Using the neighbour's wireless

That is 1 in my book.

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

Anopther tech question: It is not worthy to get the N series adapter/card if the broadcasting system is still G, correct? Or does using N increase the strength of the card's signal pickup? Also instead of an adapter I could actually get a router or a booster and use it to strengten the signal? The signal is 2 (out of 5 bars) strong, netcruising works with it with my laptop, but the Belkin adapter not so...

 

Log in or Sign up to hide all adverts.

There are 7 that broadcast into my apt. All secured.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide all adverts.

You need a tinfoilhat! There are certain people who actually sensitive to radiowaves. I read about a woman in England who had to waveproof her house, they even used special paints on the walls.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide all adverts.

To my knowledge correct - you only have reason to get N, if the router/broadcasting system uses N.
Any way, N won't be phased in till 2009, so save your money and get G.

 

You can even build your own antenna to boost signal - http://binarywolf.com/249/coffee_can_antenna.htm

Others in the page too.

 

Or you can buy something like this - http://www.radiolabs.com/products/antennas/2.4gig/wireless-laptop-antenna.php

 

I'e just checked what mine was. It was a Buffalo. (are they good?)
Here's the First bit from the Instruction book.

Before you begin
Make sure that you have the setup information that you need
(for example VPI, VCI, and type of encapsulation.....)
Believe me, it did not get any simpler.

My idea of basic instructions is
Take the nice silvery disc and place in the drive.....
Click on the big "Go" button.

It is all now safely back in its box, unused (apart from using my neighbor's
internet for two months)
See earlier post.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/6960304.stm

 

Pretty much, 'cos the FCC set output power specs for these devices, and the manufacturers will try and be just under the power limit to be sure, so the range will be a subtle mix of that figure, plus aerial design, shielding quality, environment, yadda yadda.

Someone has to do the testing, and it seems it's you that wants that answer. Ergo, do the testing.

 

Look, say I do my homework and three items interest me. They all cost £50.
I buy the three at £50 each, making an expenditure of £150. I find that one is best for my purposes. What do I do with the other two?

 

Sell on ebay.

 

Like I care, I buy inexpensive kit and it works fine all around my house. Most kit is good for 100m line of sight, less with walls etc. None are going to be significantly better than the others, unless you buy really cheap rubbish.

 

Instead of buying 3, it is cheaper just to buy a booster, or if it is possible a booster+adapter combo that can be put outside/garage closer to the neighbour and you will be sure you get the best signal possible.

 

So now your advice is "Probably all about as good as each other, but don't buy the cheapest".
Thank You.
That's almost helpful.
Why didn't you say that in the first place instead of "Buy a bunch of them"?

 

'cos that wasn't the answer to the question asked. The question was;

"How can I tell which wireless network adapter (D-Link, Belkin, Linksys,etc.) has the biggest strength in the same price category?"

and I gave the answer I did because nobody will have tested the availble kit in the exact environment you will be using it, so all figures would at best be guidelines. For exact figures, you have to do it yourself. Sorry, but I work in IT, and I answer the question I am asked. There is a habit in this section for people not to do that, and people often recommend what they personally prefer, without actually listening to, or understanding the question posed.

But the truth of the matter is that in this case it doesn't make much difference. Placing of the router will make far more difference. Make sure it's not shielded by the computer casing, a metal shelf etc etc, and imagine the line between the the router and the computer, and think of any obstacles (brick chimneys, concrete stairs, etc etc) and how to get around those.

I have my router in my attic, and by placing it over the shelf shaped intrusion that covers the top of the stairwell, which is only wood, I can pick up my WiFi throughout the house, no obstructions. Placed on my computer rack however, being metal, reception sucks.

 

It's cool...I wear one anyway to keep aliens from abducting me. Alien abduction beams use the same frequencies as wireless routers, so I'm covered.

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

 

Guy arguing for open networking:

http://www.wired.com/politics/security/commentary/securitymatters/2008/01/securitymatters_0110

 

I don't think that's even legal. But, most people don't care anyways...If you have more than one neighbor, just switch between each one daily.