Skip to content

wifi

Windows Vista makes networking maddening

I setup a new Windows Vista machine yesterday on a network with two Windows XP systems. My client wanted Vista to be the main computer that shared files and printers with the other two computers. It only took me 45 minutes to figure out how to set it all up. In Windows XP I can setup a network in less than 15 minutes – probably less than 10.

One of the first complaints I had early on with Windows XP was that it was loaded with too many wizards. This only bothered me until I started using the wizards. Now I depend on them.

A wizard is a feature that leads you step-by-step through the process of a complicated task such as setting up a network or burning to a CD. The Windows XP wizards turned out to be one of its biggest strengths. They made it easy for a friend, family member, or tech support person to walk you through setting things up.

Is the iPhone another Newton?

iphoneFor those of you who don't remember the Newton, it was Apple's first and last foray into the handheld computing market back in 1993. Although it was ground breaking and unique, it was a little ahead of its time and definitely too expensive. The Newton was a little too big to be called a true handheld computer and only worked with a heavy, built-in rechargeable battery. Just three short years later, a small company just down the street from Apple called Palm, introduced the Palm Pilot. It was less than one-half the size of a Newton, ran on a single AAA battery, had an ingeniously accurate handwriting recognition system, AND could synchronize data easily with a PC or Macintosh computer.

Fast forward to this week. Steve Jobs gave his usually raucous key note address at the annual Apple convention known as Macworld Expo. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a device slightly smaller than the Newton, but bigger than a Palm Pilot, and he pronounced it as the iPhone (already in legal trouble with Cisco who claims they own the rights to the name). Apple has been on a tear for about six years now the introduction of the iMac all-in-one computers, the iPod, and iTunes. Trying to capitalize on their recent successes, they decided to enter the "smart phone" market.

A smart phone is defined as a cellular phone that can also be used to synchronize contact, calendar, to do lists, and documents with a computer. They also have a full QWERTY keyboard built into them. These types of phones are extremely popular amongst the geek sector and the 'wanna be' geek sector. Blackberry handheld email devices made email mobile, then Palm introduced the revolutionary Treo smart phone and remains the top vote getter in this market. One problem plagues the smart phone market; there aren't that many geeks. Despite seeing how incredibly useful and versatile a Treo phone can be, most people scoff at it's size and say, "It's too big! I could never carry that thing." Treo's tip the scales at just over 5 ounces and measures: 4.44" H x 2.3" W x 0.8" D. One other factor hinders large scale smart phone sales; many computer users barely understand their computers let alone try and use a smart phone.

Back to the iPhone. Let's start with its dimensions. It weighs about

Being stranded isn’t as bad as it used to be

Driving back from my first client this morning, the guy in the car next to me honked and pointed at the side of my car. Since I couldn't tell what he was talking about, I pulled over hoping that someone had taped a $100 bill to the side of my car. As it turned out, I had a flat tire.

I put the space-saver tire on my Civic and headed to the tire repair place. The wait was over an hour and a half, but I was able to get quite a bit of work done – including this post.

The tire place offers free WiFi so I was able to sit and work on Internet things. I also answered my calls and scheduled appointments for next week. I did have to postpone some appointments for today, but I was still able to get to everyone I had scheduled (at least that's the plan, I haven't left the tire place yet).

Gadgets yield more gadgets

I have helped several people buy new computers lately. I don't sell computers or any other hardware so I am more of a personal shopper than a salesman when it comes to guiding people through their purchase.

I think it's funny how gadgets always seem to yield more gadgets. Here is a short flowchart of how this process works.

1. A client calls and says that they need a new computer. They ask my advice on what they should get for just basic stuff like email and word processing. "I don't need anything fancy."

2. I suggest a basic system that will handle all of their needs and a little more.

Know your Internet connection types

Rick has called me a cheater for using my user group notes and product reviews in place of a daily column. So, today I am not only writing an official Shotgun article, but I am also turning it in early.

I have seen several clients lately who are using the full priced AOL dial-up service. That means they are paying $25.90 for dial-up Internet. One person even had a seperate line for the Internet (add on another $20/month).

This is proof that AOL is like crack.

I thought I would give a breakdown of alternatives to paying AOL’s outrageous price. Suprisingly, the solution does not have to mean dropping AOL, but in my opinion it should.

Set up a home network – Part IV

This is our final installment of our networking tips. In this tip, you will learn how to share files and printers between computers on your network. One of the greatest advantages of a network for home users is the ability to use a single printer to service all the computers.

Windows XP offers a networking wizard that works quite well for most people to setup a home or small business network. You can find it by:

  1. Double-click the "My Computer" icon
  2. Click "My Network Places" from the task list on the left of the screen
  3. You will then see the menu of options at the pictured here
  4. Click the "Set up a home or small office network" option
  5. Click Next twice
  6. The next screen will ask you how you connect to the Internet, choose the second option "  This computer connects to the Internet through a residential gateway or through another computer on my network."
  7. Click Next
  8. On the next screen, give your computer a description and a name as described in the step itself
  9. Click Next
  10. Now you name your network (workgroup) so that the computers can talk to each other. Use any name you like, but keep it to a single word like; Steelers, Network, Rover, etc
  11. Click Next 
  12. Click the "Turn on file and printer sharing" option
  13. Click Next twice
  14. If you are using Windows 98 or Me on other computers in your network, then click the "Create a Network Setup Disk" and click next.  OR  If you are using XP on the other computers, then click the final option "Just finish…"
  15. Click Next  
  16. Click Finish

Using this method will allow you to share files through the "SharedDocs" folder found in My Computer. Any files you save into this folder can be accessed on any other computer via the network. The wizard will also allow you to share any printers you have installed.

Set up a home network – Part III

This is Part III of our ongoing series regarding home and small-business networks. You can read the first two installments here:  Part I and Part II.

In Part II, we discussed how to use a 'wired' system with Ethernet cabling to connect your computers and broadband connection. We suggested that you purchase a Wireless Cable/DSL Router with 4 port switch to connect your computers. The reason we suggested a wireless router is two fold; 1) The cost is only a few bucks more, and 2) Having the wireless gives you the ability to easily add a laptop or computer in another room to your network.

Typically, wireless routers can broadcast a signal that will reach around 75' indoors. However, that number reduces significantly depending on the barriers it has to pass through…walls, ceilings, type of walls and floors, etc. For best results, I like to keep the wireless computer as close to line of sight as possible to the router (least number of walls and barriers like furniture). Currently, the standard used in wireless computing (wi-fi) is 802.11g. For those with inquisitive minds, you can get detailed definitions of all terms wireless at Webopedia. This link is a comprehensive list of wireless networking terms. 

As with the wired setup, use the CD that came with your brand of router to walk through the setup. The first thing you want to do is assign a new password (right it down and remember it for future use) for the routers settings. Most of the wizards offer you the chance to do this right away.

Next, you want to setup the wireless security for your system. Enabling wireless security drastically reduces the chances of a hacker trying to break into your network. The first step you will be asked to do is assign a name (SSID – Service Set Identifier) to your network. Don't use your name…use something like your street name or high school mascot or development name…etc. Again, right this down and don't forget it. You will also be given the opportunity to broadcast your wireless name or not…for ultimate security, click "No" on the broadcast option. However, for ease of setup, as long as you are following the rest of the security steps, broadcasting should be ok.

Broadcasting your wireless names allows computers with a wireless network card to see what networks are available. If you are broadcasting you need to be secure.

Set up a home network – Part II

Last week we introduced you to some networking terms and technologies. This week, we will show you how to start building your network.

In these instructions we discuss how to setup a network for sharing the Internet, but if you only want to setup a network for sharing files and printers without broadband, simply leave out the broadband modem and these instructions will still apply. 

One term we did not define last week was Network Interface Card (NIC). Currently, there are two main types of NIC's. Wireless and wired. A NIC is a device that is connected to your computer that allows communication with other computers (networking). This can be done either through wireless means or wired means with an ethernet cable.

All computers that you want to network need to have a NIC. You choose whether it is wireless or wired. Almost all computers built since 2002 have an internal NIC for networking right from the factory…even laptops. Almost all laptops built since 2004 have built-in wireless networking capabilities as well. If you need to add one to your computer, a NIC will cost between $10-25. A wireless NIC will cost around $40.