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I might be getting my dad's cast-off Roku player (goes with your Netflix account so you can watch stuff directly on your TV without getting DVDs in the mail), but that means I need to set up wireless. I'm not quite sure how to do that, and how to make it secure, so if someone's got a very very simple guide, that'd be wonderful! (e.g., "You buy this, this and this, then you plug this into that, that into that, run this in XP and then you're done.") I'd like to get a laptop down the road, so I'd need wireless eventually. But I don't want the neighbors pilfering it.
It's been a whole year since DW's Journey's End aired. It really doesn't seem like that long!
I've listened to the first Torchwood audio (I liked it), but haven't listened to the other two yet. I like listening to that stuff driving to and from work, so I've been saving the other two. I'll probably write something up after I've heard all three.
I've been tired all day. I took a nap this afternoon, and I swear I could go nap again. I think I might need to zone out on the TV for a while.

Ten really got the short end of the stick
And that is his on damn fault.

RTD broke off a chunk of the show and put it in another universe, where it wouldn't be touched by the regular show.
I like how you put this.

I think if RTD had created this show from scratch, the Doctor and Rose would have walked off into the sunset. But since he didn't and it has to go on without him and characters he's created, he's putting them off in another universe so they can walk off into the sunset.

Depending on who makes your router, there should be a network setup for wireless in the web page UI. This can usually be accessed by running the CD or by typing in the default IP (usually 192.168.0.0 or 192.168.0.1) and then browsing to setup>wireless

When you setup your wireless network, select WPA – PSK (at least for a D-Link DIR655), the wizard will guide you through the setup. It will ask you to select a key/pin that you will use to connect your clients. Leave the rest of your settings at default unless you are having problems with connections. If your client cannot connect with the wireless NIC and WPA enabled, try updating the XP drivers and making sure the XP client is patched.

You can do more with security by restricting connections via MAC address but you will have to remember to add new clients whenever you add a new machine or update a network card. This also includes new items like iPhones or any other device that will connect using wireless. It's pretty easy to get the MAC address of a device by checking the attached devices screen.

It sounds confusing now but it will make more sense once you have the router and are in the router’s webpage UI.

Here's the Dlink emulator: http://support.dlink.com/emulators/wbr2310/wireless.htm

Edited 2009-07-06 01:16 (UTC)

Router. Yeah, I've gotta get one of those. :D

Now you said Dlink. My dad mentioned something about an "N" related to routers. Does that mean anything?

And thanks for the info! I'm totally coming back to this comment once I'm trying to get things going. :)

Now you said Dlink. My dad mentioned something about an "N" related to routers. Does that mean anything?

Okay, larissa is probably way more qualified to answer this than I am, but I have to go to bed and I don't want to, SO I AM ANSWERING IT ANYWAY.

From what I understand, routers emit some sort of magical signal. Back when wireless first started, router's MAGIC was valued at an "a." You'd attach a litte "a" antenna to your computer, and the antenna and the router would talk to each other and be happy. Then someone up there went: "WOW, I BET WE CAN WIDEN THIS RANGE TO A 'B.'" So then people who had a "B" router and an "A" antenna COULD NO LONGER TALK TO EACH OTHER. And this was sad.

But it didn't just stop there. The MAGIC was turned all the way up to "G!" I KNOW, RIGHT. You could practically communicate magic across football stadiums. Also, at some point, someone realized that being "backwards compatible" was a good idea - and so a "G" router could also talk to computers that had "a" and/or "b" antennas!!

Today I think the MAGIC is set at setting "N" which means... something. Something good, I think. My computer, for instance, is set to receive b, g, and N signals, but my router (being a few years old) can probably only talk to it in b. I think the key thing is, you want your technology to match. An "A" router can't talk to a computer who only understands the magical language of "N."

I could probably get Opal to do a diagram if this was confusing. Also, I'm not sure I know what I'm talking about, but hopefully it was helpful. :D

I think I do need a diagram. One with kittens and D/R kissing. It will help. *nods*

(So basically I want to be sure to get a router that can talk to different signals.)

The router will default to mixed b/g/n. You don't want to change this unless for some reason your clients cannot connect to the router.

Really, you shouldn't touch this.

If you are having problems, the first step is to try and update the drivers on the client and then mess with the router.

ahhh edit. I had to check the router UI

Edited 2009-07-06 04:36 (UTC)

(So basically I want to be sure to get a router that can talk to different signals.)

Yes... like... um, if Rose showed up too early back in our universe and the Doctor had white hair and a cane, they probably would not be very kissing compatible. HOWEVER, the further she goes along the Doctor's timeline, the more kissing compatible they become.

There's a metaphor in here somewhere.

BWAH!!!!! Of course, you want to be sure not to go too far, otherwise you wind up staring at a really strange head.

The Rose becomes too old for the ~~new technology~~ the guy with the really strange hair and they are no longer as kissing compatible as his previous model. :D

It all becomes clear! XD

I'm kind of blanking on how to work kittens into it, but give me time.

Yeah, see, N is where it gets tricky. It's Turn Left because she either shifts ahead or behind or sideways... it's that interoperability thing.

It's crazy.

You described it very well indeed -- it's basically speeds that the wireless router can handle A, B, G, N. You want a router that's wired for N -- it's the fastest, and even if the Roku can only handle up to G, it will still be compatible with an N router.

What I've lusted after forever and a day is the Roku Soundbridge, so i can listen to my Radio Paradise in the living room without running it through a tinny laptop. Someday. Maybe. (Or maybe not -- frankly, paying the bills seems somehow more important; I hate being the practical grownup, dammit!)

N is really "draft" n and it's the fastest speed available for wireless. It's tricky because most older laptops that have N won't connect at N unless everything is ~perfect~. They'll connect at G instead which is slower but more stable because of the interoperability of N hardware. I happen to have a setup where everything works well and I get transfer speeds of about 7MB/s (yes 7MB) but my laptop was built this year.

Here's the wiki on 802.11 i.e a/b/g/n

Hrm. What about if the desktop is old? Oh, do I have to get some kind of network card for my desktop too?

You might have to buy one. *PETS*

Just make sure they are kissing compatible.

BUT...!

DON'T WORRY. It's easy.

You just buy a router:

http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?CatIds=&webid=430930&affixedcode=WW

And an adpater:

http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?CatIds=&webid=511835&affixedcode=WW

Only probably from the American version of staples.

Failing that, you find the nearest teenager with a nametag, widen your eyes a lot, and then say, "Help?" He'll help you. They always do.

I'm amused that when I try and pull up the links, it's politely asking me for my Canadian postal code. :D

Well that's not helpful at all. :D

I'd go with Plan C. Ask for help!

Er, try this:

Router:

http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/p1_Linksys-EtherFast-10-100-Broadband-Router_13541_Business_Supplies_10051_SEARCH

Adapter:

http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/p1_Linksys-Wireless-G-Desktop-Adapter_89475_Business_Supplies_10051_SEARCH

I've also found that Linksys has been the most reliable brand, so I'd suggest going with them. Maybe Netgear. Things have gone less well with Dlink in the past.

Maybe Netgear

Netgear is known for having horrible memory leaks. Sorry. The routers require regular reboots, like daily.

Actually, to be fair, most consumer routers have this problem but Netgear seems to be particular bad. *shrugs* I'll never own another one.

Edited 2009-07-06 05:06 (UTC)

here

and here

Not if you're going to connect the desktop using ethernet. Now, if you want to transfer files really, really fast, you can update it to gigabit card if you buy a router that has gigabit ports. The caveat here is that in order for transfers to be fast, the other machine also has to have a gigabit card ;)

i.e.

client-->gigabit NIC-->router-->gigabit NIC on client #2 --->client #2

I can't imagine I'd be doing *so* much file transferring between computers. Hmm.

heh, well, I transfer about a terabyte a week and do backups so... it's something I think about.

HEE. It gets pretty convoluted to explain, so I think you should try and buy a router that comes with a CD that sets it up for you. Which is... basically all of them. Don't get a secondhand one! Wireless networks are really handy. Except when they don't work. (Unplug and replug will become your new best friend.)

And mmmm. Kissing pictures! I had this whole JE meta post written up in my head at one point, but I think you kind of summed it up in a few sentences.

HEE. It gets pretty convoluted to explain, so I think you should try and buy a router that comes with a CD that sets it up for you. Which is... basically all of them. Don't get a secondhand one! Wireless networks are really handy. Except when they don't work. (Unplug and replug will become your new best friend.)

Ah, unplug and replug. The mantra of the digital age. :D

And mmmm. Kissing pictures! I had this whole JE meta post written up in my head at one point, but I think you kind of summed it up in a few sentences.

Heh heh. I almost didn't mention it, but then I thought that posting as a sock really shouldn't be a substitute for normal LJ posting. XD

I spent approximately 12 hours on the phone with tech support this weekend (dlink and earthlin)and another 5 or so fiddling with my router and/or driving back and forth to Best Buy. My first router was a dlink. I plugged it in, it worked wonderfully for a year and then lightning travelled up the phone line a killed it last month. I replaced it with another dlink. This one only made it 28 days before it just freaked out. I called their tech support, we did a couple of things and the tech guy told me to take it back! So, I exchanged it for a Belkin. I brought it home and my stupid dsl modem won't work with it. My friend comes over to troubleshoot. (That was what he did for a living for something like 6 years, before getting a job with benefits.) He is totally confused as to what my network is doing. He tests out another router and it works fine. The thing is, it is obvious from the interface that Dynex and Belkin are the exact same thing under the hood. Tries again to hook up the Belkin. No luck. Puts the Dynex back on and it's fine. He took my new Belkin home and it works fine on their net work. When it started working, he actually said, "Um. That was nothing I did. I have no idea what is going on with this." So, be prepared to sprinkle pixie dust on your router, or have a friend with skillz on call! Just in case. (Sorry, this was just resolve a couple of hours ago. I'm still in vent mode!)

That sounds HORRIFIC. :(

Hee! I'm just so happy that internet is back at this point, I'm almost ready to let it go. \o/

GAH!
it's been that long already and these pics STILL choke me up :( *sigh* and a year from now what will we all be saying once the finale has come and gone? :( i hope something HAPPY! :) i wish i had a w ay to record the audio books onto tape i'm just gonna have to break down and buy an ipod, you can upload the audio books to an ipod right? (yes i'm THAT out of the ipod loop)

I *think* you should be able to upload audio books. I'm not exactly sure though. :D

you can upload the audio books to an ipod right? (yes i'm THAT out of the ipod loop)

You can rip them to mp3 or AAC using iTunes or rip them using WMP or another player and then just import or drag and drop the mp3 or AAC files into iTunes like you would music files.

If you want it to be really easy just put the CD into the player and let iTunes rip it for you. Create your playlist with iTunes and you're done.

You can get more sophisticated and actually create protected AAC files so they act like real audiobook format but most people don't want that kind of pain.

Um, I do it because I'm insane.

I've listened to the first Torchwood audio (I liked it), but haven't listened to the other two yet.

Jealous! I've heard the first but I can't find the other two. *pouts*

try the tardisnewsroom, (on blogspot)it should be there, just scroll down until you find them.

If noI heard (well read) a rumour that the were on YouTube, but I could be wrong.

Thanks!

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