Absolute Beginner's Guide to Wi-Fi Wireless Networking

From the Author If you are new to Wi-Fi wireless networking I’d like to be your guide to this wonderful technology. Perhaps you are completely new to Wi-Fi and want to quickly get up to speed so you can surf at local hotspots, or while on the road. This book will give you the practical information you need to buy the right equipment, get your equipment working perfectly, find Wi-Fi hotspots, and get the best deal with Wi-Fi providers. Perhaps you already use Wi-Fi in your local coffee shop, at the airport, in hotel lobbies, and want to set up a small office or home network. You already know how great Wi-Fi is, so you want to enjoy the benefits where you live and work. It is truly transformational to one’s lifestyle to decouple computing from the wires! If you are looking to set up a Wi-Fi network, you’ve come to the right place. I’ll show you the best way to buy the equipment you need at the best prices, and how to easily set it up. I won’t gloss over potential pitfalls, and I will save you time and money. I’ll also show you some of the considerations you might want to think about if you are building a more complex network involving Wi-Fi. In this book you’ll find inspiration as well as practical information. I believe that Wi-Fi is a modest technology that has the power to have a huge and positive impact. Some of the items I’ve included in this book speak to that transformational power. For example, you’ll learn how villages in south east Asia use Wi-Fi on-the-fly to connect to the world, and how Wi-Fi was used to bring wireless networking to Pitcairn Island, a romantic flyspeck in the South Pacific Ocean (remember "Mutiny on the Bounty?). You’ll also learn about war chalking, and find out how to locate free Wi-Fi hotspots. This is wonderful material, and it’s lots of fun! So what are you waiting for? It’s time to Wi-Fi! About the Author Harold Davis is a strategic technology consultant, hands-on programmer, and the author of many well-known books. He has been a popular speaker at trade shows and conventions, giving presentations on topics ranging from wireless networking through digital photography and programming methodologies. As a technology consultant, he has served many Fortune 500 companies.