Wireless Mobile Labs DIGEST

Fri Oct 17 15:56:12 EDT 2003

Message 1:
From: "Digital Sister" <director at digital-sistas.org>

Blessings,
There are several things to keep in mind.
1. if the laptops can only be charged in the mobile case you only have 
about two hours of lessons before they loose battery charge. Lessons will 
have to be in taught between charges.
2. Access points for Internet connections are entirely dependent on the 
location of the access point router. There are several more issues if you 
are interested in these.

Peace and Blessings
Shireen Mitchell
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Executive Officer - Digital Sisters, Inc. CFC# 5630
director at digital-sistas.org ~ Main Office 202.722.Ytec
www.digital-sistas.org ~ www.digitalsisters.org ~ ~
www.digital-sistas.org/weblog
www.cafepress.com/digitalsistas ~ www.wellspent.org/Gateway?c=116

_______________________________
Message 2:
From: "Rachel Kimboko" <rkimboko at jubileeenterprise.org>

I would also be very interested in learning more about how this works for 
folks who are doing it. I'm hoping to build a mobile lab for work with a 
number of after-school program sites that I manage.

Especially of interest to me are: 1) security for the equipment - both the 
physical items and any increase in insurance; 2) what kind of 
transportation you use to move the equipment around; and 3) how, if at 
all, to handle internet access when you're moving around all the time.

Thanks in advance!

Rachel Kimboko
Director of Community Services
Jubilee Enterprise of Greater Washington
1400 16th Street NE, Suite 715
Washington, DC  20036
202-328-1472 x685
rkimboko at jubileeenterprise.org
www.jubileeenterprise.org

_______________________________
Message 3:
From: "maccrack at coopext.cahe.wsu.edu" <maccrack at coopext.cahe.wsu.edu>

"Hi..I happen to be sitting in a training class at the moment with such a 
van..contact Carey Roos at WSu Extension King County Washington for more 
info..he's doing the training! 
Mo Maccracken"

_______________________________
Message 4:
From: "Eric Pavlak" <eric.pavlak at nebaworks.com>

Hello Denise:

My name is Eric Pavlak.  I work for a company in West Springfield MA 
called New England Business Associates as the IT Manager.  I work with 
persons with developmental disabilites learn computer skills and find 
employment utilizing those skills.  I am not only knowledgable in 
computers, but am also working to create a mobile lab as well.

Wirelessly networking computers for file sharing is a great idea.  Every 
user can share files with each other, or share off of a host(server).  If 
sharing internet access is the goal, then obtaining a broadband connection 
every place you take the lab may prove daunting.  I personally struggle 
with where I will locate my lab if I need broadband access during the 
session.  A lot of places don't like you tapping into their  broadband 
resources (e.g. libraries) while workers are using them.

There are 3 wireless standards. 802.11g has the greatest throughput with 
802.11g peers, but this speed would only be beneficial if moving large 
files.  802.11g is also compatible with 802.11b.  802.11b is more common, 
yet slower.  Even though it is slower than 802.11g, a broadband internet 
connection would still use only a fraction of that speed.  The primary 
benefit of 802.11b is its cheap.

There is finally 802.11a.  It is faster than 802.11b, but more importantly 
is on a different frequency range - 5.1Ghz v. 2.4 Ghz.  The 5.1 Ghz will 
elevate you away from the 2.4 Ghz traffic normally associated with 
cordless phones - possibly avoiding interference.

Depending on what you intend to do with the lab, the cheaper 802.11b may 
suit your needs.  Again, if your intent is to share a broadband 
connection, any of the wireless standards will have several times the 
bandwidth than the best internet connection.

Some laptops now come with 'Centrino', which is Intel's incorporated WiFi 
technology.  Procuring laptops with 'Centrino' technology will have 
wireless capabilities built-in.  That only leaves the access point !

For an access point, I would use something with a print server built in. 
This will save having to have a 'Host' computer that is always on.  Try http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=251651.  It is a Netgear Access Point/Firewall/Print Server - although it may 
not meet the wireless standard you want (802.11g).

As far as laptop manufacturers go - they are fairly comparable.  I am 
partial to Toshiba, but for no particular reason.  Weight is an important 
factor, especially when carrying 16 computers around.  Dell makes some of 
the lightest and cheapest on the market.  (Don't forget to budget in 
carrying cases, they don't typically come with the laptop).

The projectors are expensive - no matter where you go.  Resolutions and 
weights are comparable.  Look for LUMENS.  The higher the better.  Nothing 
is worse than squinting at an underpowered projection...

Printers vary so much I could spend a year writing.  Nowadays, refill inks 
for inkjets can cost more than the  printer itself.  Do a detailed 
internet search for 'price per page' data.  The lower the better.  If 
black and white is all you will ever need, then a laser printer will save 
you bundles in the long run (Brother makes inexpensive B&W lasers).  If 
you do get a network print server device, then make sure any printer you 
get has a parallel connector on it !!!

Best of luck to you, and I hope this helps. Write back if you need me to 
expound on anything at all.

Eric F Pavlak

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