I believe it is well-known and accepted that 802.11b devices connected to networks using newer protocols will slow down the newer devices on that network. The workaround, of course, is to disable 802.11b support so nobody with an 802.11b device will connect.

However, what's less clear is whether 802.11b devices on neighboring networks can cause similar performance issues.

Scenario:


An 802.11n network is on 2.4 GHz channel 6.
An 802.11b device is connected to a neighboring network that's operating on a channel between 2-10.


Questions:


Will the 802.11b device cause the 802.11n network to slow down, any more than it might if it were an 802.11g/n device?
If "yes" to #1, does it matter if the 802.11b device is on the same channel (6), or just on a close neighbor (2-5 or 7-10)?
If "yes" to #1, does configuring the 802.11n network for n-only operation solve this issue, or does it only work when the legacy devices are trying to connect to the 802.11n network?



Question: Early bird discounts and ribbis
Answer: I'm the writer who wrote post about Ribbis cited here. 

I've since read the Artscroll book about Ribbis by Rabbi Reisman, and he says that Early-Bird discounts are usually considered Ribbis. Since it's d'rabbanan ribbis, there may be leniencies (e.g. for non-profits, corporations) but it's pretty complicated.

If you are planning to do an early bird discount or any other pricing strategy to gets people to pay sooner rather than later, read the book or ask a shayla.
Kol tuv and thanks for posting

Naomi Elbinger

http://myparnasa.com