[NTLUG:Discuss] Wireless

[./aal]

On Sat, Aug 30, 2008 at 9:38 AM, Eric Schnoebelen <eric at cirr.com> wrote:
>
> "Allen Meyers" writes:
> - I realize I will get diverse views which I welcome.
> - I want to go wireless I am ATT Yahoo DSL and I would have to
> - purchase their connect card at $149 and add $60 month to my
> - present $39.
> - I can go wireless and not have to change my IP am I not correct.
> - Please advise on any and all options
>
> define "wireless"
>
> What you describe above sounds like AT&T's cell data service.
>
> As far I as I recall (I have this service, but use it only
> occasionaly), the cell modem gets a dynamically assigned
> address, in an RFC1918 block, rather heavily NAT'd.
>
> Bandwidth is respectible, but not outstanding..
>
> It's not 802.11, but it does have pretty wide coverage (almost
> anywhere AT&T has cellular/GSM service.)
>
> Oh, and some/most of the cards are pretty lame, supporting only
> windows, as the windows drivers seem to provide half the
> functionally of the card (like may of the older first generation
> USB devices did.)  I will say, this paragraph is based on info I
> learned (experienced) when trying to upgrade a year or so ago.
>
> --
> Eric Schnoebelen                eric at cirr.com           http://www.cirr.com
>    "Beware of bugs in the above code; I have only proved it correct, not
>                   tried it." -- Donald Knuth
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> http://www.ntlug.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
>



I do not speak from experience, but I have seen Cricket advertising
cell-net for 40/mo with a free card (usb or pcmcia)

I use Cingul--AT&T cellular and their website has devices for free, I
dont know who is telling you you need to buy a card. Unless you dont
want to sign a contract. but I dont know if you can "unlock" gprs
devices and use a different provider, like you can with a cell phone.
so avoiding a contract may be moot.

On another note, My phone will bluetooth with my laptop and I can use
it as a full speed gprs connection. I dont though because I dont want
to pay the internet fee. But if you need cellular based net, you can
probably use your cell phone on your laptop and add an internet plan,
instead of buying another device.

There can be odd info that you will get from your cellco . Mine says
that I can only connect to the internet from my laptop through my
phone if I buy the cable they sell for it. I went to the mfg website
and found the drivers and software to do this blutooth for free.(still
have to pay for packet access)
NOTE: I have not tried this in Linux because I dont plan on using it
this way, but I know I can(in XP at least) if I am in a pinch and only
internet access can save my life ;^)

-- 
Whenever you have an efficient government you have a dictatorship.
 - Harry S Truman