Wow! What a Wireless World We Live In!

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3205724a11275,00.html' target='_blank'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106...4a11275,00.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"For Jayson Atkins, the wireless revolution began with a simple cordless keyboard for the computer that sat on the counter of his Essendon pharmacy. Atkins doesn't consider himself a technology buff, but it didn't take much convincing for him to install a wireless, or Wi-Fi, computer network in the store so staff could count stock on the shelves using an iPaq hand-held computer. From there, the lure of a wireless wonderland was too strong to ignore. Next it was a wireless phone kit for his car, and then a wireless keyboard at home. At the pharmacy, Atkins now often runs the business from his wireless notebook computer and is looking to extend his Wi-Fi network so he can work in the coffee shop several doors away."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050305-Wireless.jpg" /><br /><br />There's no denying that in the past few years, wireless technologies have really played a major part in our lives. Some, if not most of us, use it on a day-to-day basis, and at times, it's easy to forget what life would be like without it. Melbournian, Jayson Atkins, discovered the benefits of wireless (and handheld computing) in his pharmacy. Give the article a read and you'll be amazed at how much wireless is being adopted, not just in Australia, but worldwide too. You'll also get the chance to read about some fantastic networks, such as the largest Bluetooth network in the southern hemisphere (located in Sydney). So once you're done reading, let us know what you think about current wireless technologies. When and where are they useful? When and where are they useless? Are we adopting wireless too quickly, or is everything going just right? Finally, what do you think can be done for security, and what do you think the future has in store for the world of wireless? And while I'm on the topic of "wireless", I'm willing to bet that half of you are reading this now because wireless technologies enable you to do so, whether it be via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, on your laptop or on your Pocket PC. ;-)

[OSUKid7]

Yep, I'm on a PC connected via 802.11g. I never really think about it, since it really is the wireless Ethernet standard, and works great 99% of the time. :D

edit: wo, Darius, another new avatar? nice nice. :)

[ctmagnus]

I [heart] Bluetooth.

I [heart] Wifi.

[bjornkeizers]

Only half? :D

I'm on a WiFi enabled laptop at home; I also have a WiFi enabled PPC, and I use my WiFi gear at school as well. In fact, I haven't used wired networking for about a year!

Wireless is here and it's here to stay. We're moving at a nice pace, but like any good geek, I say more and faster is always better. I will not be satisfied until every corner of the world has free WiFi.

[surur]

There is such a thing as too much wireless however. e.g.

At home I have a wireless G network. I also have an x-box, which my daughter uses with a wireless controller. I also have a wireless TV sender to send satellite TV to my bedroom. I also have 3 cordless phones. They all work in the 2.4 Ghz spectrum. I'm getting awful interference on the TV from the x-box controller, and probably to a lesser degree from the wireless network.

Also I have a logitech mx700 wireless mouse, and had a logitech wireless keyboard. When I placed the keyboard next to the mouse receiver the mouse stops working, I assume due to interference. Ive now bought a wired keyboard, just for the sake of reliability.

Now I am a wireless fan, and the keyboard is the only thing with data wires I have bought in a long time. Still, it did make me think.

Surur

[posiedon7]

Recently dined at resturant in Coral Gables, Fl where the waiter sent my order to the kitchen via IPAQ 5555. I was impressed to say the least. And my food was out exactly when he said it would be.

:mrgreen:

[Anjuan Simmons]

The point is well taken regarding the wirelessness (sp?) of our world. I'm composing this on a 802.11g wireless network, I only keep a corded phone in case of a power blackout (and i would probaby try my cell phone first), all of my remote controls are wireless (although I'm sure I would burn 30% more calories per day if I got up to manipulate the TV/VCR/radio/garage door/etc.), and so on and so on.

However, I don't get the hype around Wi-Fi. Sure, I use it at home, but it's not the "give bandwidth to the masses" solution that some people think it is. Yes, it's much cheaper to blanket a city with a wireless cloud than running wire, but the infrastructure costs are considerable. And why would you want to invest in such an infrastructure when cellular carriers have already done the heavy lifiting by setting up their towers? I truly believe that the cell phone will become the wireless device of choice instead of a tool with an 802.11x radio. First, cell phones are already widespread in terms of use. So, the device has already been deployed. Second, screen resolution is improving and already to the point where watching TV on a cell phone screen is comfortable (squinting notwithstanding). Third, the development of high speed data transmission technologies like EDGE and EV-DO will mean you will soon be able to obtain throughput on your cellphone as good enough if not better than on a tethered solution.

Why should I have to go to a Starbucks or McDonald's to get online? I would much rather be able to get online wherever I get celluar connectivity. Furthermore, if I need a bigger screen, I can always establish a bluetooth connections between my cell phone and use it as a wireless modem for my laptop. So, despite reports to the contrary, i see Wi-Fi going away in the next two to three years and cellular technology (CDMA, GSM, etc.) and bluetooth being the last wireles solutions standing.

-aesop

[OSUKid7]

Recently dined at resturant in Coral Gables, Fl where the waiter sent my order to the kitchen via IPAQ 5555. I was impressed to say the least. And my food was out exactly when he said it would be.
Wow, cool. My sister goes to the University of Miami. What resturant was that? Maybe I'll make it down there again and can convince my folks to go there. ;)

[Darius Wey]

Wow, cool. My sister goes to the University of Miami. What resturant was that? Maybe I'll make it down there again and can convince my folks to go there. ;)

I've seen quite a few restaurants here that are using wireless handhelds as part of their ordering system. You tell them what you want, they do a bit of tappity-tap-tap, the orders get sent wirelessly to the kitchen, and out comes your meal. It's great stuff. I've seen this technology being implemented more in the Japanese restaurants than anywhere else though. :)

Anyway, back on the topic of wireless, I've got a nice little setup going at home. 802.11g (backward-compatible) runs through the house, so any PC or Pocket PC (with the right encryption key) can hop on and get good ol' 1.5Mbps ADSL. Bluetooth also runs throughout which makes synchronising nice and easy. To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of wireless keyboards and mice. The cabled versions will do me just fine - (1) not having to worry about batteries, and (2) the cables are well concealed at the back so it's not a huge bother.

I've really adopted wireless technologies over the past few years, and I can't imagine going back to a wired world. And with demand for access points, adapters, and devices with integrated Wi-Fi skyrocketing, as well as the rollout of mass wireless broadband networks, it's easy to see that a lot of people (advanced users or freshers) are starting to realise the benefits of wireless and are thus adopting it (for better or worse). However, I think the biggest issue that needs to be planted into people's minds is "security". Not enough people are aware of the need to secure their wireless networks for privacy reasons - hopefully, more and more education programs will be conducted to advise people of such issues.

edit: wo, Darius, another new avatar? nice nice.

:D

[pr0vider]

I'm with Aesop on this; I live in a smaller community and don't want to trek down to Starbucks solely for a wifi fix and I would rather watch TV on the TV itself. To many of us in the hinterlands, wifi is still just a gimmick.

[bjornkeizers]

Well, I'd love to be able to connect through my phone - but the thing is: it costs too damn much. In fact, since I pay bugger-all for all my WiFi surfing, any cost would be too much. Why would I want to pay a per-minute fee or a huge monthly fee just to surf in odd, uncomfortable places?

[Anjuan Simmons]

Well, I'd love to be able to connect through my phone - but the thing is: it costs too damn much. In fact, since I pay bugger-all for all my WiFi surfing, any cost would be too much. Why would I want to pay a per-minute fee or a huge monthly fee just to surf in odd, uncomfortable places?

Hmmm, I pay a flat fee of $5 per month for all I can eat Internet access on my cell phone. It's not high speed yet (still waiting for EV-DO) to hit my area, but I don't think that's a huge monthly fee. Also, this is wherever I can get a cell signal not "odd, uncomfortable places".

[bjornkeizers]

Hmmm, I pay a flat fee of $5 per month for all I can eat Internet access on my cell phone. It's not high speed yet (still waiting for EV-DO) to hit my area, but I don't think that's a huge monthly fee. Also, this is wherever I can get a cell signal not "odd, uncomfortable places".

I'm not in the US though. It's a bit more expensive over here. Besides, if I want to have iternet access on my phone, I have to spend a fortune in prepaid cards or get a plan - which will cost me *at least* twenty euros each month.

Even if I'm willing to pay that much, it'd still be low speed! And all this just so I could connect anywhere?.... Not worth it. I have WiFi at home, school, my train station, and about a hundred places around town that I can access for free.

[ikatkov]

I just wondering - was an image along the article just ill picked, or they indeed serve cosmetics in pharmacea shop?

[Darius Wey]

I just wondering - was an image along the article just ill picked, or they indeed serve cosmetics in pharmacea shop?

There are many pharmacies in Australia that sell other products (cosmetics included) alongside the standard pharmaceutical product line.

[OSUKid7]

There are many pharmacies in Australia that sell other products (cosmetics included) alongside the standard pharmaceutical product line.
That's true for the US as well.

[posiedon7]

Wow, cool. My sister goes to the University of Miami. What resturant was that? Maybe I'll make it down there again and can convince my folks to go there. ;)[/quote]

Puchetta 160 Giralda Avenue · Miami 305-444-4553 ·

Excellent food!!!

Enjoy!!! 8)

[OSUKid7]

Puchetta 160 Giralda Avenue · Miami 305-444-4553 ·

Excellent food!!!

Enjoy!!! 8)
Ah cool. Thanks. :)