it and see what ones you can see. If you see one that is 'open' or 'none' under security select it and click connect. Usually takes about 15 seconds for them to negotiate and get an IP address and such. You might want to try it around the library or other public network first till you get a feel for it. The linksys will pop another small window when it connects by default. I leave that 'don't show' unchecked as it comes in handy sometimes to have that little thing pop up. Some may have mac filtering turned on and the access point shows as open but you won't get an IP address if your mac address is not in their table on the WAP [wireless access point].

Here is a suggestion, go pick up a usb memory card and keep any passwords or account numbers stored on that usb card, not on your hard drive. Don't plug the usb stick in unless you need it. If you can see them then they can see you

Also right click 'my computer' 'properties' then 'remote' tab and make sure that 'remote assistance' is UNCHECKED as well a 'Remote Desktop' is also UNCHECKED.

[Purcy]

Also right click 'my computer' 'properties' then 'remote' tab and make sure that 'remote assistance' is UNCHECKED as well a 'Remote Desktop' is also UNCHECKED.

I also go into the wireless adapter properties and uncheck "Printer and File Sharing" as something that is allowed, while traveling you don't want that!

[ronbo613]

Thanks for the help everyone. I was semi-shocked at the cost of wireless access plans. I think I'll jump through the hoops for free access.

[ronbo613]

That WPC55AG card is great. Using the software that comes with the card, I was able to go down to the local public library and get online with no problems at all.
World peace may be a long way off, but we got free internet. Sweet.