Wifi routers sometimes are less costly than wired, and you still have the same number of wired ports. Switching off the wireless if you dont use it is simple enough...

Adding a directional antenna to a wifi router and/or a usb wifi adapter on a long cord to the upstairs computer ..so you can get it out from behind that metal can and move it around for best signal is sometimes a simple great connection.

I have an inexpensive Netgear WiFi with 4 Ethernet ports, and it works great both via Cat 5 cable and WiFi. It has a security facility to prevent neighbors from hitch-hiking, if you have any close enough to do that, I don't. I am using the key anyway.

The Router/Modem is in my basement and I have no problem connecting from the main floor, I haven't tried going to the second floor to see if it works that far away, bet it does.

The Netgear uses 802.11g, i.e., 54 Mbits. And states it has a second internal antenna that improves the range.

Thanks for the responses so far folks. So going wireless isn't so bad after all?

What does WiFi stand for?

If I get the wireless modem from linksys do I need wireless cards for each one then? (obvious) No problem but how much are the cards any guesses? I'll need two at least and possibly another for the halibut.

Neal

WiFi = wireless fidelity
Go wireless and make your network private with a passcode ("key"). Like they said, you still have the wired ports if you want to hook anything up that way (such as the nearest computer).

You'll need a wireless adaptor for each computer. For desktops, I found installing a PCI adaptor gets a better signal than a USB adaptor I tried, but the USB is simpler to install if you haven't installed a card into a computer before. That's based on one a single instance, so maybe the USB's are stronger now.

Wireless G will probably be fine (they're on sale everywhere), though you could splurge and go for "N", giving even more range and speed, etc.. N routers were like $99 at microcenter.

Anyway, yesterday I bought a Linksys G PCI adaptor on sale there for $39 (reg. $49), to be used with our new Dell running Vista to communicate with a Dell running WinXP. (I think the Linksys G routers were like $59.)

I'm also sharing the printer that's connected to the XP computer, and doing so without a printer server, which everyone wants to sell you. There's a way to do it without it, but none of the store geeks will share that info. (Turn on file sharing and "share this printer", install the driver onto the other computer, then explore and find the main computer on your network, under it find the printer on the network, and select it.

Its usually best to use matching manufacturers cards/router if you want to utilize built in extra features. But most people, especially non gamers usually will buy the cheapest wireless adapters they can find and they linksys wireless 4 port router and mostly will be happy.
I see Cards online sales $20 frequently, prices are everwhere in-between and UP to a bit over $100.

Just curious..what types of WiFi stuff/brands do gamers prefer?

Thanks for the tips. Now I do have a concern about the game thing. Are games like PBS kids games going to be a problem to use? I won't allow my kids to play the violent war games that you have to buy so no real game issues other than standard java/flash type internet games.

I have installed lots of computer components before so cards are not a problem just so they are compatible with older hardware. P3 and P4 processor aged stuff, no dual core stuff here yet.

I just want to use the internet for light duty stuff like surf, e-mail, homework for the kids and music and photo management.

How far does the signal go then? We own an adjacent property my wife runs a business out of probably 250 ft from our home. Will the signal reach out that far? If so is that good or bad?

Neal

If you don't have any bushes.. line of sight from and to a window in the wife's business... probably at 250 feet you will see a signal, most likely week but it might be perfectly good too. Add a directional antenna and hit that window with it for sure.

I forget, they say something like wifi is good for 100 foot indoor and 1000 foot outdoor,,, but trees/bushes/walls a human body,,, anything between the radio wave weaken the signal a bit. There's lots of variables.

Kids games should work fine unless its real fast interactive action, then there can be momentary pauses they might not appreciate. Linksys's latest offering for a gaming wireless router is around $170 retail. Gaming router will prioritize time sensitive packets or you can give it a high percentage of QOS.

Long range signals really aren't much problem unless you don't configure and use the security settings.

Down side of internal cards on a desktop tower is that antenna is behind a chunk of metal so that possible degrades the signal or limits the direction.

If I were setting up a wifi desktop here I probably would do a bit of homework and look for freeware software to add to the linksys router to use one of those for the wireless adapter. That way I could set it where it receives best signal or flash it with other software someday for wireless distribution system or other uses.

Alright. Thanks guys for the great advice.

Looks like I'll be doing a bit more homework rather than jumping into this like I did with the wired one.

I appreciate the feedback. Thanks again.

Neal

I have a Microsoft 802.11g PCMCIA plug-in in my older laptop and a built in Broadcom 802.11g in my newer notebook. They both worked more or less, plug-and-play with my Netgear router.

I'd guess 250 feet through walls to be too far without an axillary antenna arrangement.

I have the cheapest Netgear wireless router ($39) and have it and my satellite modem on the second floor where my desktop computer sits. So I have that computer wired (Ethernet) to one of the ports on the router. I use my laptop with the built-in Broadcom 802.11g on the first floor. I took the laptop outside to our RV and tried it there and was able to pick up a signal, albeit somewhat weak. If one computer is on the other side of the house, I'd try one of the "enhanced" wireless g routers which supposedly will give you a good signal at a greater distance than the basic models.