Immediate help needed... please...

[the_muppet]

Okay so my brother just bought himself a laptop and now we need to get him set up with internet access.

I'm asking for help - if I can get it - cos I'm basically an IT-idiot. I catch on quick though usually, but best to tell you that my starting point is 'idiot status'.

So I was thinking initially that mobile broadband would be the best option for him - and all I honestly know about mobile broadband is that you plug something in and can use it anywhere. This'd be good for him cos then he could use it at his house, my house and at college. However I have no idea how to check out coverage and all that malarkey. If I can't find anything out (through your help) I'll just look into getting him regular broadband at home and work out from there how to set him up to access my broadband at my house when he's with me.

So. If any of you can help me out, I'd be everso grateful. His birthday is this Friday and he's had the laptop for a couple of weeks now so I really need to get something sorted.

So if any of you think you can help - let me know - thanks =)

Comments

[the-muppet.livejournal.com]

Yeah, if I can't sort mobile broadband I'll get wireless for him =)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_gater_/]

Hey, these links'll take you to information about coverage for each phone network:

3G (http://www.three.co.uk/personal/products_services_/mobile_broadband_/rollout_map.omp?id=1183)
T-Mobile (http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/services/coverage/street-check/?WT.mc_id=ON_QM_A_BuyAT)
Vodaphone (http://maps.vodafone.co.uk/coverageviewer/web/default.aspx)

Not sure if this is what you were after though... I can't find the O2 one (maybe they don't offer mobile broadband) I don't think Orange do either...

[the-muppet.livejournal.com]

*smiles*

Thank you - I appreciate that. I kinda looked a little bit but you know how stupid I am and how confused I get and... *sighs* I just don't know what to do basically. Which is why I posted this, in the vague hope that someone on here may already use mobile broadband and, y'know, talk me through it. Cos I'm an idiot, and I sooo don't want to make the wrong choice :3

[http://users.livejournal.com/_gater_/]

Yeah, I thought you might want something a little more substantial... but I can't really recommend anyonne 'cos I don't use mobile broadband but I imagine the actual getting-the-broadband is literally:

1) Sign up
2) They send you a little USB modem
3) You plug it in
4) Et voilà!

Well, if you go for the other option, I have plenty of experience hooking up laptops to home broadband, like if Peter were to come over to use your broadband but also wanted to use his home broadband.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_gater_/]

4) Et voilà!

...then again, O'Neill did point out that he and Rodney had very different ideas of what obvious is.

*lol - runs off*

[the-muppet.livejournal.com]

Didn't we just talk about sarcasm, hmm?

...

I realise the four steps *raises eyebrow at you* I just meant in terms of choosing which one, knowing which is the best (coverage/speeds/whatever) and I really don't wanna get it wrong and him be locked in a 12 month sucky contract.

I may have to go for the other option just to be safe, in which case I will b e pestering you =)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_gater_/]

But see, I wasn't being sarcastic then! I was just trying to say it should be really easy to set up so that won't be a problem, but yeah choosing which network to go for...

Didn't we just talk about sarcasm, hmm?

Well done, glad to know you were following the conversation.

*gives you the most cheekiest endearing grin*

*and runs away :D*

[the-muppet.livejournal.com]

But see, I wasn't being sarcastic then! I was just trying to say it should be really easy to set up so that won't be a problem, but yeah choosing which network to go for...

Hmm... you're just naturally sarcastic. *pokes* And you know it.

*gives you the most cheekiest endearing grin*

I'm sure life would be easier if that didn't work every damn time =)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_gater_/]

And you know it.

I do :) but I often forget! :P

I keep staring at your icon in hopes that Rodney'll lean in just a little bit closer so Shep can turn into him and give him the kiss he's been longing for... if only Shep was Jack and Rodney was Ianto... *passes out due to smut-overload at the thought*

[ms-3m.livejournal.com]

Mobile, wireless broadband is usually so expensive here in the states, that usually only business people pay for the service. It usually averages around $75US per month, in addition to the buying the card. Plus, the speed and coverage is only as good as the wireless service. And mobile broadband is not as fast as 'regular' hi-speed access.

Now! You can make sure the notebook has a wireless card which will be identified as 811 b/g/a (or some such) and this will allow him to access hotspots, etc.

I'm on my mobile, so I'm sure there are typos and I might not have made sense.

*hugs*

[the-muppet.livejournal.com]

I think it's all too confusing anyway, and yeah, I am worried about speeds and reception and whatever, and if I pick the wrong deal he'll end up locked into it for at least a year, so I'm just gonna go for the home broadband option I think - thanks though =) *heffa hugs*

[ms-3m.livejournal.com]

Oh....and most mid-level notebooks have wireless access built-in as a standard feature.

The only thing with accessing hotspots, one needs to have a firewall and try not to make sensitive data transactions using these hotspots as there are phishers out there and they are undetectable until it is too late.

[larianelensar.livejournal.com]

Looks like you got it mostly answered...but I'd go with the home broadband and a wireless card (plus a good firewall!) in the laptop. That's what I have in my laptop and I can use it at my parents, most hotels, coffee shops downtown, laundrymats....etc etc. Using mobile is expensive and not all that reliable, if you think about your mobile phone and how (sometimes) it's unreliable--that's what the internet would be like. My opinion would be that wireless will allow the most flexibility with the lowest price.

[the-muppet.livejournal.com]

I just realised this comment was still in my inbox and I hadn't answered it yet - sorry :/

Yep, I've decided to forget the mobile broadband option partly cos of the expense and also cos it just doesn't sound that reliable really. So his mother is going to get him home broadband and he can access mine when he's here via his inbuilt wireless card.

Thanks for your help =)