Okay, let's see if I got this.

When I'm ready I buy a laptop and a router.

I go home, I unplug my dsl modem from the back of my computer. I take the router plug, and plug THAT into the back of my computer.

So now I'm looking at this square gadget with a bunch of antenae sticking out of it. This is the router. The router has all kind of ports. I take my dsl modem plug, and plug it into one of the ports. (which port, is it usb??)

did I understand this correctly?

then Alan can go on when he likes, and I can take the laptop into the kitchen and turn it on.

Oh here's one you didn't answer. DO I PLUG THE LAPTOP INTO ANY ELECTRICAL SOCKET? I don't want to use the battery on the laptop. It has to HAVE SOME KIND OF POWER SOURCE RIGHT?? Either the battery that's inside, or you plug it into an electrical socket. Like what the guy did in Dunkin.

Or does the Lap just turn on by itself. (I'm a bit confused here). I believe that if I DON'T WANT TO USE THE BATTERY THAT I SIMPLY PLUG THE LAPTOP INTO THE KITCHEN ELECTRICAL OUTLET, right?

Thanks, Mel

P..S. Does the router have an on/off switch, like the dsl modem???