Thursday, April 21

Our home
Oklahoma isn't very far away as this red dirt tells you.
Dogwood blossoms

Tuesday, April 19

Wi Fi Explanation for dummies like me.
Wi-Fi refers to a set of wireless networking technologies more specifically referred to as 802.11a 802.11b and 802.11g. These standards are universally in use around the globe, and allow users that have a Wi-Fi capable device, like a laptop or PDA, to connect anywhere there is a Wi-Fi access point that is available. The three standards that are referred to signify the speed of the connection they are capable of producing. 802.11b (which transmits at 11 Megabits per Second) is the most common, although it is quickly getting replaced by the faster Wi-Fi standards. Both 802.11a and 802.11g are capable of 54 MBPS, with 802.11a adding additional capabilities.

Across the board, all of these Wi-Fi standards are fast enough to generally allow a broadband connection. Wi-Fi is an emerging technology that will likely be as common as electrical outlets and phone lines within a few years. Wi-Fi adds tremendous levels of convenience and increased productivity for workers whose offices are equipped with Wi-Fi, as well as travelers that can increasingly access Wi-Fi in airports, coffee shops, and hotels around the world.
How do I know if my computer is Wi-Fi capable?

You could try connecting where you know there is Wi Fi access or the paperwork that came with your computer may tell you or you could do like I did and take your laptop to a RadioShack and tell them you want an aircard but do not know if you need one. I did need one and bought one for $49.95 and the fella installed it for me on my laptop.

To see if you can connect:
Go to Control Panel
Go to Internet Connections Wizard
Set to automatically search for signal.

So why have an aircard?
Now I can connect to the Internet anywhere there is Wi Fi access at NO COST. More and more RV Parks are getting WI FI access and offering it to their patrons at either no cost or a nominal fee. I will naturally prefer the ones who offer it at no cost.
Also truck stops, rest areas and many other places offer Wi Fi. And you can even go into parking lots near businesses and check to see if you can get a connection and more and more often you can!

How do I find the Internet?
Once your card is installed or you have run the wizard to get it set up there will be a small monitor looking icon on your taskbar. Click on it and a screen will appear telling you what Wi Fi possiblities exist where you are located. There may be several if you happen to be in the right location. You will need one that says it is unsecured. If it says it is secured you would need a password to use it.

I have a desktop computer in my RV. Can I get Wi Fi?
Yes you can. You can purchase an adaptor that will allow you to use Wi Fi too.

How fast is the connection?
It is very fast compared to my cellphone connection. I am connecting as I write this at 11.0 Mbps on Wi Fi. That is MEGA.

How does the RV Park get Wi Fi?
They purchase a Wi Fi router and when it is turned on and left unsecured anyone can connect to the Internet within a certain radius of the router. I checked on prices and they are in the $300-$600 range.

Right now I have a cellphone connection to the Internet and it is costly for an unlimited connection. I am in the process of seeing how often I have to use it because it is the only thing available and I have a two year contract that expires soon. If I can make the WI FI connections work it will save a considerable amount of money each month. I am excited about the prospect.
Any Questions? If so let me know and I will see if I can find the answer. Wi Fi was very confusing to me mainly because I had the cellphone connection and knew it was also wireless which it is but in a different way.

Monday, April 18

Arrived in Carthage Mo about noon. Vern and Dorothy Wendt are here too. She is the gal who taught me swedish weaving so I had a question or two for her
Written on Saturday 4/16/2005
We left the valley about ten this morning. One little "episode" at La Grange, TX with 13,000 bicylists. A Po Leese Man guided us off the main highway with our 40 foot motorhome and towed car onto a very narrow and not all that smooth little backroad to nowhere! We will not let this happen to us again. When a policeman changes our course in the future he had better be prepared to either come with us or send someone who knows with us until we are back on track. They make you leave the known roadway with no guidance whatsoever. I do not like a man (Butch) yelling in my ear about a situation neither of us can do anything about...so next time we will not move until we are confident of our course.

So now we are stopped for the night in Rockdale TX in a little RV Park called Hidden Valley. The owner was not here when we pulled in so this fella staggers over to help us get a spot. He did pretty well for no better than he could walk...or talk. Too much barleypop for him today!