A Word About Wifi or Wifi Technology

WiFi is the other name for wireless internet or wireless network, this name is mostly used by none technical users who just knows how to access internet wirelessly, they know pretty much nothing beyond that. WiFi is basically short form for wireless fidelity. However many advance users are not well aware of this terminology either, it is ,more known with a name of Wifi. WiFi term is written in many ways which are, Wifi, WiFi, WIFI, Wi-Fi fiwi etc.

Wi-Fi was introduced by Wi-Fi alliance in 1985 it was the time when it was not used as commercially but were just set to certain organizations for testing purposes. Wi-Fi Alliance is pioneer in developing WiFi technology and all the hardware associated with Wifi is mostly certified by Wifi Alliance compliance. Wifi later developed properly and than eventually lunched for public use in USA in 90's, gradually wifi become standards for most of the computer communications in countless organizations around the world

Wifi uses all the networks referring to any type of 802.11 network standards which is set by IEEE. IEEE is short form of Institute of electric and electronic engineering. There are lots of enhancements made in standards of 802.11 and 802.11a, 802.11b and other dual networks. The latest standard of 802.11 family is 802.11y. Other known standards are 802.16, these are the standards for upcoming technology known to be WiMax. There is one more known set of standards for Ethernet it is known to be IEEE 802.3.

Growth of Wifi networks is still on going world wide this huge growth raises security issues. Wifi is the most widely used network world wide and many organizations transfer their sensitive data using Wireless networks. Increased use of Wireless network increases potentially risks of the security of the users or organization. Wireless network carries data of every type, that can be normal data in bits of information or it can encrypted or even highly sensitive. WiFi security mechanism insures the certain level of data integrity and confidentiality just as wired network provides. However if proper security measures are not adopted properly intruders can attack the network and can cause major damage to not only network but privacy of users also.

There was a time when cables were used to network many computers together. Hardware like routers, hubs, switches etc were required for communication between computers, but Wifi brought high tech change in communication of computers by providing wireless connectivity features. It just keeps things very simple without much hassle and networks can be made far more easily. No wires are required. Wireless network keeps environment very neat and clean. There are many other features of Wireless LANs for example high speed connectivity. Wifi provides high speed connectivity and faster communication where cables are not feasible to install for example in remote areas. The list of the Wifi features is long some other major features included Site survey, enterprise grade equipment, Scalable systems, VPN Compatibility, flexible authentication methods, Guest satisfaction, End user mobility and easy access through Hotspots.

WiFi supports two different types of modes; they are known to be infrastructure and the other one is ad hoc. In Ad hoc Wireless connections can be made without central device called router or access point. Most network administrators prefer ad hoc over infrastructure mode. Ad hoc how ever have issues also. Wifi devices connected using Ad hoc mode offers less security against unauthorized users. Ad hoc mode configured devices cannot disable SSID broadcast in contrast to infrastructure mode, this brings hackers into play, and using ad hoc mode it is not very difficult to prevail into the wireless network. There are two major differences between these two modes that is the rate at which they transfer data. Wife network standard 802.11g requires Ad hoc mode of communication to support 11Mbps bandwidth in contrast to it 54Mbps data transfer is supported using infrastructure mode. Hence Ad hoc mode is considered much slower than Infrastructure mode.

Wireless based networks are increasing every where; every organization is installing it if it was not using it before. Some cities have actually provided the entire city a wifi and turn the city into hotspot, big example in front of us is Chicago. Chicago have installed huge transmitter in shape of big size dish of Wifi which broadcast Wireless LAN radio signals through out the city. It provides high speed internet connectivity very cheaply. Laptops, desktop computers, PDAs and other Wireless LAN card installed devices can access the network and get high speed connectivity on move. WiFi users increasing day by day therefore its hardware manufacturers are manufacturing the products on huge scale. These products are easily available in market with reasonable cost. Laptops, PDAs, mother boards of latest desktop computer are mostly come with build in wireless LAN cards. If it is not installed already in your laptop one can buy PCMCI slot wifi card to install for accessing wireless network. Wifi PCI cards are also widely available in market. Now USB wifi are also available for short range but still works good.

Intelligent routers are available in market which works to connect different devices to wireless network. These routers can be configured with or without PC. All is required to plug internet cable in Ethernet or USB port to router's appropriate port. When internet is available to routers it can be configured using its control panel using IP 192.168.1.1. That's where we can enable SSID broadcasting or disable it and perform other functions. PCs can also be attached to routers for more advance management which routers can not performs. PCs are mostly required to be used where network is huge and keeping and maintaining its integrity and stability is very important.

In this modern era every one wants every thing wireless, Wifi belongs to wireless technology family. There are so many other wireless technologies which have evolved around the time and Wifi is now taken for granted and world is now talking about much advanced and enhanced wireless network known to be WiMax. WiMax beats Wifi technology on many bases which includes Speed at which data rate is transferred, range with which connection is made and so much more. Now we have to see in how much time WiMax will take over WiFi, and which technology will eventually take over WiMax. One thing is for sure latest technologies in wireless technology will keep coming and will keep getting over looked by new ones.

By M. Aslam

http://www.wifinotes.com provides free information about Wifi and in-depth knowledge of Wi-Fi Technology.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M._Aslam

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How To Choose The Best PDA

Looking for a good Pocket PC PDA phone but stumbled upon to choose which one over the vast models out there in the market or want to know how to choose the best PDA or Pocket PC Phone? Read on then..

PDA is an old term which was widely used for devices that had a touch screen and basic features of holding Contacts, Appointments, Notes and other simple data. Now Windows Mobile Devices have replaced them or at least most of them.

The history of Windows Mobile begins with Windows Mobile 2002 editions and then came 2003 editions with built-in phone capabilities. On the onset of Windows Mobile 5, Microsoft had introduced whole lot of power and features to the devices. And the competing market bought out varitey of devices with ultimate features to keep you connected always. Recently Windows Mobile 6 has been introduced with a little bit of extra eye candy and improved security and other features too.

Hope you've got an overview of the Windows Mobile devices. Now if you plan to go for a Windows Mobile Pocket PC, make sure you opt for Windows Mobile 6 device. Most Windows Mobile 5 devices have official or un-official upgrades to Windows Mobile 6 edition. So in case if you're buying an old Pocket PC, make sure an upgrade is available over the internet. In case if you require assistance, our Exper's Help section is always open for your request.

Which version to go for?

Windows Mobile 6 devices are of three varieties. A Classic version without phone capabilities. Never opt for this. There is a Standard version without a touch screen but with a phone capability, commonly refered to as a smartphone. Smartphones are close to Pocket PC devices and the lack of touch screen will limit your flexibility and possibilities. Go for this only if you cant be without a number keypad just in case if you give priority for calls and need Email and othe Office outlook support. There is a Profesional version which has a touch screen and commmonly refered as a Pocket PC. This is the most powered device. Even some Pocket PC devices come with a qwerty keyboard or normal number keypad. If you need complete flexibilty of having the power close to a Desktop PC in hand, then Windows Mobile 6 Professional device will be your right choice! They are not expensive as well!

Decided the version. Then?

Classic and Standard version are basically for beginners and they don't have much varities over there or at least, they don't vary much as a Pocket PC. So we are going to focus on choosing a best Pocket PC over here!

Microsoft says there are over 60 different manufacturers or companies making and selling Windows Mobile devices. The top ones who fly in the market are HTC, O2, iMate, Eten, Asus, HP and some more.. Dell was here quite a while ago but they have dropped their plans for manufacturing future devices. HTC - High Tech Computer Corporation is steady in the market by releasing new models every year more than once! Their devices are re-branded and sold in various hybrid names by other companies and carriers/mobile operators as well. So it is really a tough time to choose the best Pocket PC for you.

To narow the choice, you need to first focus on your need! A business user or a fancy life style user or a rugged user. Rugged Pocket PC devices are too heavy and ruggedised really. These rugged Pocket PCs are mainly for those who go on trekking and high-terrains and also in some industries. These Pocket PCs will not be your choice as the Industrial management will decide their choice. So leave them out and come to the normal ones. Some devices have a very pleasing look while others are more suited for the business class.

QWERTY or not?

QWERTY keybpard is a slide-out keyboard with all buttons of a basic keyboard aligned tightly! When you slide-out the keyboard, the device can be tilted to horizontal or landscape orientation. This is very useful if you type a lot for the sms or text documents mainly. Various third-party virtual keyboards are available in the market and so you can really manage or get used to it rather than having a qwerty keyboarded Pocket PC. So if you need it, the choice of device is further narrowed down.

Size and Dimensions

Different Pocket PCs are made with different dimension aspects. Some with curvy edges and others with smooth and sharp edges too. So as per your taste, narrow down the choices further.

Screen Size

Just two! VGA and qVGA. VGA Pocket PC will have a resolution of 640x480 and so provide much screen clearity than the qVGA or quater VGA Pocket PC which has only 240x320 resolution. But the VGA Pocket PC is usually a slight bigger and heavy than the qVGA. Very few Pocket PC, like the ones made by Eten offer a VGA resolution on a smaller screen size! So choosing for a VGA or qVGA should narrow your choices further down!

Camera a must?

Since Nokia or some other company introduced the Camera in a Mobile device for marketing, there is a good race between them ending up in having a digital camera with phone rather than phone with camera! Yes, the normal phones are now coming up with real high Mega Pixels of Camera. But the race has not started yet in Windows Mobile Pocket PC devices. They come with a standard 1.9 or 2 Megapixel with a little more than poor picture quality. So if you need a very good camera, carry a digital camera in your Pocket along with a Pocket PC or go for a normal phone itself!

Processors, RAM matter?

Very few variations are here, Intel PXA, Texas Instruments OMAP, and few. Intel PXA with 416 Mhz works the same speed of 200 Mhz OMAP. Really there wont be much noticable difference here. Instead, if there is a device with much higher RAM memory, go for it. At least they help you running many applications than others!

Connectivity issues!

Well.. WiFi, Bluetooh 2.0, Tri/Quad Band GSM has become a basic feature of a Pocket PC. Anyway it is better to verify if the final narrowed down choices of Pocket PC has them. Additionally 3G, HSDPA, UMTS are recent advancements allowing better speeds in browsing and downloads but for a quite high price. So wisely make your option if you need them really!

So by now we guess have covered almost the important criteria by which the right Pocket PC for you can be chosen. Any thoughts or suggestion on this guide is welcomed.

This article is written by NiCK Carty from http://www.PocketPC-Live.com For PocketPC softwares, news and reviews, please visit http://www.PocketPC-Live.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Carty

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The Choice of Buying a Laptop

The choice of buying a laptop is a complicated process and many a times it is very confusing to make a correct decision. In order to make it simple and easy it is important to know the reason behind buying a laptop. As the reason for buying differs, the choice for a particular laptop will vary. If you know why are you buying, it is easy to make a selection as choice depends on purpose. A laptop intended for an office use has absolutely different purpose of use from the one intended for gaming. Here are some of the reasons that you may be buying a laptop and which may determine your choice.

Office Use.

Laptops are increasingly used for office purpose. Processor speeds, RAM, graphic quality, keyboard comfort etc are some of the very basic but most important requirements for using a laptop in office.

Gaming:

These are laptops, which are mainly or only used for gaming or more precisely entertainment purposes. If playing game, watching movies or music etc is the main purpose behind buying, then a gaming laptop is the best option.

Mobile Use:

If a laptop is intended to be used while mostly on the move, then dimensions, weight, comfort and battery life are to be given special attention. Normally smaller in size, the better it is. Don't forget that the saying "small is beautiful".

General:

The choice of general-purpose laptops is mainly determined by price. However, other features cannot be ignored. As a general-purpose laptop may be used for a variety of uses, it is important to make sure that a variety of features are available.

It is a very good idea to always define your purpose of buying before jumping to research the laptop market. It will not only save buyers time and money, but also make the right decision for the right product.

By Q Khan

To see the world's largest laptop store please visit http://www.mylaptops.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Q_Khan

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