Wireless Internet

Bridgee · Senior Member

Wireless Internet

Roostertales · Senior Member

Not sure this is helpful.My internet is wireless via Telstra and the plan is about $30 /month for 1 gig. It seems to work where ever I can get a telstra mobile signal and is download not time charged. The only downside seems to be I need 240 volt to run the wireless connection /radio transmitter.otherwise I enjoy taking th laptop wherever I go and being able to access emails and the net

Mike

mike and Judy · Guru

same with me,This is wireless plus laptop,and can access the internet whereever the phone picks up a signal but dont need 240v, using the blue modem with a USB connection, use 12v for charging the laptop from the car, can also put the small modem into my desktop and have internet on both machines, , running on 240v, service supplied by Telstra,
When you look at the coverage it is the only supplier in the bush

Roostertales · Senior Member

Hi Mike

Glad to know Telstra is currently best bush option although not currently travelling.

I confess for me is all too hard so I go with basic choices.

If you guys get down to Melb or Gippy lakes please let me know.

As you say -life is too short -gotta be something better than working !

twobob · Guru

OK lets see if I can get this right, and help me understand and maybe help others

Most new laptops come with a wireless card, built in. So if you have a wireless connection at home, via landline or whatever, it should find it.

Windows Vista, (new to me) has the ability to find it and connect. Where this does not happen automatically, select the network icon, on the tool bar, and it will list those avialable, and give you an option to connect

While travelling, you may find a number listed, but you can only connect to those that are "unprotected"

As I understand it, CP and others who will allow you to connect, via thier "protected" networks, will give you the password to do so, at a cost

How did I go

mike and Judy · Guru

Too late with the invite Rooster man, spent Xmas with son in the hills and it was too damn cold so left to visit friend in Sale
Now was'nt that good planning, you are roasting down there and we are enjoying dry days and 32 and cool nights here in Central Queensland
and Twobob.
you have lost me , guess I am too old, and my techonolgy is way behind
I just plug in the the little blue thingy modem, and click the connect on the desktop,
Incidently am on to my second one , connected the airiel to it for a better signal when I was fruit picking in stanthorpe and it broke at the small swivel,
Telstra supplied a new one , no cost,!

twobob · Guru

OK, take 2

Wireless is a means of connection without cables. At home you can "network" a number of computers this way, to transfer files

Wireless Internet, is again, no cable connection. It is achieved with a USB connector, plugged directly into the computer (blue thingie) OR via a wireless internet router ( another box not directly connected to the puter)

The USB connection is the same as your mobile phone, connects via land towers.

The router, can do the same, but normally connects via a landline (home phone jack)

When on the road, your USB will connect, as long as there is a signal (same as phone)
ALSO, your wireless connection, built in the computer, will "see" wireless router connections from peoples homes. These are of two sorts, protected and unprotected. It is possible to connect to the internet via the unprotected ones, not ethical, but can and is done. Just click the network icon, and select one and "connect"
The protected ones, need a password to do this. These are the type used by CP, etc, where you pay to connect

Hows that

mike and Judy · Guru

Thank you very much, a wiser man now,
would you now explain what and why we have to abbreviate every thing to just letters,
what does C P stand for ,
sorry mate, in some things I am a real dummy,there is a lot of these around now , some I know like CD , UHF,, but still a lot I havent a clue

Bridgee · Senior Member

Thanks for the feedback 2Bob, M&J and Rooster. Been trying all morning and half of yesterday to hook up a wireless connection from our desktop to our laptop with wireless card .......... and still no luck!

I guess I'll have to wait until one of our "kids" (late 20's) call in and they'll probably press a couple of keys and have it working in 10 seconds to really rub it in just how thick I am!!

By the way I eventually figured out that CP stood for Caravan Park, at first I thought it was Computer Protocol or the initials of words I might use if I can't get a wireless connection!!

Pam · Guru

How do you know if your wireless connection at home is protected or not?

Bridgee · Senior Member

Not sure Pam, how can I check?

Toolern Vale · Member

Well I think it may be prudent, at this time, to link to another website where all computer questions are answered by those in the know.... WHIRLPOOL

-- Edited by Toolern Vale at 12:45, 2009-02-07

Pam · Guru

Bridgee wrote:

Not sure Pam, how can I check?

I don't know how to tell so that was why I was asking.

twobob · Guru

Protected wireless network

On your network device, look for the "security tab" and select a proticol, I use WEP. It will ask for a password "key", enter anything that makes sense to you. Every computer you have on "that" network, will need to have the same password entered, to connect

To check, just call up your network device, and it will tell you if its protected or not OR if someone comes over with a computer, see if they can log on to your network - a yes means unprotected, and anyone can obtain any information you have on your computers, and use your internet connection

As for Whirlpool, best of luck, they are well over the top normally, for a novice like me, but have been of assistance in the past

maybe we are getting closer to an understanding

Trekker · Veteran Member

If you go into wireless manager on your computer and search for wireless networks.

When you see your network, you will notice if it has a padlock symbol then it is secure.

Bob

Trekker · Veteran Member

Also, by the way. Wodonga (next to Albury) on the vic NSW border will have free WiFi access through the entire town in about 2 to 3 weeks.

So if anyone is travelling the hume this is definately going to be the place to stop.

Basil Faulty · Guru

Yeha a few towns are going FREE WIFI Young is another and some places where they want people to visit & Maccas now are going to Free Telstra Wi Fi..........
Only thing I can add to the discussion is that avoid the companies like 3, orange etc that have fantastic deals on wireless internet (6Gb for $29.99) if you want to use the internet anywhwere other than a city where they have coverage....... so very regrettably if you are on the road you have little choice but to use Telstra or Optus and they are expensive....
One other thing, don't be seduced into thinking that you can use your lappy on the train, tram, ferry, Cobb and Co coach as there is simply too much interference though I notice now that the adds have left out the pics of people using the net in a moving vehicle, even in a stationery car with the engine running would be a challenge...
This section of Whirlpool has a very good search/comparison engine ( I luv the tech buzzwords) for broadband and Wireless, just CHECK the COVERAGE MAPS;
http://bc.whirlpool.net.au/bc/

-- Edited by Basil Faulty at 13:05, 2009-02-12