tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230410522026-01-19T00:18:52.172-08:00Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1161166717900092742006-10-15T03:16:00.000-07:002007-10-16T18:08:47.774-07:00

What exactly is a Wi-Fi digicam, and why should I buy one?Three companies have so far released consumer-oriented digital cameras with Wi-Fi: Kodak, Canon and Nikon. All let you transfer pictures via Wi-Fi to a computer or printer, eliminating the needs for USB cables. Some do considerably more. Nikon's CoolPix S6 is a pocketable, slim 6-megapixel camera with a 3X optical zoom. It joins the

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1161166551077395722006-10-15T03:12:00.000-07:002007-09-10T01:30:55.665-07:00

I read a lot about VoIP, but it's still confusing. Just what do I need to sign up for VoIP, and can I then get rid of my regular phone line?You are not alone in your confusion. While this has been a breakout year for VoIP, most users are still unsure about how best to implement it. VoIP lets you place phone calls over your broadband Internet connection, rather than over traditional landlines.

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1161166297412369232006-10-14T03:06:00.000-07:002007-10-16T18:08:47.777-07:00

I've seen ads for some wireless Web cams. How hard is it to set one up to monitor my home when I'm traveling?The latest Wi-Fi video cameras have come a long way. Most vendors now have 54Mbps 802.11g models that can deliver much higher-quality video (and audio) streams with good detail and smooth motion than the original 11Mbps 802.11b models. With a Wi-Fi Webcam, you can place the camera anywhere

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1161163397202154882006-10-14T02:02:00.000-07:002007-10-16T18:08:47.785-07:00

What is a home media network, and why would I want it? Can it be wireless?Home media networking products that let you stream audio, photos and video from your PC to your stereo and TV are multiplying fast. The first such products streamed music only, but now complete media systems that handle virtually everything your PC can produce are hitting the mainstream.If you have a Windows Media Center PC

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1161162128613960052006-10-14T01:55:00.000-07:002007-10-16T18:08:47.789-07:00

I'd like to add shared storage to my home network, for photos and music files. Is there any way to do this wirelessly?While there are a few products that combine Wi-Fi and network storage, for best performance, we recommend simply connecting a networkable storage drive directly to your Wi-Fi router. Networked drives perform many useful functions, such as acting as backup repositories, and storing

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1161161717415685652006-10-14T01:47:00.000-07:002007-10-16T18:08:47.811-07:00

Why is the upload speed for Internet connections always so much slower than that for downloads? I have to send a lot of large pictures to clients and it is faster to do this at Starbucks than at home with my DSL line! And why does my Wi-Fi router say 108Mbps when I'm lucky to get a fraction of that?What you are experiencing with your DSL line is the difference between asymmetric connections with

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1161161213795938912006-10-13T01:42:00.000-07:002007-10-16T18:08:47.815-07:00

For my job, I have my laptop mounted in my vehicle. As I drive around various cities, I'm always getting an annoying popup asking if I want to connect to a Wi-Fi net. Seems as if everybody and their uncle has a Wi-Fi network in their home. How can I avoid this annoying popup everytime I go by a hotspot?First of all, the popup is not just annoying, it's a sign that you are leaving your computer

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1161160963445809022006-10-12T01:40:00.000-07:002007-10-16T18:08:47.848-07:00

How can I share files between two computers over Wi-Fi?One of the great things about home Wi-Fi networks, is that not only can you share a fast Internet connection, you can also use the network to share files among all the computers in your house. But at the same time, you probably don't want to open up your entire directory to your kids (and their friends). Here's how to share files safely with

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1161160827675235602006-10-11T01:37:00.000-07:002007-10-16T18:08:47.855-07:00

How do I set up a wireless network between two computers without a router? Can they share an Internet connection this way?The ability to create a quick and dirty network between two (or more) computers or PDAs is an underutilized Wi-Fi capability that is really quite simple to set up. You can even connect Macs and PCs this way. First, be sure both computers are disconnected from any router. Then

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1161160648796616202006-10-10T01:33:00.000-07:002007-10-16T18:08:47.866-07:00

I've seen lots of ads recently touting both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in portables. What's the difference and why do I need both?New users are often confused by the two technologies, which have very different applications, although they share the same 2.4GHz frequency band. Wi-Fi (or 802.11a/b/g) is a medium-range standard that lets you connect to the Internet wirelessly via a home Wi-Fi router, office

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1161080897776855882006-10-09T03:24:00.000-07:002007-10-16T18:08:47.870-07:00

I would like to offer free Wi-Fi Internet access in my cafe, but am worried about liability and management issues. What are my options?Free Wi-Fi can be a great way to bring in new customers, especially at off-peak times, and in high-traffic areas where people with laptops or Wi-Fi PDAs are likely to congregate. While you can go the bare-bones do-it-yourself route, plugging in an off-the-shelf

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1161080645180154052006-10-07T03:18:00.000-07:002007-10-16T18:08:47.885-07:00

I have a home Wi-Fi net and broadband connection, but I would also like to be able to use my printer wirelessly. Should I get a Bluetooth printer or a Wi-Fi adapter?While Bluetooth can be found in some new printers allowing direct printing from your Bluetooth laptop, using a Wi-Fi print server makes much better sense. With Bluetooth, you'll need to be within a few feet of your printer, and you

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1161080036525490142006-10-06T03:13:00.000-07:002007-10-16T18:08:47.891-07:00

I have a small business and want to be able to connect securely to the local network server when I'm on the road. I use GoToMyPC, but that's pretty slow and cumbersome. Is there a simple way to connect to the server directly, and still be safe at a Wi-Fi hotspot?There a lot of options, but all center around one word: VPN. Most network servers (and individual PCs) can be set up to for Web access,

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1161080021731907542006-10-05T03:10:00.000-07:002007-10-16T18:08:47.928-07:00

My house has a detached garage with an in-law apartment over it. My Wi-Fi network doesn't reach the apartment. Is there any solution other than getting a second DSL line? I can't exactly string Ethernet cable over the driveway.Well, we actually know some people who HAVE strung Ethernet cable between the second floors of their houses to share a network, but we won't name names. There are better

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1161079835440996732006-10-04T03:04:00.000-07:002007-10-16T18:08:47.933-07:00

I frequently lose my Wi-Fi signal, usually right when I really need to get online. Then it comes back a few seconds, a minute or even an hour later. What gives?If you have a home Wi-Fi router, chances are you experience periodic signal dropouts with more or less regularity. There are several reasons for this annoying problem, some of which you can control, and some of which you can't, but here

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1161079487887551462006-10-03T03:01:00.000-07:002007-10-16T18:08:47.937-07:00

I have several folders enabled for sharing on my home Wi-Fi network. Is there some easy way to "unshare" these folders when using a public hotspot?Good question. Security at public hotspots is a big issue, since most have no encryption or other protection. If you are using a VPN when you connect at a hotspot, such as JiWire SpotLock, there is no need to worry. All data flowing to and from your

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1161069723304741152006-10-02T00:16:00.000-07:002007-10-16T18:08:47.943-07:00

I keep reading stories about Wi-Fi "phishing" attacks, such as at recent conventions in Las Vegas and London. What are these attacks and how can I protect myself?Top 10 Security Tips for Public HotspotsMake sure you're connected to a legitimate access point.Encrypt files before transferring or emailing them.Use a virtual private network (VPN).Use a personal firewall.Use anti-virus software.Update

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1161069396332664792006-10-01T00:12:00.000-07:002007-10-16T18:08:47.946-07:00

How can I secure my home Wi-Fi net, while also providing public access for guests?This is a surprisingly difficult question to answer, but a very common request. Here's the secret. You'll need to set up two routers, one with strong encryption (WPA or WPA2) for your private use, and one public network for guests. The tricky part is how to share one broadband Internet connection between the two

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1161069159262690012006-10-01T00:09:00.000-07:002007-10-16T18:08:47.957-07:00

Using encryption on my Wi-Fi router really slows things down. If I restrict Wi-Fi access by MAC address, so that only my portable can connect to it, can I then turn off encryption?No. While limiting access to your Wi-Fi net by MAC address is a good idea (every computing device has a unique MAC address, usually printed on a label on the bottom along with the serial number), there are two big

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1161068992592722682006-09-30T00:06:00.000-07:002007-10-16T18:08:47.963-07:00

Do I need to be concerned about Wi-Fi security in my home network? I have a firewall.Yes, absolutely! While you should always use both a personal software firewall, and a hardware-based router firewall on your home network, these don't substitute for Wi-Fi security measures. You also need Wi-Fi protection because data being sent over the airwaves is there for anyone nearby to capture, regardless

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1160996953869785892006-09-29T04:05:00.000-07:002007-09-10T01:30:55.682-07:00

I can't always stop at a hotspot when I need to get online. I've been thinking about getting a cell data card for my laptop. Which should I choose?If you just have to get connected NOW, then cell data is definitely the way to go. You can either get a dedicated card for your laptop, or use your data-capable Bluetooth phone as a modem for occasional connections. The main caveat is that cell data

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1160996639691886562006-09-28T03:55:00.000-07:002007-10-16T18:10:53.327-07:00

Most hotels with broadband access in the room supply Ethernet connections. I'd rather have Wi-Fi so I don't have to sit at the desk. Can I bring my own Wi-Fi router?Most definitely! While you can bring along pretty much any standard Wi-Fi router, specialized "travel routers" are also available. These are basically pocket-size versions of regular network routers that let you unwire almost any

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1160995974968868712006-09-27T03:47:00.000-07:002007-10-16T18:10:53.329-07:00

The Wi-Fi reception in my laptop simply isn't good enough to bring in many hotspot signals unless I move very close to the access point. What can I do?Many notebooks have rather wimpy Wi-Fi reception, although some newer models with wrap-around antennas pull in very strong signals. If yours is in the first category, the best advice is to add a long-range Wi-FI card. A card with a high-power or

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1160995643057560722006-09-26T03:40:00.000-07:002007-10-16T18:10:53.332-07:00

I'm new to Wi-Fi. I can use my laptop at home with no problems, but when I go to a free Wi-Fi location, I can't get onto the Internet. My PC tells me that I have a good connection, but when I try to access the Internet, I get "Page Not Found" and can't log into my work email. What am I doing wrong?It's not what you're doing wrong, but what you're NOT doing that is the problem. There is one key

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23041052.post-1160995128530789722006-09-25T03:17:00.000-07:002007-10-16T18:10:53.333-07:00

Can't get online to search for a hotspot?While JiWire's online hotspot locator is quite a powerful way to search for worldwide hotspots, there are several ways to take it with you, as well. The Portable Hotspot Locator comes in PC, Mac and AvantGo versions. You can also search for hotspots on your browser-enabled cell phone, at wap.jiwire.com.Whichever way you go, you can filter the Hotspot

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0