HELLO
I am not computer savvy-[ just turned 60] although I have had my mac 6 years it is still great. I only use it for email, read news and surf for info and travel deals. There has been some freezing of late.
I have dial up and I want to know how to get wifi- the computer has an airport card installed. Can someone advise me what i need to buy and do? Also do I still need to pay for a server[Now Earthlink] with wifi?

Second question- I would like to get a small laptop that is set up with wireless ability for traveling any thoughts??

I have no clue on what the terminology I see being used means so PLEASE think of me as a first grader!!
Thanks to anyone who can give me thoughts and guide me.

a small pc you cant go past an eee pc not much more than 500 dollars Australian

well....we need to clarify some terms here....WiFi (in general terms) means a wireless connection between a wireless capable device and another wireless capable device...WiFi USUALLY refers to 802.11 traffic (a, b, g, or N) which is the standard used for device to device wireless communication over radio waves

so...that said...

a few things need to be cleared up as to what you actually want.


it's not suggested to share a dial up connection (nor is it easy, or worth the effort)...more than one computer on a dial up connection would reduce the speed of the connection to a level so low that it would be quicker for you to get in your car and travel to where the owner's of the website live and ask them to read it to you instead of you trying to get there with your computer...

so you would want to upgrade to some form of broadband connection...the three most common broadband connections (depending on where you live) would be Cable (through your cable company), DSL (through your phone company), or Cellular broadband (through your mobile phone company)...Cable is the fastest of the three, and Cellular is generally the slowest (though you can reach low DSL speeds on a good cellular connection)... in some locations there is a service available called FIOS (from verizon) which is basically a fiber optic line directly to your house from the service provider which allows for REALLY fast speeds. you can also get satellite internet service(hughesnet) if you're too far out of range for any of the other options (very expensive and spotty reception in bad weather)

if you choose to get a broadband connection (do some research with your local providers and see what fits best for you as far as price and availability) you can either purchase an aftermarket wireless router from any computer store (or wal-mart) and follow the ISP (internet service provider) instructions on how to share the connection with it...or you can request a wireless capable modem with your broadband connection (usually costs more, and sometimes not as configurable by you)...this will allow any computer in your house with a wireless card to connect to the internet as well as each other (for file sharing, printer sharing, etc...)

for the laptop...how much traveling do you do? how light do you really want it? mac or PC?

WOW thank you!!! I really understood what you said!!
I will look into FIOS since I have Verizon phone.

On the laptop idea- not much traveling but it would be nice to have something very modern, light weight that has this wifi built in [ hotels offer free wireless]
I have an older Mac so I thought a PC with windows for both sides of the tech world!! Any thoughts ?? I guess it would not work at home since I do not have wifi here.??
MANY thanks for your answer!!!
Lathamgal

be aware that FIOS isn't available everywhere but if you live in a well populated area it might be (through my magic it looks like you're near boston?...if you're in boston proper i think FIOS is available)

for the laptop...there are about a million options there....and they really depend on exactly what you want to do with the contraption...

if it's honestly just checking email and watching the occasional video online or listening to music and what not....then just about anything would do...PERSONALLY i like to stick with some of the more major brands...like dell and HP. i have ALWAYS been pleased with their machines and their service (some people disagree on both accounts...but this is my experience). Some people are fans of acer or lenovo...though all of the acers/lenovos that i've gotten have come with a lot of bloatware and system issues out of the box

Thank you again-- the more I have read online I agree a name brand like HP or Dell I will look for a good buy and ask for help to set up properly from the seller.
This website and topics are appreciated by me!!