| Having a wireless network opens up many | | | | connect game consoles to the Internet and |
| possibilities. | | | | begin playing these games online. It is much |
| | | | easier to experience online play through an |
| Wireless networks provide an inexpensive and | | | | Xbox or PlayStation 2 that is connected to a |
| easy way to share a single Internet | | | | wireless network than have to use a modem! |
| connection among several computers. This | | | | |
| means you only need one modem, and you can | | | | Wireless network connections are always on. |
| add additional computers to the network just | | | | This means you can connect to the Internet |
| by plugging in a wireless card and turning | | | | whenever you want without waiting for your |
| them on. The new machines are connected to | | | | modem to dial in. Laptops can be carried from |
| the Internet immediately. | | | | room to room, and they will always have |
| | | | access to the Internet. Since wireless |
| A wireless network also lets you access files | | | | networks operate without the need to log in, |
| and printers from anywhere in your home. It | | | | you don't need to set up usernames or |
| allows you to synchronize files you have on | | | | passwords. |
| your laptop with your home computer, and you | | | | |
| can easily send files between computers as | | | | The single greatest thing about a wireless |
| well. Using a wireless network to transfer | | | | network is that it is, well, wireless! The |
| files is faster than sending them via e-mail | | | | biggest reason to have a wireless network is |
| or burning them to a CD! Because printers | | | | because it eliminates the need for costly, |
| connected to one of the computers on a | | | | ugly, and dangerous wires trailing all over |
| network are shared by all the computers on | | | | your house. You can use your computer in any |
| that network, you can write documents | | | | room you want - no more being trapped near a |
| anywhere in your home, press the 'print' | | | | phone outlet or walking over that tangle of |
| button, and collect the printed files from a | | | | wires in your home. The cost of getting |
| printer that is connected to another | | | | enough Ethernet cables can add up, and |
| computer. | | | | sometimes, you may even have to make holes in |
| | | | your walls to set up a wired network. If |
| If you are a game player, you've probably | | | | you're renting, of course, this is |
| noticed that your games often have an option | | | | impossible. With a wireless network, you |
| to play over a local area network or LAN. | | | | don't have these problems - you can even use |
| Wireless networks are LANs! This means you | | | | your computer outside if you want! And if you |
| and your family can play these games together | | | | move, there is no need to disconnect and pack |
| and don't have to be on computers that are | | | | up all those wires, and you no longer have to |
| next to each other to do so. Let's face it - | | | | examine all the wires for damage whenever |
| it's more fun to play against real people, | | | | your Internet connection goes down. |
| and it's even more fun to play against people | | | | |
| you know instead of strangers on the | | | | You can see how having a wireless network can |
| Internet. Your games will also play much | | | | simplify your life. |
| faster over your LAN. Additionally, you can | | | | |