If you would have to use the PC as a gateway, you're likely going to be much happier with a Wireless Router that will handle the internet connection in place of your PC. Then it would share the internet to both your PC (either wirelessly or via wire) and her laptop (wirelessly).
I suggest the linksys wireless DSL router (BEFW11S4) & 4 port hub or the Dlink one (DI-614+). These go for about 100, would be much more secure for the network than your PC would, and would make the wireless setup a breeze. It also gets rid of your need to "connect" via PPPoE on your PC. The router takes care of all of that. As far as the network cards, if you're not going to get an internal wireless NIC on the laptop, I really like the 3COM ones with the XJack so you can tuck the wireless card's antenna in, but ANY decent wireless NIC will work (linky, Dlink, etc). Apple shouldn't have any trouble with this setup if you wanted to go that way. I don't know about a good wireless-choosing web site, but for help on setup the manual should be enough to get you going. Or drop me an email. I think that covers most of this. I've set up several setups similar to this (different hardware sometimes), and it's pretty straight forward. Josh -----Original Message----- From: Ian Skinner [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, March 14, 2003 4:49 PM To: CF-Community Subject: Wireless Network Hardware suggestions/comments/discussion. Ok, the wife wants a lap top for her birthday (two weeks ago). And when I get my second paycheck from the new job (first full time, permanent position in over two years) next week, I am planning on getting her a simple one. What I'm thinking of doing is getting it with a wireless NIC card so that I don't have to provide another internet connection in the apartment. I can set up my current PPPe DSL connected computer as a gateway/receiver and hers can then be anywhere in the apartment and beyond I assume. What I would like some help with is what wireless options I might go with? Me: A fairly intelligent code geek, but I don't know a great deal about hardware and/or networking. Her: Novice/pseodo computer phobic with 90% of her time on the computer being e-mail and chatting, shouldn't need a lot of power to support. Restraints: This is ONLY my second check, so not too expensive. I'm looking for something affordable, relatively easy to set up and maintain. Decently secure, so that just anybody can not walk by and share my computer, but not I'm too worried about overly serious attacks, if they really want to know my Civilization III Play the World score, they can. Any suggestions? Helpful hints? Good hand holding sites for choosing/setting up/securing/maintaining wireless network hardware? Humorous Puns? Most any comment would be helpful. Also any comments on the trouble I may be heading for if I where to consider an Apple laptop for her? She possibly may like the generally considered simpler UI. Thanks PS Suggestions on good places to get inexpensive (under $1000, the more under the better) laptops also appreciated. -------------- Ian Skinner Web Programmer BloodSource Sacramento, CA ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Archives: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/index.cfm?forumid=5 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/index.cfm?method=subscribe&forumid=5 Get the mailserver that powers this list at http://www.coolfusion.com Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=89.70.5
