Re: wi-fi

Posted by Svetaswan-2 on
URL: https://www.es-forum.com/My-computer-situation-update-w-recommended-computer-tp2972047p2974722.html



Emraware,

You seem to have assumed that I was referring to you.  I wasn't addressing that to you - unless you post under several different screenames that I'm not aware of?  It was someone else who once suggested that I could disable the wireless router remotely, through software or via the Internet.

And like I've said several times before, I'm in a living situation where I don't have the power to make the household decisions that many of you may take for granted.  So it's not that I don't know about the dangers of wireless - which is what you seem to have presumed - it's just that I can't do much about it.  If I had the authority, I would have gotten rid of WiFi a long time ago.  As it is, I have to do what is within my power - which isn't as much as you or a lot of other people can do.

I may not be able to get rid of WiFi - but at least I can make it a little more "comfortable".  It's a good thing that I can do this much - or I would probably be in a *very* bad place now (not that my situation is exactly good or safe now).

It's a good thing that my parents are in some ways even less computer savvy than I am - they didn't even realize that I had made those changes to the WiFi settings.  They wouldn't have ever had to know....but I did end up mentioning it to them on a couple of occasions. They still may not fully understand what I did.  Apparently they don't even care that much - as long as the router remains on and the computers can still access the Internet.

Our router is located in the basement - so we're not exactly at "ground zero"...but it seems to be a very strong router - much stronger than our old Comcast router (which was the white, Netgear router).  I don't remember feeling the Comcast router, unless I was at ground zero.

There appears to be an option where you can command the wireless adapter to operate on lower power. There are 4 settings for the wireless adapter:  "maximum performance", "low power saving", "medium power saving", & "maximum power saving".  Apparently, the wireless adapter is on the "maximum performance" when it's plugged in - then goes to "low power saving" on battery.  I guess I should try to lower these settings and see how my computer does - I've never tried "medium power saving" or "maximum power saving".  

There is even a button on the computer itself where if you press it, it turns off the wireless adapter.  But I don't really have the option of turning it completely off - I pretty much have to use wireless.

In the manual for this computer - it is recommended that you remain at least 8 inches from the wireless antenna - which is located inside of the upper margin of the screen, apparently.  Supposedly you are within the government's "safe" exposure limits when you are 8 inches away - although that's probably not saying much...

~Svetaswan

--- In [hidden email], "emraware" <emraware@...> wrote:

>
> > Another thing that I finally started doing was dialing down the power output of our satanic AT&T WiFry router.  I remember you telling me that I could do this
>
> Svetaswan,  
>
> I don't remember ever suggesting this.  I use a wired router w/ ethernet cables instead of a wireless router.
>
> Even if you lower your Wi-Fi router's power, that's only half of the equation.  Your dominant exposure is probably from Wi-Fi on your laptop-- which would be right next to you...  Does your laptop have a similar "dial-down" option?
>
> One acquaintance of mine tested a wi-fi router and found at a distance of 1 meter, the radiation was the same as that of a cell phone held directly to the head.  I think some laptops might be similar?  IMO, one should "disable" Wi-Fi on the laptop via the control panel, network settings.  That's the best.
>