Computers - Page 9

baltassoc · 06-09-2004, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NotFromHere
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.

Another potential issue, since you mention it's in a closet: you are going to need a power supply for the router (and the cable modem). Hopefully, if your house is new and it was wired while it was built, the builders were smart enough to wire an outlet in there as well. But, well, I'm not counting on it.

I agree with Burget on the shelf: it'll take 15 minutes to put one up. It doesn't even need to be able to hold a lot of weight.

(Burger: The spiffy Mac thing IS a print server, although if it's only going to be used as a print server, I think it can be beat on price by a single purpose unit.)

Mmmm, Burger (C.J.) · 06-09-2004, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by baltassoc

(Burger: The spiffy Mac thing IS a print server, although if it's only going to be used as a print server, I think it can be beat on price by a single purpose unit.)

Is it a genuine server, or does it simply allow print sharing wirelessly? Currently on a mac one can share a printer over the network, but the mac needs to be on for other computers to access it. Does this change that?

As for locating the wiring in a closet--yeah, typical builders. "Hey, it's wired for Cat-5!" Without thinking of what that really means. A friend (or was it someone here? egad.) bought a new house and checked the cat-5 wiring. Geniuses had done it like phone wiring, daisychaining it all over the house. No home runs. Entirely useless.

NotFromHere · 06-09-2004, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
Is it a genuine server, or does it simply allow print sharing wirelessly? Currently on a mac one can share a printer over the network, but the mac needs to be on for other computers to access it. Does this change that?

As for locating the wiring in a closet--yeah, typical builders. "Hey, it's wired for Cat-5!" Without thinking of what that really means. A friend (or was it someone here? egad.) bought a new house and checked the cat-5 wiring. Geniuses had done it like phone wiring, daisychaining it all over the house. No home runs. Entirely useless.

Believe it or not, builders in Cal actually do it right on occasion when it comes to "high-tech." There is an ac outlet right under the box, but there are 2 things plugged in already. I'm sure one is the switcher for the satellite, really not sure what the other one is.

baltassoc · 06-09-2004, 12:29 PM

And another thing: according to the security guys I work with, it is worth it to get a router with an integrated firewall. It'll cost an extra $30-70, but it provides an extra layer of protection to all the computers in the house.

Firewalls hide and protect your computer from the outside world. They can be in the form of software on your computer, or intergrated into hardware like a firewall router. The advantage of the firewall router is that it is a choke point that protects everything behind it, so all the machines connected to it are isolated from the internet.

Do not be fooled, however: almost all routers these days are sold with bundled firewall software. While not a bad product, you want the one with the firewall integrated into the router, like this one:

Instant Broadband™EtherFast®Cable/DSL Firewall Router with 4-Port Switch/VPN End

baltassoc · 06-09-2004, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
Is it a genuine server, or does it simply allow print sharing wirelessly? Currently on a mac one can share a printer over the network, but the mac needs to be on for other computers to access it. Does this change that?

It looks like it can run a printer without it being attached to a computer (i.e., the device has it's own USB port), but I'm only repeating what's on the page AG linked to.

I like the device's form factor. Intentional or not, I think it will remind a lot of old school Mac users of the old AppleTalk connectors, the original practical networking (and to this day easier to configure than ethernet).

Alex_de_Large · 06-09-2004, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by baltassoc
It looks like it can run a printer without it being attached to a computer (i.e., the device has it's own USB port), but I'm only repeating what's on the page AG linked to.

I like the device's form factor. Intentional or not, I think it will remind a lot of old school Mac users of the old AppleTalk connectors, the original practical networking (and to this day easier to configure than ethernet).

It uses OS X's Rendezvous to act as a print server, which is fine if you're on the network with a OSX box. What happens if you're on a Wintel machine, though? Many of us have mixed-platform environments (i.e. wintel machine from work, Mac at home), and a dedicated, platform-agnostic print server makes more sense in that type of environment.

Mmmm, Burger (C.J.) · 06-09-2004, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by baltassoc
It looks like it can run a printer without it being attached to a computer (i.e., the device has it's own USB port), but I'm only repeating what's on the page AG linked to.
.

Okay--looking some more, it appears that all the airport equipment does have a built in print server at least through "rendezvous". That is, you don't share through print sharing, but rather through the base station itself, or, now the new thingy. Haven't priced out wireless print servers, but the wired one I bought cost about $60.

[ETA:] Having looked a bit more at the AE BS, including the link below, I've concluded that, while a wired print server was right for me now, an AEBS is a fantastic deal even as a print server, as it emulates an HP Jet Direct server, which would cost $200 minimum. The AEBS costs $200 and obviously gives you a bit more than merely a print server.

Mmmm, Burger (C.J.) · 06-09-2004, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
It uses OS X's Rendezvous to act as a print server, which is fine if you're on the network with a OSX box. What happens if you're on a Wintel machine, though? Many of us have mixed-platform environments (i.e. wintel machine from work, Mac at home), and a dedicated, platform-agnostic print server makes more sense in that type of environment.

Yes:

Here are instructions:

http://www.ifelix.co.uk/tech/1004.html

I'm now considering my second generation home network.

Damn!

Alex_de_Large · 06-09-2004, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
Yes:

Here are instructions:

http://www.ifelix.co.uk/tech/1004.html

I'm now considering my second generation home network.

Damn!

Wow. That is extremely cool.

NotFromHere · 06-09-2004, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
[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.

Well, you know me - it's never about the money. It's just that we JUST bought a plasma, the new dish, a Salamander stand and we're on the list for an HD-Tivo. And I'm still looking for a laptop. We're spending it as fast as it's coming in. I just want what's going to work the best for our situation - so thanks again for all the advice. I say we should advertise and sell the advice - whaddaya think?

ltl/fb · 06-09-2004, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NotFromHere
Well, you know me - it's never about the money. It's just that we JUST bought a plasma, the new dish, a Salamander stand and we're on the list for an HD-Tivo. And I'm still looking for a laptop. We're spending it as fast as it's coming in. I just want what's going to work the best for our situation - so thanks again for all the advice. I say we should advertise and sell the advice - whaddaya think?

What braqnd was the plasma?

NotFromHere · 06-09-2004, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ltl/fb
What braqnd was the plasma?

Fujitsu.
There's an article on it in this month's or last month's Home Theatre Mag as the killer Plasma. With Uma Thurman on the cover.

Atticus Grinch · 06-09-2004, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NotFromHere
It's just that we JUST bought a plasma, the new dish, a Salamander stand and we're on the list for an HD-Tivo. And I'm still looking for a laptop.

I no longer care if you're a dude --- marry me.

NotFromHere · 06-09-2004, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
I no longer care if you're a dude --- marry me.

That would be polygamy. Twice. Did they fix that in this state yet?

Flinty_McFlint · 06-09-2004, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
I no longer care if you're a dude --- marry me.

Haha, I'm ahead of the curve, I hit that last night! Of course Coltrane was first, but details, details.