| As far as I'm concerned, wireless networks are | | | | to have to connect it to your modem every time. |
| one of the best inventions in history -- they really | | | | Always On. |
| are the best thing since sliced bread. I mean, | | | | A big factor in the spread of broadband was that |
| really, bread is easy enough to cut yourself, but | | | | it let Internet connections be always-on, without |
| have you ever tried to wire up a network? So, in | | | | needing to dial in. Well, wireless networking lets |
| the spirit of spreading the word, I'm going to give | | | | network connections be always-on, meaning that |
| you five reasons why you need a wireless | | | | any of your computers can connect to the |
| network. | | | | Internet whenever you want! You can take |
| Share Internet Access. | | | | laptops from room to room, and it doesn't matter |
| Wireless networking gives you a cheap and easy | | | | -- they'll always have access. Plus, there's not |
| way to share one Internet connection between | | | | even any need to set up a username and |
| multiple computers, eliminating the need for more | | | | password system, as wireless networks work |
| than one modem. You can even add new | | | | without logging in. It's just so convenient! |
| computers to your network simply by plugging in | | | | No More Wires. |
| a wireless card and switching them on -- they get | | | | This, of course, is the biggest reason why you |
| an Internet connection straightaway! There aren't | | | | should switch your network over to wireless. |
| many wired networks that can say that. | | | | Wires are inconvenient, expensive, ugly and |
| Share Files and Printers. | | | | dangerous -- you'll be delighted to see the back of |
| A wireless network gives you access to your files | | | | them. |
| wherever you are in your home, and makes it | | | | The average Ethernet wire doesn't cost that |
| easy to synchronise the data on a laptop with a | | | | much per metre, but once you've bought enough |
| home computer. It is much easier to send files | | | | metres to do whatever you need to do, well, it |
| between computers with a wireless network than | | | | tends to add up quickly. Not only that, but if you |
| it is to send them by email, or even by burning | | | | want to run your wire between rooms or floors, |
| them to a CD. | | | | you have to knock holes in the walls -- which |
| Plus, with the printer connected, you can also | | | | might not even be allowed if you're renting. I |
| write things wherever you want, press print, and | | | | know plenty of people in rented apartments who |
| go and collect them from a printer connected to | | | | had to keep their network confined to one room |
| another computer -- printers that are plugged into | | | | until they went wireless. With wireless networking, |
| one of the computers on the network are shared | | | | well, you can even take your computer outside, if |
| between all the computers automatically. | | | | you want to! |
| Play Games. | | | | No more wires also means no more spaghetti all |
| You might have seen an option in your favourite | | | | over the floor and in the corners. Not only does |
| game to play over a LAN. Well, wireless networks | | | | this improve the safety of your home, as it's all |
| are LANs, which means that your whole family | | | | too easy to trip over exposed wires, but it also |
| can play that game together -- without needing | | | | means that you don't have to go to all the trouble |
| the computers to be anywhere near each other. | | | | of packing all the wires up and re-connecting them |
| It's far more fun to play against real people you | | | | at the other end when you move. It also means |
| know than to play against random people over | | | | that you don't have to examine every wire for |
| the Internet, not to mention that the game will | | | | damage if your Internet connection breaks down. |
| work much faster. You could even invite your | | | | Convinced? |
| friends to bring their computers and join in -- a | | | | If you're excited, then that's great -- keep reading |
| 'LAN party'! | | | | these articles for advice on how to set |
| An added benefit is that wireless equipment lets | | | | everything up. If you don't think it's for you yet, |
| you easily connect any games consoles you or | | | | well, don't give up on it -- I'm sure you'll come |
| your kids might have to the Internet, and start | | | | round when you realise just how easy and cheap |
| playing online. It's far easier to play online with a | | | | wireless really is. |
| wirelessly connected Xbox or PlayStation 2 than | | | | |