"wifi" Category Archives (24 entries)
Wireless internent access information. Free access, hardware, software and anything else I can think of.Parent-Categories are:
Items in a sub-category may or may not be in the parent category (and vice-versa).
- portable (86)
Buffalo High Speed wireless router - Mini-review (and DD-WRT info)
So I picked up a Buffalo WHR-G54S Wireless Broadband Router because you can never have too many routers in your house but mostly because ever since wireless existed I've wanted someway to bridge across my house (mostly to hook some old non-WiFi equipment that was in the living room hooked to the stereo) for older equipment that wireless wasn't an option. So I just wanted a box with an ethernet and an antenna that would then connect to the network. The stuff I tried was too expensive (although that was a few years back) didn't work as advertised or didn't pass Appletalk packets. In general, my favorite home router is the Netgear brand wireless routers but I thought I'd try thing.
So the packaging on the Buffalo WHR-G54S made me think it would work (or that I could make it work). It seemed like a nice wireless router but it looked like it wouldn't do what I wanted, but more importantly I knew I could make it work with the DD-WRT project. This is pretty much a way to put a different OS inside the router and it supports a lot more options, it's kind of a mini-linux (it might actually be all linux now, mildly confused on that) and there are a few projects like this out there. The most important option (for me) is by being a bridge (a mega-bridge that I can hook 5 computers up to). But it'll also support radius authentication (if you need it, it's a big deal), a mini web-server and even a way to power (and charge) your internet cafe.
Warning the content gets pretty geeky from here on.
So you have to flash it with a new OS which is mildly tricky, I recommend printing the instructions and crossing out all the non-relevant stuff. It was pretty simple once I found the parts to ignore. Once done it was pretty much how you'd expect any wireless router to be (but better).
It had an option to be a the bridge I wanted this meant I could take any old computer that had ethernet and make it wireless by just plugging it in the router and it would connect to my wireless connect in the other room. I told it what my network was and it was ready to go. This would also be handy for running operating systems that don't have support for some odd wireless card or USB dongle. Not only would it let me hook up 4 devices it could actually use the 5th port too (that's probably overkill but it does it anyways).
It'll run a little web server too. I haven't figured out all the parts but I will. What I'd like is to set it up like a regular router and as soon as you connect it'll give you a default web page welcoming you to the network (I figure if I can make this work I can more easily convince my local hangouts to WiFi.)
As a router goes, it supports the blocking options that many routers support but it has 10 different definable options by IP number than you can use (plus you can block by keyword and URL).
Other stuff: It supports multiple DDNS Services (Dynamic Domain Name Services), multiple VLANs, and some VPN stuff. Also some QoS options (Quality of Services) which might be handy if you don't want those computers sucking up all your bandwidth (just lower their limit). You can telnet in and all sorts of fun stuff.
Posted by Gary on Monday at 8:25 PM on March 12, 2007.
Related categories: technology, wifi
Thanks for the 1 comments/trackbacks from: Gary Said...
Midnight Espresso Cafe, Dearborn
So I stopped by the Midnight Espresso Cafe in Dearborn. I really like it there but it's generally pretty smokey (lots of smokers hang out and smoke cigarettes or a hooka) but they didn't look too busy so I stopped by. WOW! They just renovated and made it much bigger and it seems brighter too!
They've got a wide variety on the menu, I'm guessing much of it is Arabic in origin. Whenever I bring people here they generally find something interesting that they like. I generally get the BBQ Chicken Quesadillas and that's what I'm getting today.
Bonus, I pulled out the laptop hook up my phone as a modem and realized I connected to a network! So they've got WiFi now too (or else the business next door does), with their new larger non-smoking section and WiFi I think I'll be here a bit more often now.
PLEASE Leave comments (or trackbacks/pings)Posted by Gary on Sunday at 3:36 PM on January 21, 2007.
Related categories: Dearborn, food + drink, reviews, wifi
Connecting from Costa Rica
So wireless Internet connections are limited around here (all of Costa RIca). There are computers at Internet cafes (all over) but most don't have wireless (WiFi), actually I haven't seen any cafes with that yet (just a few restaurants). Some are willing to let me plug in my laptop (which is almost as easy as wireless) but many don't understand the concept. I want to do it this was because I type and pick photos before I ever go to the cafe, I don't want to sit at the cafe, I just do it when I have a few minutes here and a few minutes here and there (99% of what you read and see is picked and typed already). Then when I get to the cafe I hit send and I just have to wait a few minutes to send/recieve e-mails and post items (photos take longer).
FYI, Internet is way cheap everywhere here, about 20 colones a minute which is about $2.40 an hour. Some are very slow though...
PLEASE Leave comments (or trackbacks/pings)Posted by Gary on Tuesday at 6:16 PM on January 2, 2007.
Related categories: Costa Rica, holidays + events, portable, wifi
Free WiFi at Olga's!
So I'm eating at the new Olga's in Allen Park (Michigan) and I just went to plug my laptop into my cell phone to check my e-mail and the WiFi network “Olgas” popped up! And voila, free WiFi! And to think I thought I was afraid I going to get a crappy signal in the not-near-the-window spot where they put me.
FYI, it's totally dead here and I got a great parking spot. Is there a football game or something on?!?
Read or leave comments (or trackbacks/pings)Posted by Gary on Saturday at 5:22 PM on November 18, 2006.
Related categories: michigan, wifi
Thanks for the 1 comments/trackbacks from: heather
Free Wifi for October
So I took a survey and they gave me this code from the results of a survey, but it appears gave the same code to everyone (and it doesn't require any registration). So really, it's just free WiFi for me and I'm showing you my coupon (I'm not recommending you actually use it).
Locations include (but not limited to) Avis, Barnes & Noble, Caribou Coffee, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, The UPS Store and a lot of airports. Check the web site for more locations. The original (much larger) coupon says it does not include their McDonald's locations (but I haven't tried yet).
I'm at B & N and there is a flyer that says you can get WiFi for as low as $1.99 if you are a Yahoo DSL subscriber, but I couldn't find any info at their site related to that but I did find this. Seems like a great deal if you have them as your service provider!
PLEASE Leave comments (or trackbacks/pings)Posted by Gary on Saturday at 5:25 PM on October 14, 2006.
Related categories: money, portable, wifi
Pangea's Pizza
So I had some of the best Coca-Cola* yesterday at Pangea's Pizza in Traverse City. It was just extra tasty, I'm not sure why. And not only was it served in fancy old Coca-Cola glasses it was served by the charming Rachel** who attended to all my cuisine related needs. That, a slice of pepperoni pizza, some on-line access and I was all set. I was hoping for more dead animals on my pizza but I would have had to order a whole pizza.
I mentioned WiFi availability earlier today: I could see a few local access points from inside the restaurant (none of which I think were Pangea's) but eventually I'd lose the signal, the same if I hooked up with my cell phone. Not sure why. Probably something with all the pleasantness radiating from Rachel was interfering with my digital*** reception.
* - In case you were wondering the best Coca-Cola I ever had was at the Chicago Aquarium in February of 2002. This is fountain Coca-Cola, in the bottles it's generally the same, unless it's in the glass bottles where it's extra delicious.
** - I'm thinking Rachel was spelled slightly differently (sorry).
*** - Pleasantness is a full spectrum analog signal in case you didn't know. It's supposed to overwhelm everything.
Read or leave comments (or trackbacks/pings)Posted by Gary on Tuesday at 7:11 PM on September 26, 2006.
Related categories: food + drink, michigan, wifi
Thanks for the 3 comments/trackbacks from: Sharon: Gary LaPointe: Gary LaPointe
Up North needs more WiFi!!!
So I'm up north in Michigan at Lake Leelanau / Sutton's Bay (top left of the Lower Peninsula). I've been around here and Traverse city the past few days. I've noticed the smaller towns are more often than not to have WiFi you pay for. Lot of free places in Traverse City but I can connect my cell phone to my PowerBook and get pretty good speed (EVDO), but it the rest of the area I'm roaming. I noticed a few were inexpensive to pay for, but I think they'd be better if you were in that town for a week (or the summer) and it'd be great deal. I did notice one of the networks gave me five free minutes, which was enough to sync my mail and check a few web pages.
The big bonus is my Aunt's brother lives less than a mile away and I can stop by his driveway to sync my mail (getting new mail and sending mail that I composed off-line) and post any blog entries I've written off-line with my blog client (Ecto). It's definitely not hi-tech but I'm surviving....
PLEASE Leave comments (or trackbacks/pings)Posted by Gary on Tuesday at 2:16 PM on September 26, 2006.
Related categories: michigan, portable, technology, wifi
My BK has WiFi Again!!
For a while my local Burger King had WiFi. Then it only worked if I tweaked with the TCP/IP settings. Then it was intermittent. Eventually it died and I had to use the wired port (or my Airport Express adaptor) and that pretty much died. I can honestly say I've eaten here less since then. I mean if I gotta be WiFi-less or mess with my phone as a modem I can go anywhere, right?
Today I popped in for a quick snack. Wasn't 100% sure if I was going to hook up the modem but I knew I wanted to type a few things. I opened my laptop and got the wonderful message “Do you want to join the network 'Burger King'?”. I love WiFi....
(I think it's gone again)
Read or leave comments (or trackbacks/pings)Posted by Gary on Monday at 2:19 PM on September 4, 2006.
Related categories: food + drink, portable, wifi
Thanks for the 1 comments/trackbacks from: Mocha
What a beautiful day at MSU
It's such a great day I went up to Michigan State University to wander around. It's a great day, it was a little hot for rollerblading though. Campus seems pretty covered with WiFi, I like that :)
I'm off to Charlie Kangs for dinner. That would be “beef with broccoli, with no vegetables, but I want the broccoli (just not the other ones)”...
Read or leave comments (or trackbacks/pings)Posted by Gary on Sunday at 5:50 PM on May 28, 2006.
Related categories: me + myself + i, michigan, wifi
Thanks for the 1 comments/trackbacks from: Janine
Free WiFi at the Cairo Airport
So I'm at the Cairo Airport ready to head to JFK and they've got FREE WiFi! In case you haven't noticed while things are cheap here, nothing is free. So we're very early for our flight but I'm ready, two weeks was long enough to be away from home. Egypt was wonderful, but I'm ready for my own bed and to have the ability to drink tap water and not be afraid to accidentally rinse after I brush my teeth.
Read or leave comments (or trackbacks/pings)Posted by Gary on Sunday at 8:07 AM on April 30, 2006.
Related categories: Egypt 2006, holidays + events, michigan, wifi
Thanks for the 2 comments/trackbacks from: Roy Godbold: Gary LaPointe
Yes, I'm a total geek.
So my local around the corner bar, JB Bamboozles in Dearborn, has just added WiFi and so here I am having a drink, eating, checking my mail and (of course) I'm blogging about it.
The other bonus of being here today is that I've been here on Friday's and having the fish during lent and I miss my hot wings. So I'm having the hot wings that I'd normally get during Friday happy hour (although the perch has been excellent!).
In case you were wondering I am the only person here with a laptop. Heck I'm the only here not smoking. The rest of the crew here is regulars (way more regular than me) and people from the Ford plant(?). And of course the bartender, Jane is here too (sigh).
Read or leave comments (or trackbacks/pings)Posted by Gary on Tuesday at 4:53 PM on March 28, 2006.
Related categories: Dearborn, me + myself + i, portable, wifi
Thanks for the 2 comments/trackbacks from: Kevin: melissa
I found it almost as soon as I knew I lost it...
So I'm at the Burger King that has free wired internet but no wireless. So I go to pull out my trusty 
Apple Airport Express out of my backpack. Or at least I try to. It's gone!!! I dig and dig, I've got everything in this thing. If McGuyver carried a Powerbook, this is all the stuff he'd have “digital duct tape” and all that.
It's not here. But then I notice neither is my mini retractable ethernet cable, the last time I used both was (you got it) at this Burger King. I ask if they have a lost and found and they don't (how weird is that?). But I describe it to them, they go to the office and sure enough they've got it!!!
FYI, if you don't know what an Apple Airport Express is, you're missing out (even if you're a windows user). Read my earlier review about this wireless router / repeater / music streamer and printer adaptor (it's really small only 3.7 x 2.95 x 1.12 inches).
Read or leave comments (or trackbacks/pings)Posted by Gary on Sunday at 4:06 PM on February 19, 2006.
Related categories: apple, portable, technology, wifi
Thanks for the 2 comments/trackbacks from: Dave2: Janine
No WiFi at Home..?
So I'm at Panera and there are all these college age students here with their laptops (I'm sure a few are older and a few are younger), more than I've ever seen here before. My guess is that a good portion of them are home from college for the weekend and their parent's homes don't have the high-speed internet access that they've gotten used to at college. So they're here using the free WiFi. At least that's my theory (and I'm sticking to it).
One thing I've noticed other times when at Panera is that the network always seems to work (start working) better if I launch Internet Explorer first, I'm not sure why, but whenever I'm at a hotspot and having problems that seems to get me going. I think it helps at other places but it really helps at Panera (it might be the user agreement they have you agree to before proceeding).
I noticed an extra network when I was trying to connect called “Kristy” and also noticed an iBook user who had all sorts of windows open (but none had web pages). We tried the above IE “trick” but I guess the new iBooks don't ship with it. It was her first time trying to connect to a WiFi hotspot so there might be some other problem.
We never did get it going, I think it's something in the “internet connect” options, she somehow created a 802.1x (point to point?) network and we couldn't delete it. I had something similar happen once upon a time and it seems to me it was a bit of a problem until I was able to delete it, but I don't know what I did to do that.
Posted by Gary on Saturday at 4:49 PM on November 26, 2005.
Related categories: apple, general, portable, wifi
Thanks for the 5 comments/trackbacks from: Janine: Kevin: Gary LaPointe: Gary LaPointe: kilax
Fast Internet
So I'm up north, over at a neighbor's who mentioned I could use their WiFi. Actually I'm in their driveway...
It's like night and day with the high speed 'net access. I've only been here ten minutes and I'm happy as a clam (whatever that means).
These guys are going to be my new best friends the next time I'm up here! ;)
Read or leave comments (or trackbacks/pings)Posted by Gary on Tuesday at 11:36 AM on October 4, 2005.
Related categories: portable, technology, wifi
Thanks for the 1 comments/trackbacks from: karen/jim
Goldfish at my table...
So I'm at the The Little Cafe' on the Avenue (Dearborn) and in the middle of my table instead of flowers or a candle or something I've got goldfish!!! That's kinda unique...
They have WiFi too! Plus, I didn't realize that had food too, I thought they just had drinks and desserts, I would have been here way before now...
Read or leave comments (or trackbacks/pings)Posted by Gary on Wednesday at 3:11 PM on May 18, 2005.
Related categories: Dearborn, reviews, technology, wifi
Thanks for the 2 comments/trackbacks from: Kempernorton: Indigo
Torn Shoulder
So I'm in the hospital today. Mom's getting some surgery on her shoulder. We had to be here by 6:15 am, did you know it's still dark out then?!? She's done already and the Doc said everything went perfect and she'll be out of recover in a few hours. Yeah!!
I'm posting this from the hospital via their free WiFi! Actually it's more likely it's an accidentally open access point, but I can't be sure, there's free coffee and kleenex, why not WiFi?
Read or leave comments (or trackbacks/pings)Posted by Gary on Monday at 10:10 AM on February 21, 2005.
Related categories: friends + family, health, me + myself + i, wifi
Thanks for the 1 comments/trackbacks from: Dawn (webmiztris)
Airports...
So when I say “airport” I mean the place with airplanes not WiFi. But I am also going to mention WiFi since this airport (McCarran Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA) has WiFi. For being an electronics conference there appears to be a severe lacking of wireless internet. I really needed a fix and I found a spot with a good signal AND a power outlet. I can catch up on my podcasts with my iPod with all this speed...
Only Terminal one has WiFi BUT there is a free shuttle from terminal two. No configuration hassles at all. There isn't any information on their web site on this other than a (non-linkable) press release.
PLEASE Leave comments (or trackbacks/pings)Posted by Gary on Sunday at 8:36 PM on January 9, 2005.
Related categories: holidays + events, portable, technology, wifi
Panera WiFi Tip
Here's a tip for connecting to the free WiFi at Panera. It wants you to authenticate via a web page (just click to accept their rules) so if you try your mail program (or something else first) it will not connect to the net. So launch the web first and you should be okay.
Extra Macintosh Tip: It doesn't seem to like safari to authenticate so I always launch IE first to authenticate and then use the browner of my choice...
PLEASE Leave comments (or trackbacks/pings)Posted by Gary on Saturday at 5:06 PM on December 11, 2004.
Related categories: portable, technology, wifi
Good BBQ Burger (Wyandotte, MI)
Went to Wyandotte (Michigan) today and went to some 50's themed bar/brewpub on Maple and had The Back Yard BBQ Burger. What a great burger! It had Melted cheddar, crisp bacon, and BBQ sauce. The place was called Sports - A 50's Bar & Grill. Good prices too!
And I just saw on their web site they have WiFi too! Too bad I don't live closer... Anyone know of any places in Dearborn with Free WiFi?
Read or leave comments (or trackbacks/pings)Posted by Gary on Saturday at 10:11 PM on October 2, 2004.
Related categories: Dearborn, general, michigan, reviews, wifi
Thanks for the 1 comments/trackbacks from: Dawni
Airport Express
I'm not sure exactly why I bought the Apple Airport Express. That might sound silly but it's not just one device, it's not two, it's not even only three, it's FOUR (yes four!) devices in one.
| Airport Express. |
- It'll work as a WiFi router. Can I tell you how easy this was to use? I was at my local Burger King and the WiFi was down again but the wired connection was up. So instead of sitting by the noisy TVs I plugged in the express to the wall and a RJ-45 (phone-like cord) into the ethernet jack and my laptop asked if I wanted to join the new network. That was it! I'm now wireless sitting in my comfy corner.
- A WiFi Extender. Does your WiFi network start to fade at the far end of the house? Put this somewhere where you still get a signal and it will extend the range farther for you.
- A music (i.e. iTunes) streamer. Computer in the other room with all your music on it? Plug in the optional audio cables into the AirPort Express next to your stereo and you can listed to your iTunes ianywhere in the house!
- Printer Adapter. Want to share a printer? Plug a USB printer into the port and you can print to it from anywhere in the house!
Posted by Gary on Sunday at 4:16 PM on August 29, 2004.
Related categories: apple, reviews, technology, wifi
WiFi at Panera!
If you didn't know it already many of the Panera resturant/stores now have free WiFi!
Guess where I am right now?!?
PLEASE Leave comments (or trackbacks/pings)Posted by Gary on Tuesday at 12:35 PM on April 20, 2004.
Related categories: computers, michigan, portable, technology, wifi
A Tornado at Burger King
So I'm getting a snack at BK and some sun, I've got a spot I like where the sun shines in the window. And a bunch of little girls who are celebrating a birthday came in. I'm not sure how many of them were the Mom's that was with them but they were a handful. They sure ate a lot too. Mom kept threatening them with no ice cream if they didn't shape up! It's pretty much a disaster where they were although it's the spot that faces the televisions (closed captioned) so all the kids always want to sit there.
They just redid our BK in Dearborn and now it has WiFi. Isn't technology great!
I tried the new checken tender sandwich (lettuce, tomato and no mayo), it's better than the old one but Wendy's spicy is way better. Oh, and I won free french fries too!
PLEASE Leave comments (or trackbacks/pings)Posted by Gary on Saturday at 4:12 PM on March 20, 2004.
Related categories: Dearborn, holidays + events, kids, wifi
Finally, a "Smart-PDA" from Apple?
It looks like Apple might be finally entering the PDA market! This is a good thing since Palm OS 6 doesn't plan to support the Macintosh.
The odd part of this is that even though Macintosh has a small percentage of the computer market, many of the Palm OS people that I know are Mac-users. The question to me is what percentage of their sales go to Mac-users? The only reason I put Windows back into my house after 20 years was to get better synchronization with my Macintosh. I wanted some of the geekier conduits and they 
just didn't exist for the Mac. Some third party company (the Missing-sync folks) will write a Mac-driver if the market is there...
But I digress:
It'll probably have a hard drive (ala mini-iPod) and Firewire, USB and BlueTooth . The second article mentions WiFi and cell phone. There were hints of it playing music (actually downloading music while in the waiting room). Of course it'll support QuickTime and sync with all of the iApps. And (wait for it...) it'll support Windows. Maybe not the first week, but soon. You can't tell me that all the Windows people who bought iPods (and considered iPods) won't at least consider this device. I'm assuming it's share files in a variety of ways (like target disk mode and such). The only thing I haven't seen mentioned is a camera and GPS. I'd subscribe to .mac I think if this tied into it...
One of the articles I read said something like 'people spend more time deciding on a phone or a PDA than any other electronic device'. I know I do, if I'm going to carry it everywhere, I'm going to be fussy about it. My 2 cents: No mini-keyboard/thumbboard. Let me use grafitti or something similar. Let it support a regular USB keyboard (or mouse) thought the USB port (or via WiFi?)
You can check out this article from MacNet2.com and part 2.
PLEASE Leave comments (or trackbacks/pings)Posted by Gary on Monday at 7:22 AM on February 16, 2004.
Related categories: apple, computers, handheld, portable, technology, wifi
OQO - The true 'Pocket PC'
How's this: 
"The OQO computer has all the functionality of a ultraportable notebook computer, with a 1GHz processor, a 20GB hard drive, 256MB of RAM, color transflective display (for easy indoor and outdoor viewing), 802.11b wireless, a removable lithium-polymer battery, and FireWire™ and USB 1.1 ports. For input and navigation it includes thumb keyboard with TrackStik™ and mouse buttons as well as digital pen and thumbwheel." It even has more than that! All in a handheld computer which fits in your pocket (I can't find size specs on the web site).
Patrick is at CES and he showed it on TV a minute ago. It comes with a funky connector that has usb, firewire, svga and all the other ports you need (you can use this as a docking connector) It has a USB port built in so you can take a full size keyboard with you! I've been asking for this on palms for years!
PLEASE Leave comments (or trackbacks/pings)Posted by Gary on Friday at 7:15 PM on January 9, 2004.
Related categories: computers, handheld, portable, technology, wifi
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