Gadgets, gizmos, and tools to help make you more productive in business

We live in a wireless world.  In fact, I live in a wireless world and absolutely love it.

My phone is wireless, my computer is wireless, my SBC DSL is wireless, my watch is wireless (I know, they all are, I just wanted to make a point).

Many people are still connecting via a network cable (blue, yellow, grey, red, etc).

Network cables aren't bad, they are in fact faster than going wireless on the same connection.

Despite the slight speed differences, there are major benefits to be gained with a wireless internet connection.

Most major carriers of DSL, and most cable internet carriers all offer a wireless package.  My wired/wireless combo DSL router was $99 with a $99 rebate.  Non-wireless router was $49 with no rebate.

If you have contemplated wireless but don't quite understand it, read on.

Wireless connections require two things.

1. Wireless router to send the signal out.
2. Wireless enabled device (laptop, PDA, etc).

If you have both of those items, you are in business!

You should now call your carrier and ask them to help you get setup with your wireless connection.  Most major companies will assist with this process.

If you don't have a wireless router, one can be bought an most office supply stores, and at hundreds of stores online.

If you don't have a wireless card in your laptop, one can be bought at the fore mentioned places.
Your PDA will have to come with wireless connectivity from the factory, that isn't something you can add easily.

Now that you know the basics and have a gameplan, what are the benefits of wireless connections?

1. Work from anywhere within the reach of the wireless router.
2. Connection moves with you from office to office or room to room.
3. Connect multiple devices to one router.

I love to work from my living room when I am at home.  For some reason I seem to get more done in the living room than I do in my office.

I just turn on my Apple PowerBook G4 and sit down and my connection is instantly there.

Sometimes my wife will also connect her Dell Inspiron and we can sit on the couch together and both be online from our one connection.

I'll tell you my nerdy little secret as well.  Sometimes a few of my friends come over and we'll play a 4 person game of Starcraft.

Life is good without wires!