Who needs Broadband? We already have it!

[Razer]

First off, if this topic is in the wrong area then , Shino or whoever, feel free to move it to the appropriate section.

Now this came to me today. I was looking at my recent "jump" to cable/DSL and I noticed I don't even have to be signed on to AOL to still use my service. At this point AOL is simply for my email and IMs as I don't really use any of their other AOL-exclusive features. I noticed that I can still open and function with my browser like normal since my connection is always on. Now this got me to thinking more. When I was back home in NYC this year my friend came over with hid DS. He was easily able to hook into the existing hi-speed connection. SO EASY in fact that he didn't even slip into the one at the house but into one THREE HOUSES DOWN because theirs was more powerful than mine.

Now I figure that eventually (2 years, 5 years, 1 month) there will be enough Wireless hotspots that a solid daisy chain network will exist throughout most of the US, at least. Of course depending on how strong the signal it may even span the oceans but who knows? Anyway, once enough towers/jump points/etc get put into place you won't need to technically "have" broadband, all you'll need is a connection device that suits your needs. Say as it is today, I can hop on anywhere with a Nintendo DS. While I can't surf and do all the things a PC can, I can still access the connection. Possibly the same with a PSP but I've never even held one to know for sure. Still, if the device was able to do what I wanted it to do then I'd be happy. I wonder if I would have just added a wireless card to my PC could I have hijacked someone else's connection? Real Matrixy here but that's where we're heading.

I can now cancel my AOL account completely and still have full access if I choose (since I have other 3rd party email accounts also). I don't need their browser or Im features if I don't want them. I haven't even surfed thru AOL in years now.

Just something I had to throw out since many of you may not know it. Hell, like I stated I just realized all of this a few days ago. It all depends on how much access you feel you need. If you need to keep it basic, there's a skeleton to do it already in place.

[Shino]

I think you're in the right place... It could double as a soap box topic maybe... but this is more appropriate I think.

And I agree. I had AOL for a while too (didn't we all at one point?) and as soon as I got on cable, I ditched AOL. I could still use AIM and easily just use a free email account.

I never used aol's browser anyway. It was just a watered down version of IE at the time. Now a days I don't know if they are using Netscape since they bought them.

I stick to firefox now and gmail. Works great for me. I don't miss aol at all!

[Daijaga]

Even in rual areas liek north texas Graillick and I notice that same techonology floating aroudn, connections just out there for the taking. Secutrity in the future will start to get reved up as less hacker-type peoepl figure out they can stela internet from other people, but I could see it turning into the same thing as paying the cable guy a bill under the table for free channels.

Of course, busninesses usually ahve network administrators that will see you thumbing a ride on the information super highway and kick your ass to the curb.

[Shurikane]

This depends largely on the types of networks available.

In a news report, it was found out that the majority of people don't apply any protection to their wireless access points. That means anybody can connect to the router and start surfing. At your expense. In fact, just by having an unsecured WAP...

-People can download and upload using your connection. And if you have a bandwith cap, this means bad news.
-People can possibly access your home network and put malicious programs on your computers and/or retrieve sensitive data.

A secured WAP requires a password for entry. If everybody actually protected their home networks, it would be impossible to walk down a street while playing the DS online. Hell, from our school, we can access the unprotected network of the car dealership next door. Not pretty!

[Doot]

Razer - I'm just so proud you ditched AOL.

[Gekko]

I USED AOL for 2 years, I never paid for it, but I used it lol. Every 3 months I would call to cancel and they would give me another 3 months for free, did that for 2 years lol. Who says the internets isn't free?