Wireless recommendations for desktops...

[ViRaL1]

So the gf is thrilled about PCs for the kids and thinks they will love them, BUT she doesn't want to have to run cable to their rooms. I'm considering setting her up with a wireless network. She already has a very basic Siemens wired router and I don't have an qualms about replacing it with something wireless. I'm partial to Linksys myself as that's what I've been using for most of my networking geared, wired and wireless, however I'm open to suggestion. She's on the basic 1.5Mb plan and I don't see a great deal of data being transferred so B will probably be fine, although if G isn't much more I'll probably go with that. I'm also wondering which is better between PCI wireless cards and USB.

TIA

[glockjs]

i run usb with no probs... the reason i bought it..........cause it was like 5 bones more and not just stuck to desktop or laptop... usb is way easier to pull out than pci


the only probs i have ever had with linksys is the proggys...hangs like a summnah at startup...buts it's all good, cause when it works it works. reminds me of ATI...hardware great...sortware so so.. i just learned that the different company's use different encrypt's. so stick with one company when it comes to hardware. in my opinion linksys is thee best right now

[luv2kruz]

I'm also thinking about a wireless setup up and one key thing to understand is that if you take the PCI option, the computer that that the card is in has to be on for the network to function. If you go with the USB router, you can shut the computer off and the network will still function. So you can leave the router powered, flip open another computer and hook up to the internet or print things on a networked printer without having to go the computer with the PCI card and turn in on.

I think the USB router gives you more flexibility to add other devices like printer,etc. than the PCI card.

Hope this helps.

[housepig]

I've got a Netgear WG111 usb network card, and another coming from eBay - first was on sale at CompUSA for $30, second was $32 with shipping from eBay.

I dig them - mainly because I can switch them between multiple desktops in different parts of the house, and still tap into my tenant's wireless network (with his blessing).

it's hella handy to just plug in a 2" dongle and *bing* there's your network.... never having to open cases, or in some machines try and find an open PCI slot, is sooooo nice.

[ViRaL1]

I'm also thinking about a wireless setup up and one key thing to understand is that if you take the PCI option, the computer that that the card is in has to be on for the network to function. If you go with the USB router, you can shut the computer off and the network will still function. So you can leave the router powered, flip open another computer and hook up to the internet or print things on a networked printer without having to go the computer with the PCI card and turn in on.

I think the USB router gives you more flexibility to add other devices like printer,etc. than the PCI card.

Hope this helps.

Sorry if I was a bit too vague. I was talking about using a wired / wireless router and using either PCI wireless cards or wireless USB adapters for the PCs. I ended up picking up a deal at CompUSA.com on these...

AT&T Wireless G router...
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?&ref=cj&pfp=cj&product_code=311434 for $20, no rebates and

2 AT&T Wireless G USB adapters
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=316668&pfp=XSELLPRODAUTO...r%2C+802%2E11g for $15 each, no rebates.

That should take care of her computer (wired) and the kids' (wireless) for only $50+$5 shipping.

[glockjs]

no too shabby, let us know how they work

[ViRaL1]

Will do. I went ground so it'll be next week if I'm lucky. Although I have yet to pick up the rest of the parts from FedEx so once the PCs are built I'll hook up the new network. My one complaint about using FedEx vs UPS. If I missed a shipment with UPS (I usually miss them because I"m at work during delivery times), I could always go online that night and redirect the shipment to my job and have it in my hands early the next day. I COULD put down my job as the shipping address, but in past experience using 2 different addresses slows down order processing. I probably could have lived with it this time since I just realized that my 'local' FedEx is in a town 45min away. I'll have to go get it tomorrow if I can't get in touch with the driver.

I'm also curious to see how well the two wireless networks (I have Linksys already) interoperate in the same small apt.

[glockjs]

i had trouble using my d link with linksys. so i think linksys can be picky. you probably wont be able to use the encrypt i live in an apt complex and i had to turn it on because so many neighbors were flogging down my speeds stupid i net stealing bastards

[ViRaL1]

I've been using WEP. When your neighbors were sucking up your bandwidth, did you try renaming your SSID and turning of broadcasting. It's still possible to find, but harder for anyone who's not technically inclined. Broadcasting your SSID is like flashing a 'FREE INTERNET' sign.

[glockjs]

yeah we did. i think there is at least one other computer geek in the complex

[ViRaL1]

Dirty stink teeves. You'd think someone with that kind of knowledge would have their own connection. Then again, maybe they're boding the connection for higher bandwidth. :P