Okay, seeing as I now have a PSP and DS and shall be getting both a Wii and 360 in the not-so-distant future, I figured it would be in my best interest to try to set up a Wi-Fi connection in my own home.
So, while looking up on Wal-Mart's website for a USB connector for the PSP that would be like the DS's USB connector, I found the Datel Max and thought it looked promising seeing how it supposedly works for both the PSP and DS. I looked through several other site to see it other places had it, and I found a more detailed description of the device on CompUSA's website. I found that it was cheaper than a Wireless router.
However, I am terribly non-tech savy so I was not sure if it would be worth buying. So, knowing a bunch of you have a far better grasp on such things than I, I figured I'd ask if any of you have had any experience with this item and if you could tell me if it's a good buy or I should just buy a wireless router. Any info I could get on this matter would be greatly appreciated.^_^
If you want to connect multiple devices, you need a router. A good model is the WRT54GL by Linksys. Those little USB dongles are useless.
Granted I have no home wireless setup, just the beefcake antenna's at the complex, I'm not as up on this but I've heard nothing but good about linksys' wireless products.
Basically, what Cyke said, minus that last part. He just said that so he could talk about his dongle. :3
~Rico
You do have to steer clear of the Linksys WRT54G (without the L), because it blows. Make sure to get the L version.
Okay, thanks for the insight which is welcome as always. However, I looked though K-Mart's, Target's, Wal-Mart's, Circuit City's, etc. websites, and none of them have the WRT54GL just the WRT54G; got any recommendations other than this one or any clue of a non-online store that may have it.
Also, this probably sounds like a very noobish question but, again, I am very noobish in this aspect, but how do these things connect to the computer. If they connect via the Ethernet port, then my DSL modem goes to my PC's only ehternet port and my modem also only has one Ether port. Is there any way to bypass this "problem"? Again, thanks in advance.
However, I looked though K-Mart's, Target's, Wal-Mart's, Circuit City's, etc. websites, and none of them have the WRT54GL just the WRT54G; got any recommendations other than this one or any clue of a non-online store that may have it.
There's also the D-Link DI-524 which, while not as good as the WRT54GL, is still decent and better than the WRT54G. The current revision of the WRT54G has a tendency to crash under heavy load and Linksys has pretty much said they're happy with it.
Also, this probably sounds like a very noobish question but, again, I am very noobish in this aspect, but how do these things connect to the computer. If they connect via the Ethernet port, then my DSL modem goes to my PC's only ehternet port and my modem also only has one Ether port. Is there any way to bypass this "problem"? Again, thanks in advance.
No. You connect the modem (via Ethernet cable) to the router's "WAN" or "Internet" port, and any wired devices (including PCs) to the router's other four numbered ports. The router acts as a server, allowing all connected devices to share its Internet connection.
If you want a WiFi setup throughout your home - I use one - don't use WEP encryption that's 128bit. Use 64bit. The PSP won't support it, probably the Wii and 360 and DS won't either (I've never tried to use my DS on our home's network as I have no online DS games, but a friend told me it won't work on his system.) and don't use the little dongle USB thing you linked. I tried to use that exact same product on my computer (XP Home/SP2) and it continuously crashed and caused other serious errors with my computer.
I'm unsure but I'm betting that both the Wii and the 360 will support 64bit WEP. 128bit is a maybe. However, WEP isn't really that secure, and any determined hacker could break it, according to Wikipedia. I don't know about other forms of security, but our real security comes from the fact that our next door neighbor doesn't encrypt their WiFi at all - I can access it from my room. I don't, of course.
Also, you can get a Wi-Fi thing for your computer. Some models (I use a LinkSys WUSB54G USB wi-fi reciever - $50 or less - and I love it, never hada problem with it.) This is pretty useful if your router won't be near your computer, as it requires no real skill in running wires around.
Feel free to SXtheKitsune@gmail.com or contact me in Chat, or via IM (Yahoo: sonicx667 AIM: SX Kitsune MSN: drewdex2@hotmail.com) if you have any other questions, I'd love to answer to the best of my ability.
Thank you for all y'all advice and recommendations! I went and got the D-Link router, that Cyc mentioned, from Radio Shack on Thursday, and I'm using it right now to post this on my PSP! 
Oh, SX, I'll probably email you sooner or later, but more for small talk.
I'm open for that too! 😀
