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What is wi-fi?
The sight of people sitting around in a café using their laptops to surf the internet is becoming increasingly common. Without wires hooked up, how are they doing this? The answer is through Wi-Fi
What is Wi-Fi? The technology (pronounced ‘why-fye’) is also known as Wireless Fidelity. It is a wireless technology used with a number of applications, including Internet, gaming and home electronics such as TVs and DVD players. Libraries, coffee shops, airports and hotels increasingly boast Wi-Fi networks for customers to connect to the Internet. Home use is meanwhile growing.
How does it work? In essence Wi-Fi works in the same way as radio, television or mobile phones – by using radio waves. If you are sitting in a café next to that guy with the latté surfing the Net with his laptop, you are in the middle of a little radio wave field.
A field of radio waves? OK, this gets a little technical…Information gets from computer to Internet via the computer’s wireless adapter. The device turns the information into a radio signal and transmits it via an antenna. A router receives the signal and decodes it. It sends it to the Internet using a physical (i.e. via a wire) Ethernet connection. Data gets from Internet to computer in the opposite way.
What are the advantages? Still with me? Good. The obvious answer to this question is that it liberates Internet users to connect in all kinds of places. Once the wireless adapter and the relevant drivers are installed, you will be able to surf wherever you find a hotspot.
Hotspot? Your Wi-Fi enabled computer should be able to automatically discover existing networks. An older computer may need a special programme to detect them.
Can more than one person use the Wi-Fi network at any one time? Absolutely. A number of devices with wireless routers can connect to the Internet simultaneously. Too many people logged on at once however could cause slowed or dropped connections.
Do try this at home? Home Wi-Fi networks are growing in number. It is actually not so difficult for anyone with a little technical knowledge to set up. An online guide is available from PC Magazine at www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1276145,00.asp
What’s the point? Just as in a café, you can create a little radio wave field at home. It means you should be able to surf the Net anywhere on your property – and moreover you will be able to connect multiple devices at the same time.
Hold on, doesn’t that mean my neighbours could use my network? It certainly does. Known as piggybacking, the practice of bringing your PC into the wireless range of another’s without their knowledge is a controversial one. In the UK, the first conviction of this kind took place in 2005. Securing your network is therefore advisable.
Is it safe? The UK’s Health Protection Agency has stated there is no consistent evidence of harm from Wi-Fi equipment. However it is worth noting that Germany’s Environment Ministry this year advised its citizens to use conventional wired technology.
This article was created: 6 November 2007.
This article was last edited: 12 November 2007.
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