Wireless Lap Top Minimum Requirements [Archive] - DVXuser.com -- The online community for filmmaking

Bruce Morgan

02-11-2006, 12:43 AM

Hello
I have a growing need for mobile connection to internet via wireless hot spots in Los Angeles .
I saw a new toshiba at Frys for 800 $ and the salesman showed me a
Device the size of a key chain for finding hotspots 30$ .
I am looking into the minimum requirements for hardware and soft ware for wireless acess in these FREE HOTSPOTS .

Anyone having sugestion or links to sites that explain it all ??
I am looking into the following
1)-computer lap top hardware requirements for wireless internet
2)-requiremen for minimum software set up for same .
3)-legal issues regarding acessing internet hotspots .

My use will be uploading sales items to ebay and short meeting sessions with fellow editors over in progress documentary work .
Thanks to anyone with suggestions or links
Cheers
Bruce

MsManhattan

02-11-2006, 08:44 AM

I reccomend that you get a laptop with the Intel Centrino chip -- that gives you automatic wireless access anywhere a wireless net can be detected. If you are in a public hotspot (eg, a Starbucks), you have no legal issues as far as accessing the network. If you are driving around glomming onto other people's unprotected wireless nets (eg, most people don't secure their Linksys routers), then you get into nebulous territory. As far as software requirements, if you get a laptop with a Centrino chip you won't need anything special to access the hotspots, but I highly recommend that you don't use wireless hotspots without firewall software installed -- eg, Zone Alarm (free download available) or one of the personal firewalls that are often bundled with anti-virus software. Additionally, use Firefox as your Web browser instead of Explorer; you'll be way less susceptible to spyware.

On the topic of viruses and spyware, if you are using your laptop in public a lot, then make sure you run frequent virus and spyware checks. Most laptops come with a trial anti-virus subscription; just make sure you renew it when the trial period is over and update the virus detection rules early and often. For spyware checks, you'll need a couple of packages; the best I've found are AdAware and Spybot Search and Destroy. Both are available as free downloads. Run both your anti-virus and anti-spyware progarms at least once a week.

Finally, call me paranoid, but I would NEVER do anything online in a public hotspot that required me to submit credit card numbers -- even with a personal firewall. Only do that from home behind both a perimeter firewall (eg, Linksys routers provide a firewall) and a personal firewall (eg, ZoneAlarm). And, make sure that any passwords you use for services you access in public (eg, your eBay password) are significantly different than any passwords you use for accessing sensitive data such as your bank account, online bill payments, etc. Hope that helps!