~~~ On 2006/09/25 21:43, Adam Goddard at pashosh@tpg.com.au wrote ~~~
> On 26/09/2006, at 5:43 AM, L.W. Brown wrote:
>> And the existing key-fob sized devices for doing it are so cheap, why
>> bother?
>> Now, finding a good spot of coffee - that would be useful (and I mean
>
> Those keyfob things only detect the presence of a radio signal within a
> certain bandwidth(in GHz range). So if there's people on their mobiles,
> wireless security cameras, wireless video senders, a microwave, etc. in
> the vicinity, you'll have buckleys chance of getting useful information
> from a blinking LED. A stumbler application will tell you how many wifi
> AP's are in the area, their names, if they're encrypted, signal
> strength, etc. Very useful. :)
>
> Regards,
> - Adam Goddard
I have one of these:
http://us.zyxel.com/products/model.php?indexcate=1126285373
...and they're available from sources like this:
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=334169
The list price seems a bit steep to me, although as usual the USA price is
better than the UK price. But last time I was home in the USA I found one
on discount/rebate for about $40 so I bought one.
It does exactly what it says on the tin. When I turn it on, it scans for
wireless services. If it finds one or more it lists them one by one,
indicating of each one in turn its official name, if it is 802.11B or G, the
strength of the signal, and if it is locked or unlocked. Also whether it's
WPA or WEP. You can page through each service in turn, if there is more
than one, with a little button.
It plugs straight into the USB port to recharge, but it also can provide a
wireless computer connection through the USB port once the appropriate
driver is installed on your computer.
It live in my pocket now.
Shalom.
Christian
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