On Thu, 27 Jan 2005 11:09:56 -0700, George wrote: > 1) Any suggestions of what steps might be needed to use this on a Win 2000 > system? Could it be as simple as showing up and turning on? A little Googling shows that this is a pay service[1] through SBC. It's called FreedomLink[2]. Basically, buy a wireless adapter and read the directions for installation. If it says Win2K needs software installed, you should do so. I've done a ton of wireless, but very little of it on Win2K so I can't recall if it's as automatic as WinXP. Either way, once it's properly installed, it should "find" wireless networks automatically, pop up a message informing you of the new network, and offer to let you connect to it. It's pretty easy. > 2) Without the white paper how does one know if it is A, B or G etc. Or, do > we care. We care. 802.11A is not compatible with the other two. B is by far the most common and G is, you could say, a newer version of B and is backwards compatible with it. I prefer G these days because I know I can connect to G or B networks with it. I just plain stay aware from A. (Whew, did ya get all that?) Let me break it down: G: gets you G and B networks (G-to-G is faster) B: gets you B networks only and is, by far, the most common A: gets you A networks only and is very rarely used, but it's speed is roughly equivalent to G The SBC FreedomLink network uses all 802.11B right now[3]. > 3) While the laptop is W2K it is destined for Linux (probably ubuntu) when > the 2K need (cust requirement) expires, Therefore I am looking for > suggestions for a USB wireless device that will like W2k, like Linux and > like Barns & Nobel. I didn't do wireless Linux stuff on my laptop (yet). It still has WinXP. So, I don't have advice for you yet. However, I've found the Ubuntu forums[4] to be an incredibly useful resource. I've searched there probably a hundred times in the last 2-3 weeks, finding answers to questions! > 4) Is there a risk of painting myself into a corner (lack of planning) > whereby it will not work at... say a Stammtisch or East Side/West Side > meetings? Just don't get 802.11A and you'll be OK. Also, it's not hard to find a device that's Windows-friendly, but can be a challenge to find one that's Linux-friendly. Search the Ubuntu forums to make sure you find stories of people having success with a particular card before you get stuck with one that won't work in Ubuntu (or, more importantly, Debian). By the way, a client took me to dinner at Wildflower Bread Company[5] Tuesday night. They have free wireless there and it was pretty decent food. I believe they have it at all their stores, but it'd be a good idea to call a particular location and confirm it before-hand. I can confirm wireless at their McClintock and Guadalupe store. [1] https://secure3.sbc.com/ [2] http://www.sbc.com/gen/general?pid=5949 [3] https://secure1.sbc.com/support/faq.adp#whatequipmentdoineed [4] http://www.ubuntuforums.org/ [5] http://www.wildflowerbread.com/ -- Ric Fischer --------------------------------------------------- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change you mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss