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Toymods Club Treasurer
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Wireless internet
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Mon, 14 March 2005 21:57
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I'm thinking about disconnecting my landline at home due to its lack of use, but I'd like to get an internet connection.
Can anyone give me a rundown on the wireless connections available & their pros/cons?
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I Supported Toymods
Location:
melbourne.vic.au
Registered:
May 2002
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Toymods Club Treasurer
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Wireless internet
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Mon, 14 March 2005 22:11
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But wouldn't that involve keeping a landline & paying for that privelige?
My monthly landline phone bill is about $33, $28 of which is purely for the line rental.
I'm not too worried about the speed, as long as it downloads.
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I Supported Toymods
Location:
Casula
Registered:
January 2005
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Re: Wireless internet
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Mon, 14 March 2005 22:33
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I'm still not to sure about the wireless internet being a good thing. I live in the Casula area and have been told there is no service in my area.
so is it affected by drop outs or other interferance while you are down loading?
I think at this stage I'll stick with my ADSL.
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Location:
Perth
Registered:
April 2003
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Re: Wireless internet
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Tue, 15 March 2005 00:48
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the whole 802.11b is something to be avoided - in my personal opinion. Wireless hot spots etc.. avoid the lot of it. Alot of american companies have shelled out big dollars in development of this technology - essentially spread spectrum microwave transmission.
The wavelength - u-wave - ionises the water molecules in your body - your brain has some of this. Do some research into fertiliy problems with radar operators before you jump head long into this.
my 2 cents
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
December 2004
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Re: Wireless internet
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Tue, 15 March 2005 03:54
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im running optus cable with a netcomm wireless router.
it connects my apple powerbook which is great.
i can move around the house on the laptop reading. esp handy when im in the garage inside my car i can see diagrams live without printing etc.
like said above depends how far away from the route you are.
you can buy some routers which come with two. one acts like a booster so put them on each end of the house.
thats the alternative if you cant get wireless..
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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
September 2003
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Re: Wireless internet
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Tue, 15 March 2005 04:27
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only thing to beware of with full wireless internet:
people like me sniff your wireless connectivity  and will perhaps use your internet for all my evil download needs.
*That is unless you secure it all correctly* 
I found out the hardway when someone near by me started connecting to my wireless connection *Bastards* soon put an end to that though  ==> don't want other people leeching my 1.5mb link
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Location:
Forster NSW
Registered:
September 2004
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Re: Wireless internet
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Tue, 15 March 2005 08:21
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He means WISPs guys, not WLANs.
I'd have a read of the forums on http://www.whirlpool.net.au and have a talk to some providers about what's available in your area. Usually they will come out and do a free check for you at your house to see how the service is.
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Location:
Sydney/Wollongong
Registered:
October 2003
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Location:
sydney
Registered:
August 2003
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Re: Wireless internet
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Tue, 15 March 2005 10:13
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| sated wrote on Tue, 15 March 2005 11:48 |
the whole 802.11b is something to be avoided - in my personal opinion. Wireless hot spots etc.. avoid the lot of it. Alot of american companies have shelled out big dollars in development of this technology - essentially spread spectrum microwave transmission.
The wavelength - u-wave - ionises the water molecules in your body - your brain has some of this. Do some research into fertiliy problems with radar operators before you jump head long into this.
my 2 cents
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so my new 802.11b/g router is after my boys???? 
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Location:
sydney
Registered:
July 2004
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Re: Wireless internet
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Tue, 15 March 2005 11:03
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im using unwired internet atm because i didnt want to pay stupid landline rentals and cable isnt avalible where i am + im only renting so i can take it with me when i move. i previously had optus cable and the speed difference is only noticable when dl im using 512/128. it doesnt even drop out when playing games like alot of people say it does.
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
June 2004
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Re: Wireless internet
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Tue, 15 March 2005 14:22
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Like how close to my wongles would they have to be to provide me with infertility, personally i can see myself hanging them on the antenna. Just kidding....
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
December 2004
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Re: Wireless internet
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Wed, 16 March 2005 05:29
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when will we get wireless electricity coz i don't like tripping over power cables
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Wireless internet
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Wed, 16 March 2005 14:19
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| ra23mad wrote on Tue, 15 March 2005 15:27 |
people like me sniff your wireless connectivity and will perhaps use your internet for all my evil download needs.
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Funly enough I was in a 2 story building a few months back just off punt road in melbourne seting up a wireless network and while seting it up on the weekend I noticed "Telstra" pop up in available networks, I looked out the window to see I had line of site to the Telstra building! and guess what it wasnt secured!
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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
September 2003
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Re: Wireless internet
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Wed, 16 March 2005 21:55
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I think the one time I've felt bad about discovering an unsecured network -
I was in the office I worked in, powered up my laptop
(part of what I do is network security so it's set to scan for wireless ALL the time) and found the dr's surgery across the road had an unsecured wireless lan, that I could access ANYTHING at all.
Needless to say I went across the road, gave them a demo, and also a lesson in network security (free of charge) ==> I'd hate to think what would happen sometimes with business wireless and lack of security.
All I can say to people using wireless internet, wireless lans:
Just secure them: simple WEP key that changes once a fortnight is ample to cause people to lose interest, if you have access to the wireless router / modem set it for MAC address locking.
However - you can crack a WEP key with 1000 packets of data and a mac address is easy to spoof.
end network security lesson for today kiddies. 
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Location:
central coast, NSW
Registered:
April 2004
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Re: Wireless internet
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Thu, 17 March 2005 05:31
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| BlackMR2 wrote on Wed, 16 March 2005 16:29 |
when will we get wireless electricity coz i don't like tripping over power cables
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but what would I tie the kids up with?
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Wireless internet
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Thu, 17 March 2005 09:19
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having done this kind of work some very large companys are an open door with myob database's, customer details etc etc and thay dont care to fix it if its going to cost them money!
lock your wireless hub to your adaptor mac addresses!
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Location:
Dubbo NSW
Registered:
June 2004
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
July 2004
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Re: Wireless internet
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Thu, 17 March 2005 13:28
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go to www.airnet.com.au and check out the new IP Star system, it uses satellites to transmit data but it is a completely new system where it transmits via a gateway.
hi tech shit, or you could just switch your phone plan to a holiday shack plan where rental is only $18.50 a month but phone calls cost more, i live in a share house and thats what we run as we only have the line so we can use the free 1500 ADSL my work provides
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Toymods Club Treasurer
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Wireless internet
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Thu, 17 March 2005 14:08
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Looks like I might have to talk to someone with a bit more (actually a lot more) technical know-how of these things.
I don't think it would be quite appropriate for a mod to have an unsecured connection....
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I Supported Toymods
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
December 2002
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Re: Wireless internet
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Fri, 18 March 2005 04:12
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| wagonist wrote on Fri, 18 March 2005 01:08 |
Looks like I might have to talk to someone with a bit more (actually a lot more) technical know-how of these things.
I don't think it would be quite appropriate for a mod to have an unsecured connection....
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If you get "Unwired" you'll be pretty much as safe as if you had a modem/DSL/ISDN/Cable or whatever.
Unwired doesn't use 802.11 protocol so you won't have any of the associated risks such as those mentioned in this thread.
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Registered:
August 2002
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Re: Wireless internet
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Fri, 18 March 2005 06:53
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| ra23mad wrote on Thu, 17 March 2005 08:55 |
All I can say to people using wireless internet, wireless lans:
Just secure them: simple WEP key that changes once a fortnight is ample to cause people to lose interest, if you have access to the wireless router / modem set it for MAC address locking.
However - you can crack a WEP key with 1000 packets of data and a mac address is easy to spoof.
end network security lesson for today kiddies.
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your advice is well-founded. 1000 packets is a too optimistic... but it is really only a few minutes of work to capture enough to find a key using readily available tools.
keychanges aren't really that effective with WEP. they're just too easy to break, even when strong keys are used... and the people you need to worry about are the people who won't be discouraged by this.
wireless isn't really the problem... WEP is. if there is an alternative available, then take it. i'm a big fan of IPSec, but this may not be a realistic option for many users.
on the subject of machines being compromised, in general; if you're not using it, and you don't have to leave it connected, then don't! it's great to have broadband at your fingertips all day, everyday... just like it's great to have your car in the driveway, warmed up, running and ready to go when you need it... but both are stupid ideas in practice.
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I Supported Toymods
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
December 2002
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Re: Wireless internet
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Fri, 18 March 2005 07:29
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Don't keep confusing 802.11 stuff with "Wireless internet" or "Unwired" as they are two completely different things.
I agree that 802.11 security can be an issue with WEP or even WAP encryption but I think the topic has gone so far off the original topic that we have probably made Wagonist more confused than he was before he posted.
From Unwired's website:
Unwired uses private spectrum and proprietary equipment so our wireless network is as secure as DSL or Cable broadband networks
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I Supported Toymods
Location:
Wollongong, NSW
Registered:
December 2003
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Re: Wireless internet
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Tue, 22 March 2005 22:41
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I got a mate in the Botany area that uses Unwired, he reckons it blows goats. According to the map he's well within their range, but he complains about constant dropouts and slow connection speeds.
Just a view from the other side of the fence.
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
October 2003
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Location:
Cabramatta, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Wireless internet
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Thu, 24 March 2005 04:14
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| BlackMR2 wrote on Wed, 16 March 2005 16:29 |
when will we get wireless electricity coz i don't like tripping over power cables
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You may laugh, but they're actually developing appliances that recharge wirelessly...
| wagonist wrote on Fri, 18 March 2005 01:08 |
Looks like I might have to talk to someone with a bit more (actually a lot more) technical know-how of these things.
I don't think it would be quite appropriate for a mod to have an unsecured connection....
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Steve, I wouldn't worry about your link to the ISP be insecure, I'm sure they're aware of the danger. Maybe just ask them to be sure though.
As a few people have mentioned, checkout whirlpool.net.au. It's a great resource for all things broadband.
A friend of mine has wireless internet and he hates it. Can't remember the exact reasons he gave me though... I remember him saying ping times were pretty bad though so playing games was a bit laggy. But there were more issues than just that.
Also, you're paying too much for your connection, you can get away with paying $18/month for a line with Telstra that's what I do for my ADSL.
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I Supported Toymods
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
December 2002
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Re: Wireless internet
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Thu, 24 March 2005 15:39
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| Nark wrote on Thu, 24 March 2005 15:14 |
| BlackMR2 wrote on Wed, 16 March 2005 16:29 |
when will we get wireless electricity coz i don't like tripping over power cables
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You may laugh, but they're actually developing appliances that recharge wirelessly...
| wagonist wrote on Fri, 18 March 2005 01:08 |
Looks like I might have to talk to someone with a bit more (actually a lot more) technical know-how of these things.
I don't think it would be quite appropriate for a mod to have an unsecured connection....
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Steve, I wouldn't worry about your link to the ISP be insecure, I'm sure they're aware of the danger. Maybe just ask them to be sure though.
As a few people have mentioned, checkout whirlpool.net.au. It's a great resource for all things broadband.
A friend of mine has wireless internet and he hates it. Can't remember the exact reasons he gave me though... I remember him saying ping times were pretty bad though so playing games was a bit laggy. But there were more issues than just that.
Also, you're paying too much for your connection, you can get away with paying $18/month for a line with Telstra that's what I do for my ADSL.
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Nicoli Testla worked out ways to send electricity wirelessly long ago... thats what the tesla coil is all about... they're not about zapping infantry in strategy games!
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Nothing too sophisticated but it's enough to deter the casual user from abusing my connection. Found a good site the other day on where to find free wireless hot spots in Sydney and in other states, i'll have a look around & see if I can find it again...
