While I can't talk about the WaveLAN driver or cards in the Newton, my Proxim
RangeLAN2 hardware and Newton driver does provide a signal strength meter in
the form of a graph. So it's not impossible, of course :) It would probably
take quite a bit of coding though.
I can't take a screenshot of it right now, but I think it measures signal
strength across a piece of the 2.4GHz spectrum and shows a line graph of it.
The Windows utilites from Proxim have the same features, but scan the graph
constantly; the Newt will only do it once, unless you keep tapping the button.
-- Victor Rehorst - victor_at_newtontalk.net - chuma_at_chuma.org Newtontalk.net list dadOriginal Message: ----------------- From: Dave Fleishman fleishman_at_lawyer.com Date: Mon, 13 May 2002 06:37:31 -0700 To: newtontalk_at_newtontalk.net Subject: [NTLK] War driving with a Newt?
Let me preface this by saying that I do not advocate the illegal access of networks to which you have no authorized access. However, as I become more familiar with my new-found wireless Newton access, which allows me to roam my house with my Newt, it occurs to me that the Newt might be a good tool to determine the strength and limitations of my own wireless network. In other words, I could roam about my house (and property) and see where the dead spots and good spots are, and perhaps change the positioning of my Airport Base Station with the information. I know I can do this with my iBook, but I'm always looking to expand my Newt's capabilities.
All that said, does anyone know of a utility, or can anyone write a simple one, that would allow the Newt to be used as a WAP (wireless access point) "strength meter"? I've read about people using their computers to do "war driving", which I understand is the act of driving around town with antennae on cars looking for WAPs. I've found out that the iPaq can be used for this purpose, and I'm wondering if the Newt could be similarly employed.
Just curious what others know about this phenom.
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