OT Computer Question

If the neighbor is not encoding his signal in anyu way, it's pretty hard for anything to be enforced. Legal & the internet is kinda a joke.... Ethical would be the question.

They should be able to see a light blink when ever their wireless isbeing used - by them or by you. As well things will slow down if more than one person is using it. So if you become an addict, they likely will notice.

It all works pretty easily, easiest is a little USB dongle that looks like one of those thumb drives. Won't interfere with your modem at all. Called wifi or wireless or 802.11g networking. All the same thing - a few new ones are going to the N standard - but don't bother worrying about that. You want the 'G' version.

You need Windows XP Second service pack to really make wireless work well most times. (Likely what you are already upgraded to.)

--->Paul

#1 - not legal in most places. But it's enforced less strictly than jaywalking. Most of the time, no one even knows except the person doing it. Ethical?? Let your conscience be your guide...

#2 - Not a PCMCIA card per se, like in a laptop, but yes, you can get either PCI card or USB plug-in adapters that would give you wireless access. USB deveice (depending on type) could give you a longer antennae which is handy for moving around for better signal.

#3 - Yep. XP would handle your wireless card separately from your existing modem. You'd still have to initiate the dial-up and switch between the two for connection.

Keep in mind - if you are using someone else's wireless signal, you don't know what THEY are doing with it. Technically, they could be capturing every packet you transmit/receive and looking at everything you do...

Plus, a lot of people are getting smarter about locking down their wireless, so it might "shut off" at any time...

Howard