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Billtree, if you're roaming around hoping to hop onto someone's wireless network for surfing and e-mail, you could use a public service such as that offered at Starbucks and other similar places. That's what they're there for. All you need is the wireless card in your laptop and you're off to the races. Basically Starbucks has the wireless router -- all you need is the wireless network card to connect to it.
Keep in mind that you may stumble across unsecured, non-public wireless access points. It is illegal to access these networks without authorization -- another example of the government protecting the ignorant and uninformed.
Another option is to purchase a card and service from Verizon, AT&T, Sprint or T-mobile that allows you to get internet service over the cellular phone network. Figure $200-300 for the card, plus $50+ per month for unlimited access. This is also slow -- 1 to 2 times the speed of a dialup modem connection.
Message Edited by jpm121 on 12-10-2003 03:04 PM
ryri
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Posted December 9th, 2003 04:00
I'm not quite sure what aspect confuses you. Here is a basic rundown. In order to connect wirelessly, you'll need both a wireless card in the computer and a wireless router/access point connected to the internet. There are 3 (2 really) main standards for getting online wirelessly all of them are 802.11 standards:
.11b was the first. It runs at 2.4GHz and tops out at 11mbps (mb=megabit. 8megabits to the megabyte)
.11a came next. It was never widely adopted. It runs at 5Ghz and tops out at 54mbps
.11g is the newest. Since it also runs at 2.4ghz, it's compatible with .11b hardware. like .11a, it tops out at 54mbps.
The truemobile 1300 can use .11g/b. the 1400 adds .11a capabilities. The intel card is .11b only. I forsee .11g becoming the dominant standard. As such, i'd go with the TM1300 (almost no one uses .11a) Does that help?