Post by: iGuy on August 26, 2006, 11:38:10 AM
My oldest brother is an over the road truck driver. He is gone 2 weeks at a time. He has a PC at home but is never at home to use it. He wants to buy a laptop to take with him on the road. I have him interested in buying an Apple instead of another Windows machine. Although, now days, Macs are almost Windows machines too. Sad but true.
Anyway, I have never owned a laptop so I need advice on what to recommend to him. He says he is willing to spend the money but I didn't get an amount. He will be using the computer for gaming and wireless internet. He is not a big gamer. A couple of good games will keep him satisfied for months.
He says truck stops offer wireless internet service so he will need airport installed in the computer. I have never uses wireless internet so that will be new to me. I assume he will have to pay in order to gain access at these truck stops.
Also, he told me that one of the Cell phone companies is advertising a card for your computer which will allow you access to the internet similiar to the way cell phone signals work. I would like to know more info on that.
Lets get this thread started folks.
Fill me with info.Ryan
Post by: daryl66 on August 26, 2006, 02:01:09 PM
QUOTE(iGuy @ Aug 26 2006, 11:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Anyway, I have never owned a laptop so I need advice on what to recommend to him. He says he is willing to spend the money but I didn't get an amount. He will be using the computer for gaming and wireless internet. He is not a big gamer. A couple of good games will keep him satisfied for months.
He says truck stops offer wireless internet service so he will need airport installed in the computer. I have never uses wireless internet so that will be new to me. I assume he will have to pay in order to gain access at these truck stops.
Also, he told me that one of the Cell phone companies is advertising a card for your computer which will allow you access to the internet similiar to the way cell phone signals work. I would like to know more info on that.
Lets get this thread started folks. Fill me with info.
Ryan
He says truck stops offer wireless internet service so he will need airport installed in the computer. I have never uses wireless internet so that will be new to me. I assume he will have to pay in order to gain access at these truck stops.
Also, he told me that one of the Cell phone companies is advertising a card for your computer which will allow you access to the internet similiar to the way cell phone signals work. I would like to know more info on that.
Lets get this thread started folks.
Fill me with info.Ryan
Ryan: I can speak to the Laptop and truck stop questions: I travel with a 12" G4 1.33ghz Powerbook. It works just lovely and I could not be happier.
The "Flying J" truckstops all have WiFi that they have a "daily" charge (7 bucks as I recall) and a monthly charge which I do not recall the charge. They work just as advertised with the powerbook. You can sit in their parking lot, or go inside their "hightech" area. Would imagine that most truckstops (chains) would offer something similar.
Verizon offers the cell service you mention, and the charge is based on the amount of megabits you sign up for I do not know what (if any)additional hardware is required with a powerbook.
Daryl
Post by: iGuy on August 26, 2006, 02:08:54 PM
He wants a 15 inch screen so that puts him at $1999 with the lowend Macbook Pro. Also, the fact that the Macbook Pro has a better graphics card is a plus.
I will really be needing info from all you wireless users. I know next to nothing about it since I have never used it.
We are wanting to also set up wireless internet in his home. He currently has an old Windows PC with High speed internet. Can someone explain what I will need to get him set up. I assume I will need the Airport Extreme Base Station? Is there any other brand base stations other than Apple that will work with a Mac?
I will also need to call his highspeed internet provider so they can walk me through the set up for his new Mac.
Ryan
Post by: Parker on August 26, 2006, 02:30:57 PM
QUOTE
Verizon offers the cell service you mention, and the charge is based on the amount of megabits you sign up for I do not know what (if any)additional hardware is required with a powerbook.
i connect to the internet via. my cingular cell phone.
i have unlimited Cingular Wireless MediaNet for $19.99 a month. Using my bluetooth phone (Motorola V551/557, Treo 650 and Razr are the only ones i've tested that work successfully and flawlessly) and with the right modem scripts (http://www.taniwha.org.uk/files/Generic3G2004-09.sit - i use the Generic 3G CID1 script), he can be connected ON THE ROAD (like in the middle of nowhere)
However the speeds are mediocre... only around 100kbps download in good spots and 40kbps upload, but i find it good when i'm at sea with the boat or at a marina with no WiFi, or maybe in the car and i just want to go onto TS (and yes i've been on many times in the car) or on the school bus.
Also i would get the 13.3" MacBook... it's really all he really needs, and since he'll be on the move the metal on the MacBook Pro may get all dented up and damaged (like on my old PowerBook G4 12" when it took a few falls.)
MacBook i find much more durable, and with the integrated graphics, you manage to get about an hour of extra battery juice.
That's my 2¢
-Parker
Post by: daryl66 on August 26, 2006, 02:34:10 PM
QUOTE(iGuy @ Aug 26 2006, 02:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We are wanting to also set up wireless internet in his home. He currently has an old Windows PC with High speed internet. Can someone explain what I will need to get him set up. I assume I will need the Airport Extreme Base Station? Is there any other brand base stations other than Apple that will work with a Mac?
I will also need to call his highspeed internet provider so they can walk me through the set up for his new Mac.
Ryan
I will also need to call his highspeed internet provider so they can walk me through the set up for his new Mac.
Ryan
In our house we have 2 Mac's. The desktop is a G5 Imac which connects via ethernet cable to a D-link wireless router (multiple port job), which in turn is hooked up to the ISP cable modem via ethernet cable. The Laptop connects to the router via its Airport card. ( I just power it down when I travel and it finds the WIFI ISP all by its self when it gets powered back up at the truckstop, airport, whatever) If it is your intention to make the house "wireless" there will be someone along to walk you thru the steps I am sure.
You are going to be extremely happy with how simple it is to set the Mac up with your ISP. If he already has hs internet it is almost "plug and play"
Good Luck and Happy Laptopping
Daryl
Post by: Reiddm on August 26, 2006, 05:05:06 PM
Now when I'm at starbucks my Pismo works just fine, good luck!!
Post by: swhitset on August 26, 2006, 05:12:21 PM
Steve
Post by: Mayo on August 26, 2006, 06:58:55 PM
Regarding set-up: the Apple Extreme Base Station essentially sets itself up. Apple also automatically updates the Base Station software and firmware via Software Update, which requires no input from a human if you want it that way. All other routers require some degree, more or less, of human attention and interaction in order to keep them current.
Post by: iGuy on August 26, 2006, 08:30:57 PM
This will not only be the first Mac my brother has owned but his first laptop. He likes the sound of the Mac Book Pro because of the screen size and the graphics card. I can't try out either one of them so recommendations like gailwin gave on which model to select will be helpful.
Back to the Aiport Base Station. If I buy it, I can connect it to my brother's current High Speed Modem. Turn it on and the laptop will find the signal? Are there any passwords involved or settings on the laptop I will need to know about?
I am learning from these replies, thank you.
Ryan
Post by: Paddy on August 26, 2006, 09:16:40 PM
With the PC, assuming that it currently is simply attached to the modem, I'd recommend either using the ethernet port (LAN) on the Apple Extreme for it (and use the laptop wirelessly) or buying a 4-port ethernet hub/switch so that both machines can be wired if desired. Ethernet hubs/switches are really cheap - yikes, I just found the one I have at TigerDirect and it's $4.99!!!! Now that IS cheap! Buy 2! (actually, not a bad idea if you need more than 4 'puters hooked up...)
Netgear FS-605
Post by: Parker on August 26, 2006, 09:18:20 PM
QUOTE
Plug-and-Play vs. Plug-and-Pray.
that is the funniest thing i've heard all night
uh... you can bluetooth to your EVDO phone i think now
i'm just not sure how
but i swear it can be done
Post by: mastercheif on August 27, 2006, 03:36:54 AM
http://www.verizonwireless.com:80/b2c/stor...tedPhoneId=2407
And yes gailwin, bluetooth to phone can be done, but the bluetooth connection bottlenecks the EV-DO connection.
Post by: swhitset on August 27, 2006, 08:13:23 AM
QUOTE(mastercheif @ Aug 27 2006, 03:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The Express card EV-DO Adapter for Verizon is out.
http://www.verizonwireless.com:80/b2c/stor...tedPhoneId=2407
And yes gailwin, bluetooth to phone can be done, but the bluetooth connection bottlenecks the EV-DO connection.
http://www.verizonwireless.com:80/b2c/stor...tedPhoneId=2407
And yes gailwin, bluetooth to phone can be done, but the bluetooth connection bottlenecks the EV-DO connection.
It is also less than an ideal situation considering that you need to tie up the phone each time you want to get on line. Although possible I would consider it too much trouble for regular use. The EVDO card makes everything seemless and much faster.
Steve
Post by: Parker on August 27, 2006, 11:48:59 AM
QUOTE
And yes gailwin, bluetooth to phone can be done, but the bluetooth connection bottlenecks the EV-DO connection
that is sooo true jj
(we still need to figure out how to connect chocolate to my macbook
)
Post by: iGuy on August 27, 2006, 11:51:44 AM
Post by: iGuy on August 27, 2006, 11:56:50 AM
Also, can a mouse be connected to the Mac Book Pro and used instead of the track pad. Recommendations on a mouse would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Ryan
Post by: swhitset on August 27, 2006, 12:44:52 PM
As far as security is concerned... Wireless is inherently less secure than wired internet, but if you use WPA encryption (not WEP) and a long random password, you are as safe as is possible (most would feel this is sufficient). However, and this is a BIG however, if you are connecting to a public access point, there is no way to be sure who else is on that network and how it is being secured. Many public spots actually simply use a HUB to connect there network together and seeing other people's computers is trivial. Some people are setting up what is known as VPN's (virtual private networks). They use these when connecting to public wifi hotspots. Essentially, what they do is set up an encrypted connection between themselves and some outside server. All of their internet traffic is routed through that server so that all traffic to and from it is encrypted and cannot be used by a hacker within the local public network.
I would highly recommend the Security Now Podcast to anybody interested in being more secure. This is hosted by Leo Laporte and Steve Gibson
Steve
Post by: Mayo on August 27, 2006, 04:48:25 PM
While Internet financial and shopping Web sites are almost always protected by automatically encrypted SSL connections, most other Internet connections are not, including most e-mail services. And the message itself isn't the only thing sent "in the clear:" the username and password is also sent unencrypted and that Is Not A Good Thing. Any other "surfing" that is done is also easily intercepted by anyone using free software readily available online that can do things like display all the images that are being downloaded by the folks using an unprotected Internet connection. Scary, isn't it?
Fortunately, there are some very effective and relatively inexpensive solutions available and they are very easy to use. I have reviewed the three major "personal VPN" providers (VPN is a very secure encrypted connection protocol used by coprorations and others who care about the security of their online communciations) and I have been using Witopia for months now.
Their personalVPN service is only $40 a year, which is the least expensive I have found. There is no usage limit. An added bonus is that Witopia uses the most secure kind of VPN available through these types of services. Since Witopia uses the more secure protocol it can take 24-48 hours until the personalized security "certificate" may arrive, but installation is a snap once it does. The service isn't restricted for use while on the road; it can be used with any unprotected Internet connection or to add security to connections that are already WEP or WPA encrypted. (Keep in mind that WEP/WPA only protects data between the router and computer; from there the data is unencrypted.)
It is currently not possible to have the VPN connection be automatic or "always-on," so the connection is initiated via an icon in the Finder Menu Bar. There are three caveats with this system: automatic logging-on needs to be disabled in e-mail programs and Web browsers because the VPN connection needs to be established first. If VPN is in use and the Mac is put to sleep and later awakened, the icon will stilll indicate a secure connection when in actuality it is an open connection. (This is a known software bug in the connection software and it will presumably be fixed sometime in the future; the latest update did not address this issue.) The "fix" is to use the icon's drop-down menu to disconnect and then reconnect the VPN connection.
Finally, the VPN connection can reduce the download speed between 25-75% in my experience, depending on a number of factors generally beyond our control. This is the price one must pay with any online VPN service that I know of... Witopia's service is the fastest one I have tried. In real life use the speed hit is very tolerable when using a 3MB broadband connection and rarely interferes with normal usage. The only time it has been somewhat of a problem is when streaming music, but then one shouldn't require VPN for that kind of thing anyway. I keep an IP Address indicator link in the Safari Bookmarks Bar so that I can easily see that I am securely connected when using VPN.
A couple of added bonuses of VPN is that the IP address of the user is changed to one of a number of rotating IP addresses used by the VPN service, so the Internet connection cannnot be traced back to the Dale Gribbles of the world. (If you don't know who Dale Gribble is, check out King of the Hill.) And the ISP managing your connection can neither intercept your data nor know where you go while online because the data flows through their server while encrypted and isn't decrypted until it exits the VPN server. This may be important to even "regular folk" who are bothered by ISPs and Google (among others) turning over connection records to the government (sometimes without a legal warrant) that can be traced to specific IP addresses.
Now THAT is really scary!
Post by: swhitset on August 27, 2006, 05:42:35 PM
I wanted to mention VPN's but I haven't gotten into them as much as you obviously have. It always amazes me how many people will worry about their home network's security, but think nothing about logging on to a hotel's network and doing anything they want with no worries.
Steve
Post by: iGuy on August 27, 2006, 08:45:28 PM
Post by: iGuy on August 27, 2006, 08:57:33 PM
QUOTE
The existence of an 802.11b device within an 802.11g network typically defaults the entire network to a much lower data speed.
I read the above off of Mayo's Witopia site. What does that mean? If a hotel was transmitting a 802.11g wireless internet connection. And there was someone in the hotel with a laptop using 802.11b it would cause the connection to slow down for everyone in that hotel?
The Witopia link you provided has very helpful info on it.
Post by: Mayo on August 28, 2006, 03:39:16 AM
"An identifier for a computer or device on a TCP/IP network. Networks using the TCP/IP protocol route messages based on the IP address of the destination. The format of an IP address is a 32-bit numeric address written as four numbers separated by periods. Each number can be zero to 255. For example, 1.160.10.240 could be an IP address."
ISPs can assign permanent IP addresses to an account or the IP address can periodically change; an ISP will generally use one system or the other but not both. It is a unique identifier on the Internet akin to a street address. An ISP can keep a log of where an IP address goes on the Web; some ISPs keep the information permanently. This information can be used in law enforcement investigations but someone else will have to explain any other possible reason for the data to be retained because I don't know why the information would have any value to an ISP.
Google has recently been criticized in some quarters because it became public that the company retains records of all the requests made at its Web site. In other words, any keywords a person has ever entered in the Google search field can be directly linked to the IP address from which the request originated. Google has not been able to proffer a rational explanation as to why the company finds it necessary to retain this data. But the practice obviously raises serious privacy issues and makes a LOT of people very nervous when they consider the possible implications if the information was sold to other companies or obtained by the government. At the very least there could be some very embarassed folks out there who rue the day they ever Googled "Britney Spears naked."
So if you use that IP address link I provided earlier you can see what your current IP address is. And if you then use a VPN service and reload the IP address page it will be a totally different IP address. If you cut-and-paste the IP address in the tiny box labeled "Whois: IP or domain name" and click the "go" button the next browser window will show you detailed information about the IP address. It won't identify the account user by name, but it will show the public Whois directory information on the ISP that controls the IP address.
In Witopia's case it would probably be one of a bank of IP addresses assigned to a server in the Washington D.C. area. (That might change when the company adds another server I believe is planned for the west coast of the United States.) If I entered my own IP address it would identify Charter Communications as the ISP and that the server is located on the west coast.
(The IP address identifier page also has another field labeled "My public IP is." If you click the button it will show IP addresses that are otherwise hidden by other ineffective methods that are sometimes used to mask a user's IP address.)
Post by: Parker on August 28, 2006, 06:51:51 AM
QUOTE
Also, can a mouse be connected to the Mac Book Pro and used instead of the track pad. Recommendations on a mouse would be appreciated.
three words...
BLUETOOTH MIGHTY MOUSE
"Thank you, come again!"
Post by: Reiddm on August 28, 2006, 07:56:23 AM
QUOTE(gailwin @ Aug 28 2006, 11:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
three words...
BLUETOOTH MIGHTY MOUSE
"Thank you, come again!"
BLUETOOTH MIGHTY MOUSE
"Thank you, come again!"
That I totally agree with, my wife loves her mighty mouse, got scared when it first came out, quite a few people had trouble with them but our’s works without any flaws, according to another Mac web site “follow the installation instructions and do not deviate”!
Post by: daryl66 on August 28, 2006, 04:51:43 PM
Daryl
Post by: iGuy on August 28, 2006, 07:05:22 PM
Post by: kps on August 28, 2006, 07:59:40 PM
So with that intro, let me throw in my 2 cents worth. The problem with being on the 'bleeding edge' is that it's unproven and unreliable technology costing huge dollars.
My advice would be to keep-it-simple initially and go with prepaid WiFi access at truck stops. If that proves to be inadequate, then consider some of the other more costly options.
10-4 (?) abd
Post by: Xairbusdriver on August 29, 2006, 11:30:17 AM
So, a question that may be answered at the Witopia site that I'm too lazy to read first!
How does the VPN change an IP address that is "behind" a router? No, wait, the address I've seen reported is actually the ISP assigned address, not the routers. 
So VPN must do some 'tricks' with the packets sent over the wire/air? 
I'll go look at that site, now...
OK, that helps, but it also raises another question:
QUOTE
To allow you to use all Internet resources, we assign you a completely random WiTopia Internet address and decrypt your data to its destination (so your intended party can make sense of it).
That sounds like the "secure" pathway is only between me and the Witopia server. They decrypt everything and send it on to the desired address. So, how is that more secure, except that no one between me and my ISP server can 'monitor' my traffic? OK, my ISP server may be several states away and that creates thousands of possible places to snoop, I guess. But there may be even more stops/routes from Witopia's server to the final destination. And, of course, the final destination may not be secured at all.I was wondering how Witopia hadnled decrypting things at whatever the destination might be, apparently that is simply not possible, unless both parties are using Witopia.
Post by: swhitset on August 29, 2006, 12:35:40 PM
In fact one way many people implement a VPN without using a third party server, is to use software to start a VPN between themselves connected from some outside source (like a hotel, starbucks etc...) and their home computer network. They set up an encrypted connection to their home network (which is inherently more secure) and then surf out to the internet via the home internet connection. The down side of this is twofold, One this is rather complex to set up and requires a rather good home router on a static IP. It also has quite a speed hit since you are literally surfing to your home network and then depending on the upload speed of your home internet connection to serve web pages files etc.... to you at your remote location.
Steve
Post by: Mayo on August 29, 2006, 01:29:48 PM
QUOTE
So VPN must do some 'tricks' with the packets sent over the wire/air?
No tricks... it's just the IP address of the VPN server(s).
If you want absolutely secure Internet data transfer then the data needs to be encrypted in both directions. Since e-mail is used the most and can contain sensitive info it is relatively easy to encrypt messages going in both directions using software like PGP. Of course, both parties must be encrypting their e-mail. In most online financial transactions the data is encyrpted using SSL in both directions. In all other instances where the data isn't being transferred entirely via VPN servers or using SSL there will always be some point where the data will not be secure.
To return to the original subject... I always recommend David Pogue's "Mac OS X: The Missing Manual, Panther Edition" for Mac newbies.
Post by: iGuy on August 29, 2006, 06:58:48 PM
QUOTE
Hopefully, it will be a second generation MacBook ( with most of the early troubles fixed )
I hadn't thought of that AB. When will the second generation MacBook be introduced? January O7? My brother doesn't plan on buying until Chistmas.
Ryan
Post by: Xairbusdriver on August 29, 2006, 09:11:44 PM
QUOTE
When will the second generation MacBook be introduced?
If I could tell you that, I'd be richer than I am! But they do seem to offer new models about every 12-15 months...how long has the current crop been around?
Post by: Parker on August 29, 2006, 09:16:39 PM
i own one from the first batch made
now they've actually solved the discoloring problem.
Post by: Mayo on September 01, 2006, 11:05:43 PM
QUOTE
If VPN is in use and the Mac is put to sleep and later awakened, the icon will stilll indicate a secure connection when in actuality it is an open connection.
This bug has apparently been fixed in the latest version of Tunnelblick; I don't know which version it is because the application doesn't provide the info. I could have sworn that I tested the new version for the bug, but I must have been mistaken.
Now either the connection is "always-on" or the application automatically reconnects when the Mac is awakened... I really cannot tell which it is because it happens too fast. But when I check the IP address it belongs to Witopia.
Whatever... it's nice to have it fixed.