Ok I'm getting a Desktop soon. Don't really want to install a
phoneline so, I'm going to go wireless. Is this an easy thing to do?
Using Ubuntu Linux 6.06.

Cheers.

ChrisC wrote:
> Ok I'm getting a Desktop soon. Don't really want to install a
> phoneline so, I'm going to go wireless. Is this an easy thing to do?
> Using Ubuntu Linux 6.06.

As usual with any form of wireless card, it's all down to the chipset.
If you can find a device that works with your notebook, it ought to work with a
desktop; with the following caveats:

1. PC-Card slots are available for desktops in the form of PCI to PC-Card
bridges (Hmm.. not cheap); and ExpressCard devices can be catered for with
PCI-Express to ExpressCard boards (such as the Addonics SW-5999, others
available) however having a wireless card sticking out of a slot in the middle
of a PCI backplane presents interesting radio propagation issues due to the
amount of metal around there.

2. USB devices may be more effective, especially if you stick them on the end of
a USB A-A extension cable, because you can then place the antenna far enough
away from the PC and in an ideal location for maximum signal strength.

Option ( http://www.option.com/products/overview.shtml ) have recently released
driver source under the GPL. You probably want to check that before you invest
in a specific product for HSDPA.

I'm curious as to how costly a medium/heavy internet user would find such a
service; which service providers did you have in mind, and what monthly budget
are you planning on spending on your traffic costs?

On Apr 16, 4:32 pm, Jim Howes <sewoh....@moc.gisorp.backwards.invalid>
wrote:
> ChrisC wrote:
> > Ok I'm getting a Desktop soon. Don't really want to install a
> > phoneline so, I'm going to go wireless. Is this an easy thing to do?
> > Using Ubuntu Linux 6.06.
>
> As usual with any form of wireless card, it's all down to the chipset.
> If you can find a device that works with your notebook, it ought to work with a
> desktop; with the following caveats:
>
> 1. PC-Card slots are available for desktops in the form of PCI to PC-Card
> bridges (Hmm.. not cheap); and ExpressCard devices can be catered for with
> PCI-Express to ExpressCard boards (such as the Addonics SW-5999, others
> available) however having a wireless card sticking out of a slot in the middle
> of a PCI backplane presents interesting radio propagation issues due to the
> amount of metal around there.
>
> 2. USB devices may be more effective, especially if you stick them on the end of
> a USB A-A extension cable, because you can then place the antenna far enough
> away from the PC and in an ideal location for maximum signal strength.
>
> Option (http://www.option.com/products/overview.shtml) have recently released
> driver source under the GPL. You probably want to check that before you invest
> in a specific product for HSDPA.
>
> I'm curious as to how costly a medium/heavy internet user would find such a
> service; which service providers did you have in mind, and what monthly budget
> are you planning on spending on your traffic costs?

Well I need to look into that. I'm based in South Africa, Durban.

Jim Howes <sewoh.mij@moc.gisorp.backwards.invalid> writes:
>
> I'm curious as to how costly a medium/heavy internet user would find such a
> service; which service providers did you have in mind, and what monthly budget
> are you planning on spending on your traffic costs?

Assuming you are in the UK, which I know the OP isn't (posting this question
UCOL threw me), T-Mobile web'n'walk max and web'n'walk plus would provide a
usable amount of data as a broadband connection. The basic web'n'walk prohibits
the use of the phone as a modem.

Plus £12 ish/month 3GB VOIP prohibited
Max £20 ish/month 10GB VOIP allowed
These are on top of your basic voice/text tarrif

I am on Plus, but have never tried using my mobile with linux as there is no
3G where I live, I use it with a palm pilot. No doubt I will panic and have a
a day to make it work when I am told I have a trip away for work tomorrow lol.