My small town is getting free Harborlink wireless - I have questions!

I checked with my laptop and I am getting a signal (2 bars in Windows "View
wireless networks"). It is not connected to the Internet yet, however (due
in about a week).

Anyone familiar with these:

How's the upload speed? It would seem the transmitter in my laptop would be
weaker than the transmitter they are using for the large coverage radius, or
do they just mount the antenna up high?

I am told I will have to put up with a popup add every so often. How is this
incorporated into the datastream? I don't have to install any of their
software, just connect to their network.

How's the overall performance compared to dialup? I wonder if Harborlink
throttles the bandwidth?

How does apps, like remote desktop, that are sensitive to high latency
networks perform?

Sorry for so many questions.
-S

Just curious, what city are you in?

Please read below:

SimonLW wrote:
> I checked with my laptop and I am getting a signal (2 bars in Windows "View
> wireless networks"). It is not connected to the Internet yet, however (due
> in about a week).
>
> Anyone familiar with these:
>
> How's the upload speed? It would seem the transmitter in my laptop would be
> weaker than the transmitter they are using for the large coverage radius, or
> do they just mount the antenna up high?

They do mount the antenna up high (most likely on light poles) but the
radios also have a high receive sensitivity, meaning they can hear even
the smallest of wireless signals.

>
> I am told I will have to put up with a popup add every so often. How is this
> incorporated into the datastream? I don't have to install any of their
> software, just connect to their network.

You wont have to install anything, it'll just pop up when you go to a
new webpage after X minutes.
>
> How's the overall performance compared to dialup? I wonder if Harborlink
> throttles the bandwidth?

High speed wireless is always going to be better, but I wouldn't rely
on it as your ONLY internet connection. I believe HL does throttle
bandwidth, but I doubt you'd see any difference.


>
> How does apps, like remote desktop, that are sensitive to high latency
> networks perform?

Just fine. If you want a preview of the harborlink network style, go to
your local BW3's.

http://www.harborlink.net/locations/hotspots.php

Chris
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Christopher M. Hutchison, CEO
NetSteady Communications, Ltd.

Phone: 614-255-5575
Mobile: 614-853-0091
Skype: wifi_chris

http://www.netsteady.cc