wireless question... :)

[expergo]

hey,

if i have 2 laptops in 2 different cars. is it possible to setup an IM service between them while driving? let's say i'm going on a road trip and don't want to call each other cause of long distance. i know i can create a network with my airport card...what's the farthest distance it could connect to? if i could stay connected, what software would i use to communicate?

if both laptops had a gps system, is there a way to connect them both so i could see where both cars are?

i'm just wondering..

 

[CanadaRAM]

hey,

if i have 2 laptops in 2 different cars. is it possible to setup an IM service between them while driving? let's say i'm going on a road trip and don't want to call each other cause of long distance. i know i can create a network with my airport card...what's the farthest distance it could connect to? if i could stay connected, what software would i use to communicate?

if both laptops had a gps system, is there a way to connect them both so i could see where both cars are?

i'm just wondering..

It depends how long the cable is on your Airport Base Station. Probably will come unplugged somewhere near the end of the driveway....

Are you serious?

Just in case this isn't a joke, the range of the Airport 802.11g wireless network is 50 - 150 feet depending on what is in the way.

Edit - if you are thinking of a line-of-sight peer-to-peer network betwen two cars, I don't think you'll get much joy, given the range limitations and the propensity of cars (yours and others) to be made of metal... Theoretically you could rig up a high-gain directional antenna on each machine, this would need constant aiming of course. I can see it now: "Dad! swerve into that other lane, I'm down to 2 bars on my signal meter!" Nope. I would class this as Not A Good Idea TM. Walkie talkies, that's what you want. /Edit

In your scenario the only practical answer is finding a public WiFi hotspot at a cafe or a store, at your destination. Some charge and some don't.

What you're after is an always on, anywhere wireless network like a cell phone, right? These are available in some areas, most often offered by cellphone companies or companies that specialize in packet radio data transmission.

The transmission charges are high. You would be better off looking at a Blackberry for text messaging or a cell phone with text and celular web browser. Otherwise you can hook up your Mac to some types of cell phone like you would to a telephone modem. But again, the rate would be high and the transmission speed very low. Ask this question in a couple of years and there will be more high-speed options.

Or just spend the 25 cents and call long distance....

 

[Cuckoo]

hey,

if i have 2 laptops in 2 different cars. is it possible to setup an IM service between them while driving? let's say i'm going on a road trip and don't want to call each other cause of long distance. i know i can create a network with my airport card...what's the farthest distance it could connect to? if i could stay connected, what software would i use to communicate?

if both laptops had a gps system, is there a way to connect them both so i could see where both cars are?

i'm just wondering..

Why don't you get a walkie-talkie? Much easyer than setting up a peer-to-peer wifi connection. Apart from the 'cage of faraday' problem. Wifi has a bad effect on your battery....

But if given enough time and resources, some sort of peer-to-peer wifi connection could be feasable. and some local chat client might just do it <something bonjour based>

 

[superbovine]

get a wireless phones with a good data plan that you connect with bluetooth or PCMCIA cards to the cell phone network. you will be able to establish internet connection via your cell phone while on the road. that is the only practical solution unless you are the police department which has a series of antennas around the cities to connec their cars.

 

[ckeck]

Pick up an EDGE/GPRS data card like the Sony Ericsson GC83 from Cingular. Works great and they have the largest data network. I have one and use it just about everyday.

 

[mkrishnan]

On the offhand chance that a computer-to-computer network would work between the cars (i.e. when they're relatively close), the software you would use would be iChat using Bonjour for messaging (not AIM). You create the computer-to-computer network by choosing "Create Network" from one of them, filling out the box, and having the other one join it. Then you should be able to Bonjour iChat.

 

[pubwvj]

if i have 2 laptops in 2 different cars. is it possible to setup an IM service between them while driving?

EEEEKKK!!!! Please keep your hands, eyes and mine on the road! People like you are scary! No cell phones while driving either please.

 

[dadio2002]

EEEEKKK!!!! Please keep your hands, eyes and mine on the road! People like you are scary! No cell phones while driving either please.

Im sure he means the computer users are in the passenger seats.

 

[pubwvj]

Im sure he means the computer users are in the passenger seats.

I would hope so but he did say "is it possible to setup an IM service between them while driving?" Scary! I've almost been hit several times by oblivious drivers who were talk on cell phones while speeding along, entering traffic, turning, etc. They are a real menace.

 

[expergo]

lol..thanks guys.

it was just a thought..

walkietalkies always the best.

i wish there was good gps mapping software for macs...

 

[greatdevourer]

You could get some cantennas to boost your range