<li><p>the berkeley site says to not forget the surge protector if you bring a computer and printer. what is a surge protector?</p></li>
<li><p>the site also says “In order to use your in-room connection, you will need to have an Ethernet card installed in your computer and an Ethernet cable.” are both of these provided at berkeley, or do i need to buy them at home and then bring it when i move in?</p></li>
<li><p>i’m switching to cingular since i heard it works best at berkeley. if i switch here in ny, does it still work in ca with no extra charges, or should i wait until i get to berkeley to get a plan&phone with cingular?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>can you post the link here please? ty</p>
<ol>
<li> surge protector is another term for a power strip. you know, the plastic bar with a bunch of outlets.</li>
<li>most recently made laptops have ethernet already in. the cable is a special phone cable. you must buy your cable and provide and ethernet laptop.</li>
<li>ask your cell phone company</li>
</ol>
<p>Actually a surge protector is a special type of power strip. It prevents surges (duh) during electrical storms I think.</p>
<p>urd0rkk:
1) <a href="http://www.housing.berkeley.edu/Move_in_2007/my_room_sun.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.housing.berkeley.edu/Move_in_2007/my_room_sun.html</a> (it says it under the up to you)
2) <a href="http://www.housing.berkeley.edu/livingatcal/welcome_to_cal.html#Internet%5B/url%5D">http://www.housing.berkeley.edu/livingatcal/welcome_to_cal.html#Internet</a> (it says it under the How Do I Set Up My Internet Connection in My Room question)</p>
<p>if i get a regular computer instead of a laptop, will i need to have the ethernet specially installed before i bring it to berkeley? how much is a typical surge protector and ethernet cable?</p>
<p>most computers and laptops being sold in stores brand new now a days come with an ethernet port, even the cheaper computers, i feel you don't need to worry about this part. if they don't, a card is $10, $20 max, and can be installed by any amateur computerist - ask a friend when you get to berkeley.</p>
<p>surge protectors can be had for $5. they're the power strips that takes one outlet and turns them into 5, with a little rest switch and a black reset button. if your really anal, surge protectors can run upwards to $50 or $100, but its not necessary.</p>
<p>ethernet cables - you'd want a "cat 5 ethernet" cable. most recognizable by its sky blue coloring, but they come in different colors also. price depends on length. i'd suggest 25ft for about $10.</p>
<p>much appreciated d~</p>
<p>What’s the difference between a CAT6 and CAT5 cable? Which one would provide the faster speed? 6 correct?</p>
<p>the cable makes no difference to the speed - that is determined by the router and your PC. The cat 6 is a higher quality cable that can support higher rates and has a lower tolerance for interference. For the dorms, either works fine, but cat 5 are generally less expensive.</p>
<p>Verizon offers far and away the best service all throughout campus. At&t (Cingular) is probably second best but if you are switching anyway I would HIGHLY reccommend Verizon. </p>
<p>If you switch in NY and have free roaming/long distance I don’t see why you would have any issues with pricing but that is definitely a question for the cell phone provider.</p>
<p>Good luck!!!</p>
<p>if you sign up in NY, it will work at berkeley since it isn’t a local plan like some metro pcs plans</p>
<p>doesn’t make a difference really, the area code will simply be a NY one instead of a SF or berkeley area code</p>
<p>and I’m guessing you’re referring to AT&T</p>
<p>unless you want a phone that is subsidized AT&T,
verizon/sprint/t-mobile provide less dropped calls+ better 3g speeds in the BA</p>
<p>So I take it we have to bring our own wireless router to set up a wireless network?</p>
<p>^ yea. it’s a hassle and people who use your router use your bandwidth too so just remember that</p>
<p>Is there a pre-set up wireless network? Or do people usually just split time on the ethernet cable?</p>
<p>Wow, way to bring up an old thread. 2007!</p>
<p>Anyways, Cat5 or Cat6 won’t make a difference in the dorms as everything runs on 100mbit instead of Gigabit.</p>
<p>The dorms do not provide wireless service in the rooms; it is only available in common areas (eg. first floor lounge, dining halls). Each person gets their own ethernet port, and they are responsible for all traffic on it. You can plug in your own wireless router if you want wireless in your room. To prevent others from using your bandwidth, secure your connection, preferably with WPA2. Almost all modern wireless routers support it.</p>