Wireless, Safer Freedom
Written: Jan 21 '05 (Updated Jan 21 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Wireless wherever Verizon goes, Potentially more secure than Hotspots, Deal on Card.
Cons: 150 kbps average, for music and downloads this can be slow
The Bottom Line: Freedom for web surfing, emails and maybe some streaming video/music. Potentially safer than WIFI Hotspots free or paid. Probably very slow for downloading large files such as music.
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| gadgetprincess's Full Review: Audiovox PC5220 CDMA Dual Band GPS Receiver |
Why did I decide to use this wireless internet card option…FREEDOM. I currently have the T-mobile (Starbucks) Service for $30 per month. But I find that even though I live in Seattle where there is a Starbucks every 3-5 blocks, I don't use it that often. My office does not have wifi because of security reasons so when I am in a meeting room we don't have access. My job takes me to over 20 preschool sites in the greater Seattle area. The hope would be to use this at the site where they don't have wireless or at any coffee shop or restaurant. I can have a presentation or access educational information and videos anywhere and any time. Other reasons would be to multi-task during meetings. I will be getting a tablet pc and I can do emails or research issues during a meeting without looking so conspicuous with a laptop open. My goal is to clear as many items off the To Do list to decrease the level of stress.
1. How to figure your usage. 1024 KB = 1 MB. Verizon says that an average web page is 45 kb. Check it. If you go to Yahoo, an average site, go to file and then "save as" and save it to your desk top. Two items will appear, a file folder and an html doc. If you first click once on the file folder, then press and hold your CTRL button and click on the html doc, then right click, go to properties, you will get the total KBs which is about 84 Kb which includes the photos and graphics. So if one were to visit yahoo or a page similar, 12 times this would be about 1MB. For me, when I do research, I can easily visit over 50 web sites in one hour which would be about 4 MB. If you do this about 20 days out of 31 in a month, this is 80 MB. This doesn't include my documents, attachments and downloads of programs, music and video streaming. Now if you go over the 60MB,the cost is 1024 KB multiplied by $.002 (looks cheap but it's not) = $2.04 per MB or Yahoo 12 times. You are better off finding a free wifi. So I went with the unlimited. If I were using it for email, then the 60MB might work. Some ways to decrease ones usage would be to use outlook to obtain your email because Web based emails use more graphics especially for all of those ads. You can also, shut off the pictures on web pages by going to Tools>>Internet Options>>Advanced, then scroll down to Multimedia and unclick the "show pictures" It would be sad to take out the pictures since the pictures are what makes the internet fun. The wireless card program also has a "usage button"so that you can click and determine your bytes. If you get the card and try it you can then judge what your usage is per month and adjust accordingly.
2. Set up was EASY: I installed on to a Dell Laptop. I didn't have a CD drive on this computer so I copied the disk on to a USB Jump drive from my main computer and then plugged the USB drive into the laptop and started the set up. Once I downloaded the software, I just placed the card in the slot and the drivers installed and then I went through the wizard to activate the card. Then I started the VZAccess manager and pressed connect and away I went.
3. Checked Broadband Speed. If you google "internet speed" you will see CNET Bandwidth tester. Click on it and run it. My card was running about 132kbps faster than dial up but slower than my Qwest cheap DSL service at 200 Kbps. It was smooth enough to surf. I will be checking other places in the Seattle Area. Verizon says that they will be able to offer speeds of up to 3MBps someday but no date planned. Currently, Seattle is suppose to get an average of 150 kbps with burst up to 300 kbps. The speed is fine for surfing but if you have music, video or software downloads, it may take quiet awhile.
4. Rationale for use: One major issue for consideration is security. When I am on an unsecured wireless network (a free WIFI Hotspot),I am open to be hacked by the person sitting next to me. This probably doesn't happen as much right now but as the next generation grows older and smarter, it will happen. I hear that it is very easy. Also when I am sitting at Starbucks, their router acts as a fire wall protection, but all of the people online in the store become one because they are all behind that firewall so your computer can be easily infected with any of those online. This co-worker who knew that his computer was infected with something, signed on to our work network which he was behind the firewall and none of our work computers had individual firewalls. Guess what, 1/3 of the computers about 100 got infected. It it always best to have a personal firewall running at all times and NEVER input your sensitive information such as credit card, social security information on an open unsecured wireless. If I am on my own Verison wireless card, the potential to be hacked is still there but less likely when a hacker can go after all of the unsecured surfers in the room. The second issue is productivity. The more I can accomplish during the dead spaces during the day, such as slow meetings or in between site visits, the less stress I have seeing the item on my To Do List. A third benefit is I can also teach with my computer at sites with no wireless access providing Verizon is there. I am not limited to which restaurant, coffee shop or airport terminal that is braodcasting a signal. I just need Verizon service. Tomorrow I have a presentation on a web site I am developing and we are meeting a Denny's without wifi but it is up in the mountains, hope it works.
5. Verizon's deal until Jan 30, 2005. They will give you the card for $50 ($150 rebate) if you signup with the unlimited for 2 years with a $15 set up fee. I have 15 days to determine if this is worth my while. After that trial period, if I choose to back out it will cost me $175, there goes that rebate so essentially, I buy the card then for $225. I saw one for sale for this amount on EBAY. There is insurance for $5 per month with a $50 deductible. So If I pay say 12 months multiplied by $5 = $60 + $50 deductible = $110...For two years it would be $170, is it worth it? Technology will probably change and maybe I am better off storing the cash. The only problem is that Verizon is the only provider with CDMA. So, if new CDMA technology came out it would be for Verizon anyways.
The truth: It's faster than dial up, gives you freedom wherever Verizon is. If you are a major surfer, go with the unlimited or you might be paying for high over use cost. If you are an email checker, then the lower packages might work. Potentially more secure than a WIFI Hotspot. I'll know more soon.
Recommended:
Yes
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gadgetprincess
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