[V Roller]

Can someone share with me some ideas regarding how I can use my ‘iceBook’ wirelessly with my dial-up internet connection?

I currently have: 600mhz iBook, 400mhz ‘sawtooth’ G4, two airport cards (one in each mac), a USB modem, and an ethernet router. The macs are both running system 9.2.1. I’m not ready for OS-X yet. The internal modem of the G4 no-longer works and software base station doesn’t seem to work with external modems.

I’d most prefer some sort of base station, but an alternative to the $300 one of Apple.


Thanks!

[ghporter]

Asante', SMC, D-Link, even U.S.Robotics make routers that work with serial-connected dial-up modems. These models include the Asante' FR3004, the SMC Barricade 7004BR, the D-Link DI-704P, and the U.S.Robotics Broadband Router 8000A. Additionally, underneath the skin, these products are almost identical-they're made by the same company! Shop for the best buy!

You can buy a serial modem and a U.S.Robotics model 8000A broadband router for less than $100US total. These routers use a browser-based setup so there's no special, PC-only software. My 8000A has a network print server; though there aren't any instructions for using it with a Mac, it's a standard TCP/IP network printer port, so using CUPS or GimpPrint is a breeze.

[rdcrosse]

I had posted a question about wireless dial-up and someone graciously pointed me to this post.

I looked at each of the models you (GHPorter) mentioned, but none of those options are wireless - they are all wired routers. A couple of them do not offer a telephone port at all and the US Robotics model only sports a serial (rather obsolete) connection.

Would you happen to know of any wireless options, a la Apple's Airport Base Station?

[ghporter]

Originally posted by rdcrosse:
I looked at each of the models you (GHPorter) mentioned, but none of those options are wireless - they are all wired routers. A couple of them do not offer a telephone port at all and the US Robotics model only sports a serial (rather obsolete) connection.

Would you happen to know of any wireless options, a la Apple's Airport Base Station?

I don't know of any other wireless access point that includes a built in modem. Please note that all dial up internet access is serial-based, and thus obsolescent. The US Robotics wired router, for example, allows you to choose your own modem, and lets you configure it as you wish. USR's model 8011 is the wireless version, and it still includes both a serial port for a modem and a print server.

The SMC7004AWBR is SMC's wireless router with a serial port for connection to a modem-it also includes a network print server. Note that this model is the wireless upgrade from SMC's basic SMC7004 wired-only router. Also note the similarity between the USR and SMC products-as I pointed out, these are basically the same hardware inside different shells.

If this isn't too blunt, I'd meant my post to spur readers' interest and point them toward areas where they might find products to suit their needs. I had not meant to do all of the research for anyone, and it isn't appropriate for me to do so. It is also not appropriate for someone to ask other forum members to provide complete, fully researched solutions to their shopping inquiries, particularly since we can't read the minds of everyone who browses this forum.

[rdcrosse]

No no, not blunt at all - appreciate your frankness. I fully realize that one should ask questions only after doing proper research - reading the manual, trawling the web, etc.

It's just that after initially reading your post listing specific models, I was excited but then disappointed to discover that none were truly wireless. Yes, you were trying to stir up some initiative on the reader's part which is understandable. My hope was that someone was already using a cheaper alternative to the ABS (didn't think the odds were great considering it is an unusual combination).

I genuinely intended no offense - especially after coming across so many other helpful posts from you across the forums, so if it was misinterpreted that way, I apologize.

[ghporter]

Originally posted by rdcrosse:
No no, not blunt at all - appreciate your frankness. ... I genuinely intended no offense - especially after coming across so many other helpful posts from you across the forums, so if it was misinterpreted that way, I apologize.

Thanks. No offense taken, but I sometimes find that "very helpful" posters get asked for details that the asker should find for him or herself, so I figured I'd come off all gruff and scare them away. Since I hadn't had time to investigate thoroughly (and I'm not really interested in that configuration myself), I threw out some models that I knew had serial ports, knowing also that the manufacturers had similar, wireless models.

Also, you may find that you can buy one of these wireless routers and an inexpensive modem (there's no reason for a dial up modem to cost more than $50US) for less than $200US. Look for bargains and shop around.

Good luck.