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Windows XP Unwired A Guide for Home, Office, and the Road

By Wei-Meng Lee
First Edition August 2003
Pages: 284
ISBN 10: 0-596-00536-9 | ISBN 13: 9780596005368
(Average of 1 Customer Reviews)

Book description

Windows XP Unwired provides a complete introduction to all the wireless technologies supported by Windows XP, including Wi-Fi (802.11b, a, and g), infrared, Bluetooth, CDMA2000, and GPRS. It's a one-stop wireless information source for technically savvy Windows XP users. This book will show you the full-spectrum view of wireless capabilities of Windows XP, and how to take advantage of them.
Full Description

From the growing number of Wi-Fi hotspots to the escalating sales of laptops and other portable wireless-enabled devices, it's clear that wireless technology is here and poised to play an increasingly important role in all our lives. Going wireless is a little like taking the training wheels off your first bike--once you taste the freedom, you don't want to go back to what you had before. Moreover, dramatic improvements in wireless technology in the last few years coupled with the growing affordability of wireless equipment make going wireless all the more attractive. And if you're a Windows XP user, it's even better. Windows XP contains many built-in supports for wireless computing, making it an ideal platform for going mobile. In Windows XP Unwired, you'll learn the basics of wireless computing, from the reasons why you'd want to go wireless in the first place, to setting up your wireless network or accessing wireless services on the road. The book provides a complete introduction to all the wireless technologies supported by Windows XP, including Wi-Fi (802.11b, a, and g), infrared, Bluetooth, CDMA2000, and GPRS. You'll learn how to set up your first wireless network using popular products from Linksys and D-Link. You'll also get a good understanding of the limitations and liabilities of each wireless technology. Other topics covered in the book include:

Connecting to wireless hotspots
Using Microsoft's Smart Display to go wireless without a laptop
Putting GPS technology to use
Wireless Security

Windows XP Unwired is a one-stop wireless information source for technically savvy Windows XP users. Whether you're considering wireless as a supplement or alternative to cable and DSL, or using wireless to network computers in your home or office, this book will show you the full-spectrum view of wireless capabilities of Windows XP, and how to take advantage of them.

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Featured customer reviews

Windows XP Unwired Review, October 21 2003

Rating:

Submitted by Srinivas [Respond | View]

Windows XP has one of the best fetures, i.e "native support" for LANs. Wireless support in XP makes upgrading to the new OS more appealing for all types of users who wants wireless connection availabe always. Users no longer need to worry about technical details of configuring wireless network, it is always available.

Windows XP Unwired explains what is wireless network and how to use wireless network in Windows XP. Author explained very well from the very basics about network, what is a network, uses. After that he explains about what are the advantages, challenges about wireless network, how to secure a wireless network, how to setup your own wireless network at home. Once you complete this book, you will be able to setup your own network without any expert help.

First it explains the fundamentals of network, like what is a TCP/IP, how it works, then radio waves. Then it explains what is Wi-Fi network, 802.11 Wirless standards, how to use 802.11 wireless on the road, wireless hotspots, how to find wireless hotspots. How to use Infrared port on your Palm / Pocket PC, Bluetooth technology, GPS, and Cellular Networking.

The entire book is organized to explain you about What a specific Technology is (for example Blue Tooth), what are the current standards, how to use that technology, advantages and disadvantages (if any), limitations, and how XP supports that technology.

The best part about this book is, though it says Windows XP unwired, it explains about wireless adapters, NIC. It has case studies on how to setup Home Network.

Other topics conved in this book includes, XP default firewall, Virtual Private Network (VPN), Remote Desktop. It is like a complete reference for wirelss networking technology.

I strongly recommend this book to everyone who wants to understand wirless networking.

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Media reviews "...highly readable and all the explanations are clear...If you are using XP and want some wireless freedom but aren't sure how to achieve it, this book is a great place to start."
Rating: 5/5 stars
--Computer Shopper, March 2004

"If you're looking for a book that will help you understand wireless networking on Windows XP, this is it. After reading this book and putting your knowledge into action, you'll end up with a working, secure, functional wireless network."
--Patrick Grote, DotJournal.com, February 2004
http://www.dotjournal.com/book_reviews/wirelessxp0204.html

"The author is an excellent technical communicator and explains wireless in plain--not patronizing--language...If you want to use wireless on a WinXP platform this is an essential resource. If you simply want an introduction to--or to broaden your knowledge of--wireless networking, it is well worth reading. A title that should be in any library servicing computer users."
--Major Keary, "PC Update," December 2003

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