Number 305 - October 2008

Get Unleashed With Wireless USB
by Vinny La Bash, Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc.
USB technology has been around long enough for folks to feel comfortable with it. It's the best kind of technology you can find. Plug it in, and it works. Sometimes device drivers need to be installed, but every day we move further away from "Plug and Pray" to true "Plug and Play". It's something like electricity. It's everywhere, but you simply don't notice it. USB displaced an antiquated technology which was quite limited in the number and kinds of devices supported, and often resulted in software or memory conflicts which were maddeningly difficult to resolve.    USB has now evolved to a point where devices that attach themselves to your computer can now connect wirelessly instead of with a cable. You can't throw away all your cables today, but total wireless connections may be closer than most folks think possible.    The latest USB wireless application is based on Ultra Wideband technology. This was developed specifically for transmitting information over very short distances using radio waves. It is at least as fast as wire based USB which can move data at a rate of 480 Mbps. Don't try locating your keyboard, mouse or printer more than ten feet away from the computer however, as transmission speeds slow down considerably. If you place your peripheral devices at distances of twenty or thirty feet, you may experience speeds less than 100 Mbps.    There are several manufacturers offering wireless setups, and new offerings appear almost daily. If you would seriously like to reduce the clutter of wires around your computer, look for a	wireless hub with multiple radio frequencies to avoid interference with other wireless transmissions. You don't want your mouse pointer zipping around the screen as you're typing on your keyboard.    Making the switch to wireless is not free, but it won't cripple your budget. Stick with quality manufacturers like Belkin. Check with the manufacturer of your PC or laptop. Their wireless products are more likely to be designed to integrate with their own products.    Because the technology is wireless, there is some preparation necessary on your part, but it's relatively easy if you're careful when following the installation directions. A wireless kit will have a USB hub as a central control point. Your peripherals connect to it through USB dongles that attach to a free USB port on your PC. Communications software controls activity between the adapter and the hub. The software is basically an application that manages data flow between communications links.    The future of wireless appears bright. Major players such as Dell, Toshiba, and Lenovo are now offering wireless USB in there latest machines. It shouldn't be long before you see integrated USB wireless in all desktops and laptops.
Number 305 - October 2008