I'm amazed at how little a search for wireless networking throws up in the way of results. I wish I could ask some intelligent questions, but my general understanding is so basic that I don't really know where to start. Here's the story.
Binoette1 lives in a unit where she can't drill holes in the wall for Cat5 cable, and the phone is in the kitchen, which is not where she wants her laptop. From this I deduce that she really needs a wireless network. I know diddly squat about wireless, and I'm 1000km away anyway. With her birthday tomorrow, I said I would consult with my elders and see what I could come up with to get her up and running at minimal cost.
My Google search for FAQ on wireless networking keeps directing me to sponsored sites that promise step by step details in foolproof language for a fee, or free superficial questions designed to confuse even further. Hence I return to the Pprune Oracle, the source of all knowledge.
Her laptop is a Dell, about 18 months old I think, and I don't have the specs with me so I'm not sure what facility it came with for wireless, err, stuff.
She also is not yet connected to broadband, but I am trying to organise everything together. The sum total of my knowledge from hours of head scratching comes to this; 8.11b is old hat, 8.11g is better and standard, and 8.11n is the latest and best, at a cost. For her needs, 8.11g will be ample. She will apparently need a wireless ADSL modem/router (or is it just a router?). She has a 56K modem and an ADSL modem which has never been used, but not a wireless one. Does she need extra cards as well? PCI? PCMCIA? Is there a difference, if so, what? Adapters? Anything else?
Appreciate any advice on a basic level, given that I wouldn't know DHCP from a hole in the ground. Or better still, directions to a FAQ site that answers the basic questions.
Oh, and if there are any guru Ppruners in Brisbane who would be prepared to go around and supervise the setup for a bottle of single malt or whatever, so much the better.
