Free Wireless internet for neighborhoods

[William33 110]

We are preparing to move to a new townhouse community, not yet served by a cable company...Something about county/company agreements.

With that said, we are going for Direct TV for television and movie channel services.

The neighborhood offers free wireless internet, with claims of 10mbps.

Where we currently reside, I have used a linksys wireless card and ethernet router (tied to a 5 mbps cable connection), with many connectivity issues, yet signal strength was always above 90%. Primarily problems: dropped or intermittent signal, yet when working properly, the speed was good.

I initially enabled encryption and changed frequencies several times with no luck. I finally reverted to the cat 5 cable. No issues there.

With all of this in mind, does anyone have suggestions on how I can benefit from the free wireless, while reducing the connectivity issues?

Edited January 19, 2007 by William33

[Henia 11]

Um cannot give you any ideas on to reduce connection probs. It *happens* But I can tell I use WiFi. A new program also launched in my city. But only offered to select neighbourhoods. But luckily even before this in my apartment complex it was offered... I got online with WiFi...since does not hurt to live right next door to a major university. I cannot say I have not thought getting cable internet... many issues arise.the signal is high speed but only about 11.0Mbps most of the time.but can get up to 18.0Mbps. Still better speed then cable net ... only prob the signal fades in and out, depending the distrubions on the wind and the weather. Even thou with the new technology I can move around and still get signal... I still try not to move my laptop alot (needlessly) as collisions can occur. Beware: Cordless phones and microwaves distrub the signal. Also it consumes alot of the battery life and overheating occurs (frequent reboots)

I think Wifi is most use for student and workers that keep moving in the their workplace. Most systems support roaming.True, the range is limited but generally if you stay in that range connection is kept or easily refreshed.

For me absence of all the wires and boxes, easy install and not to mention its price makes it a A+ for me!

And on another note, does anyone here have a WiFi phone?

[peejay 327]

We just bought my wife a new laptop for Christmas and it had wireless already built into it. We took it out of the box and were surprised at the number of wireless networks we received in our house. Most were protected and needed passwords to get into, but there are some that are not protected and we can get online with them. Of course, I have cable internet hardwired at our house; but I've been too lazy to buy the hardware necessary to go wireless on our private cable account.

In the meantime my wife freeloads off of the unprotected networks in the neighborhood or uses my hardwired computer.

I don't know why you are having problems, but my wife has been able to get online right out of the box. Although, sometimes the signals from the freeloaded wireless internet are too weak and we have similar intermittent dropped issues. But since it is free I look at it as we get what we pay for.

[Henia 11]

We just bought my wife a new laptop for Christmas and it had wireless already built into it. We took it out of the box and were surprised at the number of wireless networks we received in our house. Most were protected and needed passwords to get into, but there are some that are not protected and we can get online with them. Of course, I have cable internet hardwired at our house; but I've been too lazy to buy the hardware necessary to go wireless on our private cable account.

In the meantime my wife freeloads off of the unprotected networks in the neighborhood or uses my hardwired computer.

I don't know why you are having problems, but my wife has been able to get online right out of the box. Although, sometimes the signals from the freeloaded wireless internet are too weak and we have similar intermittent dropped issues. But since it is free I look at it as we get what we pay for.

Peejay is right. For price of FREE, dropped signals are nothing.

But some other suggestions to boost the signal. Move closer to your source. Place your router near the center of the house. Off the floor, ideally on a high shelf. As far as possible from your neighbor's Wi-Fi router (which, of course, you've made sure is using a different channel). Away from cordless phones and microwaves, which operate on the same 2.4-Ghz frequency. I have also read on Wired to minimize mirrors which can bounce the signal back.

There are also more pricer solutions like the Linksys Wireless G Range Expander, Pringle can Antenna and Parabolic Kitchenware units. But no real need to buy any of pricey stuff. Do you have a vegetable steamer? $10 dollara max. Makes a great parabolic dish.

1 - Metal Strainer/Steamer

1 - USB WIFI Adaptor

1 - USB Extension Cable (I chose a 10ft long)

½” Drill Bit (I like to use stepper bits for metal)

Gorilla Glue (Epoxy works well too)

2 - Zip Ties

You can get all the materials for under $20, except for the USB WiFi of course.

Also refer to Microsoft www for some general tips.