| Wireless networking is 1 of the greatest new | | | | #3: Share Files And Printers |
| computer technologies in terms of convenience. If | | | | A wireless network gives you access to your files |
| you're weighing the pros and cons of wireless | | | | wherever you are, and makes it easy to |
| before taking the leap, here are 5 to put in the | | | | synchronize the data of a laptop and a desktop |
| "pro" column. | | | | computer. It's much easier to send files between |
| #1: No More Wires | | | | computers with a wireless network than by email, |
| Of all the reasons to switch your network to | | | | or CD. |
| wireless, this is perhaps the most important. Wires | | | | Plus, with the printer connected, you can also |
| are inconvenient, expensive, dangerous, and | | | | write things wherever you happen to be, press |
| downright ugly. | | | | print, and go collect them from a printer |
| No more wires across the floor improves the | | | | connected to another computer. Printers plugged |
| safety of your home, since it's easy to trip over | | | | into 1 of the network's computers are shared by |
| exposed wires. | | | | all the computers automatically. |
| The average Ethernet wire doesn't cost much per | | | | #4: Always ON |
| foot, but it adds up quickly. To run wires between | | | | Broadband revolutionized networking with internet |
| rooms or floors, you have to knock holes in the | | | | connections being continuously connected -- no |
| walls, which might not even be an option for | | | | need to dial in every time. Wireless networking |
| renters. | | | | lets network connections be always-on, so any of |
| Plus when you move you don't have the mess of | | | | your computers can connect to the internet |
| disconnecting all the wires only to re-connect | | | | whenever you want. Take laptops from room to |
| them at the other end. Nor do you have to | | | | room or out on the deck -- they'll have an |
| examine every wire for damage if your internet | | | | internet connection. Plus, there's no need for |
| connection goes down. | | | | excessive password entry. |
| #2: Internet Access For All | | | | #5: Freedom! |
| Wireless networking gives you a cheap, easy way | | | | With wireless networking, you can even take |
| to share 1 internet connection among multiple | | | | your computer wherever the signal reaches. |
| computers. You can add new computers to your | | | | Going wireless is much like the switching from the |
| network simply by plugging in a wireless card and | | | | old fashioned wall-mounted telephone to a cellular |
| switching them on -- they get an internet | | | | phone. The freedom is exhilarating. |
| connection immediately! | | | | |