| It's not exactly breaking news that our world is | | | | The next technology in Wireless Communication |
| becoming | | | | is 3G EV-DO! Sounds |
| increasingly wireless. Many of our daily activities | | | | like one of those funny robots from Starwars -- |
| that | | | | but it stands for |
| once needed a wired connection can now be | | | | evolution-data optimized. This new technology will |
| done wirelessly!The cell phone craze was probably | | | | change how we |
| the first revolution that | | | | view and use the world wide web.Verizon |
| seemingly happened overnight. The convenience | | | | Wireless 3G EV-DO began commercial operations |
| of being | | | | in Oct. of |
| constantly connected or plugged in to the your | | | | 2003 and is now expanding to over 125 million US |
| business, | | | | consumers by the end |
| friends, or family was an undeniable need that | | | | of 2005. With download speeds of 400 to 700 |
| was quickly | | | | kbps and bursts up to 2 Mbps, |
| met. For many people it has become a | | | | 3G has really given us wireless Internet this time. |
| necessary in their | | | | It has or will |
| daily lives.Wireless computers, notebooks or | | | | turn the Internet into a truly wireless system |
| laptops may just be the second | | | | that's devoid of any |
| wave in our struggle to becoming a totally | | | | cables or lines. It will be everywhere -- no space |
| wireless world. The | | | | within our biosphere |
| ability to be constantly connected to your | | | | will be without the Internet very soon.Of course, |
| business and/or loved | | | | it should be kept in mind, that any group of |
| ones is revolutionizing the way we use | | | | computers can be |
| computers and the Internet.The ultraportable, | | | | made wireless by using a wireless router and a |
| versatile little notebook computer, will no doubt | | | | wireless network adaptor |
| play a major leading role in our wireless struggle | | | | for each computer. Also, many notebooks and |
| to be constantly | | | | computers come with a |
| connected. It's the 'portability' of the notebook or | | | | Bluetooth module, which allows for wireless |
| laptop | | | | communication between |
| computer that holds the most appeal and is its | | | | any sort of electronic devices -- from cell phones |
| major selling | | | | to computer to |
| point. And its popularity is growing.It is estimated | | | | stereos to headphones.However, if you're setting |
| that over 42 million computer notebooks | | | | up a wireless network or if you're using |
| will be produced this year in 2005. The market | | | | your wireless notebook or laptop at hotels and |
| for laptop and | | | | airports -- security |
| notebook computers is growing at a rate of | | | | will be a concern. Anyone within distance, |
| 20% each year | | | | possessing the right equipment |
| according to Taiwanese notebook makers. And | | | | and a little ingenuity may get access to this |
| they should | | | | wireless system. For major |
| know -- they make 70% of these notebooks or | | | | corporations or the lowly homeowner; |
| their components | | | | safeguards need to be taken to |
| for such major players as Dell, Hewlett-Packard | | | | prevent unwanted visitors from interrupting your |
| and Gateway.But it's the portability and wireless | | | | peaceful wireless |
| communication these devices | | | | universe.There are usually two basic methods of |
| offer that's increasing their popularity among | | | | securing wireless networks, WEP |
| most users.Just how is this wireless | | | | and MAC address filtering. The MAC (Media |
| communication accomplished by the | | | | Access Control) is the physical |
| notebook or laptop you ask?Wireless notebooks | | | | address or unique hardware identifier given to |
| uses three major wireless data standards in | | | | each device in the network. |
| order to transfer data. The one that is probably | | | | Then you manually enter a list of addresses that |
| most common is | | | | can use or access your |
| 802.11b, also called Wi-Fi which stands for | | | | wireless network.The other filtering process is |
| Wireless Fidelity.Wi-Fi or 802.11b transfers data | | | | more secure, WEP or Wireless Encryption |
| wirelessly at a maximum rate of | | | | Protocol requires a shared key between the |
| 11Mbps for up to 150 feet. It uses the 2.4GHz | | | | users and then using this key to |
| radio spectrum and | | | | encrypt and de-encrypt data that's transmitted |
| although it says 11Mbps, you will probably only | | | | between your network users.Many major hotel |
| get around 4-6Mbps | | | | chains and other businesses are now offering |
| in actual use. But this is enough bandwidth for | | | | 'Wi-Fi' |
| high speed | | | | services as an added convenience to their |
| Internet, gaming and most file transfers.The | | | | patrons. These 'hot spots' are |
| 802.11a is another standard that uses the 5GHz | | | | popping up everywhere, even at some gas |
| radio spectrum, | | | | stations. You may need to sign in or get |
| so it has 8 channels available instead of only 3 | | | | a password or key to access these services.But |
| that's available with | | | | like your cell phone conversations, any radio |
| 802.11b. The 'A' version also permits a larger | | | | transfer or |
| transfer, at a maximum | | | | transmission will not be as secure as a wired |
| of 54Mbps.The other standard, 802.11g, is a | | | | connection. Keep this in |
| hybrid of 'A' and 'B' -- its also | | | | mind if privacy is a major concern for you. But |
| capable of 54Mbps but it uses the 2.4 GHz | | | | don't let it stop you |
| spectrum and is compatible | | | | from enjoying the convenience, portability and |
| with 802.11b devices. Some notebooks like the | | | | practicality of your |
| Fujitsu LifeBook N6010, | | | | wireless notebook or laptop.It's a wireless world |
| have a tri-mode 802.11a/b/g wireless system | | | | after all. |
| that uses all three forms! | | | | |