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General discussion

Lost in Wireless Land

by bboseley Jan 21, 2006 10:37AM PST

After years of being a ?computer person? ? including programming, software design, etc., I now find myself LOST in the wireless world. (Retired 10 years ago)

I just purchased a new notebook with wireless capability. I actually had no intention of using wireless until the window popped up and informed me of wireless connections in range. One was my neighbor?s satellite signal - security enabled ? not that I would use it. Another was a nonsecure connection identified only by a 12 digit number. I have no idea who is providing the network or where it is. However, I can connect to the net most of the time albeit with a low strength. Still much faster than dial-up!

First, am I in fact stealing from someone? Is it a bad practice to use ?any available connection?

Now for the part I really don?t understand. Is there a way to provide my own wireless connection with no Lan? What does an Access Point consist of? I assume I can?t just buy a $100 AP and say goodbye to ISP?s?

Discussion is locked

6 Posts
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YES, You are stealing, its illegal in some
by Melati Hitam Jan 21, 2006 6:28PM PST

country/state.

Access Point is only a device to receive/transmit the signal from your ISP to your computer.

So still need an ISP...

But todays... there are many FREE Wireless provider..

You have to know that the signal you receive is from a free service or belong to someone that didn't turn on their security.

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legal question is ambiguous
by charlie.brent Jan 22, 2006 9:16AM PST

You might want to take a look at this link:

http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2005/07/wifi_scarfing_i.html

Unless someone can point me to an actual case where there was a prosecution under current law I would say that I am not convinced that it is stealing.

Additionally, if you can access a wireless network simply because they were braodcasting their ssid and your wireless card was able to connect, wouldn't that,by definition, tell you that their security was not enabled?

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Yes there is people in Florida...
by Melati Hitam Jan 22, 2006 2:18PM PST
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Setting up your own wireless
by LarryH Jan 30, 2006 1:26AM PST

Most people won't bother with wireless over a dial-up connection. If you had a high-speed connection it would probably be worth it. There are, however, devices that provide wireless access over a dial-up connection and do the dialing on the access point. It all depends on your need for speed and wireless connectivity.

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which wireless service?
by Mapski Feb 4, 2006 9:33AM PST

I travel regularly to four locations, am in business for myself so always have my laptop. Instead of paying to have dial-up at each, trying to use mother-in-laws, etc. I want to have wireless which I could also use during all that airport time. What do I need to look for in a wireless provider, find one that services the areas I travel to and is there an easy way to compare? Mapski

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Most Airport and Large Cities, Hotels, etc.
by Melati Hitam Feb 4, 2006 5:16PM PST

Have free Hotspot (wireless) that you can use..

And there are so many places that offers you the Paid connection.. i.e. Starbuck cafe and others... which you only pay when you needed.

If you go to a place that don't have it .. then you need some Satelite connection, that you can connect from anywhere.

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