Computers

[pony_trekker]

where we just got PC Dos last year. Hey, beats the stone tablets we used to use!

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by bilmore
The GPS suppositories are kind of a pain, but the data entry is a lot simpler.

Are they Bluetooth enabled for hands-free 'toothing?

[bilmore]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
Are they Bluetooth enabled for hands-free 'toothing?

Of course, but the rather unique new-message notifier leaves one feeling strangely un-amorous.

[Atticus Grinch]

And Apple said, let there be a device that can stream iTunes to any stereo system --- even just a set of powered speakers.

Oh, and while you're at it, let the device also be a wireless printing hub compatible with any USB printer.

And allow it to turn any Ethernet port --- including in a hotel room --- into a wireless port.

And let also be an 802.11g wireless LAN hub.

And lo, it shall retail for $129.

And let it be both Mac and PC compatible.

And it came to pass.

[NotFromHere]

OK, here's my question. We have 2 computers in the house - soon to be 3 if I can get a good deal on a laptop. We have 1 cable modem. Sucks when both of us want to read e-mail or surf.

House is prewired with Cat 5. There is Cat 5 in everyroom, everywhere, even in the kitchen.

In your collective opinion, what is the best means, device, product with which to network. I'm not married to Comcast (fuckers) if that helps.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
OK, here's my question. We have 2 computers in the house - soon to be 3 if I can get a good deal on a laptop. We have 1 cable modem. Sucks when both of us want to read e-mail or surf.

House is prewired with Cat 5. There is Cat 5 in everyroom, everywhere, even in the kitchen.

In your collective opinion, what is the best means, device, product with which to network. I'm not married to Comcast (fuckers) if that helps.

Buy a linksys router with a four (or eight port) switch. About $60-75. You plug the cable modem into the WAN port on the router. And then plug your computers into the LAN ports on the router, using cat-5 cable. It's very easy in the same room to do this with just a couple of cables.

Now, since your home is wired, figure out where the Cat 5 terminates. They should all come to a central location if done right. Locate the cable modem and the router there. Then get some short (3 ft or so) cat-5 patch cords and plug one end into the ports on the router and the other end into the patch panel for the cat-5, depending on which jacks you want to activate (and you can switch them around if you want). (Or, if the cat-5 wiring in the house terminates in the regular jacks you don't even need the patch cords--just plug straight into the router).

It's probably not worth having every jack activated, unless you want to move your computers around. But if you want to, and there's more than 8 jacks, you can buy another switch (w/o a router) and plug that in to the router on one end and the 4-8 jacks it provides into the remaining cat-5 cables. (or buy a 16 port switch, but the price starts going up, up, up as the number of ports escalates.) You may need to do this anyway, because chances are you have only one jack where you need two, in which case you can get a cheapy 4 port switch for right there.

I'm sure this wasn't particularly clear, but if you go to the linksys website, look at a manual to help you out.

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
And Apple said, let there be a device that can stream iTunes to any stereo system --- even just a set of powered speakers.

Oh, and while you're at it, let the device also be a wireless printing hub compatible with any USB printer.

And allow it to turn any Ethernet port --- including in a hotel room --- into a wireless port.

And let also be an 802.11g wireless LAN hub.

And lo, it shall retail for $129.

And let it be both Mac and PC compatible.

And it came to pass.

I love it. One problem, though: from everything that I have read, it will not allow you to expand a non-apple-hardware-based wireless network, rendering it useless for those of us who don't have apple-branded hardware.

Of course, that doesn't mean I won't be buying one...

BTW, apple is going to sell a bazillion of these things.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
Helpful advice.

So the Cat 5 terminates in my closet behind my designer Italian suits (sorry had to do that for Coltrane - he enjoys it so much). Put the cable modem and the router in the closet and then link up whichever jack I'll be using most often?

Technical aside question - if he logs on to his company's VPN, can I still surf? Log on to my VPN?

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by NotFromHere Technical aside question - if he logs on to his company's VPN, can I still surf? Log on to my VPN?

Shouldn't be a problem.

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
I love it. One problem, though: from everything that I have read, it will not allow you to expand a non-apple-hardware-based wireless network, rendering it useless for those of us who don't have apple-branded hardware.

Of course, that doesn't mean I won't be buying one...

Yeah, Apple has a particular way of encouraging rigid brand loyalty by punishing its lapses.

However, it's unlikely for most residential applications that you'd need to use it as a repeater to have sufficient range away from your wireless LAN base station, unless you're streaming porn to your neighbor's bedroom. I have an AirPort Extreme and I've never had a range problem inside my (admittedly tiny) house or in my backyard.

Now, the question for me is whether I buy two, or whether I somehow move my laser printer next to my stereo so they can share one.

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
Yeah, Apple has a particular way of encouraging rigid brand loyalty by punishing its lapses.

However, it's unlikely for most residential applications that you'd need to use it as a repeater to have sufficient range away from your wireless LAN base station, unless you're streaming porn to your neighbor's bedroom. I have an AirPort Extreme and I've never had a range problem inside my (admittedly tiny) house or in my backyard.

Now, the question for me is whether I buy two, or whether I somehow move my laser printer next to my stereo so they can share one.

Our new place has 3 floor. I guess I can put it on the 2nd floor and see how things go from there. If it doesn't work, I may need the repeater.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
So the Cat 5 terminates in my closet behind my designer Italian suits (sorry had to do that for Coltrane - he enjoys it so much). Put the cable modem and the router in the closet and then link up whichever jack I'll be using most often?

Technical aside question - if he logs on to his company's VPN, can I still surf? Log on to my VPN?

On part 1, yes. Or you could do the following: Put the switch/router in there, and use one jack to run to the cable modem, which is located at the other end of that cat-5 cable, right next to where it's set up. In other words, use one of teh already-wired cat-5s as a really long patch cable from the modem to the switch. Personally, I'd stick it all in teh same place, but if you don't have coax in your closet, then you may need to change.

You should be able to surf while he uses VPN, unless the VPN program he's using has an odd configuration.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch


Now, the question for me is whether I buy two, or whether I somehow move my laser printer next to my stereo so they can share one.

Buy a wireless print server instead. Then multiple computers can print to it, without always haveing one running.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
On part 1, yes. Or you could do the following: Put the switch/router in there, and use one jack to run to the cable modem, which is located at the other end of that cat-5 cable, right next to where it's set up. In other words, use one of teh already-wired cat-5s as a really long patch cable from the modem to the switch. Personally, I'd stick it all in teh same place, but if you don't have coax in your closet, then you may need to change.

You should be able to surf while he uses VPN, unless the VPN program he's using has an odd configuration.

As I recall, the satellite guys had to get into the same box when they installed the dishes (first the regular and now....HD!!!) So the cable probable runs through there as well. I'm sure the builders put all the media into the 1 area. I guess I just can't figure out where the modem and the router are going to go since the box looks just like the fuse box downstairs - there's no extra room. But -- that's not your problem and I counted - we have 8 Cat 5 jacks. that's excessive. They only missed the laundry room and the bathrooms.

I will discuss with the other bread winner and see how he feels about yet more computer shit. Thanks for all your help - you all are a great resource. We should tell people about us.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
But -- that's not your problem and I counted - we have 8 Cat 5 jacks. that's excessive. They only missed the laundry room and the bathrooms.

Not excessive if you ever want more than one computer in a single room. If I were wiring (and I am!), I'd put two in most rooms, three in an office, and probably some on each side of the larger rooms. And then just not bother using most of them. Better than draping cat 5 all over a room.

What I did, albeit in the laundry room where I set up the home run (where all the cables terminate) is buy one of those little DIY shelves at home depot. The kind you get for a dorm room. Two little metal strips that screw into the wall. Two brackets that clip onto the strips. And a plank to go across them. Put the cable modem and the router on that. Or put the stuff up on the closet shelf or something. It won't take up more than a foot of space or so.

[ETA:] BTW, if by "more computer shit" you mean "more money on computer shit" your total expenditures won't be too far north of $100, if that. A router/switch is in the $60-75 range. For cables, go to SFcable.com (and not best buy). You can pick up super cheap patch cords for about $3-7 per, depending on length. Since you'll need at most 8 or so cables, if you do the hard math you end up with not too much spendy.