I have decided to go wardriving for a project I have to do for my Sociology class, but I need some questions answered before I start and before I make any unnecersary expenditures.

1- My main question is this: Do I really have to download wireless sniffer software onto my laptop in order to wardrive. My main objective for my project is determine how many unsecured networks I stumble across and where that signal is comming from. Or will I just know when the little dialouge box pops us saying "connected" and at what signal strength? And if so, will I be able to determine where that signal is coming from?

2- If I do have to download sniffer software and/or I cannot determine whether or not the signal is encrypted or not using my laptop, I have decided I am not going to purchase sofware. I am going to purchase a Wi-Fi detection and analysis device instead. I was reading up about the Digital Hotspotter from Canary, but are there any other detection and analysis devices that do not cost as much that will determine signal location as well as tell me whether or not the signal I am getting is open or secured? I was leaning towards the WiFi Seeker by Chrysalis until I found out it only determines signal strength.

3- I was planning on purchasing a detection and analysis device eventually, anyway, so I don't have to go through the trouble of opening and powering up my laptop only to find that I am getting a signal I can't use. Can I purchase these devices at a store such as Circuit City or CompUSA? Or is the only place I can purchase them from is off the internet? Forgive me for not checking myself. I live out in the country and it's about a half-hours drive to the closest Circuit City and keep forgetting to check it out when I am in the city, which is like everyday.

4- Is there anything else I have to do to configure my laptop before going out on my wardriving escapade?

Any other information, tips, comments, and suggestions would be very much appreciated as well as helpful. I have searched the Wireless Security forum and have also checked to see if any similar topic has been posted before, but have turned up no reults. I even typed in Can I wardrive using only my laptop without wireless sniffer software? using quotation marks and turned up no results. Without them I got all types of crap that wasn't answering my questions.