Computing Links
What is Wi-Fi?
If you have more than one computer and you want to share the files, or the printer, or the internet, you can tie them all together in what is called a Local Area Network (LAN).
They've been doing that in offices for years and now they're doing it in houses on a smaller scale.
In the olden days, they would get a little box called a router (or hub).
They placed that in a central position and ran wires from each computer to that hub.
Thus, you can use any of the files or features of any of the other computers on the network (provided they have allowed
it - it's called "sharing").
Enter the wireless era. Also enter cable and DSL. With wireless
(Wi-Fi), we don't need any wires. The same thing is done with radio waves in the 2.4 gHz range - about the same frequency as the newer cordless telephones.
So, you basically have the same setup - without wires. One difference, though: since cable and DSL, don't need a dial tone (they are always hooked to the internet), you can connect them straight to the router (hub) so that the hub is always connected to the internet and ready to go.
The router, of course, has a little transceiver and an antenna. Each computer has a little thing called a Wireless Network Adapter, which is also a little transceiver with an antenna - just like the cordless telephone.
These are very low power; but enough to get around any house. If it's used in a big building, then they need to use
repeaters.
The adapter can plug into the PCMCIA card on the side of a laptop, or it can be a card installed in a desktop computer, or it can be a separate unit about the size of a pack of cigarettes with a 5-foot cord that plugs into your USB port.
The latter enables you to set it in a better position to receive and transmit to the hub.
Many hotels, airports, coffee shops, etc. have wireless systems available for your use.
Some are free and some charge. Starbuck's is one of the biggies. They charge $29.95 a month.
You can hardly drive 3 blocks anymore without finding someone who has a
Wi-Fi system in their house. Many of them don't bother to block
entry; therefore, one could just pull up in front of their house and get on the internet.
Of course, who would ever do that! But it could be done.
I have a Linksys model WUSB11. It cost $39.95 (after rebates) at Fry's.
The software which comes with it, allows me to just click and it will find all systems within range.
It shows the name and the percentage signal strength. I point my mouse at any system on the list and it tells me if the system is blocked or not.
If it isn't blocked, I can just click on "Connect" and I'm automatically connected.
If the system is connected to the internet, then it will tell me so and I'm up and running.
Sometimes I have to wait a minute or so for it to establish the connection.
There are lists on the internet of places all over the world offering free admission.
Here are a few places to check out:
Wi-Fi wireless Internet access
http://www.hotspotlist.com/
T-Mobile HotSpots
http://www.t-mobile.com/hotspot/
wifinetnews.com
http://wifinetnews.com/
Wi-Fi Product Guide
http://products.wi-fiplanet.com/wifi/recent1.html
Wi-Fi Hotspot Directory
http://www.hotspot-locations.com/
Much more information is available on the internet. Just search for "Wi-fi" and you'll get lots of it.
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