Category list

Finding Answers through Newsgroups

When your network equipment isn't working or you have questions before you purchase hardware, newsgroups are a good place to check in. You don't need to take the time to configure a newsgroup reader. You can read through and search newsgroups using your Web browser.

Google Groups (www.groups.google.com)

Google Groups (Figure 6.9) offers a searchable interface to newsgroups, with an archive that goes back to the mid-1990s. Since you're probably more interested in getting the latest information, the site can help there too, offering the capability to sort by date. Google is particularly helpful when you have a question that relates to a specific make and model of equipment. In many instances, you'll find that your question has already been answered .

Figure 6.9. Google Group 's Web site.

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comp.std.wireless

The comp.std.wireless newsgroup offers plenty of advice on all sorts of wireless networking subjects. Subject matter tends to be a bit more technical than most of the other resources mentioned here. If you are interested in seeing whether your question has already been answered in the newsgroups, check out the Google Groups search (previous listing).

Getting Assistance from Mailing Lists

If you don't mind a few more messages in your inbox every day, a mailing list can be a good way to keep informed about wireless LANs. You can typically sign up to receive the e-mail messages as they are submitted, or all at once, in digest form.

Publicly Accessible Mailing Lists (www.paml.net)

Not sure where to start? You can find mailing lists here, as well as an archive of messages. The Mail Archive Site (Figure 6.10) offers a searchable archive of mailing lists.

Figure 6.10. Publicly Accessible Mailing Lists' Web site.

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Wireless LAN (WLAN) Mailing List (www.groups.yahoo.com/ group /wirelesslan)

The Wireless LAN Mailing List is a good place to sign up for news and user concerns about wireless networks. Discussion includes topics such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth personal networking technology, and connecting PDAs to wireless networks. Messages are archived by date at the site. You'll need a (free) Yahoo account to join this group.

Looking Toward the Future

If you're looking for the latest trends in wireless equipment, including newer , faster technologies that are coming soon, check out these sites.

80211-Planet.com (www.80211-planet.com)

What better place to start than a web site that has 802.11 in its name ? A recent discussion focused on 802.11b products that will get a speed boost in future editions and will be able to communicate with older and slower 802.11b hardware? Is it worth the extra money? Check out the site's hardware reviews (Figure 6.11) to find out.

Figure 6.11. 802.11- Planet's Web site.

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IDG.net (www.idg.net)

Staying on top of wireless LAN technology can be daunting. You can keep abreast of new technologies that are introduced nearly daily at IDG.net, a web site that pulls together the content of a number of trade magazines and is fully searchable.

These resources should help you get more work done with your wireless LAN and spend less time troubleshooting. Good surfing to you.

Summary

Buying the right equipment at a reasonable cost is easy if you know where to look. First stop, the Internet. Here you'll find great advice from experts and users on which wireless technologies will work best for your environment. Once you know what technology you want, it's time to search for the make and model you'll purchase. With this information in hand, you can find a great deal by using web sites that consolidate pricing information from different vendors . Final tip: Keep an eye out for coupons (at sites such as www.dailyedeals.com) that can offer discounts , rebates, and free shipping.

A range of free, Internet-based web sites and services can help you stay on top of your wireless LAN. Both professional sources, such as trade magazines, and user -based resources, such as mailing lists, are available and can inform you of new equipment you should know about, judge its effectiveness, and show you how to best put wireless network hardware to good use.