Operating with TWO Macs on internet?

[Bill Livesay]

I've always operated with just one Mac connected to the internet.  I have a new MacBook Pro and want to connect it to my Bellsouth DSL without disconnecting my old Dual G-4.  Is it a router that I now need?  And how do I make the connection?

Also, I guess that I can finally start using AirPort.  I think the new MacBook is already equiped with the necessary hard ware, but not my old G-4.  Where do I get this?

Also, transfering files from my G-4 to my new MacBook.  It gives me the option of using the firewire cable, which I did, to tansfer files.  But it's sort of an all-or-nothing - which would overfill my 100GB  7200 RPM HD in the little MacBook Pro.  I moved only my applications and need to find anothe way to select which files I realy want in the MacBook.  One obvious way, I think, is to simply use my two big fire wire external drives to do the transfering.  Is that OK?

Finally, am I going to experience problems with two Macs running with my purchased software?

Thanks:

Bill Livesay

[Terry Johnson]

Yes, I would recommend getting a router. I use Apple's Airport (Extreme) and have been happy with it -- it was a snap to set up. I have my DSL line hooked to the Airport, and I use an ethernet cable to connect my desktop to the Airport. My iBook uses the built-in Airport wireless card.  I think it would be easier and less expensive to connect your desktop to the router using an ethernet cable than it would be to purchase a new wireless card for the desktop -- as long as you can place your router in the same room as your desktop. I assume this is the case since it is already directly connected to your DSL line.

Some software, like Microsoft Office, will scan your network and make sure that only one computer is running each licensed copy. If it detects more than one computer using the same licensed copy, it will shut down all but one of the copies that are running (and probably send a report to M$ for all I know).  The safest thing is to buy a multi-seat license for the software you're using or a separate copy for each computer on which you will be using the software. Better yet, make the switch from proprietary, license-laden software like M$ Office to absolutely FREE and equivalentally functional software like OPEN OFFICE, which is unencumbered of licensing restrictions on home personal use. Download it once for FREE and install on it on as many personal computers as you can afford to own.

[Martha Shannon]

I second what Terry has said - sounds like your G4 is already hard wired to the net, just get a router (seems like most prefer the airport extreme) and you are on your way!
Now for the software (and I'm keeping in mind that this is a VERY PUBLIC FORUM and no responses are confidential), as Terry has mentioned, if you have two applications open at the same time on your network and they are from the same disk/version/serial, YES, you won't be able to run at the same time. there are exceptions, like I've been working with scanning in my media library and the Delicious Library doesn't seem to care if I have it on both computers and open at the same time. I'm not distributing the software to the entire neighborhood, just my home. I would say look at the licensing.
I do have an odd question for you though - isn't the MacBook Pro the "new intel" and how would you be able to run your "old" applications from your G4 on it? When I upgraded from OS9 to OSX last year (stop snickering), I was told a firewire cable would be the quickest way. When you reboot the machine to appear on the desktop of the other, I believe its the "t" key you hold down and you can copy across till you fill it up! In my transition, I found that burning to cd and then only keeping the essentials was the best solution. going to the next OSX version with intel, not sure if it is as much of a hassle.
Good luck!

[Richard Lyon]

I prefer NeoOffice to Openoffice.

http://www.neooffice.org/

Its Open Office, but "Macified".

[Terry Johnson]

I'll have to give that a try! Thanks!

[Bill Livesay]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I accordingly went back over to the Apple Store at North Point and purchased the AirPort Extreme Base Station.  I see that it lists a 50-foot wireless range at 54 Mbps and 150-foot wireless range at 11 Mbps.

BL

[Bill Livesay]

Yes, I would recommend getting a router. I use Apple's Airport (Extreme) and have been happy with it -- it was a snap to set up. I have my DSL line hooked to the Airport, and I use an ethernet cable to connect my desktop to the Airport. My iBook uses the built-in Airport wireless card.  I think it would be easier and less expensive to connect your desktop to the router using an ethernet cable than it would be to purchase a new wireless card for the desktop -- as long as you can place your router in the same room as your desktop. I assume this is the case since it is already directly connected to your DSL line.

Terry:  My new 17" MacBookPro, that I had ordered a couple of weeks ago, finally was delivered late this afternoon.  I have been trying to make an internet connection with the Airport Extreme "Base Station" without success and am a little confused.  Do I need my old DSL ethernet modem in the system or does Airport Extreme take over the function of an ethernet modem?  I simply plugged the wire from the DSL supply (from the wall) into the Airport Extreme box and then connected an ethernet cable from the Airport Extreme box to the old (fixed base) G-4 input that I have been using for several years and the G-4 doesn't appear to recognize the signal.  I've reconnected my old ethernet modem to get back on line with my G-4 to make this contact.

I hope that you are available to straighten me out.

Thanks;

Bill Livesay

[Terry Johnson]

SORRY -- I left out a step. Read this modified post:

Bill,

Yes, you still need to have your DSL modem in the loop. Run your DSL phone line from the wall to the Airport Extreme base station, and then connect the DSL modem to the base station with an ethernet cable. Finally, connect the base station to your desktop computer with another ethernet cable. As before, you'll need filters on all the other phone lines in your house that share the DSL signal.

TJ

[Michael Martin]

Hopefully we covered this at the AMUG meeting last night .. Yes?

Mike

[Bill Livesay]

Hopefully we covered this at the AMUG meeting last night .. Yes?

Mike

Mike:

Most unfortunately, I could not attend the AMUG meeting last night due to a grandson performing in his second grade Spring Program at the same time - which I was asked by him to tape and make a DVD.

My new Airport Extreme still doesn't respond at all, but I've been too busy with working with a grand daughter's HD Digital recordings of her big HS play of last week.  The combination of entirely new computer (17" MBP), entirely new Lacie 500GB external HD (with 800 firewire), entirely new HD Digital Camera (borrowed), new software and then well over 200GB space taken up by the downloaded tapes, has made this a little overwhelming for me.

I'm still most anxious to get the AirPort box working.

Thanks:

Bill Livesay