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Connecting PCs and Macs via Infrared Communications?
Stuee asks: "Isn't it about time my friend and I could sit opposite each other on the train and share documents or images without having to build a small network?! I mean, what's the point of both systems having infrared, and software to bridge the platform gap, if we can't connect? It's so frustrating that my XP laptop reports that my friend's iBook is in range, but cannot do anything about it, especially when my phone (which was a fraction of the cost of either laptop) and pocket device can communicate with both machines without any problem! If anyone knows of a workaround for this (other than cables), I think there would be a lot of people interested in hearing about it.
Thanks for listening."
Wireless (802.11b)...this is a great alternative...my LUG uses it all of the time, it's great because you get real high speeds out of it (over 10 Mb vs. 256k MAX for IR) and it's available almost everywhere...you'ld be supprised how much wireless is in the air.
... don't read everything you hear ... you're already mobile ... but then again, IR is worse because there is NO built-in security (except maybe the line-of-sight/distance thing)!!!
... You get fast, easy connectivity, without the whole line-of-sight requirement and you get a great mobile network card that you'll find yourself using more and more as time goes on.
As for security
You can easily find PCMCIA wireless cards for under $50
Not to mention that you can get Wicked Distance from 802.11b!!! Yes, this is a special case, but 100 meters is certainly no problem.
While IR is nice and will certainly be used (in other devices) for a long time to come, 802.11b should be your choice for mobile networking. It's worth noting that many companies are already including built-in 802.11b in their notebooks (either standard or as an option).
It's a device to device wireless technology ...
Uh... that was a pretty useless remark, skinfitz.
No more useless than referring to a computer as a "peripheral" as in the original statement.
Whether you like it or not, Bluetooth CAN be used for LAN access. I'm not saying it's better or worse than any other technology (802.11b for example) merely that it CAN be used for LAN access. I was replying to someone who was clearly inferring that it was incapable of operating in this manner. Bluetooth is a cable replacement technology. LAN cables are among the type of cable that CAN be replaced by Bluetooth. Do your research.
Rendesvouz and a pair of 802.11s is the solution to your problems.