| So you've got broadband. Great! After a while, though, | | | | wireless cards into each one of your computers, either |
| many people find that they've got so used to having | | | | by opening them up and putting it inside or by plugging it |
| broadband on one computer that they want to be able | | | | in using a cable (such as USB) or a port (like laptops' |
| to use it from any other ones they own, too - including | | | | PCMCIA). |
| their laptop, and computers that are nowhere near the | | | | When you fit these cards and turn your computer (and |
| broadband line. Traditionally, the solution to this has | | | | the router) on, Windows should pop up a box asking |
| been to run expensive network cables through your | | | | you which wireless network you want to connect to. |
| house, making holes in your walls and restricting the | | | | Your router should create a network automatically, |
| movement of your computers. Recently, however, | | | | generally naming it after its manufacturer ('netgear' or |
| another option has become available: wireless | | | | 'linksys', for example). All you need to do is choose this |
| broadband. | | | | network, and you're on the Internet. |
| Wireless broadband works by using short-range radio | | | | Wireless broadband access is usually no slower than |
| waves to create a small area where your computers | | | | plugging the modem in directly, unless you have very |
| can be networked without wires - most wireless | | | | cheap wireless equipment and a very fast Internet |
| networks are no bigger than a house, although larger | | | | connection. It also gives you the added advantage that |
| ones are possible. | | | | your computers will be networked together wirelessly, |
| This is how it works. First, the broadband Internet | | | | too - so you can easily make your folders shared and |
| connection is plugged into a wireless router - basically, | | | | access them from any computer in your house using |
| a small, cheap computer that does nothing except | | | | 'My Network Places'. |
| acting as the hub of your network. You then fit | | | | |