Posted: 10/27/2006 6:57:34 AM EDT
|
Word has it the company isn't going to let us use the computers for personal use any more. Crew is thinking of ponying up for a cheap used laptop and a wireless ISP rig of some sort. advice? write slowly and clearly, as I am somewhat computer illiterate. |
|
Ah, so you need a Seeing Eye Computer? My son just bought a Lenovo and got a pretty good price on it. Only thing bad about it is the speakers on the laptop are weak. Can always plug in external speakers or headphones. That was about the best bang for the buck a few months back. |
|
?? There's a whole lot of information left out. Are these company computers in the office, or at home? What network will the proposed cheap laptop use? (personal or company?) If the proposed cheap laptop will use a personal cell-phone type dial up ISP, then make sure that a multi-user operating system is used, like WinXP Pro. If everyone uses the same log-in account on the system, then it would be too easy for the personal accounts (on-line banking, etc) of one person to be accessed by others. Also, keeping track of the costs and who has paid each month will be a PITA. |
|
New laptops are relatively cheap and include a warranty. I was on a trip and driving down the highway surfing ARFcom was cool. Check your cellular coverage in the area you will be using it. My house has crap/null cingular coverage but great verizon. Get the fastest card you can afford. ByteTheBullet (-: |
You can get a decent new laptop(for surfing and such) for just over $400...and warranty!  See, that warranty thing is good, at least for laptops. And I meant to say aircard, though cellular aircard is somewhat redundant. ByteTheBullet (-: |
|
OK, here's the deal. I'm ignorant. We plan on getting a cheapo laptop. Nothing special. Prolly a used Goodwill POS. Doesn't have to be too fast or do anything but run on the internet. Period. Plain Jane. I want to know what we have to do to set it up so we can get the internet while running the coast. Explain the wireless system possibilities to me. Use small computer words. |
|
Ok, You will need a computer that will run Windows XP SP2. For ease of use. Can you install Windows XP? Is one of the pirates computer savvy? If not, a new laptop with the XP already installed is the most dummy friendly. This is why I am pushing it. Yes, there are used laptops out there, but will it come ready to surf out of the box? If so, great. I doubt it will. So now you have a laptop. The wireless way to get online will be with a cellular(like cell phone) PCMCIA/PCCARD, also know as an air card. Who has the best cell phone coverage on your boat? Call that service provider and ask them about wireless broadband. They will tell you what plans are available. You will get an air card with a simchip(don't worry, the instructions should be spelled out) that you will use in the laptop in the PCCard slot on the side. You will also get some kind of cellular interface software to install. Again, directions should be well written for any user. Once the cellular software is installed and running and the PCCard is inserted(oh and the laptop is turned on  ) you will connect to the cellular service and open your favorite web browser and post on ARFCom.Simple. I do this as part of my job. This is my suggestion, there are other ways, but for what you spelled out, this is a good way to go. ETA: I assume you want wireless broadband rather that wireless hotspot access. The laptop listed above would work fine and connect to free/pay wireless hotspots(Starbucks, hotels, and such) but for wireless broadband you still need a cellular card and service. ByteTheBullet (-: |