Neat Product: Cellular on one side, 802.11 (wireless) on the other

[PBzeer]

I use the Verizon PCMCIA for internet and have found it works quite well. The only real problem I've experienced has more to do with the Verizon network, as in areas with weak broadband reception, it sometimes "bounces" between broadband and the slower, National Access, signal.

I like the security over having my own connection, versus using WiFi.

[sailingdog]

Labatt-

The issues have more to do with the instability of the drivers for the USB-based cellular devices, rather than reception. Most of the USB-based devices tend to have newer and much buggier drivers than do the PCMCIA-based devices. This is true of both USB-based cellular modems and DSL/Cable modems—where the USB drivers aren't as stable and cause more problems in general.

[groundhog]

Maybe I'm conspiratorial ... but.
Who benifits most if we all are very afraid of someone using our wifi to download their email?

Everyone in the neighborhood locks down their internet. So do the boats next door. What happens?

Lots more internet contracts get sold. Even if all you do is check your email once a day.

Be afraid, be very afraid.

My internet is not sold by the bandwidth, and I don't know anyone who has that either. If 10 people get on your internet connection, it just slows down. That's all (unless they have malicious intent, and they are very good with computers).

Who is going to drive their vehicle all the way down into your marina, hide in their truck with their laptop, just to get your connection, when they can find them all over town? If anyone hops on, it will probably be that kid that lives on his boat a couple down from you.

Just my humble opinion..

[sailingdog]

Groundhog-

There's the issue of downstream liability. If someone uses your WiFi connection to hack into a computer system, you can be held liable. Also, unless your computers are very well secured, which is rarely the case with Windows-based computers, any personal information you have on your computer is at risk...

If someone is planning on doing something like hacking into a bank, they are probably not going to be doing so from their own home.