I was thinking the other day that I spend much too much time in my Den at my desk. Why? Because my computer desktop is there. Even while watching TV in there I was mostly sitting at the desk. I determined that my desktop computer was my ball and chain and I needed to do something about it so that I could enjoy the other areas of the house - away from the ball and chain.

The solution? I bought a new notebook computer (all you Ebay people will love this) on EBAY! A brand new, never opened, never used, not refurbished etc Dell Notebook for $905 plus shipping/insurance of $55. Not bad when Dell has it on their site for about $1100-$1200 plus shipping and tax. This was a pretty loaded little puppy as well with a Pentium 4 at 2.8 GHZ, 512 MB RAM, a DVD/CD writer drive, 30 Gig Hard Drive and ready for wireless technology. I then bought the little PCI wireless card that slips easily into the notebook in a concealed compartment (bought it on Ebay as well - $38) and then the Dell True Mobile Router to send the DSL wireless to the notebook - $61 on Ebay as well.

I am writing this from the kitchen, I am wireless and LOVING IT! So far the notebook wireless works throughout the house and into the backyard. Speed does vary as you get further from the wireless router - but it's fine for me.

I went wireless about a month ago and also love it. I'm using the Microsoft system and it set up in approx. 5 min. Its the only way to go
John <img border="0" alt="[jump]" title="" src="graemlins/jumpjoy.gif" />

Todd

Thanks for the great information. That is truly one disadvantage of being retired - had to give up my free laptop that I could use while watching TV.
Don't know if I can get one very soon - too many travel expenses upcoming, but I will keep watching.
And welcome to the world of EBay. Are you hooked yet?

I went wireless a year ago when I got cable. The huge cable wire strung across the floor was a tad awkward. I use Linksys and it wasn't hard to set up. Even for me <img border="0" alt="[Hammer]" title="" src="graemlins/hammer.gif" />

Betty-

Yeah I am a little hooked to EBAY. I know look there first for most things I am considering to purchase. This is my second Dell purchase on Ebay. Earlier this month I bought Jaime a new, never used, not refurbished etc Dell Desktop 4600 with all the bells and whistles for $395! He loves it!

My kids have nicknamed me the Queen of ebay!

I too bought a new Dell Inspiron 1100 wireless recently - you can go to lots of places and connect on the internet - FREE. I have a 3 y/o barely used Toshiba I am thinking of selling, but, EBay is not my thing. I never put a wireless card on it but it does have the PCMIA slot. I might take it to one of the new Auction Drop stores and then let them put it up for me. Wireless is really cool - just make sure you have the security set up and passwords for your confidential data!

We went wireless last fall...and it is true, like losing the ball and chain. Todd thanks for putting it that way - because I still spend too much time at the desk in my study - got to move my laptop around the house more often.

Todd:

I have a wireless laptop in my future, too. The only question is how far into the future! (g)

re: ebay. ain't it great!! (please note: there was no question mark)
(seller rating 802 & climbing!)

Doug

I do most of my posting from either out by the pool or from my chair in the family room. I have been wireless for over a year now on my Powerbook G4.

Then we got Diana a laptop as well. She loves it so much that we gave our Dell desktop and flatscreen monitor away to our son.

I just wish the ships would offer wireless in the cabins. Well then again, maybe not!!! LOL

Having access to the internet would not be a good thing for me in my cabin. But I am going to miss my good times on MCF in club.com. next week on the Shadow. Todd, I promise not to get shhhed out this time!

We've got 3 computers and all are wireless (IBM won't let us get wirless for our laptops...they are still squirrelly about it), but it is satisfying to various degrees. The connection from Peter's office outside is the best. The connection from our family room is okay, sometimes very spotty. The connection from the master alcove is horrible to non existent. Since I'm one of those who hates slow technology, it can really get on my nerves if it is pokey!!

Is anyone using the newer 108 MPS wireless? It's super g technology. It is supposed to be twice as fast....so in some cases this might help those locations that are slower. I have found myself getting dropped occasionally on this new wireless.

TJ and I are sunning ourselves in the backyard today. It's got to be around 80 degrees and I have the notebook out here and it's GREAT!

I'm going to have to get myself one. My Sony is DOA. Going back to Gateway. I have always had good luck with them. I have got to figure out how to use it with Broadband.

Todd

You have to stop with the details. It is killing me. Ever since you 1st post on this topic, I want & just can't afford it now.
Only kidding about the stop part. If or when I ever get one, I will probably have a million questions for you.
But 1st things 1st. I have to see what my wine bill will be in London. At $10-20 a glass, I could be in serious credit card debt.
A long time ago, on my honeymoon, when Clay & I checked out of our resort in Jamaica, our bar bill was higher than the room & the room rate included B & D. It was all those Planters Punches on the beach, plus wine at night. What a shock!

Todd - my understanding is that the higher the speed goes, the shorter the range. Not sure how far you would be able roam with Super G but I've found that even with G, I occasionally have reception problems that I didn't have with B.

Masaki

Betty - a wireless router and card runs less than $100 these days.

Ouch! I want one.....might have to arrange for alittle , er, crash, of the desktop...heh heh heh...

The networking part of a router is also pretty cool. When Jaime got his new Dell Desktop earlier in the month our wired router worked just fine with being able to see and access files on each other’s computer. Now with the wireless we have three computers on the network at home. Some cool things to do:

1. Play DVDs on a computer without a DVD player by accessing it from one that does have it.
2. Access and play music from another computer.
3. Access picture files etc.

I came home last night to find my notebook computer hooked up to the stereo in our Den playing music from Jaime’s Desktop in his Office....and wirelessly!

<img border="0" alt="[Hammer]" title="" src="graemlins/hammer.gif" />
Todd

I just sent my husband an email this morning telling him this is what I want for a combination anniversary & b'day present this year. Since both events don't occur until the late summer, I might have to wait a while. But your experience has me so jealous, I am working every angle I can. <img border="0" alt="[bang]" title="" src="graemlins/banghead.gif" />

Todd:

I currently have a high speed internet connection and a router for firewall purposes. Penny's laptop is not yet hooked up to internet or the router and was wondering:

1. Can I keep my highspeed line and router hooked up for me only...I like the speed and don't need the mobility....while

at the same time, can Penny go wireless from my highspeed connection?

And if she wants to while in the office, can she link up via my router to get highspeed connection?
(We have a home office)

I hope I'm making sense.

Cheers! Ray

Ray,

I am using a Dell True Mobile 2300 Router. It can send wireless DSL to Penny, while also has 4 ports in the back for other computers to be connected via the wire method. Works the same as any router with firewalls, security and all that.



In Penny's notebook if she has an available pci slot, you can add the Dell True Mobile 1300 PCI card. If not, the Dell True Mobile PCMCIA Card:

PCI Card:



PCMCIA Card:

Todd:

Thanks! I am going to take care of the wireless situation in several weeks and am also going to have some maintenance done on my desktop as well.

Cheers! Ray

Todd,

Thanks for sharing. I have a Toshiba laptop and it on my lap while I am sitting on the bed. I have a very long red cord that comes from behind the cable/tv and it is sometimes limited but, very, very fast! I have Norton firewall with the computer. After what I have read, I just need to get a card and then a new modeum that is wireless. Correct? This weeked, Circuit City? That is where I got the laptop. Jan

Jan - so I'm assuming that you have a cable modem and high-speed Internet through that? You'll need a wireless router, similar to what Todd has currently. The uplink port on the router will be plugged into the cable modem.

Afterwards, you'll need a wireless PC Card for your laptop (also available at Circuit City) - load the software for it that comes with the PC Card (though it may be recognized automatically) and you should be able to surf without your cord anymore.

Masaki

JanMD-

Just like Masaki said. Sometimes these devices are sold as a package to make it easy (Router and Card together).

Todd,

Thanks for sharing. I have a Toshiba laptop and it on my lap while I am sitting on the bed. I have a very long red cord that comes from behind the cable/tv and it is sometimes limited but, very, very fast! I have Norton firewall with the computer. After what I have read, I just need to get a card and then a new modeum that is wireless. Correct? This weeked, Circuit City? That is where I got the laptop. Jan

Whoa - deja vu. A glitch in the Matrix. :)

Masaki

That is funny Masaki!

Todd - too much sci-fi on the brain. :hyper:

Masaki

Geez, you all are a bunch of geeks! Since my "router" only goes about 150 feet (not including chimneys and things) I fall about 6 feet short of getting it in my bedroom from the cable connection on my desktop? I am going to have to pay someone to hopefully correct it? Would gladly do it if it brought results!

Olivia-

I wonder if you can install another cable modem upstairs in the bedroom and do another Wireless router up there?

Olivia - they also sell wireless repeaters/extenders (might need to look for them in places like CompUSA as opposed to Circuit City) - they relay the signal and extend the reach of wireless routers. Might do the job for you.

Masaki

That sounds like a better idea Masaki!

And if you really want to get carried away - network your printer so you can print from anywhere in the house...of course they haven't found a way to get the paper from the printer out of the tray without manual labor. :ohmy:

Margo - yeah, I want to find a way to get the computer to deliver the printed material to me wherever I am in the house after it comes out of the printer! :)

Masaki

Question to resident digital gurus:

I was in Costco yesterday and asked the photo dept. if time/date could be shown on developed photos from a digital camera and I was told no. Time/date shows on previews of pictures while in camera so the info is there but how is it retrieved?

I'm hoping to find a way that it can be done as the June 26 Norwegian cruise is port intensive and it would be most helpful in identifying location to itinerary once we get home.

Any ideas?

Cheers! Ray

Ray, when I upload my photos from the camera, I put them in a folder with the date as a part of the name. I burn a CD and make a slide show.

For example my Panama Canal photos are in a folder PCMay03 and the photo is named FK Cliff Divers-1 05

That tells me that photo is of Frank and Kathy by the Cliff Divers Photo #1 May 5th. I can copy and rename it to send elsewhere, but on my originals I have the trip name, locale, and subject

I look up the properties on the picture for time and date. That is how I was able to remember so many details from my Mariner November Chilean Fjords trip.