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Implementing WiFi in the Real World

Posted by timothy on from the linksys-wcf11-1500-feet-my-foot dept.

John Jorsett writes "Seduced by the siren song of wireless access throughout the home, many a user has experienced the discrepancy between the manufacturer's advertised claims (150 feet indoors, 300 outside) and real-world implementation (the living room and upstairs bedroom may as well be on different continents). In steely-eyed determination to exercise his inalienable right to network access anywhere on his property, MSN author Paul Boutin hired a Wi-Fi engineer to help him bathe his property in 802.11 waves, using only mass-market consumer hardware."

3 of 237 comments (clear)

  1. So wait by CptChipJew · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This whole time I've been using my Airport network in the fake, alternate-universe world? Freaky.

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    Vonal Declosion
  2. Wi-Fi for dummies? by El_Smack · · Score: 4, Insightful


    $650 so I can surf from poolside? I'll take a 75 ft. patch cord and a window that is open 1/2 inch, thank you very much. No new NIC required, either. And don't even get me started on Wi-Fi security.

    This article really illustrates how far Wi-Fi has to go before it's widely and *easily* adopted by consumers.

    --


    There are 01 kinds of cars in the world. The General Lee, and everything else.
  3. Re:In Other News... by Illserve · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Daft enough to say stupid things while trying to sound smart.

    "Set the AirPort up as close to the center of the house as possible, because wireless signal strength fades geometrically with distance."

    Isn't it decreasing exponentially? (x^3)

    And Airports? a "little" more expensive? Crikey I can get b WAP's for $40 or less that are configurable from any platform's web browser and he's blanketing his house with $200 routers that can only be configured by a mac?

    Color me unimpressed.