• (cs)

    I must live near Alex's cousin. There's an open network called "piss of my network mug". He did change it from a more vulgar version though.

  • Shakespeare (unregistered)

    Dram Customers don't call to complain. They ask their brother-in-law what's wrong.

  • (cs) in reply to Rick
    Rick:
    Saaid:
    Ok. I see the problem. They should call them LESSwires routers not wireLESS routers. I still smell a lawsuit. They are clearly misrepresenting their products.

    Except LESSwires is grammatically incorrect. It should be FEWERwires.

    Nah, doesn't roll easily off the tongue. How about, "NotAsManyWires"?

  • Jimbo (unregistered) in reply to Jamie

    Oh wow...

  • PolkSaladAndie (unregistered) in reply to Vollhorst
    Vollhorst:
    (snipped) ... I leached some new movies from him and looked at his family photos... fat daughter (real ugly monster)... diary... I used their printer to print some nice pages like "Woooohoooo, I am the ghost in the machine! You will die today!"...

    Wow, you're kind of a jerk, aren't you?

  • :) (unregistered) in reply to Jamie

    whoooooosh

  • (cs) in reply to Satanicpuppy
    Satanicpuppy:
    bstorer:
    She'd be any ISP's dream customer.
    Not her neighbor's ISP...

    Guess that's why he got pissed off and turned on WEP. Blows my mind the people who just don't understand that the internet isn't magically available everywhere, and it always makes me laugh when someone starts trying to criminalize connecting to an unsecured WAP...Think of all the grannies in PMITA prison.

    It's called "Theft of Services"

  • Some dude (unregistered) in reply to Jamie

    But it's wireLESS! That means no wires!

  • P (unregistered) in reply to Some dude
    Some dude:
    But it's wireLESS! That means no wires!

    I agree, she should stay wireless. It only takes a couple of minutes to crack a WEP key these days.

  • Andrew Trumper (unregistered)

    This is not a WTF, this is like, everyone I've ever known with a wireless router / laptop combo.

    Unfortunate but still very funny since somewhere there's got to be two people using wireless routers with laptops which are both open and they are each using each other's connections.

  • Andrew (unregistered) in reply to Matt S
    Matt S:
    Wait, why would she need to connect any wires to the wireLESS router??

    She bought one of those cheap ones..

  • (cs) in reply to Rick
    Rick:
    Saaid:
    Foreign Student:
    Code Dependent:
    Saaid:
    Code Dependent:
    me:
    It's not wireless if you attach a "LINE" which if you were any sort of IT professional you would know is another word for "WIRE".
    You are joking about this, right?
    If you have to plug it in (for power or communications) it's not really wireless is it? Any lawyers want to start a class action suit?
    My access is over DSL, which comes via a phone line. I bought a wireless router so that I could connect all throughout the house instead of just where the phone line is. There is a phone wire from the router to the DSL; otherwise the router would be of no use. There is no wire between the computers and the router, which is why they call it "wireless".

    Common sense must be applied.

    I'm starting to see why MFD isn't funny: most posters would be annoyed by it!

    Ok. I see the problem. They should call them LESSwires routers not wireLESS routers. I still smell a lawsuit. They are clearly misrepresenting their products.

    Except LESSwires is grammatically incorrect. It should be FEWERwires.

    Maybe even LessWiresThanWellNothingSinceYouNeedwires.

  • Powerlord (unregistered)

    Just for fun,someone should invent a battery powered wireless router that connects to a cellular data network... and see exactly how long it will run.

  • me (unregistered)

    But as we all (might) know, LESSwire primarily uses Bluetooth: http://www.lesswire.com/start.php

    Anyone remember NOWIRESNEEDED? I think they were bought by Lucent, weren't they?

  • RYan (unregistered) in reply to Jamie

    you are SOOOO good are sarcasrm.

  • blah (unregistered) 
    "alexsprivatenetworkbiotch"
    is nice, but my personal favorite was a network named 
    "8=======>  ~  ~~ ~"
  • review xtrac do not use (unregistered)

    When I was a kid, the term "wireless" used to confuse me. My dad would occasionally refer to the radio as the "wireless". I asked him why it was called that and he said it was because it didn't use wires. I knew a little electronics, so this comment seemed odd to me, sine everythin I build needed wires. So, I opened up a radio and, sure enough it was full of wires. That really confused me.

  • Mark (unregistered) in reply to Muuttaa
    Muuttaa:
    When I worked for Applecare some years back, I got a customer who believed that Apple was his ISP, because he bought his notebook computer from Apple...

    That reminds of when (in the early 90s) I saw a woman at the pharmacy insisting that she had to use Panasonic AA batteries in her Panasonic personal cassette player.

  • Irishlyrucked (unregistered) in reply to Jamie
    Jamie:
    Matt S:
    Wait, why would she need to connect any wires to the wireLESS router??

    The wireless router needs to be connected to a phone/cable line maybe.

    whoosh!

  • David (unregistered)

    Um, a wireless router needs a minimum of two things plugged in to ensure proper function.

    1. Power. This should be a BIG clue.
    2. Cable/DSL Line.
  • Bob N Freely (unregistered) in reply to WhiskeyJack
    WhiskeyJack:
    And what's even more fun are the people who literally plug-and-play: unsecured router with default SSID and default admin password! Oh, the fun you can have (by changing their SSID to something more interesting, for one).

    Most routers I've encountered have wireless configuration disabled by default, so you need a wired connection to access the web interface.

    I'm curious: how much security do you people put on your routers? I settle for restricting wireless clients by mac address, which has worked well. I've never caught any leechers spoofing (I do check occasionally). But should I be using packet encryption as well? Sometimes I have guests (parents, in-laws) use my wireless and I don't relish the idea of walking them through configuration, so I just grab their mac address and add them to the list.

  • Izzy (unregistered) in reply to Vollhorst

    Me too, but I still have to plug in the charger cord sometimes. The charger plugs into the car. The car doesn't plug into anything.

  • Rich (unregistered)

    I can't find a reference, but I thought i read that a huge percentage, something on the order of 30% or more, or AOL customers didn't actually use AOL as their ISP, but just paid them cash because they thought they needed to for some reason

  • (cs) in reply to Rich
    Rich:
    I can't find a reference, but I thought i read that a huge percentage, something on the order of 30% or more, or AOL customers didn't actually use AOL as their ISP, but just paid them cash because they thought they needed to for some reason
    I saw this firsthand. I have a friend who always sent email from sbcglobal. When I visited her house (3000 miles away), I was surprised to see her logging on to AOL. She was paying for both AOL and her local ISP. I reconfigured her computer to dial in locally to sbcglobal, cancelled her AOL account (with the usual run-around), and saved her about $200/year. She was very happy.
  • James (unregistered)

    A Zen question for you:

    Is it still a WTF if it happens to pretty much everybody? I mean, I got like 2 sentences in before I knew how it was going to end...

  • Real Old Fart (unregistered) in reply to David
    David:
    Um, a wireless router needs a minimum of two things plugged in to ensure proper function.
    1. Power. This should be a BIG clue.
    2. Cable/DSL Line.
    Um, no it doesn't. You need a technology refresher. My cell phone functions as an aircard (AT&T 8525). Cradlepoint manufacturers battery powered WiFi routers. Add a USB cable to connect the two and 'Presto - a real wireless network'.
  • Jay (unregistered)

    I naively didn't put any security on my wireless network when I first installed it. Then one day I turned on my laptop and it asked me which wireless network I wanted to connect to, giving me two choices. One obviously mine, one obviously someone else's. At that point I figured that if I was picking up my neighbor's wireless network, he was probably picking up mine, and I hastily turned on passwords.

    Captcha "eros"? I consider this sexual harassment!

  • James (unregistered) in reply to ComputerForumUser
    ComputerForumUser:
    The problem isn't when they call the routers wireless, it's when the ISPs sell their broadband/ADSL as wireless - usually with the term “Wireless Broadband”, for something that you still get down a wire.

    Every ad I've ever seen for "wireless broadband" was for EDGE/3G/whatever data networks, like AT&T Laptop Connect. It's "broadband" in the sense that the speed is markedly faster than dial-up, the same sense of the word used when describing the lowest-tier Verizon DSL (something like 256k?) as "broadband".

    At any rate, that kind of "wireless broadband" actually doesn't require any wires.

  • (cs) in reply to Vollhorst
    Vollhorst:
    I was able to connect to a neighbour's network and none of his computers was protected. So I leached some new movies from him and looked at his family photos. Oh, his fat daughter (real ugly monster) had quite a diary. And the mails she had send (and received from) to a strange guy in Switzerland was quite disturbing. But quite funny when you compared her photos with her description of herself she has sent to him. And all the cybersex... via mail?! Strange folk.

    But they protected their wireless some hours after I used their printer to print some nice pages like "Woooohoooo, I am the ghost in the machine! You will die today!". The usual stuff. ;)

    I like to print a simple '666', but on multiple pages.

  • James (unregistered) in reply to Powerlord
    Powerlord:
    Just for fun,someone should invent a battery powered wireless router that connects to a cellular data network... and see exactly how long it will run.

    One of the major US auto manufacturers (GM?) is going to start selling cars that have a built-in wireless broadband receiver tied to an 802.11 access point, so people in the car can get online. I think I was thinking GM because OnStar already uses the cellular network, so most of their cars already have all the hardware installed.

    There have been numerous projects to rig such a device out of off-the-shelf parts, as well. I specifically remember one that ran from a system-on-chip that supported 2 PCMCIA cards. The guy used one cellular-network card and one WiFi card, and ran some embedded linux distro to route between the two. Hey presto, instant go-anywhere access point. I'm too lazy to google it, but I think you can find examples if you want.

  • Andy (unregistered) in reply to James
    James:
    ComputerForumUser:
    The problem isn't when they call the routers wireless, it's when the ISPs sell their broadband/ADSL as wireless - usually with the term “Wireless Broadband”, for something that you still get down a wire.
    Every ad I've ever seen for "wireless broadband" was for EDGE/3G/whatever data networks, like AT&T Laptop Connect. It's "broadband" in the sense that the speed is markedly faster than dial-up, the same sense of the word used when describing the lowest-tier Verizon DSL (something like 256k?) as "broadband".

    At any rate, that kind of "wireless broadband" actually doesn't require any wires.

    Visiting my parents reminds me that "256k Verizon DSL" really means "90k Verizon DSL," and that even watching a crappy YouTube video is awful. The neighbors have a better connection :P

    CAPTCHA: oppeto

  • (cs) in reply to Jamie
    Jamie:
    Matt S:
    Wait, why would she need to connect any wires to the wireLESS router??

    The wireless router needs to be connected to a phone/cable line maybe.

    why ? the router might have better wireless performance and might be able to connect to another unsecured WLAN further away and just 'put it through'

  • (cs) in reply to Real Old Fart
    Real Old Fart:
    David:
    Um, a wireless router needs a minimum of two things plugged in to ensure proper function.
    1. Power. This should be a BIG clue.
    2. Cable/DSL Line.
    Um, no it doesn't. You need a technology refresher. My cell phone functions as an aircard (AT&T 8525). Cradlepoint manufacturers battery powered WiFi routers. Add a USB cable to connect the two and 'Presto - a real wireless network'.

    You've still got a wire there, sonny. None of this fancy cable talk--I think that's got 4 wires in it.

  • DropDeadThread (unregistered)

    What I learned in this thread:

    1. Wireless devices do, in fact, have wires.
    2. Pedantic hairsplitting quibblers make me want to kill all living things.
  • (cs) in reply to Bob N Freely
    Bob N Freely:
    I'm curious: how much security do you people put on your routers? I settle for restricting wireless clients by mac address, which has worked well.

    I'm not too worried about leechers. I use a WPA password, I don't bother with MAC address restriction for the same reason you said - easier for friends and family when they come over and bring their laptops.

    My laptop and desktop (iMac) are now both "n"-capable so I'm thinking of switching my router from mixed b/g/n to n-only, which ought to speed things up a bit as well as have the added side effect of restricting others who do not have n-capable equipment (e.g. most people). I could buy a cheapie b/g router to run on the side for visitors, which I could control with a power strip and only turn on while they're here.

    When I scan my networks I see about a dozen other SSIDs, some of them open, so I figure as long as I'm not the most vulnerable of the bunch, I'm probably fine. It's the old joke about outrunning your friend instead of the bear.

  • Cam Tardi (unregistered) in reply to ComputerForumUser
    ComputerForumUser:
    The problem isn't when they call the routers wireless, it's when the ISPs sell their broadband/ADSL as wireless - usually with the term “Wireless Broadband”, for something that you still get down a wire.

    Well...don't forget, there also is "Wireless Broadband". I happen to work for a company that manufactures equiptment primarily for the WISP industry.

  • draeath (unregistered)

    Some people simply should not be allowed to use a computer without going through some kind of class or training. Real class or training, that would give you an idea of what a computer is besides some "magical internet box."

    Elitist? Hell yes, give me back my internet!

  • dandin1 (unregistered)

    When I switched ISP (to Teksavvy) for a month I had two DSL services, and connected with the old ISP since I didn't have time to set it up. The new ISP sent me an e-mail wondering why there was no activity and asking me if I was having problems. I thought it was rather nice of them, but I couldn't understand why they'd bother! I mean, after 20 days of 0 bandwidth usage, it's certain that any customer would have called them by then! But after reading this, it seems like it's not such a bad idea.

  • (cs) in reply to bstorer
    bstorer:
    She'd be any ISP's dream customer.
    Not her neighbor's ISP...
    If she lives in my town then:
    1. She and her neighbor have the same ISP.
    2. They are both billed at a flat rate.

    So it makes no difference to her ISP or to anybody's bill. The only downside is that all the torrents she downloads have been slowing her neighbor's email.

  • Mitch (unregistered) in reply to Jamie
    Jamie:
    Matt S:
    Wait, why would she need to connect any wires to the wireLESS router??

    The wireless router needs to be connected to a phone/cable line maybe.

    That's not an entirely idiot assumption to make. People are told it's wireless, so they assume they don't have to plug in any wires. Maybe a power cable to turn it on, but nothing else.

    Then again, any sympathy I'd have for that erroneous assumption goes out the window when you consider the giant, fold out, big picture, easy to read quick-start guide they get.

  • (cs) in reply to draeath
    draeath:
    Some people simply should not be allowed to use a computer without going through some kind of class or training. Real class or training, that would give you an idea of what a computer is besides some "magical internet box."

    Elitist? Hell yes, give me back my internet!

    I share your view. However, requiring some training might be the opposite of elitism. If everyone must have some minimum knowledge of what to do and what not to do, then that makes the Internet better for everyone. That might be considered egalitarian. Everyone shares the duty of responsible behavior.

    When someone wants the privilege of using this shared resource but doesn't want to learn the basics...that's elitism. (Do we need a new word for this? Or will "selfish" suffice?)

  • (cs) in reply to DropDeadThread
    DropDeadThread:
    What I learned in this thread:
    1. Pedantic hairsplitting quibblers make me want to kill all living things.

    Even yourself, various bacteria, and ones on other planets? What about Coral?

  • (cs) in reply to Mitch
    Mitch:
    That's not an entirely idiot assumption to make. People are told it's wireless, so they assume they don't have to plug in any wires. Maybe a power cable to turn it on, but nothing else.

    But you'd think some common sense might apply. For example, I don't think most people would have a problem with the concept of a cordless phone having to be plugged into the phone line. Yeah, the handset is cordless to the base station, but the base station still has to be connected to the phone line somehow.

    Same thing, except you say "computer" instead of "phone", and suddenly people get all confused.

  • (cs) in reply to WhiskeyJack
    WhiskeyJack:
    Mitch:
    That's not an entirely idiot assumption to make. People are told it's wireless, so they assume they don't have to plug in any wires. Maybe a power cable to turn it on, but nothing else.

    But you'd think some common sense might apply. For example, I don't think most people would have a problem with the concept of a cordless phone having to be plugged into the phone line. Yeah, the handset is cordless to the base station, but the base station still has to be connected to the phone line somehow.

    Same thing, except you say "computer" instead of "phone", and suddenly people get all confused.

    I've noticed this a lot: If you take something everyone's familiar with, then put it on a computer using exactly the same method they'd use outside of the computer, they suddenly get confused. The same person who knows how to turn on his TV will suddenly be confused when he sees a power button on his laptop, for instance.

  • Anon (unregistered) in reply to Real Old Fart
    Real Old Fart:
    David:
    Um, a wireless router needs a minimum of two things plugged in to ensure proper function.
    1. Power. This should be a BIG clue.
    2. Cable/DSL Line.
    Um, no it doesn't. You need a technology refresher. My cell phone functions as an aircard (AT&T 8525). Cradlepoint manufacturers battery powered WiFi routers. Add a USB cable to connect the two and 'Presto - a real wireless network'.

    lolwut

  • Mike (unregistered) in reply to Jamie
    Jamie:
    Matt S:
    Wait, why would she need to connect any wires to the wireLESS router??

    The wireless router needs to be connected to a phone/cable line maybe.

    Unless the wireless router was getting its signal from another wireless router, these things traditionally have to be connected to a wired connection. Otherwise, how would it get the signal?

  • Casey (unregistered) in reply to Jamie

    Who the F connects a router to a phone line???

  • Garth (unregistered) in reply to Piercy
    Piercy:
    first btw :)

    First what?

  • Thogek (unregistered)

    LOL. Ah, well. Gotta remember (for a bit of context) that I don't exactly have to know much about the inner workings of my car in order to drive it to work every day...

  • Garth (unregistered) in reply to Vollhorst
    Vollhorst:
    I was able to connect to a neighbour's network and none of his computers was protected. So I leached some new movies from him and looked at his family photos. Oh, his fat daughter (real ugly monster) had quite a diary. And the mails she had send (and received from) to a strange guy in Switzerland was quite disturbing. But quite funny when you compared her photos with her description of herself she has sent to him. And all the cybersex... via mail?! Strange folk.

    But they protected their wireless some hours after I used their printer to print some nice pages like "Woooohoooo, I am the ghost in the machine! You will die today!". The usual stuff. ;)

    hmm, I doubt your story but funny anyway. Why waste the printout with a ghost scare when you could have embarrassed the daughter by printing out her "cybersex" correspondence?

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