Your wireless network is flexible. Some extra equipment will help you get the most from it – letting you see, talk, and exchange songs and videos with family and friends.
USB
adaptors. These plug into your computer and give it wireless
capabilities. But if you have a laptop, check first – it may have
WiFi built-in already.
PC Card adaptors. These also connect your computer to a wireless network,
but slot into the larger PC Card port instead.
USB print servers. Instead of connecting your printer to one computer,
a print server connects it to your router – so it can be shared between
all your computers.
Webcams. Now all your computers are networked, why not share views between
rooms or over the web with a camera or two? They're a great way to use
all that connectivity.
Microphones and headsets help you get the most out of VoIP
telephony such as Skype, letting you use the internet to make phone calls
with ease. You'll see the difference in your phone bill, too.
Your computer won't let other computers see its contents until you allow it to. In Windows XP, just drag the folders you want to share to the 'Shared Documents' folder and click 'Share this folder' to set the options you want for sharing it on the network.
Make cheap phone calls too
Wireless networks are ideal for VoIP – 'voice over IP', where your
telephone conversation is held using your Internet connection instead of
the phone network. There are several varieties, from software like Skype
to handsets that work just like a normal phone.
Like to see how a wireless network can cut your phone bill?
See the Argos Guide to Internet phones.
Argos guide to wireless networking
- Introduction to wireless networking
- Building your wireless network
- Add accessories to your wireless network
- See our Jargon Buster for further explanation of technical terms
- www.argos.co.uk