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