On Sat, 9 Feb 2008 10:18:44 -0500, Snowdrop
<Snowdrop.34is4l@no-mx.wirelessforums.org> wrote in
<Snowdrop.34is4l@no-mx.wirelessforums.org>:

>A] 1 PC, 1 Laptop. Want to be able to access the Internet (maybe both
>machines at the same time if possible).

Definitely possible.

>B] I live in the country so although the security side of it (WEP,
>WPA/PSK) is important, I'm not likely to have
>neighbours/nasty-people-in-Vans-parked-outside stealing info.

Risky assumption. No good reason not to use WPA with a strong
passphrase.

>C] Neither PC or Lappy has wireless adapter inside - I need dongles or
>PC Adapter card

Or non-dongle USB adapter. Or wireless Ethernet client bridge.

>Is it possible to a) Hard-wire WiFi modem/router into back of PC then
>b) install dongle/or PC Adapter in lappy, rather than have dongles in
>BOTH PC and lappy? OR do I need to use dongles/adapter cards in BOTH PC
>AND lappy?

Hard wire? You mean connect the PC with Ethernet to the router instead
of wireless? Sure. Pretty much all wireless routers include a number
of wired ports. The PC can be wired or wireless, and the laptop can be
wired or wireless.

>Which TYPE of modem/router do I need? There are sooo many
>types/standards, difficult for the absolute beginner to know WHICH one
>to go for, but I think (after reading a lot online) G+ probably OK? What
>about N standard? And what is MIMO ?

Forget about all the marketing crap. All you need is good quality
802.11g wireless.

>D] Next question is - What's the best manufacturer? There are quite a
>few sets costing in the £40 -s now, as there are in the £90 -s - Belkin,
>NetGear, Buffalo, etc etc. Which seems to be the Easiest and mist
>reliable please, but not costing the Earth?

My favorite brand is Buffalo, but that gear is now barred from the US
market due to a patent dispute. Belkin is bottom of the barrel.
Hawking is cheap and decent. Likewise Netgear, D-Link and Linksys.
Also TRENDnet. Suggest:

* Linksys WRT54GL Wireless Router (note the L)
* Netgear WG511 PC Card

>E] BT customer, not Cable.

DSL? Then you'll want a DSL modem with an Ethernet connection for the
wireless router.

>I'd be very grateful if someone could help me out with this.

The wiki below has lots of useful information.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>