on 2/19/03 11:04 PM, Robert Easton at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thanks, this finally got to my level of ignorance. I guess I'd better pack plenty of food and water, 'cause it looks like a long trip from where I'm starting (but I've been on longer ones). Thanks again. >> What is WiFi? > > WiFi is the trade name for the wireless standard numbered 802.11b called > Airport by Apple Computer inc. Kind of like how "firewire" is the apple name > for "IEEE-1394". Go to the WiFi alliance web site at: http://www.weca.net > for everything you've ever wanted to know about wireless networking and I'm > sure a lot more > > Here's a brief synopsis from their site: > > ... 802.11b, or WiFi, is a standard for wireless LANs operating in the 2.4 > GHz spectrum with a bandwidth of 11 Mbps. 802.11a is a different standard > for wireless LANs operating in the 5 GHz frequency range with a maximum data > rate of 54 Mbps. Another draft standard, 802.11g [my comment: called Airport > extreme by Apple], is for WLANs operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency but with > a maximum data rate of 54 Mbps. Other task groups are working on enhanced > security (802.11i), spectrum and power control management (802.11h), quality > of service (802.11e), etc. > > Because ..g and ...b are in the same frequency range g is "backward > compatible" with b. You can find a (and maybe g now) wireless access points > at most Starbucks (called hotpoints I think) and many other places. > > Hope this helps > > Also check out http://www.warchalking.org/index.html for interesting stuff > on finding free access, while some consider this stealing, I know of WiFi > LANS that are left open on purpose (i.e. Almost every Apple store) >
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