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