Electronics

[jaxs mom]

Gigabit ethernet is faster than 10/100 but requires cat6 ethernet cables to get that speed and your computer needs to be gigabit ethernet compatible. You won't get gigabit speed over wireless connection.

[betteb]

On 7/23/2014 nutmeg3 said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mQvPzJOQEI How to install a wireless router for beginners.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_7444596_difference-10_-100-1000-gigabits_.html Your first question network switch on a WR or a ethernet port on a device.

If you are still renting a cable modem, you may want to buy. Each cable company has an approved list of products on their site.

Thanks nutmeg I can install it ok, I did the one I'm using now. Just wanted more range. I had not heard about gigabit ports, so it kinda threw me.

I'm not renting a modem...boy is doing that cash in the trash.

As jax mom said, I know I wont get the speed boost, but as long as I get better range I will be happy.

[jackthebear]

On 7/23/2014 betteb said:

On 7/23/2014 hckynut said:

On 7/23/2014 betteb said:

I bought a new router, looking for a little more range than my old one.

My old one has 10/100 ethernet ports

I just realized this new router says it has 10/100/1000 gigabit ports.

Will this work with my current modem?

TIA

Hi betteb

Did you get get it working ok? Not familiar with your new router model, but I know that depending on how many wi-fi devices are used it can slow down it immensely. I was having some issues when my DSL speed was only 1.5mbps. After years I finally now have an 8mbps speed so everything is working fine now.

I have only the 2 TV and 2 Blu-ray players that are using the wi-fi but they do not effect it if I have them turned off. My wife has her smart phone and tablet and she has them on most of the time.

If I get a new router it will be one that handles more devices without sacrificing any speed. Hope it is working for you.

Hi John-I have not installed it yet. Probably be sometime this weekend. I'm very busy at work and don't have much energy to do much else during the week

I'm just an average computer user and I don't know a whole lot about networking, but the router had good reviews and is supposed to be powerful, which is my main goal. Tired of weak signal when I'm at the other end of the house.

It's supposed to be able to hand multiple devices/users. I got it from Amazon.

I can post back in a few days how it works out.

Please do. Have a week spot in yo house too, not sure if it it the house or the router or cable service or combo

[betteb]

On 7/24/2014 jackthebear said:

On 7/23/2014 betteb said:

On 7/23/2014 hckynut said:

On 7/23/2014 betteb said:

I bought a new router, looking for a little more range than my old one.

My old one has 10/100 ethernet ports

I just realized this new router says it has 10/100/1000 gigabit ports.

Will this work with my current modem?

TIA

Hi betteb

Did you get get it working ok? Not familiar with your new router model, but I know that depending on how many wi-fi devices are used it can slow down it immensely. I was having some issues when my DSL speed was only 1.5mbps. After years I finally now have an 8mbps speed so everything is working fine now.

I have only the 2 TV and 2 Blu-ray players that are using the wi-fi but they do not effect it if I have them turned off. My wife has her smart phone and tablet and she has them on most of the time.

If I get a new router it will be one that handles more devices without sacrificing any speed. Hope it is working for you.

Hi John-I have not installed it yet. Probably be sometime this weekend. I'm very busy at work and don't have much energy to do much else during the week

I'm just an average computer user and I don't know a whole lot about networking, but the router had good reviews and is supposed to be powerful, which is my main goal. Tired of weak signal when I'm at the other end of the house.

It's supposed to be able to hand multiple devices/users. I got it from Amazon.

I can post back in a few days how it works out.

Please do. Have a week spot in yo house too, not sure if it it the house or the router or cable service or combo

I will post back how it works. I'm betting on the issue being the router. Everything else with my cable/internet service works fine.

[grandma r]

On the flip side, try being that elderly person who is trying to understand all of this new technology. Instead of rolling your eyes, actually try to explain the device. As for those of us who are a bit older, at least we can do percentages, figure out change or a tip in our heads!!!! How many times do you see people trying to figure these things out on their fancy phones? Instead of making fun of us, try talking with us...not at us. We are pretty smart and have lots of info in our brains.

[glb613]

On 7/24/2014 grandma r said:

On the flip side, try being that elderly person who is trying to understand all of this new technology. Instead of rolling your eyes, actually try to explain the device. As for those of us who are a bit older, at least we can do percentages, figure out change or a tip in our heads!!!! How many times do you see people trying to figure these things out on their fancy phones? Instead of making fun of us, try talking with us...not at us. We are pretty smart and have lots of info in our brains.

Trust me, I do all of the time. Most of the time I'm told "I'm too old to learn this stuff". Unless there is something wrong with your brain, you are never too old to learn something new. But, the person has to be willing and put in the effort.

Think of wireless internet access like radio or TV broadcast signals. They all travel through the air and need something to pick up the signal. With wireless internet, you need a device with wireless capability. Each wireless router has a name so your devices can find your signal. It also has security so others can't steal your bandwidth or access your devices. Most wireless routers have a range of 300 ft. The signal is broadcasted in a circle not a straight line. So, you really should put a wireless router as close to the middle of the house as you can. That way it will reach all areas. The more walls and floors it has to pass through, the weaker the signal.

Once you get your wireless network working, your devices can access the internet from any place inside or outside of the house as long as it's within range. As I posted, security is very important.

[hckynut]

On 7/24/2014 grandma r said:

On the flip side, try being that elderly person who is trying to understand all of this new technology. Instead of rolling your eyes, actually try to explain the device. As for those of us who are a bit older, at least we can do percentages, figure out change or a tip in our heads!!!! How many times do you see people trying to figure these things out on their fancy phones? Instead of making fun of us, try talking with us...not at us. We are pretty smart and have lots of info in our brains.

[ChynnaBlue]

On 7/23/2014 gonnab said:

On another note. Have you ever tried to explain to a total tech newbie what is, and how does WIFI work??? My elderly neighbor was given a Kindle for Mothers Day and she is soooo confused. Just can't understand how those books get in there! And I'm not that good at explaining as I really don't know how either!!!! Same thing with - how does a voice go through a wire to your phone???? Or even more confusing - through the air???

How does she think things get to her TV or her radio? Could you start there?

It took me forever to explain to my mom that the user name and password she created for her email account doesn't work everywhere. She thought it would work for YouTube (it does not, but it didn't then), her bank, iTunes, etc. A concept I've been using since the 80's was completely foreign to her and I had a really hard time getting her to understand because I couldn't imagine not understanding, I'd become to used to the idea.

I had to explain that a user account and password are like a key to get into the site you want to access just like all the houses on a block need a separate key. You can't use your key to get into the neighbor's house and you can't use your gmail key to get into the bank. That helped her, but it was still a struggle.

[glb613]

On 7/25/2014 ChynnaBlue said:

On 7/23/2014 gonnab said:

On another note. Have you ever tried to explain to a total tech newbie what is, and how does WIFI work??? My elderly neighbor was given a Kindle for Mothers Day and she is soooo confused. Just can't understand how those books get in there! And I'm not that good at explaining as I really don't know how either!!!! Same thing with - how does a voice go through a wire to your phone???? Or even more confusing - through the air???

How does she think things get to her TV or her radio? Could you start there?

It took me forever to explain to my mom that the user name and password she created for her email account doesn't work everywhere. She thought it would work for YouTube (it does not, but it didn't then), her bank, iTunes, etc. A concept I've been using since the 80's was completely foreign to her and I had a really hard time getting her to understand because I couldn't imagine not understanding, I'd become to used to the idea.

I had to explain that a user account and password are like a key to get into the site you want to access just like all the houses on a block need a separate key. You can't use your key to get into the neighbor's house and you can't use your gmail key to get into the bank. That helped her, but it was still a struggle.

It's a common problem.

[Lynnj]

On 7/25/2014 ChynnaBlue said:

On 7/23/2014 gonnab said:

On another note. Have you ever tried to explain to a total tech newbie what is, and how does WIFI work??? My elderly neighbor was given a Kindle for Mothers Day and she is soooo confused. Just can't understand how those books get in there! And I'm not that good at explaining as I really don't know how either!!!! Same thing with - how does a voice go through a wire to your phone???? Or even more confusing - through the air???

How does she think things get to her TV or her radio? Could you start there?

It took me forever to explain to my mom that the user name and password she created for her email account doesn't work everywhere. She thought it would work for YouTube (it does not, but it didn't then), her bank, iTunes, etc. A concept I've been using since the 80's was completely foreign to her and I had a really hard time getting her to understand because I couldn't imagine not understanding, I'd become to used to the idea.

I had to explain that a user account and password are like a key to get into the site you want to access just like all the houses on a block need a separate key. You can't use your key to get into the neighbor's house and you can't use your gmail key to get into the bank. That helped her, but it was still a struggle.

That's was a great example that you used, comparing it to a key. I've found the more real comparisons you can make the better. Especially if you can use something that is common from the past. I used a filing cabinet theory to help explain files and folders on a computer to an elderly friend. Not only could they not grasp saving things, but couldnt logically figure out where it was on the computer when they needed it again.