🚀 go-pugleaf

tom.yee wrote:
> I've been using a Netgear RT114 "Web Safe Router" (based on
> recommendations from the can.internet.highspeed newsgroup) for about
> a year and a half.  To date - it has been adequate in networking two
> desktop PC's.  The next step is to add a wireless network to connect
> the laptop as well. Current readings indicate that I will require the
> addition of a wireless access point to the existing router with a
> wireless PCMCIA card or USB adapter on the laptop.
>
> Can anyone provide some advice as to what brand or model of wireless
> access point, card and adapter should be purchased?  Or any that
> should be avoided? The SMC brand has been mentioned often with either
> hot or cold opinions. Orinoco equipment has been highly recommended
> throughout the newsgroups but I suspect this product will be cost
> prohibitive.  This is intended for a home networking newbie so price
> and ease of instillation will be a driver. As well - any
> recommendations as to where this equipment can be purchased in the
> west end of Toronto (specifically Mississauga) would be appreciated.
> Most of the local retailers e.g. Best Buy, Future Shop, etc. carry
> wireless routers but not wireless access points.  Go figure!  Thanks
> for any help.

Though I'm only learning about this topic myself, I can say that I've been
pleasantly surprized by the features and range of my shiny-new NetGear
WG-602 WAP.  I looked at the Proxim/Orinoco WAP and decided the price was
too high for my home (but in the future I will consider Proxim/Orinoco for
my business because their support is reported to be world-class).  I
purchased an Orinoco 11b/g gold card for my laptop because it has an
external antenna connector and because many people suggest it in this NG.
My pigtail hasn't arrived yet, so I can't comment on how it works with the
external antenna.  However, my tests with the orinoco card and the WG-602
WAP lead me to beleive that I might not end up actually ever needing the
external antenna where I thought it would be necessary.  I'm getting speeds
above 35 megabit at distances in the 100 + meter range in a fairly open
environment.