Craig Crossman Knight Ridder/Tribune Service
October 19, 2003
I hate wires, and anything that helps to eliminate them is OK in my book.
I'm also convinced that wires will never be totally replaced. Just as the promise of the paperless office was never fully realized, the wireless office will most likely always have a wire or two lurking somewhere.
But as wireless standards such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi continue to improve and permeate our environment, the rats' nest behind your desk will become a lot more manageable.
The Wi-Fi standard has recently been improved from 802.11b to 802.11g. The most notable difference between these is speed. 802.11g is about five times faster yet maintains its compatibility with the 802.11b protocol. If you're ready to go wireless today, make sure you invest in products that support 802.11g.
With than in mind, Microsoft (www.microsoft.com/ broadbandnetworking) has just introduced a line of 802.11g wireless hardware devices you should check out.
The core of the line is the Wireless Base Station MN-700 ($109). The device includes a four-point Ethernet switch. Simple setup software is included.
Many portable computers have 802.11b built in but if you want to use 802.11g's faster speed, Microsoft makes the wireless Notebook Adapter MN-720 ($84.95). The tiny card slips into your notebook's PCMCIA slot. And if you want to add 802.11g to your desktop PC, just pop it open and install the Wireless-PCI Adapter MN-730 card ($84.95).
Microsoft didn't forget that fast networking isn't all work. It has also introduced the Xbox Wireless Adapter MN-740 ($139) with the faster 802.11g. Just plug it into the Ethernet port on the back of your Xbox. The device will link to the MN-700 Wireless Base Station and you're ready for Xbox Live, Microsoft's interactive networking system that lets you play in real time with other Xbox players around the globe.
With the holidays just around the corner, Microsoft has made going wireless easy as well as affordable. Besides, it can get pretty dark at night and you don't want to be responsible for Santa tripping over any wires.
www.microsoft.com/broadbandnetworking
Since I'm on the subject of wireless communications, GN Netcom (www.gnnetcom.com) has introduced a wireless headset for your telephone. The model I tried is very slick.
The GN 9120 is a tiny wireless device that connects to a variety of telephones. The stylish, small silver box plugs into your telephone and communicates to the wireless headset that weighs about an ounce. Using the popular 2.4 GHz frequency used by many cordless telephones, the device lets you walk around up to 300 feet away from your telephone. The GN 9120 is equipped with a multi-unit conferencing ability that lets you talk with up to four people.
The headset's earpiece rests on your ear while the pickup microphone extends to your cheek. Or you can choose a sound-tube or flex-boom microphone style headset where the microphone is positioned in front of your mouth.
All the headsets are cordless and offer excellent sound and noise- canceling isolation capabilities.
Place the headset on the box and it recharges to provide up to eight hours of talk time. The device provides 64-bit encryption and its Smart Power Management reduces the range of transmission to provide additional security.
When your head is ready to talk wireless, you'll want to check this one out.
www.gnnetcom.com
Crossman is a national newspaper columnist who also hosts the computer radio talk show, "Computer America," heard on Business TalkRadio 10 p.m. to midnight Monday through Friday. For information, visit his Web site at www.computeramerica .com.
(C) 2003 Sunday Gazette-Mail. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved
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