When I ordered my new Dell computer a couple of weeks ago, I asked them to include a wireless router so that I could connect the Internet service in my office to the laptop in my house (my office is in a separate building about 300 feet from my house).
Here's a picture of what a wireless router looks like. Mine happens to be a Linksys Broadband Wireless-G Router 2.4 GHz, model WRT54GS. PC Magazine named this router an Editor's Choice in 2005.
Dell charged me about $100 (Canadian funds), but I've since seen the same product at Costco for about $60 and on sale at Future Shop for even less.
If you are comparison shopping, pay attention to the letter that follows the word "Wireless". In my case the letter is "G", which is a more powerful (wider range) model than those with lower letters such as "B" or "D".
The purpose of a wireless router is to allow you to share a single Internet connection between multiple computers. I have the router plugged in to the high speed Internet cable box that sits under my desk. It sends a signal out through my office building, across the courtyard and into my house. Magic! That's my admittedly non-technical explanation of how it works.
The class was delightful. Margie Gillis is a truly a wonderful human being and a gifted teacher. However, in my enthusiasm I made the classic amateur's mistake: I overdid it. My dips went low, my reaches went high and my turns...well, one turn in particular caused my problem. I turned majestically, dramatically, ecstatically - except for one thing: I forgot to bring my left leg with me. It stayed clamped to the floor facing forward while the rest of my body went in the opposite direction. I ended up with a torn hamstring tendon (this was entirely my fault, nothing to do with the instruction).
As a result, I can't climb the stairs to my office and am confined to the living room sofa with my leg elevated. That's the bad news; the good news is that it gave me a perfect opportunity to try out my new wireless network.
And it works great! What it means in practical terms is that I can lie here on my living room sofa and access the Internet service in my office. Now if I could access the teapot as easily I'd be all set.
(Photo of Margie Gillis is from the images page on her website)
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I have 2 computers one is a desk top and the other is laptop ACER I just purchased.now thinking laptop i says to myself hey self you need a Router so can use in you lap, so i buy a Linksys 2.4 wire less Router I say this be cool walk around no cords to trip on..opp,s whooa big feller..looked at all the simple instructions Wow! got the program installed.dont work.. end of instructions..then I say hey self maybe you put program in wrong computer.. back to instructions.nothing there now I am in real fix...do install Router program in the desk top?... or in my laptop?.. or in both??? can a smart person help this dummy out? i went to dummy.com and thet wanted me to buy a book The Desktop is XP Home Edition.. Laptop Is vista.thenks anyone home..Mark
Posted by: markr@semo.net | August 6, 2007 1:08 AM | Permalink to Comment