what is wifi

[Sachmho]

so what's this wifi thing, and how does it work... whats special about it? i read some article in some magazine about it but all i got from the article is that wifi is a big thing... can someone also explain the consumer side of it (pricing) or is it just for network and not internet connections? thanks

 

[REVB]

It's wireless networking for your home or office. Without addressing the security issues, it essentially does what an existing network does without the wires. It requires an upgrade in hardware, from your network cards to the router and is the ballpark of about $230 (this is what my upgrade cost for a new router, a laptop card, and one desktop card). There are a few standards, 802.11b and 802.11a. B is older and has a greater range while A is newer and has a greater transfer rate between computers on the LAN. Besides that the advantages are true mobility with your laptop around your house/apartment and no 50 foot cords running under your carpet. The only disadvantages (for me so far at least) are more money out of my pocket, a secure setup for the data, and configuration headaches. But I am a newbie so they're usually my mistakes. Good luck So far, it's worth it. I have noticed a slower connection with my desktop computer and I am using the new 22mb transfer technology. My laptop though, is flying.