How do I find an open, strong wireless signal (the quick way)

I'm still trying to get use to my new macbook, and am still not completely satisfied with a lot of the little details.

I'm traveling with it now, and when looking for wireless networks I find I have to go through each individual one and try to connect. Only then can I see if the network requires a password, or if it is too weak to get a useable signal. In Windows, all the available networks are listed, and then next to the name they have a padlock icon if they are secure, and a cell-phone esque bar graph for showing network strength. This means I can tell at a glance if there is a strong, open wireless signal available. I usually just boot to Windows now when I want to connect to the internet in an unfamiliar area. How can I get OS-X to work in a similarly convenient way?

 

Well, when you start up your Mac when out of the "trusted wireless network", the Mac will search through all the networks, and after a while (usually about a minute or two) a window will pop up telling you "None of your trusted networks could be found. Would you like to connect to [network name]?". The network they recommend you connect to is the strongest open network available.

 

Use iStumbler to read how strong/weak wireless signals are.

 

You mean Macs don't have this? Please tell me this is not true.

 

They do. But only in the airport config page (bit like control panel for OS X). There are widgets that give you easy access to this info too.

 

Hmmm... the more I learn, the more I wonder if maybe Macs are not quite as "user friendly" as I had originally thought.

 

In the menu bar next to the clock there is an Airport icon. But clicking on it only tells you what network you are connected. It does not give details about the singnal and encryption.

 

i would say it is just as convenient as it is in windows really, just to select a network in XP you need to open up another window and go through the process.

I think it is pretty straightforward as it will automatically find the strongest network for you.

it definitely wouldn't be a bad idea at all for Apple to just put all of this info right in the drop down menu, that would really be fantastic, just one more way to add a little convenience.

it might be worth submitting this to Apple's feedback page. http://www.apple.com/macosx/feedback/

 

I believe Leopard will improve on this functionality.

 

Network Manager in Linux is pretty much the easiest system that I've ever seen for connecting to networks; it has a drop down menu just as Airport, except next to each network name, it shows the signal strength, and displays a shield/padlock if the network is secure and requires a password.


It seems as if Apple is catching onto this system with Leopard though.

 

Not really. Its not perfect, and everyone should realize that. There are flaws. But for the flaws that Windows has I think its worth switching.

You feel its not as user friendly because you're not used to it. Everything you know about running a computer is the way to run a computer on Windows. Start menu, desktop shortcuts, taskbar. You're switching OSes, of course you're not going to be used to it. It will take time. But these articles are very helpful ... aww shucks you know them .

 

I'm getting nervous. Buyer's remorse is setting in, and I haven't even received my MBP yet.

I'm seriously thinking about sending it back once it gets here.

 

Learning OS X really isn't hard. You're freaking out . Open the MBP, marvel at the design and OS X. Calm down, don't worry.

 

hah yeah seriously relax. you won't be thinking "if only i could see all the wifi networks without clicking the istumbler button!"

most of the time you will be using your computer you will know what wifi network to connect to, anyway.

there are much bigger things to worry about. windows viruses and spyware. viruses theoretically should be preventable in most cases, but spyware is inevitable! the best you can do is clean it regularly.

also, i got a freaking dialer virus in windows somehow, within a few days of using it. no real way to get rid of it...

awesome.

i downloaded a few programs (firefox, utorrent, steam) and installed a few games (cs:s, america's army, fear combat, bf2142) and literally that was it. i browsed a few safe sites only. how the hell did it get a virus? i don't know. the glory of windows.

although, i hadn't had a virus for a very very long time aside from that.

say goodbye to the overbearing threat of that with mac os x. one reason among many to enjoy the mac.

 

I don't know... I'm starting to realize that I like Windows. I like the Start menu, the desktop shortcuts, the taskbar, etc.

 

Why, SoundsGood, do you spend hours staring at the Start menu? Do you love finding the right desktop shortcut to click on?

My point is, using a computer isn't about spending time finding things, doing virus scans, defragmenting disks. Its about getting what you want done, done.

You lose the Start Menu but you can drag the Applications folder onto the Dock and it becomes a Start Menu. Why use desktop shortcuts when you have a beautiful dock at the bottom of the desktop? Why use a Start Menu to try and find your application when it pops up in two seconds in Spotlight?

I don't hate Windows. I love OS X and I like Windows. I use Windows on my PC. But I like how things are done quicker on my Mac. Starting the Mac just takes 20 seconds. Spotlight search Photoshop. Start working on the file. Open up Safari. Upload image. Shut down the Mac. 15 seconds.

 

I like the ThinkVantage wireless finder program.

 

That's a cool program. It's not for a Mac though, is it?

 

I like to keep my hand on the mouse... so for me, it's easier to go "click - click - click" than to type something on the keyboard.

 

BTW, the UPS shipment arrived tonight, so the MBP is here. So far I haven't opened the box. Now I've gotta decide whether I or not I should ship it back. I've got some thinkin' to do.

 

Well, sorry to hear about the ordeal, SoundsGood. But personally I don't think that you should freak out over little things. If you like to keep your hand on the mouse drag the Applications folder onto the Dock and then it becomes your Start Menu.

 

No, sorry, it's only for Windows.

 

Oh, it's not just that. I bought a book called Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual. In it, I've come across lots of "differences" between the Mac and Windows that I hadn't known about (or thought about) before. I guess I started to doubt my decision to try a Mac.

 

Send it back. its doesn't sound like its for you.

 

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I will. Thanks.