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[PkunkFury]

Hey folks,

I just moved into an apartment that provides built in wireless internet access through a wireless ISP. I'm getting ready to hook up a computer here and I'm wondering if I should sign up for the wireless or get a cable connection like I used to have. I'm not too sure about issues like speed, performance, and security when using a wireless internet service provider.

I'm especially wondering if wireless would be faster or slower than cable, and whether or not people could intercept stuff like credit card info if I go fully wireless. I haven't been able to find much about actual speeds for wireless providers on the web, just vague statements like "100 times faster than 56k"

On the plus side, wireless is a lot cheaper in my complex than cable modem would be, and when visiting friend's complexes I could bring my laptop and surf the gaming forum/play online games on my own account. But speed and security are more important, so I'm wondering if cable would be better. Does anyone here have experience with the wirless provideres?

 

[fart]

how is this wide area wireless implemented? i would go with that just to be bleeding edge. report back on how reliable/fast/etc it is.

 

[PkunkFury]

how is this wide area wireless implemented? i would go with that just to be bleeding edge. report back on how reliable/fast/etc it is.

It's implemented across the whole complex, and possibly the neighboring one as well, from what I gather. I just moved in, so I haven't actually carted my laptop around to check the boundaries, but I get a signal at the swimming pool

I'm thinking I will bite the bullet and try the wirelss, as it is 15 dollars a month cheaper than cable anyway, and If I don't like it I could switch back, but it would be easier and cheaper to start my broadband when I sign up for cable TV this week, so if I'll be switching anyway it'd be best to start with cable. That's why I'm hoping someone might have experience making this choice.

Otherwise I'll let you all know how the wireless is going if that is what I hook up

 

[PkunkFury]

Anyone else have an idea how well these service providers work? I posted this pretty late last night so I'm bumping to check. thanks

 

[alejob]

Dude you should ask them Qs about the wireless service first. Ask about the security features they implement. Just WEP doesn't cut it, there are programs out there that will crack WEP keys. Just ask for info on the wireless and let us know. You should also ask if you get a private or public IP. I've heard wireless ISPs use private IPs alot, its not good. Ask about speed, not just the wireless speed but about the line that gets to the access point 'cause they might say it's a 54Mbps WLAN but if they have like a 1.5Mbps T1 going into it then the 54 doesn't matter, you are sharing the 1.5 with everyone else.