You will need equipment to receive a WiFi signal. Most new laptops have this capability. If you have an older laptop, you might have to buy a WiFi card, like shown in the figure below
If you have a desktop compuer, it probably does not have built in WiFi card, but WiFi adapters are availalbe for this equipment, like these units, They both plug into a slot in your computer.
In many cases, especially in doors, WiFi equipment built into your computer will not be able to get a good signal and you will need a booser system or even an outdoor antenna. The simplest type of boster is just an extenal unit with an external antenna. You put this unit near a window and connect it to your computer with a cable. Below is an example of a booster made by Ruckus and a typical indoor wifi antenna that you could put near a window.
If your signal is too weak for an indoor booster, then you will require an outdoor antenna, similar to what is shown below. These units are mounted on a pole on your roof where they can get a good signal from our basestation. There is a cable that runs from the unit to your computer location. Below is a picture of unit made by ExpressNets.
Most all the electronic stores in the area that sell computers and computer accessories will have cards for your laptop or your desktop computer. You can check, Best Buys, Circuit City, Office Depot, Office Max, Frys, Radio Shack.
If you need a booster device or an outside antenna you might find what you need at the above stores but you can also check with Computers for Everyone. CFE is the part of the WiiFi 101 program that supplies technical support to the community. CFE is training people from the community to refurbish computers, supply technical support to computer operation and technical support to connection to the internet. CFE sells WiFi booster equipment and will help you with the installation.
Computers for Everyone is located at 3723 Haven Avenue in Menlo Park.
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Phone (650) 847-5708
e-mail <computersforeveryone@gmail.com>
This is a multi step process and is dependent on your computer and the WiFi equipment you have selected. You will have to use the directions that came with your computer or equipment. We are working on getting EPATechs setup to provide this sort of help to the community, but at the present time you will have to ask a friend or the store that you bought the equipment from for assistance.
- After your WiFi equipment is operating properly, do a band scan and you should see WiFi101.
NOTE
- WiFi101 broadcasts an identification, also know as the SSID . If you do not see WiFi101, you are probably too far away or indoors.
- WiFi101 is not encrypted, so you do not have to set any special security features on your computer.
- When you see WiFi101 you activate the connect feature and if the signal is strong enough you will be connected.
- You then must launch your web-browser so that you can agree to the terms of use.
- Your web-brower will connect you to the WiFi101 welcome page, where you will be presented with the Terms of Use. You must check the agreement box in order to obtain an Internet connection.
NOTE - If you try to connect to read your e-mail without first launching your web-browsers it will not work because you have not agree to Terms of Service.