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Re: Re: Re: Throw away the user manual... (Reply to this comment)
by kristinafh
Well thank you Jamilynn!
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Nov 23 '06
3:40 am PST
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Re: Re: Throw away the user manual... (Reply to this comment)
by noangels
Hey Kristina,
I was reading this older review and some of the comments made me smile... isn't this what we were just talking about on the boards? Some people never change. And to think some people were saying they don't expect full tech specs for a VH. Nice job with this review, especially considering it was 2002 when it was written. I think the installation info is still VH. Wish I found it before I installed my last router.
~Jamilynn
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Nov 22 '06
8:58 pm PST
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I like your writing (Reply to this comment)
by dragon1
I try to make it easy for others to follow my information but sometimes I forget. At 62 what can you expect. I do try tho and you have a nice style.
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Oct 03 '04
1:32 pm PDT
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Re: y'know (Reply to this comment)
by demdev30
The router doesn't only connect to four computers, it can do 255 and I have it running Windows 98, 98SE, XP, Linux and XBOX traffic. Pretty good router. Tech support is horrible though.
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Sep 29 '03
8:53 pm PDT
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y'know (Reply to this comment)
by adonna
What I was wondering when I searched for this category, was whether or not I'd be able to install the thing, and whether it'd work with my computer and cable modem. And this answered some of that, so to me, it's very helpful.
In fact, I feel not only informed, but empowered. So there!
Now, I'll hit a few more of the 18 or so reviews to find out how far the wireless signal will carry, or how well it works as an access point, or any number of other things.
I don't believe any review has to have everything in it. At least not here on Epinions.
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May 13 '02
2:46 pm PDT
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....... (Reply to this comment)
by Vormancian
The best I could give this was an H. I am behind the idea of there being nothing wrong with a review that does not give intense technical info, etc. However, in all fairness, this review is far more about routers in general than it is about this particular router.
I think this review is certainly helpful, and it does have some information about this router, but I think to be a VH (to me) the review would have to give me some sort of a feeling about why I would get this router over any other one. Or, at least tell me a significant amount about this particular router so that if I then go to a review of another one I will have a good feeling for this one with me. If that makes sense.
NH, to me, is madness. Whatever information is lacking here is only a part of what would constitute a VH review, it is certainly not ALL of a VH review. Otherwise, a review could have nothing but that information and would have to be VH, and that makes no sense.
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Jan 18 '02
7:17 am PST
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Re: Throw away the user manual... (Reply to this comment)
by kristinafh
Mobi,
See here's what baffles me. The user manual was of NO USE to me. In fact, had I basically plagerized what the user manual said (see all of quasar's comments for what I could have done), I would have gotten that VH from you and her.
Maybe editors in this area need to start thinking about a larger audience then just geeks (and I say that with a lot of love as I am married to one).
So now that I've used it, what do you want to know? Here's what I can tell you. It works just as though it wasn't there. It's transparent to me. For epinions stuff, I go upstairs on my desktop and log on like I always do. I don't have to "switch" channels like I do with my router (non wireless of course) at work.
It seems as fast as if I didn't have it there. Do I look up the statistics to find out just how much less or more fast it is? No, that's irrelevant to me. It would only be relevant to me if I perceived it to be slower and since I don't, I don't fiddle around with the tools you can use to find that info out.
On my work laptop, I sit down stairs in my chair, log on through VPN and that's about it. Same as the experience with my desktop.
So again, what is it that I could have said differently???? If you want the user manual, by golly, I can use all of their acronymns in here and sound all "official" and stuff.
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Jan 17 '02
4:35 pm PST
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No technical info but (Reply to this comment)
by amykhar
There is something very helpful here. Kristina just showed how a typical computer user was able to configure and use the product. Her review demonstrated that a) the product works and b) That just about anyone can set it up.
Sometimes, you can't rate a review on what it doesn't say. You have to rate based on what it DOES say.
Amy
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Jan 17 '02
3:43 pm PST
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Wow, something else I can understand!!! (Reply to this comment)
by girlboxer5
Definitely "Most Helpful" to me :-)
Rock on,
Elizabeth
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Jan 17 '02
1:27 pm PST
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ahh.... (Reply to this comment)
by bluehawq
As with my own review.....I can understand it! It is in layman and that is the best way to go. If I wanted technical...I'll read the manual. ;-)
Thanks!
Audrey
I sense a pattern here, don't you?
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Jan 17 '02
11:03 am PST
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Re: Sorry (Reply to this comment)
by opinionated3
I have to agree with you, this is a extremely well written how too guide to wireless networking. Very little explaining on the router itself. So if you move it to a better location I will re-rate it.
Jon
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Jan 17 '02
3:38 am PST
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Re: :sigh: (Reply to this comment)
by kristinafh
Grace,
I appreciate your comments. Truly - thank you. Kristina
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Jan 17 '02
2:35 am PST
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Okay, you didn't list every last technical detail. Yeah. So what? (Reply to this comment)
by conradd
As a non-techie myself, I appreciate the benefit of your experience with this router. As soon as broadband is available in my neighborhood, I'm hooking up - and connecting my son's computer to mine with this router. After reading this, I think I can do it myself instead of paying big bucks to some computer whiz.
I understood your review. This is more than I can say about some of the ones that list every single technical nuance in exhaustive detail.
Thanks,
Deb
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Jan 16 '02
11:24 pm PST
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Re: Re: Sorry (Reply to this comment)
by quasar
I don't have to defend my ratings to you, but since you're so upset I will.
I went and took another look at each of the provided reviews. They each provided more information about the router than you did.
The first one:
http://www.epinions.com/content_47929200260
1) It mentions that the router can be used with either wired or wireless devices. Yours doesn't.
2) It talks about the web interface for the router in a little detail, mentioning that you can either use some simple defaults or have control over specifics. Your review says "web enabled (and user intuitive)" - hardly detailed.
3) It talked about performance and upgradability. You talk about neither.
4) It talks about positioning that can interfere with your connection - intervening metal objects - and mentioned that the router works with both Macs and Windows machines. You do neither.
5) They didn't go into extensive detail about installation of or use of WiFi cards, a topic that isn't relevant to a router review. You did.
The second one:
1) This review mentions that the router has switched ports instead of hubs. You don't
2) This review talks about some of the settings you can set manually and why you might want to do so. It also talks about WEP and why you want to configure security. You mention this but in such general and nebulous terms that your mention is more confusing than if you had just ignored the subject. Since telling people what WEP is and why you should care isn't really specific to the router I would have been fine with you just mentioning that you can configure WEP settings, but since you tried to explain and failed it made everything more confusing.
3) That review talked about the firmware and upgradability and also what types of features could be added or changed with firmware. You didn't.
In addition, those reviews generally use correct and easily identifiable terminology throughout. I realize that you are not a computer expert, but for example, by talking about compartments and talking about CD drive bays (what on earth do they have to do with WiFi cards?) and by assuming everyone on the planet will have a laptop with the same design as yours you will confuse the very people you are aiming your review at - folks who aren't very computer savvy and who will think you're telling them it's possible to put a PCMCIA card into a CD Rom bay.
Review 3:
http://www.epinions.com/content_52739083908
This review was on the short side and definitely of questionably quality (I did SH it) but it had a few bits of useful information. It mentioned the availability of firmware and it also talks about how this router is less reliable if you have your computers too close to it. It also mentions that wireless phones are not interfering with the connections when using this router.
Look, I never said you had no useful information at all in your review. There are bits of useful information here and there. But it concentrates on the whole wireless setup not the router. Also, IMO, people who are given nebulous terms and novices who are told that devices are in places where they might not be tend to be unhappy with the products that they purchase. Because of that, I cannot say this review is as helpful as it could be if it were more precise.
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Jan 16 '02
9:22 pm PST
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:sigh: (Reply to this comment)
by gracef
Here is what I learned about this device:
- The box is 6" x 8".
- It's from a company with a good reputation.
- It allows wireless network connections.
- You also need a wireless network card.
- Installation is easy.
- Hour long hold times for support.
- Comes with a built-in firewall
- Can connect up to 4 computers
- Has WEP
The box of the device tells you most of this, but that's OK. The installation and support information is somewhat helpful.
But to be really helpful, you would need to say a great deal more about the device. What's the max communication range? What is the quality of the transmissions? What operating system are you using and with which ones is it compatible? Which exact hardware is required? Does it require a specific type of network card? Which one did you use?
A great deal more information is required in a review that intends to help a person (even a "normal" one) purchase a wireless network. To ignore the greater issues is to mislead the consumer and to unintentionally lead them into making a bad decision.
As entertaining as this is and as inspiring as it is to see someone who isn't known for being computer savvy trying to be so, this isn't really that helpful to a consumer attempting to purchase a wireless network. As someone who has now bought TWO of them, I should know.
If you update this review with more helpful information or move it to a better category, let me know. I'll be happy to re-rate.
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Jan 16 '02
9:03 pm PST
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Re: Excellent Review (Reply to this comment)
by kristinafh
James,
Thanks for your encouraging comments, especially since this was my first review outside of my comfort zone.
Kristina :)
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Jan 16 '02
6:32 pm PST
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Re: Sorry (Reply to this comment)
by kristinafh
Alright quasar - this really p*sses me off.
Explain your rating on these:
http://www.epinions.com/content_47929200260
http://www.epinions.com/content_48900902532
They all explain the same things I do - the support, stuff about the installation, the firewall aspect, the web enabled interface, etc...
Even this one:
http://www.epinions.com/content_52739083908 which you gave a SH that says virtually NOTHING about the actual product.
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Jan 16 '02
6:30 pm PST
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Re: Sorry (Reply to this comment)
by kristinafh
Quasar,
Your rating is so totally unfair. I did review the actual product. I talked about it's ACTUAL installation and it's ACTUAL technical support which is very particular to a product that you purchase. I simply added in MORE information for the NORMAL consumer.
And people wonder why others never venture out of their comfort zones.
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Jan 16 '02
6:17 pm PST
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Sorry (Reply to this comment)
by quasar
but this is an essay on how to install WiFi PCMCIA cards with some more general information on home networking. It is not a review of the router. You hardly mention the router at all and certainly tell me nothing about it or how it is different from other routers.
May I suggest moving this to a more appropriate category such as this one:
http://www.epinions.com/cmhd-topic-How_to_Network_Computers_at_Home
If you move it, let me know and I'd be happy to re-rate.
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Jan 16 '02
6:05 pm PST
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damn Kristina (Reply to this comment)
by tigger500
you get better and better. I think you could write about anything...such a rare gift. Kudos
tyler
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Jan 16 '02
3:14 pm PST
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Wahoo Kristina goes wireless!!! (Reply to this comment)
by Lisa_J
=)
Excellent review girlfriend! You make a girlie proud to know ya! ;)
Hugs and Smiles~
Lisa-J
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Jan 16 '02
3:07 pm PST
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Kristina, you GEEK, you! (Reply to this comment)
by Dr_Steph,  in Computer Hardware
I'm SO impressed! I just recently learned what a router was but had no idea how to set one up. I actually understood everything you said - awesome!
:)
Steph
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Jan 16 '02
6:52 am PST
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funny and informative at once (Reply to this comment)
by prothumian
I'm sharing this link with my techie friends. I've never seen instructions/reviews written like this ever. A refreshing review with most of the facts.
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Jan 15 '02
11:39 pm PST
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Excellent Review (Reply to this comment)
by OpalMan
Great Job, Kristina,
You covered all the bases pretty well. Installation, how well it works and of course, my favorite, lots of details. The only thing I would add is the speed you connect at. How are your internet connection speeds though the router as opposed to the direct cable connection to your NIC? Wireless currently maxes out at approximately 11Mb transfer rate. I am glad you are enjoying this. You have done a wonderful job on this review and I look forward to more tech reviews in the near future.
James
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Jan 15 '02
10:10 pm PST
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