Question about wireless routers

[wickedwritah]

With my routers, I've rarely actually gone through the step of hooking it up and running the software... usually your wireless card will pick it up if it has a strong signal.

Without running the software (the Linksys' setup is actually done via a WWW browser), you can't set up a secured network.

You can, if you go into the router page and set up security settings.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

With my routers, I've rarely actually gone through the step of hooking it up and running the software... usually your wireless card will pick it up if it has a strong signal.

Without running the software (the Linksys' setup is actually done via a WWW browser), you can't set up a secured network.

You can, if you go into the router page and set up security settings.

Same thing, in terms of what we're talking about. For that matter, I don't believe my router actually has software, other than a PDF version of the manual.

 

[OTD]

I've got the same Linksys as FishWrap. It works fine. Occasionally you need to boot it (unplug the power for a few seconds, then plug it back in) but that's it. Setup was easy. I think I got it at Radio Shack of all places. I previously had a D-Link, and that one had a meltdown.

One thing: If your house is big, or you have a two-story house, get a router with MIMO technology. I'm not sure how it's different, but it's supposed to be better for those situations.

 

[Cosmo]

Many of them, actually.

I have a high-speed wire running into the house and want to get a wireless router, so I can post on sj while the wife uses her own laptop from the couch.

What do I need to look for in one (funky numbers I don't understand, jigawat processing speed, etc.)? How much should I pay?

I'd like to buy one soon. Possibly tomorrow if tonight I can find the info I need. Any help would be appreciated.

Make sure it comes with some kind of firewall or password protection.
Last thing you want is your neighbors hijacking your wireless signal or getting a free ride on it.

All I do is steal my neighbor's wireless. Too bad for them. ****ing protect that **** if you don't want me to steal it.

 

[Barsuk]

I have a Belkin router that I got for about $30 or $40 at Staples, and it works fine in my smallish apartment. The first one I had crapped out, but it came with a lifetime warranty, so I called Belkin and they replaced it. Haven't had any problems since.

My father-in-law has that Linksys everyone is posting, and it seemed to work well when I was at his house for Christmas.

And you should definitely password protect it. My internets are down right now, so I'm stealing someone else's wireless. You don't want some chump siphoning your bandwidth downloading music or porn.

 

[STLIrish]

We've got the Linksys in the Irish household. Aside from the aforementioned occasional reboot, which takes, like, 5 seconds, it works great. I'd buy it again.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

And you should definitely password protect it. My internets are down right now, so I'm stealing someone else's wireless. You don't want some chump siphoning your bandwidth downloading music or porn like I do.

 

[Barsuk]

And you should definitely password protect it. My internets are down right now, so I'm stealing someone else's wireless. You don't want some chump siphoning your bandwidth downloading music or porn like I do.

Music, yes. Porn, not so much. :D

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

And you should definitely password protect it. My internets are down right now, so I'm stealing someone else's wireless. You don't want some chump siphoning your bandwidth downloading music or porn like I do.

Music, yes. Porn, so much that I had to buy an extra hard drive. :D

 

[PCLoadLetter]

Don't screw around.
This is the product, especially for the novice:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6304082&type=product&id=1074787298555

Sets up wireless network for you. Dummy-proof software holds your hand through the whole process.
13 digit, WI-FI encryption. No one can steal your signal or "drive-by."
You and can surf at the highest cable/DSL speed your processor will allow. Works great with Vista, if you're running Vista. We have one computer on Vista, one off.
This router has the speed booster, too. No dead spots in the house.

I highly recommend. You will finder cheaper routers. But, you won't find a better one for the price.
Seriously.

Here is the same router for $50. No booster, but doesn't matter unless you're doing high-graphic gaming.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=5250774&type=product&id=1051384663529

EDIT: I just noticed that this router was on Frank's customer review site.

This is the exact router I'm using and I've been very happy with it. And setting it up was very easy - much easier than other routers I've used.

 

[Barsuk]

Too easy, coffee man. Too easy. :D

 

[Batman]

Stupid question time....The wife and I are thinking of ditching the home phone and just using cellphones and wireless internet. To get wireless, what do you have to do to set it up other than buying and setting up the router? Do you need to go through an ISP, or is the router enough?
I'm fairly ignorant on these matters, so please have mercy on my soul.

 

[playthrough]

My wife and I gave up the home phone when we moved to where we are now, just got BrightHouse to connect us to their high-speed online and we pay for that monthly. A friend who works in IT had extra routers like we have extra reporters' notebooks, so he hooked up a linksys and now we're good.

In short, we've never regretted not having a home phone.

 

[fishwrapper]

You need a phone line for DSL. Don't for cable modem.
And, to go totally wireless, you'll just need a wireless wi-fi card from your cell phone provider. No router, no modem. But, expensive.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

My wife and I gave up the home phone when we moved to where we are now, just got BrightHouse to connect us to their high-speed online and we pay for that monthly. A friend who works in IT had extra routers like we have extra reporters' notebooks, so he hooked up a linksys and now we're good.

In short, we've never regretted not having a home phone.

Bright House does high speed Internet very well. Too bad they suck at TV. :D Kept their Internet service, but the TV comes from DirecTV.

 

[playthrough]

Yeah, I've resisted BrightHouse's urges to sign up for "bundles" with internet, tv, phone, dry cleaning, blah blah. I'm never giving up my dish!