Wireless Network: WLAN vs. LAN

A LAN is also known as a local area network. A WLAN is a wireless local area network. If your home or office currently uses a LAN, it can easily be converted over to a wireless network, or a wireless network can be added onto the LAN to increase portability, functionality and productivity.

Running Windows XP on a Wireless Network

If you are running Windows XP and having issues with your wireless network connection, check to see what service pack you are running. Most problems can be fixed by upgrading to service pack 2. Service pack 2 addressed an issue with it’s Wireless Zero Configuration, which affects your wireless network connection ability.

Peer to Peer Wireless Network

A peer to peer network is a network where computers talk directly to one another for the purpose of sharing files and resources. This form of network is also known as an ad hoc network. This can be set up on a wireless network without the use of an access point or router. All the computers and devices will need to have a wireless internet card and be configured to run on an ad hoc basis. You will not be able to share an internet connection on a peer to peer network.

Wireless Network Equipment

Setting up a wireless network is simple, and the equipment you will need depend on the kind of wireless network you decide to set up. For a peer to peer network, you will simply need wireless network cards for all the computers. If you are also sharing a network connection, you will need a wireless router and maybe a wireless hub, depending on the amount of devices on the network. You will also need an access point, which can be a dedicated piece of hardware, or a computer with specific software.

Benefits to a Wireless Network

There are several benefits to a wireless network, the main focus being portability. It is common for notebook computer users to use a wireless network card, which will allow them to access the internet, other computers on the network, devices, etc from anywhere within the range of the wireless network. Wireless network management can be simpler then a wired network, because adding new systems does not require wiring of an office or home, plus there are no unsightly cables to troubleshoot.

Trouble Shooting Wireless Network Problems

If your wireless network is acting sluggish or not working properly, check to make sure that all batteries are charged and working properly in your wireless devices. This includes laptop computers as well. Next, check to make sure you are within range of the access points and/or wireless router and that it is not covered with unnecessary objects. Check to make sure that all configurations are set properly and that there are no objects, such as cordless phones or microwaves in the area that can interfere with the signal.

Wireless Antenna

A wireless antenna is used to boost the increase the range of a wireless network. However, be sure to check the hardware of the wireless router or access point that you have, because not all are compatible with a wireless antenna. An alternative to boost the range is to add additional access points to the network.

Wireless Network without a Laptop

Even if you do currently own a laptop, there are benefits to considering a wireless network in your home or office. It is easy to expand and add additional computers and devices without having to special wire cables. There are no unsightly cables to look at or trip over. If you ever do purchase a laptop, it will be easy to add into the network. There are no holes to drill, no cables to string, and a wireless network can potentially be less expensive to start up and maintain then a wired one.

Switching to Wireless Network

There are several benefits to running a wireless network. You do not have the costs of running and maintaining cables and you do not need to worry about cables when designing the layout of an office area. Wireless network equipment is comparable in cost to wired equipment. Changing from a wired to a wireless network will give your employees greater freedom and can increase productivity. Clients can stop by the office and access the network, making transfer of files and data easier. Finally, wireless network management can be less complex and costly then that of a wired network.

Trouble with Access Point on Wireless Network

If you are sure that you have configured the wireless access point/wireless router exactly as stated per manufactures instructions, there is a chance the hardware is defective. While this does not happen often, make sure you save all receipts and contact customer service and tech support of the manufacture to attempt to fix the problem.

Wireless Network: Access Point Definition

An access point is a station that broadcasts wireless internet to other computers in the wireless network. An access point can be a router, computer, or special access point equipment. It can also be called a base station or hot spot.

Wireless Network: Hot Spot

A hot spot is essentially the same as an access point, but is usually found in restaurants, stores, etc, where people with Wi-Fi laptops can access the internet. Sometimes this service is free, but sometimes it is a paid service.

Wireless Network Kits

There are several wireless network kits available for setting up computers on a wireless network. These kits include a wireless router and network card.

Office Wireless Network

A wireless network is ideal is an office environment. There is no need to worry about running cables, drilling holes, or having large closets or rooms full of cables for the office. It is cheaper to run a wireless network due to lower start up costs. If employees have laptops, it increases productivity as they can work in several locations and clients can easily hook up to the network. An office will also look more professional due to the lack of cables and wires running across the office floor.

Wireless Network and Your Health

There have been no scientific studies to indicate that wireless signals can affect your health in a negative manner. A wireless network uses radio waves to transmit information and transmit less then an average cell phone.

Setting up a wireless printer

Adding a printer to a wireless network is the same as adding any other device. You will need to have a wireless printer adapter which is compatible with your printer. Generally speaking, you will need a USB printer. If your printer comes with a built in wireless Ethernet adapter, then you will not need to use a wireless printer adapter You will need to use a wireless print server to connect to the rest of the network..

Wireless Inkjet Printer

Almost any printer can become a wireless printer. If your printer has a USB connector, there are several wireless printer adapters that you can purchase that simply plug into the printer and you are instantly on the wireless network!

Wireless Printer Benefits

Having a wireless network printer has several benefits. There is the obvious benefit of not needing wires to connect to the printer. While it is possible to share a printer via a network connection, having a wireless printer connection adds flexibility to the network. In a traditional computer sharing the printer, the host computer for the printer would need to be turned on in order to use the printer. You do not have this restriction with a wireless network printer.

Wireless Printer Adapter

A wireless printer adapter is a device which allows your printer to be linked on a wireless network. The printer involved will need to be a USB printer. The most common technology used with wireless printer adapters is Bluetooth. There are a variety of adapters available, depending on the needed range and number of computers needed to network with the printer.

Create an RSS Reader Application

In this article we will create an application that uses the concepts RSS reader. So let’s go straight to the coding.

The Application

The layout of the application is going to be very simple: A navigation bar on
the left and a display area in the center. The display area is were we are going
to display all the output of the code. I’ve not used any CSS in this
application. I’ve instead opted to use HTML formatting to keep things simple.

As for the actual functioning of the application, we are going to use only
one page to execute all the code. This is because it reduces the amount of
processing power required to run the application. As a result, it makes program
execution faster and reduces coding time.

We are also going to create a few functions that will help us to run the
script. The functions are stored in a script called “functions.php” and need to
be included in the page. In addition to the functions page, we will also need to
include the xmlparser.php page, as this will help fulfill one of the core aims
of the application.

When a user clicks on a link, that link will send an action variable to the
page. The action variable will then be caught by the switch statement, which
will in turn process it and compare its value against the conditions set within
the case statements of the switch structure. This comparison, if matched, will
activate the appropriate function which will use the display area to output the
result. The aim of the application is to:
Read an RSS document
Create an RSS document

The second link called “Create an RSS link” is more complicated to implement
than the Read RSS document link. This is because there are two different
versions of an RSS document and the application has to decide which path to take
based on the selection that the user made. Various functions will display
various forms to take input and will create an RSS document based on the input.
All new RSS documents that are created by this application will be stored in the
same directory where the application resides. With a little bit of code you can
change the location in which the file should be stored. In the code section we
will explore what each and every function does.

When the “Read an RSS document” link is clicked the application simply calls
the functions in the xmlparser.php page and then parses the RSS document. The
xml parser was created in the first tutorial of the series. Please refer to it
if you need to know how it works.

Intel Core Duo vs. Core 2 Duo: What’s the Difference?

Three people have written to me in the last 10 days asking about
Intel Core Duo CPUs vs. Intel Core 2 Duo CPUs. I figured it was time to
tackle the topic on the blog.

Intel’s really to blame here for a
horrific naming convention. Any half-conscious marketing executive
would commit suicide before putting both a numeral 2 and the word “duo”
in the name of a product, particularly when there’s also a product with
“solo” in the name. But let’s put that aside and look at the specs of
each.

Core Duo is Intel’s first dual-core CPU. It’s a whole new
architecture for Microsoft, using two cores on a single die, which, put
simply, gives you two chips in one package. Running at lower speeds
than the old Pentium line, the Core Duo conserves substantial power vs.
ratcheting up clock speed while offering what was, at the time,
record-breaking performance.

Now there’s Core 2 Duo. In many ways
Core 2 is the same as Core: The chips are built using the same
production process and fit in the same sockets as Core Duo chips.
Putting aside Core 2 Extreme (a fancy version of the Core 2 Duo), you
won’t see many spec changes: Both chips have the same frontside bus
speed of 667MHz, but Core 2 Duo is now available at somewhat faster
clock speeds (as I write this, 2.67GHz chips are available). The
frontside bus communicates between the CPU and RAM (and other
components), and it’s a notorious performance bottleneck for computers.
The Core 2 also has the same L2 cache that the Core has. However, there
are architecture changes to the silicon that give the Core 2 more
sophisticated processing abilities. Both chips exist in desktop and
laptop versions.

Why does all of this matter? Performance, pure
and simple. In my tests, Core 2 Duo computers outperform Core Duo
computers on tasks across the board, from rendering graphics and video
to spell-checking documents. The speed improvement varies widely, but
on average it’s about 30 percent. That’s significant in an industry
that thrives on tiny, incremental improvement. Better yet, there’s not
an appreciable difference in battery life on notebooks, as power
consumption for both chips (at the same clock speed) is about the same.

Now
let’s consider pricing. Initially, Core 2 chips were more expensive
than Core, but that has changed, as Core is practically gone from the
desktop market now. Surprisingly, you can now get a 2.13GHz Core 2 CPU
for less than the price of a 1.66GHz Core CPU.

Still, expect to
see some systems still on the market that use the Core CPU, especially
in laptops. Performance is still very good with Core, so don’t feel
like you’re getting second-class goods if you buy a Core Duo notebook,
but remember you are buying a chip that Intel is no longer actively
selling, and prices for Core 2 systems aren’t really any different than
they were for Cores. If it was my money, I’d hold out for a Core 2
system unless you got a great deal on a Core… which will be all but
vanished from the market in a matter of months.

Run the Battery Down

Whenever you get a new toy powered by a rechargeable battery, such as a laptop, cell phone, iPod, digital camera, etc., before you plug it into the wall or recharge it for the first time, make sure you run the battery all the way down first (to the point where it shuts itself off). Once the battery is completely drained, recharge it for at least 12 hours without using it. The reason for this is because the battery will hold a charge significantly better than if you do not do this.

Some devices come with a battery which has already been discharged completely prior to the charge you receive in the product, but just to be safe, it’s best to run it all the way down. I’m not sure of the exact reason why, but I can attest to the effectiveness of this method with my own cell phone. I have owned four and the one I did not do this on, the battery was completely useless (6 hour standby life) after about 4 months.