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September 21, 2004 Wireless Meeting

Date: Wed, 8 Sep 2004 16:52:04 -0400

To: Central Pa Mac Users Discussion List <cpamu@yahoogroups.com>

From: Ingram-James-Listservers <Shoot-All-Spammers@track2.com>

Subject: [wmpt mtg] Tue 9/21, Mac+Win Wireless Networking (Chilitech)

 

WILLIAMSPORT, PA -- The Susquehanna Macintosh Users Group will meet on

Tuesday September 21, 7:30 pm, in Williamsport at

Pennsylvania College of Technology, ATHS building, Room W103.

 

Directions and more information are at http://www.SusquehannaMacUsers.com or Dan Mason 323-7760. Advance registration is not required, and there is no charge.

Schedule

7:30- 8:30 -- Presentation

8:30 - ?? Q & A re Wireless

8:45: ?? If there is time after the Q&A, we may have a "special planning meeting", and request

those "high energy" Williamsport people, who want to get involved in the programs,

to stick around for a short discussion. We think we need to re-visit this issue, of "do we want to have a meeting EVERY month". Lack of super programs and lack of attendance, seems to be a chronic problem both here in Wlliamsport and in Danville.

Program - Wireless Networking

All beginning and experienced Windows and Macintosh users are invited to join

Chilitech's Michael Eck for a 1 hour presentation on wireless networking.

 

Michael did the wireless installation for the iMacs in the Coffee and Tea room in Williamsport, and also the wireless access point at the Bullfrog Brewery in Williamsport.

 

Michael runs Mac OS 10.3 on his G4 Powerbook, and he also supports all the local Windows customers, so he can help users of both operating systems.

 

These wireless installations work for all operating systems that support wireless networking hardware, including Macintosh, Windows, and Linux.

Discussion Outline

Standard 802.11 Wi-Fi (Airport) topics discussed will include the following:

 

Basics of wireless networking

The familiar names you hear: Belkin, D-Link, Linksys, Netgear, etc

Adding special antenna's to your wireless router (and possibly your wireless receiver) for boost signal strength for longer distances.

 

What wireless components work for Macs

Do you need OS X, or will they work for OS 9

What wireless components work for Windows PCs

What wireless components work for both PCs and Macs

 

Working with wireless bridges (usb and ethernet) on older Macs and PC's that have no native support for wireless networking hardware.

Connecting to an open wireless network such as those found at WiFi hotspots like the Coffee and Tea Room or the Bullfrog Brewery

 

Encrypted and closed networks (i.e.you need a password)

Basic wireless network security

 

How to find wireless access points when you find yourself and your wireless laptop away from home (war-driving).

 

Questions Not Covered

Any additional topics you would like addressed, please post them on this Listserver as a reply to this message, and Mike will study it (he is a member of this Listserver).

 

===== Additional Comments =====

Chilitech "Windows Cleaning" Services

Also, I believe Chilitech offers a service for Windows owners, for about $25,

where they will clean all the virus and spyware programs off the machine. I don't think this is so much a problem with Macs, but apparently PCs will invariably accumulate this junk on their hard drives over time, and it slows them way down.

 

Michael comments that they also will work on Macs when necessary.

Maximum Cable Lengths

I have been doing some checking on my own, and people tell me:

The maximum distance you can run an ethernet cable is about 300 ft.

For example -- you might want to connect your wireless router to an older Mac with no wireless, so you could use an eithernet cable to connect a computer up to 300 feet away.

The maximum distance you can run a USB cable is about 12 ft.

For example -- some of the wireless receivers you would use with an older computer, connect to the computer by a USB cable. So the receiver could be placed up to 12 feet away from the computer, for optimized reception.

Cell Phone Technology for Internet Connection (possible future discussion ?)

Please note that cell phone technology will NOT be covered in this 9/21 discussion.

 

Note the 9/21 discussion will relate to wireless as it might come into your house on a Suscom cable modem or Verizon DSL modem or Chilitech wireless receiver, then to a Linksys wireless router (or similar brand), then be transmitted though the house wirelessly to Airport-equipped PowerBooks and desktops.

 

There are also separate ways to connect to the internet via cell phone technology (like when you see someone working on a laptop in an airport waiting area) that will not be included in this discussion, but may be possible future topics:

Using a cell phone as a modem -- connected to your laptop by a cable, for wireless connection anywhere there is cell phone coverage

Using a cell phone as a modem -- connected to your laptop wirelessly using Bluetooth technology, for wireless connection anywhere there is cell phone coverage.

Using a special card in the PC slot of your laptop,so your laptop can receive a cell phone signal itself, with need a cell phone. (Verizon has these for Windows laptops, but says they don't support them for Mac laptops.)

 

People tell me that these cell phone connections are generally both EXPENSIVE and also SLOW.