Caillech Posted December 25, 2006 Share Posted December 25, 2006 So for christmas, my wonderful SO bought a laptop. I would like to get some sort of wireless service or satellite service for it. But I dont know if its available where I live and how it works, or how to get it. Can anyone explain these things to me in a way that I can understand. I am NOT a technology buff and know next to nothing about such things. TIA, Selene Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grousemouse Posted December 25, 2006 Share Posted December 25, 2006 Hi Selene, The service you need will depend on what is available. In most places can get a normal internet provider like over your phone line or your tv cable. For this you will need an account with a company called an Internet Service Provider (ISP). They will give you an internet connection and a little box called a modem to connect to the service line coming into your house. If you want wireless, you will also need another box called a wireless router. This will allow you to wander around your house with your laptop and stay connected to the internet. The 'wireless' part is nothing to do with the ISP company. It is just a piece of technology you buy (the wireless router) and configure yourself. Satellite service is something different that you would get if you live in a more remote area where a cable connection is unavailable. I really don't have a clue how it works. Merry Christmas, Grouse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caillech Posted December 25, 2006 Author Share Posted December 25, 2006 Grouse! Its like you came from outa nowhere. So glad to see you around. Thanks for your information it was very helpful. Selene Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wifezilla Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 We have had cable internet forever. We just recently bought a wireless router. If you are willing to play the rebate game, you can get one for under $20. You don't have to have a special ISP to use the wireless...just some minor geek skills to get the router running. Remember, set a PASSWORD or the neighbor kids may start hogging your bandwidth. Someone else using your connection can get in to your computer or slow down your connection. When we were playing with our new wireless set up (with our Wii game system), we found a couple of open connections in my neighborhood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caillech Posted December 26, 2006 Author Share Posted December 26, 2006 Hey Wifezilla, Thanks for the tip. My SO work site uses a wireless router, that he says is not encrypted. (i hope i spelled that right). But it asks for some type of funky passcode thing. Its not regular letters, but something else. But at least the computer detects other wireless spots! Selene Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.