Wi-Fi question

B. Newman

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Sep 5, 2001
Posts
4,855
Loc
Kodak, Tn. USA
I need one of our resident geeks, er experts to explain Wi-Fi to me in language that I can understand. (I do know that, well I think it stands for "wireless fidelity", but that's about it.)

I've read quite a bit about it in the business magazines, along with terms like "hot spots" and "bubbles" but "I don't understand all I know about it!"

I just got a new laptop, (haven't even turned it on yet) and in reading some in the booklet last night it had a whole section on wi-fi and "conectivity" and where you can use it and where you can't. Where it's legal and where it's not (world-wide.)

Now, is this thing telling me that I have wireless capability? And does that mean that I can turn it on anywhere and get on the internet without a phoneline? What's the catch?

I'll be away from the computer for a couple of days (except for my new laptop. YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) So, I may not get back to check the answers, but hey, if I really can log on anywere, I'll let you know!

Betty
 
Here's the standard definition of WiFi at Wikipedia.org - great source for geek difinitions.

In short, if you got one of the new laptops with the Centrino chip or it specifically says you have WiFi, then yeah, you can connect to wireless hotspots - essentially special network hubs that broadcast and receieve network traffic.

The hard part is setting up a connection, (though that's starting to get much much easier). Most secure** installations of WiFi require long password strings or arcane settings to your WiFi setup on your laptop. I haven't used Starbuck's hotspot yet (and you can even sign up for a free day pass) so I can't comment on how difficult it is to connect to them.

You can get WiFi routers for home/small business now for pretty cheap that provide firewall protection, WiFi, and basic local network access all built in. I personally have a Netgear WiFi router and I think it's one of the best investments I ever made - my DSL modem plugs into the router, my computer's all plug in to the router, and my laptop connects anywhere it wants to, even 100 feet out in the backyard.


** There's a new sport called war driving that involves driving round different cities with a laptop and an antenna listening for WiFi installed at random companies. WiFi's typical protocol WEP is pretty insure, and if you listen long enough you can get enough data to try and break the security codes.
 
Wifi is a hot item right now!
It can be considered similar to a cordless house phone versus a standard corded house phone, with about the same range.

We have something similar to Steve, but a different brand (Linksys WRT-54G router). We installed ours last month. The house has 3 hardwired computers and 2 laptops that can go anywhere, including the decks outside. It works amazingly well.

Unfortunately, you have to have someone transmitting a signal in order to use this feature - and the signal range is very local. Ultimately, it's designed to work within a small office or house; but shouldn't be able to reach a neighbor's home. The 802.11g (up to 54 megabits per second) has a slightly better range than the older 802.11b (up to 11 megabits per second). They'll typically go 100-500ft.

A lot of businesses are now offering this service to draw in customers (Starbucks, McDonalds, etc), providing you buy something, but this service is most often sold for a price. Many Verizon pay phones have this built in, as do (pay) hotspots in airports, hotels, cruise ships, convention centers, etc. The last time I checked, they were asking $5-$10 per day or about $20-$25 for a month of unlimited access. There are also free places, such as almost any library.

does that mean that I can turn it on anywhere and get on the internet without a phoneline? What's the catch?
That would be great
Many cellular phone companies do or will soon offer this kind of service, for a flat monthly fee. Usually it will require a special card that they'll provide to communicate with their towers.

I hope this clears it up a bit.

Mike
 
I'm having trouble keeping up.
I, too, bought a laptop this weekend with WiFi and I can't wait to try it. Unfortunately, there aren't any Starbucks in Shippensburg!
If I'm in a hotspot, will it just let me log on to the Internet or do I have to do something different? Of course, computers do not come with any manuals anymore and I haven't had the chance to download anything yet.
shrug.gif

Ron, we may be able to post pictures from the Omni bar this year.....if I only could figure it out.
 
Originally posted by Mike-L@GTP:
It can be considered similar to a cordless house phone versus a standard corded house phone, with about the same range.

Now, that's about the level of answer I needed! ;) Thanks to Steve as well. (And Steve, this IBM has NO zip drive either. I knew that would make you happy!)

I've played with it a little today (designing a marketing piece, of course) but we haven't been able to get online with it yet, so I haven't registered anything. So now I only have "45 more uses of the software available..." :rolleyes: so I'm sorta taking it easy.

We got XP Pro with MS Small Business. I can't wait to get cranking!

Thanks again

Betty
 
It just so happens that my husband and I are on a " RV road trip" across the USA as I type.I purchased a Dell laptop before we left.
:D
We started in Montana and are now in Missouri. We have stayed in 2 KOAs. The KOAs have a service called Hotspotzz... a wireless service for the computer on the road.
It is easy to use. They sell you a Hotspotzz card for $2.95 with a user name and key number and you can stay on the internet for an hour.
thumbsup.gif
 
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