| It's not exactly breaking news that our world is | | | | technology in Wireless Communication is 3G |
| becoming increasingly wireless. Many of our daily | | | | EV-DO! Soundslike one of those funny robots |
| activities that once needed a wired connection can | | | | from Starwars -- but it stands forevolution-data |
| now be done wirelessly! | | | | optimized. This new technology will change how |
| The cell phone craze was probably the first | | | | we view and use the world wide web. |
| revolution that seemingly happened overnight. The | | | | Verizon Wireless 3G EV-DO began commercial |
| convenience of being constantly connected or | | | | operations in Oct. of 2003 and is now expanding |
| plugged in to the your business, friends, or family | | | | to over 125 million US consumers by the end of |
| was an undeniable need that was quickly met. For | | | | 2005. With download speeds of 400 to 700 kbps |
| many people it has become a necessary in their | | | | and bursts up to 2 Mbps,3G has really given us |
| daily lives. | | | | wireless Internet this time. It has or willturn the |
| Wireless computers, notebooks or laptops may | | | | Internet into a truly wireless system that's devoid |
| just be the secondwave in our struggle to | | | | of any cables or lines. It will be everywhere -- no |
| becoming a totally wireless world. Theability to be | | | | space within our biosphere will be without the |
| constantly connected to your business and/or | | | | Internet very soon. |
| lovedones is revolutionizing the way we use | | | | Of course, it should be kept in mind, that any |
| computers and the Internet. | | | | group of computers can bemade wireless by |
| The ultraportable, versatile little notebook | | | | using a wireless router and a wireless network |
| computer, will no doubtplay a major leading role in | | | | adaptor for each computer. Also, many |
| our wireless struggle to be constantlyconnected. | | | | notebooks and computers come with a Bluetooth |
| It's the 'portability' of the notebook or | | | | module, which allows for wireless communication |
| laptopcomputer that holds the most appeal and is | | | | betweenany sort of electronic devices -- from cell |
| its major sellingpoint. And its popularity is growing. | | | | phones to computer to stereos to headphones. |
| It is estimated that over 42 million computer | | | | However, if you're setting up a wireless network |
| notebookswill be produced this year in 2005. The | | | | or if you're using your wireless notebook or laptop |
| market for laptop andnotebook computers is | | | | at hotels and airports -- security will be a concern. |
| growing at a rate of 20% each yearaccording to | | | | Anyone within distance, possessing the right |
| Taiwanese notebook makers. And they should | | | | equipment and a little ingenuity may get access to |
| know -- they make 70% of these notebooks or | | | | this wireless system. For major corporations or |
| their components for such major players as Dell, | | | | the lowly homeowner; safeguards need to be |
| Hewlett-Packard and Gateway. | | | | taken to prevent unwanted visitors from |
| But it's the portability and wireless communication | | | | interrupting your peaceful wireless universe. |
| these devices offer that's increasing their | | | | There are usually two basic methods of securing |
| popularity among most users. | | | | wireless networks, WEP and MAC address filtering. |
| Just how is this wireless communication | | | | The MAC (Media Access Control) is the physical |
| accomplished by the notebook or laptop you ask? | | | | address or unique hardware identifier given to |
| Wireless notebooks uses three major wireless | | | | each device in the network. Then you manually |
| data standards in order to transfer data. The one | | | | enter a list of addresses that can use or access |
| that is probably most common is802.11b, also | | | | your wireless network. |
| called Wi-Fi which stands for Wireless Fidelity. | | | | The other filtering process is more secure, WEP |
| Wi-Fi or 802.11b transfers data wirelessly at a | | | | or Wireless Encryption Protocol requires a shared |
| maximum rate of 11Mbps for up to 150 feet. It | | | | key between the users and then using this key to |
| uses the 2.4GHz radio spectrum and although it | | | | encrypt and de-encrypt data that's transmitted |
| says 11Mbps, you will probably only get around | | | | between your network users. |
| 4-6Mbps in actual use. But this is enough | | | | Many major hotel chains and other businesses are |
| bandwidth for high speed Internet, gaming and | | | | now offering 'Wi-Fi' services as an added |
| most file transfers. | | | | convenience to their patrons. These 'hot spots' |
| The 802.11a is another standard that uses the | | | | are popping up everywhere, even at some gas |
| 5GHz radio spectrum, so it has 8 channels | | | | stations. You may need to sign in or geta |
| available instead of only 3 that's available with | | | | password or key to access these services. |
| 802.11b. The 'A' version also permits a larger | | | | But like your cell phone conversations, any radio |
| transfer, at a maximum of 54Mbps. | | | | transfer or transmission will not be as secure as a |
| The other standard, 802.11g, is a hybrid of 'A' and | | | | wired connection. Keep this in mind if privacy is a |
| 'B' -- its also capable of 54Mbps but it uses the 2.4 | | | | major concern for you. But don't let it stop you |
| GHz spectrum and is compatible with 802.11b | | | | from enjoying the convenience, portability and |
| devices. Some notebooks like the Fujitsu LifeBook | | | | practicality of your wireless notebook or laptop. |
| N6010, have a tri-mode 802.11a/b/g wireless | | | | It's a wireless world after all. |
| system that uses all three forms!The next | | | | |