Linksys makes the best home networking equipment. I mean, just stop and forget everything you know about networking...and think about it from a n00b perspective.
You want something cheap, attractive and easy to setup and use. For those knocking Linksys quality, allow me to let you in on a little secret...they are the best. In the home networking, wireless networking business, Linksys gear rules.
Now yes, I work in wireless networking...but guess what, I don't work for Linksys or Cisco. I work for one of their competitors. Despite my strong sense of company loyalty, I'll still admit freely that Cisco equipment is the best for Corporate networks (duh) and Linksys equipment is the best for Home Networks. People with Home Networks don't care about firewalls, security, layering and routing, they just want their 3 computers online at the same time, with a high speed connection.
btw, before anyone puts words in my mouth. I tried to stress that Linksys has the best quality gear...and they do. I didn't say anything about their tech support, which is "lacking".
Does your Windows 2000 computer use the regular Windows NT logon? If so, hitting the "windows" key (the one with the little flag on it) and the "L" key at the same time will lock the workstation. If you are setup differently, so you cannot click ctrl-alt-delete and get the security center with the Task Monitor and stuff, then it should work. "windows" + pause/break will bring up system properties.
Dell does not use scripts...we do have a system of logical steps to follow for a problem. But we are not required to perform any steps that do not apply...fyi.
Actually, the docking connector is on the bottom of the system, so it "sits" in the APR (advanced port replicator).
As for the difference in the video hardware. This is an nvidia 4200 go...the old card was an nvidia 440 go, based off of the mx series. The 4200 go is a much, much faster video card.
They've added a bigger battery for the power draw as well.
You people do nothing but complain sometimes. The fact is that Dell has the best notebooks available for the pc platform (non-Mac). I won't even compare to Mac, they have two different thigns.
Dell offers the best product, the best available options and the best service and support of any company making computers in the world.
If you buy a wireless router and wireless cards from them. Not only will their wireless team setup the network for you on all of your non-Dell computers as well, but they'll also help you install and setup the workgroup network for file and print sharing. Find another company that will do that, I dare you...
If you are thinking about making a Portable PC Purchase and are looking for either a performance or "road warrior" system...just wait a bit.
The ones I've been playing with at work just absolutely rock. You can clearly see the difference that 1mb L2 cache makes...and combined with systems that already have decent battery life you won't have to worry about whether or not you'll be able to finish the Braveheart DVD on battery power.
I can't believe the number of people I see here who are speaking out "against" wide-spread, free, broadband internet-access. And the majority of the people with something negative to say, seem to be saying it because they don't feel that "poor people" are responsible enough to use the internet.
You can think I'm over-reacting, but you should just reread some of the messages that have been posted here. I think free, broadband access in the homes of people who can't afford it is just great.
I think the internet is one of the keys to providing better education and opportunity to those people born into such circumstance that opportunities are rare. Will some people abuse it? Sure...but so? Better they are sitting at home surfing for free porn then some of the other alternatives they could be doing with their lives.
There have been times in my life when money was tight. Because I haven't always had priviledge, does that mean I'm not responsible enough to have as broad a spectrum of rights and opportunities as others? Open your minds...
I would just have a blanket, three strikes you are out policy. If someone complains about the content of your email three times, no matter the circumstances, you are outta there.
As an ISP, you shouldn't have to be the front line of defense for some of the people who want to use your networks to deluge the email boxes of the world with their emails about penis growth, diets and discount shoes.
If someone is so anxious to know what traffic is on my wireless network that they are willing to charter a plane...they can have it.
I don't think of wireless networking as the next wave for corporate america...replacing the wired office with large nework infrastructures.
I think of wireless networking as the best way to get internet to mom and pop in the country. I think of it as a convenience for home users that don't want wiring coming out of their ears. I think of it as another way for my portable computer to be more portable.
Do I worry about the security aspects of it? Absolutely not, because I don't use my wireless networks for anything that require security.
I don't mean to limit the scope of wireless networking. I can see a future where it gains a solid foothold in the workplace of the large corporate network, but that is still sometime in the future.
For the here and now there are still plenty of uses for wireless networking and advances in wireless networking that can flourish regardless of any security loopholes that might exist.
If you want wireless security, there it is. Setup your access points (APs) with a DMZ. That's a small space in the networking architecture of the AP that anyone can access.
The only thing you will find in that DMZ is a portal to sign into the VPN server. You have a VPN account, you're in there. You don't have a VPN account? Sorry. Is it perfect? Maybe not, but it's a helluva lot better then relying on WEP.
As bad as the game companies that send out a game still in need of patches. They know there are errors; they know things need fixing; they know it's not a "solid" game yet.
So what do they do? They ship it...and keep working on it.
Right now the manufacturers are hiding behind the statement, "this is based on a draft of the 802.11g standard and may differ from the standard when it's published."
They are putting out a product that will mostly achieve the results people are looking for with 802.11g and hoping they can get the devices into the needed spec with firmware updates when the standard is published.
On a side note, 802.11g may be a much more viable solution for large businesses. Those companies which require their wireless users to sign in through a DMZ and VPN into the network (thereby not having to worry so much about wireless security problems) will find the added bandwidth of the 802.11g standard very helpful for their wireless users.
Those of us setting up a home network, well, it's nice to keep up with the Joneses, but you won't see me upgrading my 802.11b wireless network anytime soon.
Obviously this stuff is based on my opinion, but being a wireless networking specialist at one of the largest computer manufacturers, that opinion is also based on factual observation.
And no...my company won't be putting out 802.11g equipment until we are much closer to the standard and more of the bugs are worked out between b and g compatibility.
Totally off base here, if so, offtopic mod the hell out of me.
But instead of being so concerned about the number of jobs being grabbed in this country by foreign nationals...
I think more concern should be paid to the number of tech jobs being farmed out to foreign countries. Did you know the helpdesk for the State of Missouri is served from India?
Slashdot Mirror
Linksys makes the best home networking equipment. I mean, just stop and forget everything you know about networking...and think about it from a n00b perspective.
You want something cheap, attractive and easy to setup and use. For those knocking Linksys quality, allow me to let you in on a little secret...they are the best. In the home networking, wireless networking business, Linksys gear rules.
Now yes, I work in wireless networking...but guess what, I don't work for Linksys or Cisco. I work for one of their competitors. Despite my strong sense of company loyalty, I'll still admit freely that Cisco equipment is the best for Corporate networks (duh) and Linksys equipment is the best for Home Networks. People with Home Networks don't care about firewalls, security, layering and routing, they just want their 3 computers online at the same time, with a high speed connection.
btw, before anyone puts words in my mouth. I tried to stress that Linksys has the best quality gear...and they do. I didn't say anything about their tech support, which is "lacking".
Craenor
And the only reason I'm going to give is a quote from the great Jack Burton,
Son of a Bitch must pay!
Craenor
For someone to release updated versions of Master of Magic and another sequel to the Bard's Tale Series...Is that too much to ask?
There...fixed my signature, hehe...
Now the Chic Geek will be looking to outfit his Segway with a turret.
Then you can add blue tooth so you can fire it remotely...just make sure it doesn't get hacked.
Does your Windows 2000 computer use the regular Windows NT logon? If so, hitting the "windows" key (the one with the little flag on it) and the "L" key at the same time will lock the workstation. If you are setup differently, so you cannot click ctrl-alt-delete and get the security center with the Task Monitor and stuff, then it should work. "windows" + pause/break will bring up system properties.
They should stop running their webservers on the antique computers. Then they would last longer...and maybe they wouldn't be /.'d already.
Dell does not use scripts...we do have a system of logical steps to follow for a problem. But we are not required to perform any steps that do not apply...fyi.
I thought this was about someone's bar tab at first.
I use Phoenix and I choose not to use Tab Browsing, is my interview next? or was that it?
Actually, the docking connector is on the bottom of the system, so it "sits" in the APR (advanced port replicator).
As for the difference in the video hardware. This is an nvidia 4200 go...the old card was an nvidia 440 go, based off of the mx series. The 4200 go is a much, much faster video card.
They've added a bigger battery for the power draw as well.
It's a nice system, good upgrades.
You people do nothing but complain sometimes. The fact is that Dell has the best notebooks available for the pc platform (non-Mac). I won't even compare to Mac, they have two different thigns.
Dell offers the best product, the best available options and the best service and support of any company making computers in the world.
If you buy a wireless router and wireless cards from them. Not only will their wireless team setup the network for you on all of your non-Dell computers as well, but they'll also help you install and setup the workgroup network for file and print sharing. Find another company that will do that, I dare you...
Craenor
Since Dell is the only tech company really making serious cash these days, I don't think they care about your opinion of their OS choices.
If you are thinking about making a Portable PC Purchase and are looking for either a performance or "road warrior" system...just wait a bit.
The ones I've been playing with at work just absolutely rock. You can clearly see the difference that 1mb L2 cache makes...and combined with systems that already have decent battery life you won't have to worry about whether or not you'll be able to finish the Braveheart DVD on battery power.
Craenor
I can't believe the number of people I see here who are speaking out "against" wide-spread, free, broadband internet-access. And the majority of the people with something negative to say, seem to be saying it because they don't feel that "poor people" are responsible enough to use the internet.
You can think I'm over-reacting, but you should just reread some of the messages that have been posted here. I think free, broadband access in the homes of people who can't afford it is just great.
I think the internet is one of the keys to providing better education and opportunity to those people born into such circumstance that opportunities are rare. Will some people abuse it? Sure...but so? Better they are sitting at home surfing for free porn then some of the other alternatives they could be doing with their lives.
There have been times in my life when money was tight. Because I haven't always had priviledge, does that mean I'm not responsible enough to have as broad a spectrum of rights and opportunities as others? Open your minds...
Craenor
Are you using Win2k or WinXP?
I would just have a blanket, three strikes you are out policy. If someone complains about the content of your email three times, no matter the circumstances, you are outta there.
As an ISP, you shouldn't have to be the front line of defense for some of the people who want to use your networks to deluge the email boxes of the world with their emails about penis growth, diets and discount shoes.
Craenor
If someone is so anxious to know what traffic is on my wireless network that they are willing to charter a plane...they can have it.
I don't think of wireless networking as the next wave for corporate america...replacing the wired office with large nework infrastructures.
I think of wireless networking as the best way to get internet to mom and pop in the country. I think of it as a convenience for home users that don't want wiring coming out of their ears. I think of it as another way for my portable computer to be more portable.
Do I worry about the security aspects of it? Absolutely not, because I don't use my wireless networks for anything that require security.
I don't mean to limit the scope of wireless networking. I can see a future where it gains a solid foothold in the workplace of the large corporate network, but that is still sometime in the future.
For the here and now there are still plenty of uses for wireless networking and advances in wireless networking that can flourish regardless of any security loopholes that might exist.
Craenor
If you want wireless security, there it is. Setup your access points (APs) with a DMZ. That's a small space in the networking architecture of the AP that anyone can access.
The only thing you will find in that DMZ is a portal to sign into the VPN server. You have a VPN account, you're in there. You don't have a VPN account? Sorry. Is it perfect? Maybe not, but it's a helluva lot better then relying on WEP.
Craenor
*Finishes printing off the excel spreadsheet for his 6/6 psionic,Gray Elven Cleric/Magic-User*
Me? Play D&D...never
Craenor
If the orinoco card doesn't find the network at all, make sure the advanced wireless settings of the router have "preamble" set to long.
If that fails, you'll most likely have to change the maximum data transfer rate to 11mbps, thereby hamstringing your 802.11g router.
Craenor
As bad as the game companies that send out a game still in need of patches. They know there are errors; they know things need fixing; they know it's not a "solid" game yet.
So what do they do? They ship it...and keep working on it.
Right now the manufacturers are hiding behind the statement, "this is based on a draft of the 802.11g standard and may differ from the standard when it's published."
They are putting out a product that will mostly achieve the results people are looking for with 802.11g and hoping they can get the devices into the needed spec with firmware updates when the standard is published.
On a side note, 802.11g may be a much more viable solution for large businesses. Those companies which require their wireless users to sign in through a DMZ and VPN into the network (thereby not having to worry so much about wireless security problems) will find the added bandwidth of the 802.11g standard very helpful for their wireless users.
Those of us setting up a home network, well, it's nice to keep up with the Joneses, but you won't see me upgrading my 802.11b wireless network anytime soon.
Obviously this stuff is based on my opinion, but being a wireless networking specialist at one of the largest computer manufacturers, that opinion is also based on factual observation.
And no...my company won't be putting out 802.11g equipment until we are much closer to the standard and more of the bugs are worked out between b and g compatibility.
Because of where I work and what I do...I've already gotten a chance to play around with these some.
Let's just say, this isn't your father's pentium. These things smoke...and I don't mean like an AMD with a bad fan.
The 1mb L2 cache and the architecture make this the fastest, most efficient portable computer CPU in the world.
Totally off base here, if so, offtopic mod the hell out of me.
But instead of being so concerned about the number of jobs being grabbed in this country by foreign nationals...
I think more concern should be paid to the number of tech jobs being farmed out to foreign countries. Did you know the helpdesk for the State of Missouri is served from India?
If you can make it rain on my bosses house.
Would be more then happy to send them a bunch of CD's if that helps.