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Wireless Parasites

Wireless Parasites

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Originally posted by TommyC
I did this over Christmas - just after we'd moved and before we got our own (very secure!) wireless connection. I had to sit with the PC in the kitchen opposite the flats across the garden. When a light went on in a certain room over there, the wireless signal dropped and I new they were using it - very irritating!

Btw, the whole of Upper Street used to an ...[text shortened]... obably still does have free wireless access, provided by Islington Council. Nice in the summer.
That sounds like a long distance. How far can you be away from someones computer to pick up the signal?

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Originally posted by ivangrice
I was just wondering how many people use other people's wireless internet access?

I do all the time (I live in central London and have a choice of unsecured networks to choose from) - it's great! 🙂
The most interesting thing is this morbid fascination into seeing which networks are unsecured. Knowing it's wrong but still having a strange temptation into doing it.

As Wilde put it, the only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it.

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Originally posted by cashthetrash
Yep you're drunk. Don't worry, You haven't made me cry yet. I have thick skin. And I haven't given you anything yet. Wishful thinking on your part though.
There you go jumping to conclusions again!

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Originally posted by cashthetrash
That sounds like a long distance. How far can you be away from someones computer to pick up the signal?
It's not distance to computer as I understand it, but distance to the wireless adaptor, which is usually next to wherever the phone is. I assume they had it at the back of their house. I guess in general it depends on the strength of the signal and how good your computer is at picking up signals. My housemate's laptop didn't register their signal, for instance.

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Originally posted by Daemon Sin
There you go jumping to conclusions again!
Well you had the opportunity to deny it. But you didn't. So what else was I left to assume. Just trying to understand your mood.

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Originally posted by cashthetrash
That sounds like a long distance. How far can you be away from someones computer to pick up the signal?
It's about 30 meters for most standard household Routers.

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Sounds like the same kind of person that would an engine to select his moves.

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Originally posted by cashthetrash
Well you had the opportunity to deny it. But you didn't. So what else was I left to assume. Just trying to understand your mood.
Well then, for you information I'm not drunk and I'm in quite a good mood.

It's not often people on this site give a good little session of banter without in degrading into personal insults and swearing, so you've managed to entertain me 😛

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Originally posted by Daemon Sin
Well then, for you information I'm not drunk and I'm in quite a good mood.

It's not often people on this site give a good little session of banter without in degrading into personal insults and swearing, so you've managed to entertain me 😛
What's so entertaining about repeatedly saying you're drunk?

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Originally posted by TommyC
It's not distance to computer as I understand it, but distance to the wireless adaptor, which is usually next to wherever the phone is. I assume they had it at the back of their house. I guess in general it depends on the strength of the signal and how good your computer is at picking up signals. My housemate's laptop didn't register their signal, for instance.
Interesting. So it's not like you actually get into someones elses computer then. So if someone was stealing or borrowing someones connection bandwidth it really wouldn't cost the subscriber any money would it? I mean they don't charge by the minute do they? Basicly they might get a slower connection is all?

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Originally posted by Daemon Sin
Well then, for you information I'm not drunk and I'm in quite a good mood.

It's not often people on this site give a good little session of banter without in degrading into personal insults and swearing, so you've managed to entertain me 😛
OK, cool I just thought you were slurring your words a little is all. My mistake.

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Originally posted by Palynka
What's so entertaining about repeatedly saying you're drunk?
Are you drunk?Are you drunk?Are you drunk?Are you drunk?Are you drunk?Are you drunk?Are you drunk?Are you drunk?Are you drunk?

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Originally posted by cashthetrash
Interesting. So it's not like you actually get into someones elses computer then. So if someone was stealing or borrowing someones connection bandwidth it really wouldn't cost the subscriber any money would it? I mean they don't charge by the minute do they? Basicly they might get a slower connection is all?
Pretty much. Although I think some tarriffs in the UK are limited by amount of downloading, so if you're big into that you might end up costing the person something or limiting their access. I doubt chess moves really matter though.

Also if you're stealing from a company then they'll have a massive connection anyway and it won't really register. I stopped using my neighbours whenever they were using it. But of course it's much nicer to have your own. Btw, there are also companies pumping out wireless in various London places that you just need a credit card to access wherever you are. Some pubs, coffee shops and cafes have this. Some major public places do to, like train stations. Funnily enough, with such public pay-wireless services my laptop has noticed, I could still use ICC/Blitzin without having to pay!

Btw, see also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_chalking

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Originally posted by cashthetrash
Are you drunk?Are you drunk?Are you drunk?Are you drunk?Are you drunk?Are you drunk?Are you drunk?Are you drunk?Are you drunk?
I stand corrected. 🙂

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Originally posted by cashthetrash
Interesting. So it's not like you actually get into someones elses computer then. So if someone was stealing or borrowing someones connection bandwidth it really wouldn't cost the subscriber any money would it? I mean they don't charge by the minute do they? Basicly they might get a slower connection is all?
Depending on how their wireless network is set up, it is sometimes possible to hack into it and any computer on it. Google 'Wardriving' for a bit more info on the subject.

Apart from that, you're right about the cost and speed ideas.