Doug,
See my CAPS answers below.  Jean

Jean Campbell
Mt Mansfield H.S., Underhill ID School, Smilie Elementary School
Technical Services
802-899-4690 X502

>>> [log in to unmask] 11/12/2004 7:52:29 AM >>>
Hello everyone,

I'm writing once again to ask for advice from this august and learned
body,
a body which has delivered me from much trouble in the past. Thank you
in
advance for any help you can provide.

We are considering wireless mobile labs, and I know only enough about
wireless to get me into trouble. My concerns are probably not as
serious as
my ignorance, but here is a list:

- Do I need to worry about which standard (802.11b,g,n,etc.)
STICK WITH 802.11G BETTER PERFORMANCE

- What about security? Do I use VPN connections to my firewall?
WE USE WEP AT THIS TIME - NOT GREAT BUT SOMETHING

- Is there a brand of cart that is superior to others?
OUR CART IS BRETFORD BRAND.  FOR USERS THAT NEED A SMALLER NUMBER OF
LAPTOPS, WE HAVE A PORTABLE CART THAT WE GOT AT STAPLES THAT IS ON
WHEELS WITH A HANDLE AND IT ISN'T AS BIG.

- Is managing the battery recharging a nightmare?
IT CAN BE IF YOU HAVE CLASSES THAT NEED THEM ONE AFTER THE NEXT.  WHEN
A TEACHER FIRST STARTS TO USE OUR LAB, I TRAVEL WITH THE LAB AND WE
DECIDE WHERE TO SET IT UP IN THEIR CLASS AND SET UP AN AREA WHERE THEY
CAN RECHARGE/WORK  IF NEEDED.  OUR LAPTOPS ARE VARIOUS AGES AND SOME
HOLD CHARGES BETTER THAN OTHERS, SO THE ONES THAT DON'T, NEED TO BE
PLUGGED IN.
HAVING STAFF SCHEDULING AHEAD OF TIME CAN HELP IN THE COORDINATION OF
THIS.

- Are there routers that have proven easier to configure and more
reliable
than others?
WE USE APPLE AIRPORT EXTREME WITH THE EXTRA ANTENNAE. CONFIGURATION HAS
BEEN GOOD.  OCCASIONALLY WE HAVE TO UPDATE WINDOWS BOXES THAT USE
WIRELESS ADAPTERS  TO WINDOWS XP TO GET THEM TO WORK WITH THE WIRELESS
CARD.  ON PC MACHINES THAT WE INSTALL WIRELESS CARDS INTO WE HAVE LIKED
THE BUFFALO WIRELSS PCI ADAPTER(COMES HIGH AND LOW PROFILE ADAPTABLE).

- Is the speed fast enough to be useful for doing internet research?
IN MOST CASES YES.  WE SEND OUT THE LAB IN GROUPS OF 10 IBOOKS.
INITIAL LOGIN CAN BE SLOW IF THEY ALL TRY AND DO IT AT ONCE.
OUR OVERALL EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN GOOD AND THE KIDS REALLY LIKE THEM.  IT
DOES TAKE SOME TRAINING TO GET TEACHERS GOING WITH IT AT FIRST, BUT TIME
WELL SPENT.
OUR LIBRARY IS USING IT QUITE A BIT AND THEY LIKE IT BECAUSE YOU CAN
MOVE THE LCD/COMPUTER CART AROUND AND DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT PLUGGING
INTO THE NETWORK.....AND REARRANGING THE FURNITURE ISN'T SUCH A HASSLE!

- Is there anyone who has found wireless labs to be a miserable
failure?
- Other?

Doug Reaves
Bellows Free Academy
Fairfax, Vermont
802-849-6711





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