Complete Idiot's Guide to Wireless Computing and Networking

by Heltzel, Paul

• ISBN13: 9780028642871
• ISBN10: 0028642872
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-12-01
• Publisher: DK Publishing, Inc.
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Wireless Computing and Networking can help both the wireless neophyte and gadget junky alike. From choosing and buying the right wireless device to learning the most rewarding and effective tasks each device can perform, this basic, 'how-to' book can be a reliable reference for anyone trying to avoid wireless pitfalls while utilizing the benefits of the technology.

Table of Contents

Part 1: The Web Without Wires	1	(60)
Before You Disconnect: What Is Wireless Computing?	3	(10)
What It Is: The Wide World of Wireless	4	(1)
Disconnecting: Why Go Wireless?	5	(1)
Stationary and Mobile Wireless Devices	6	(2)
What Kind of Wireless User Are You?	8	(1)
Leaving Cords Behind	9	(1)
Ways to Make Wireless Work for You	9	(1)
What to Do Now?	10	(3)
Avoiding Wireless Speed Bumps	13	(10)
Bandwidth Blues	14	(1)
Sometimes Wireless Is Faster	15	(1)
Getting Coverage Off the Beaten Path	16	(1)
Don't Overlook Cheaper Wired Options	17	(2)
Trading Convenience for Speed	19	(1)
Wireless Security	19	(1)
Satellite vs. Cable or DSL	20	(1)
Going Wireless When Wired Will Do	21	(1)
Incompatibility	21	(2)
Unplug and Stay Connected	23	(8)
Taking the Net on the Road: Mobile Options	24	(4)
If You Need E-Mail Only	24	(1)
If You Need E-Mail and Web Surfing	25	(2)
If You Need E-Mail, Web, and Voice	27	(1)
Adding Mobile Accessories	28	(1)
Creating a Wireless Local Area Network	29	(1)
Different Kinds of Wireless Networks	30	(1)
Soup to Nuts: Wireless Network Hardware	31	(1)
Check, Please: Wireless Network Expenses	32	(1)
Setting Up a Wireless Network	33
Research and Buying	31	(20)
Budget This: How Much Can You Spend?	38	(4)
If You Have a Cell Phone	38	(2)
If You Have a Laptop	40	(1)
If You Have a PDA	41	(1)
If You Have an Existing Network	41	(1)
I Don't Have That: Deciding What You Need	42	(1)
What to Look for in Phones	42	(1)
What to Look for in PDAs	43	(1)
What to Look for in a Two-Way Pager	43	(2)
What to Look for in Laptops	45	(1)
What to Look for in a Wireless Network	46	(1)
Where to Buy	47	(4)
Considering Online Auctions	47	(1)
Searching Online and Local Classifieds	48	(1)
Shopping at Electronics Stores	49	(2)
Serious Research: Finding More About Wireless Options	51	(10)
Determining Expenses	52	(1)
Avoiding Mistakes	53	(1)
Finding the Best Bang for Your Buck	53	(5)
Trade Publications	53	(2)
Vendor Sites	55	(1)
Surveying Independent Sources	56	(1)
Analysts	57	(1)
What to Do Now	58	(3)
Part 2: Wireless Net Access	61	(54)
Gearing Up for Wireless on the Move	63	(10)
Technology to Go	64	(2)
Staying Connected on the Road	66	(1)
Sending E-Mail on the Go	67	(2)
Savvy Shopper: Buying Before You Go	69	(1)
A Mobile Toolkit: Wireless Accessories	70	(1)
Where to From Here?	71	(2)
Staying Connected on the Go	73	(8)
Staying Connected on a Budget	74	(1)
WAP Your Head Around This: Browse on the Run	75	(1)
Dry Run: Testing Before You Go	76	(1)
Five Common Wireless Oversights	76	(2)
Wired or Wireless?	78	(1)
Five Tips for Staying Connected	79	(2)
Choosing a Handheld	81	(10)
High Five: Palm OS Devices	82	(3)
Handspring	83	(1)
A Palm in the Hand	84	(1)
Other Palm Handhelds	85	(1)
Take a PC: Windows Handhelds	86	(1)
Other Contenders	87	(1)
General Concerns	88	(3)
Can You Expand?	88	(1)
Color or Monochrome	89	(1)
Wireless Web	89	(2)
Ring Up the Web	91	(12)
Minibrowsing: Smart Phones	92	(1)
How to Choose a Web Phone	93	(3)
How to Choose a Web Phone: Phone Centric	94	(1)
How to Choose a Web Phone: Provider Centric	95	(1)
How to Choose a Smart Phone: Comparison-Shopping	95	(1)
Picking a Smart Phone ISP	96	(3)
Disconnect: Wireless Modems	99	(1)
Modems: Picking a Provider	100	(3)
Wireless E-Mail Devices	103	(12)
E-Mail on the Run	104	(1)
Take It to the RIM	104	(2)
Talk Amongst Yourselves	106	(2)
Phones on the Run	108	(1)
Choosing a Plan	109	(1)
Checking Out WAP	109	(2)
E-Mail Alone	111	(1)
What's Next?	112	(3)
Part 3: Wireless at Home and Work	115	(102)
Safe and Secure in the Wireless Blue Yonder	117	(10)
Safe Computing at Home	118	(2)
Using a Firewall	118	(1)
Learning About PDA Viruses	119	(1)
Virus Protection	119	(1)
Virus Fixes	120	(1)
Secure Computing	120	(7)
Ruggedized Computers	121	(1)
Water-Proofing	122	(1)
Theft	122	(5)
Wireless Broadband	127	(10)
Fast Phones: 3G Speed on the Go	128	(1)
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)	128	(1)
One-Way Satellite: Speed at Home	129	(1)
Two-Way Satellite	130	(3)
Stationary Broadband	133	(4)
Starting a Wireless Network	137	(10)
Starting a Home Network	138	(1)
Peer-to-Peer or Infrastructure?	138	(3)
Installing Your Card	141	(1)
Installing Software	142	(1)
Enabling Encryption	143	(2)
Adding an Access Point	145	(2)
Maintaining Wireless Networks	147	(10)
Adding Equipment	148	(3)
More on Hubs and Routers	151	(2)
About Security	153	(1)
Multimedia over Your Network	154	(3)
Home Network Walkthrough	157	(18)
What Do You Need to Install?	158	(1)
Installing TCP/IP for Windows 95/98/Me	159	(2)
Identifying Your Computer	161	(1)
Starting Printer and File Sharing	162	(2)
Sharing a Folder	164	(1)
Setting Up Windows 2000	165	(7)
Adding the Necessary Protocols	165	(2)
Naming Your Computer	167	(1)
Sharing a Folder	168	(1)
Giving Access to Your Computer	169	(1)
Adding a Printer	170	(2)
Troubleshooting Your Setup	172	(3)
Finding Your Way	175	(10)
Connecting to a GPS Receiver	176	(2)
Take the Internet with You	178	(2)
Use a Smart Phone	178	(1)
Mobile Surfing with a PDA	179	(1)
Wireless Travel	180	(1)
Movies and Entertainment	181	(1)
Wireless Shopping	182	(1)
One-Stop Surfing: Portals	183	(2)
Beaming with Pride	185	(12)
Wireless Transfer on the Go	186	(3)
Beaming Other Data	189	(1)
Making Friends: Pocket PCs and Palm Handhelds	190	(1)
Synching Up Your PDA or Phone	191	(3)
Synch Through a Web Site	194	(3)
Wireless Road Tricks	197	(10)
Sending a Fax	198	(1)
Services Offering Fax Capability	198	(1)
Backing Up Data	199	(2)
Protable Wireless Networking	201	(1)
Taking It with You (Offline Browsing)	202	(2)
Where to from Here?	204	(3)
Dealing with Incompatibility	207	(10)
Wireless Communication Breakdown	208	(1)
Browsing for Answers	209	(1)
Software That Excels in Conversions	210	(3)
Web Sites with Know-How	213	(4)
Part 4: Making the Connection	217	(48)
Taking Precautions	219	(8)
Protection with Surge Suppression	220	(1)
Move the Microwave	220	(1)
Find a Replacement Antenna	221	(1)
Two-Way Paging Tip	221	(1)
The Plane	222	(1)
Get a Bathroom or ATM Finder App	222	(1)
Insurance for PDA	223	(1)
Synch Phone for Rainy Day	223	(1)
Making Sure You Have Power	224	(1)
Keep Yourself Free of Spam	224	(3)
Optimizing Wireless Computing	227	(10)
Saving Batteries on Your PDA	228	(1)
Speeding Up Your Wireless Network	229	(1)
Turning Off Graphics When Browsing	229	(1)
Getting a Stowable Keyboard	230	(2)
Downloading a Web-Clipping App	232	(1)
Web Phone: Make Bookmarks	233	(1)
Using a Web Phone Accelerator	234	(1)
Adding a New Modem to Your Old Account	234	(3)
Future Tech	237	(28)
G Thing: Third Generation Wireless	238	(4)
Smarter Phones and PDAs	239	(2)
Near Future, Short Range: Bluetooth	241	(1)
Home Networking Speedups	242	(1)
Satellite Internet Advances	243	(2)
Appendixes
A Glossary: Speak Like a Geek	245	(6)
B Outlets Ahoy	251	(4)
C WAP Directory: Sites Worth Checking Out	255	(6)
D PDA Software to Go: Download Resources	261	(4)
Index	265