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Microsoft Makes Wireless Networking a Snap | |
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| Time: 12:50 EST/17:50 GMT | News Source: Microsoft | Posted By: Byron Hinson | ||
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In a growing number of homes, waiting an eon for a Web page to download or putting up with constant interruptions in online music or video feeds are distant memories. High-speed connections, such as cable and DSL, have made speedy Web browsing a reality. The only problem: Everyone in the household ends up competing for time on the one computer with a high-speed connection, while other laptops and PCs go unused or become glorified word processors. Today, Microsoft announced plans to launch a line of products that will allow users to access high-speed connections and other conveniences on any PC almost anywhere in their home -- or even their favorite coffee shop. This new line of wireless broadband networking products, which will hit store shelves later this year, will also allow users to share printers and files among their PCs. | ||
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| #1 By 1642 (205.177.133.222) at 7/11/2002 1:03:05 PM |
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I think this is great. But I can imagine trouble for MS in promoting this to home users when WinXP Home Edition does not have the networking components.
I can see people buying this product, trying to strat it up on their home setup, and just getting frustrated if they find out they also need to upgrade from Home Edition to Professional. |
| #2 By 61 (65.185.24.205) at 7/11/2002 1:23:10 PM |
| Ummm.... the only thing that Home doesn't do network wise is domains, that' s it. This hardware will most certainly work with XP Home. |
| #3 By 3339 (65.198.47.10) at 7/11/2002 1:34:56 PM |
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Actually, the problem is more likely to be that these products are 802.11b only. At a time when hybrid devices are coming out and MS is promoting the hybrid devices for faster home networks.
Never mind the fact that g or x may start to pop up in larger numbers when these start to come out... end of year? Who else gets to announce widely available products from other manufacturers six months in advance and nearly three years after other companies and the press treats it as if this is a first? |
| #4 By 3653 (63.162.177.140) at 7/11/2002 3:39:35 PM |
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"Who else gets to announce widely available products from other manufacturers six months in advance and nearly three years after other companies and the press treats it as if this is a first?"
Oh, I don't know... maybe APPLE. You think the iPod was something new? You think they build it themselves? Yet somehow they get credit for being innovative with it. HURL. This post was edited by mooresa56 on Thursday, July 11, 2002 at 15:40. |
| #5 By 1896 (216.78.254.70) at 7/11/2002 3:55:07 PM |
| #3 Where did you see a reference to the end of the year?The article says "later this year". Btw since when a company cannot advertise a new line of products just because there are already similar equipments on the market? |
| #6 By 3339 (65.198.47.10) at 7/11/2002 4:34:23 PM |
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so mooresa you knew about the iPod months before it was released? who do you know?
The fact is you picked the worst example possible. I'm not entirely opposed to pre-announcements--everyone does in some respect... except for Apple. Apple is the most tight-lipped tech company imaginable. |
| #7 By 1845 (12.254.230.145) at 7/11/2002 5:04:35 PM |
| Oh that's a little harsh, jerk. iPod may not have been preannounced (I don't remember offhand) but the hype and lack of innovation certainly still apply. With two out of three of your points met, I wouldn't say it is the worst example. |
| #8 By 37 (216.43.88.209) at 7/11/2002 5:15:42 PM |
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#1. That is incorrect. I most certainly does work with Windows XP Home. I am a beta tester for the product, and have found the product works with Windows 98 and up (never tested with 95). Of course, less the domain for Home.
Setup was easy and flawless on both XP Pro and Home, no questions asked. |
| #9 By 3339 (65.198.47.10) at 7/11/2002 5:18:47 PM |
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Let's see--were there mp3 players three years ago--not really. was it pre-announced--no. were next gen or more advanced devices being released before the hype--no. is th iPod still the best mp3 player available--debatable but most (even in the Wintel and Linux world) would say yes.
Anyway, I love how everyone focuses on my rhetorical question instead of observing the fact that this is just .b instead of .a/.b and definitely not .x and the PC world will probably never get to .g unless it gets bigger than .a--oh well, who cares about faster access and security? oh, wait a minute, that's all MS talks about these days. |
| #10 By 135 (209.180.28.6) at 7/11/2002 5:38:37 PM |
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"Let's see--were there mp3 players three years ago--not really. "
The Diamond Rio came out in like 1998. The Creative Nomad in like 2000. There were others as well. |
| #11 By 3339 (65.198.47.10) at 7/11/2002 6:24:56 PM |
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How so, Jagged? That statement is perfectly logical, indisputable, relevent, and what else need be said.
What terms are so off putting to you? The fact that it's disappointing that they are releasing old, widespread tech instead of something new? |
| #12 By 7760 (12.155.143.51) at 7/11/2002 8:28:25 PM |
| I like the audience that this article is apparently targeting: those who have never heard of home networking :). Can you imagine it: connecting more than one computer to your broadband modem, as well as sharing printers!! It's amazing! ;) Sorry. It'd be easier to take the article seriously if it detailed the advantages of wireless over wired, rather than the advantage of wireless over nothing. |
| #13 By 1896 (216.78.254.70) at 7/11/2002 8:29:46 PM |
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it is not a problem of terms but of statements made without knowledge. Do you have the equipment? Do you know the specs? If yes you are a beta tester and you can' t talk about, if not you are just assuming or guessing. Btw is everybody using only 2Ghz P4 processors or 21" flat monitors? Of course not, prices play an important role when you are on the market to buy something.
This post was edited by Fritzly on Thursday, July 11, 2002 at 20:30. |
| #14 By 3339 (65.198.47.10) at 7/11/2002 8:49:08 PM |
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Fritz, what am I assuming or guessing? Ths is from Microsoft. They say themselves this is only 802.11b. Where's the presumption in saying it's not .a, a hybrid, .x, or.g?
Am I presuming .g won't come to the PC? Hell, yes, but apparently you don't know what it is otherwise it would be a logical conclusion for you as well. Would you like it explained to you? .g works at the same rate and ranges as .a, but in the same spectrum as .b and is backward compatible with .b. Again, Microsoft has already stated that they will support .a but only in .b/.a hybrids. If you are only supporting hybrids at different frequencies--clearly you are betting against .g which is at the same frequency and doesn't require supporting two incompatible standards. So they aren't headed that way. I don't get what the hell you are talking about when it comes to the whole pricing thing. Each one of these standards will ultimately cost about the same amount... except for the hybrids which Microsoft is requiring for the time being if you want something faster than .b. |
| #15 By 1896 (216.78.254.70) at 7/11/2002 9:02:02 PM |
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"I don't get what the hell you are talking about when it comes to the whole pricing thing"
Well I am going to educate you: Linksys WAP54A $286.95 BEFW11S4 $141.07 I see a price more than double. |
| #16 By 3339 (64.175.43.54) at 7/11/2002 9:20:57 PM |
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Yes, Fritzly, still what the hell is your point? You are giving me one wireless product with a new standard and another one which includes a Firewall, a DSL/Cable rouer and a 4-por switch. Of course, they have different prices. What does that have to do with the standards MS decides to support?
Couldn't MS make more money on the more expensive device and make broadband more accessible so they could sell more Miras and Freestyles, etc? What is the point? And what happened to your claim that I was making sh1t up? |
| #17 By 1896 (216.78.254.70) at 7/11/2002 9:50:16 PM |
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"Each one of these standards will ultimately cost about the same amount... "
The "a" equipment costs more than double the "b" one and the latter includes, as you stated router, switches etc. Now you say that of course they have different prices? Make your mind up mister! As for the last paragraph I don't know what you mean |
| #18 By 3339 (64.175.43.54) at 7/11/2002 10:20:34 PM |
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I said "ultimately." The tech in .a devices is no more expensive than the tech in .b devices when they were new. While the tech is new, everyone will charge a premium because those who want it or on the bleeding edge will pay the higher cost. I would guess that not all but the bulk of the price difference is this premium, not in manufacture cost.
You still haven't explained how a price difference factors in to how Microsoft is still 3-5 years behind what other people are doing with wireless. My last point (well, actually my last point I'm sure you understand so I presume you mean my penultimate point) was to suggest that these price difference affect the consumer, but for the manufacturer it means higher margins and a more diverse line of products. How is any cost prohibitive for Microsoft? And isn't Microsoft bitching at everyone to support high speeds and security? |
| #19 By 3339 (64.175.43.54) at 7/11/2002 10:45:02 PM |
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In other words, Fritzly, does everyone run a 300 MHz 386 with a 15 inch 640x480 CRT? No, so why only offer that low end product.
I realize now you are saying you don't understand the second paragraph of the post previous to the one I thought you were responding to. Clearly you don't and that's the point, but that still doesn't stop you from saying I'm guessing and making stuff up? Whatever. This post was edited by sodajerk on Friday, July 12, 2002 at 00:49. |
| #20 By 1896 (216.78.254.70) at 7/11/2002 11:20:20 PM |
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I totally disagree: "ultimately" Come on, "a" or "x" devices prices will go down when something newer better and fster will be invented, exactly as it happened with the "b" ones.
The statement that t MS is 3/5 years behind other companies is just inaccurate and dumb.This is not the race to the moon, MS goal is to make money not only to be the most advanced. Cheaper devices will get in more houses than faster n more expensive ones and the advantages for MS will come from the collateral effects of this evolution. Economic models are not always linear you know? The speed that "b' devices offer is, at the moment, enough for home use. Try to think in a strategic perspective and not in a tactical one. |
| #21 By 3339 (64.175.43.54) at 7/12/2002 1:08:32 AM |
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I am thinking strategically rather than tactically. It's you who are thinking tactically--you are only motivated by MS making a short term buck. What is your understanding of those two words?
"Come on, 'a' or 'x' devices prices will go down when something newer better and fster will be invented exactly as it happened with the 'b' ones." No, strategy would be to introduce x or g devices when they are mature at the same price as existing products. What we are seeing now with a is simply companies taking advantage of the cutting edge. The price of b devices hasn't gone down--the price has remained the same, and these companies are deciding to charge you twice as much. Are you willing to spend twice as much for usb2 devices as you are for usb1.1? No, of course not because it's simply an evolutionary shift. |
| #22 By 135 (208.50.201.48) at 7/12/2002 1:34:18 AM |
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I guess I'm still somewhat confused. We were deploying wireless ethernet devices on Microsoft platforms 3-5 years prior before Apple ever included them on the Macintosh.
This illustrates the prime difference between Microsoft world and Apple's, that being the closed-proprietary nature of what Apple creates. With the Macintosh, you had to wait until Apple had included it, instead of being able to rely upon a third party to provide the technology to you. sodajerk seems to be somewhat confused as to what exactly is important. |
| #23 By 3339 (64.175.43.54) at 7/12/2002 1:46:52 AM |
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Actually, aren't you confused... Reading Microsoft's own literature, it's as if they think no one knows how to or can set up a wireless network. How many average PC users know the name LinkSys? How many of them know the other's making wireless receivers? how many of the average PC users knows what 802.11 is nevermind .a, .b, .x, .g? Yes, wireless existed three-five, let's even say 10, years ago... But it wasn't built into Microsoft systems... it needed to be added by whoever wanted and understood wireless networking; in essence, it could and can be built into any platform. But for three years, wireless networking on the Mac has been seemless, idiot-proof, built in to every device, and relatively cheap. Three to five years ago, HomeRF was leading the race on the Wintel platform.
And i never even brought up Apple whatsoever, soda; are you obsessed? You can come over some time and play with my Macs if you want. |
| #24 By 1896 (216.78.254.70) at 7/12/2002 6:57:44 AM |
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#22 "Prices of b devices hasn't gone down", "It's you who are thinking tactically--you are only motivated by MS making a short term buck"? I am sorry Sodajerk but such preposterous statements clearly remark how little if any you can bring toward an intelligent and interesting debate. I don't care to waste my time and from now on you will be simply ignored.
Btw make your reply accusing me to be short of arguments etc. brief please, people here have a life. |
| #25 By 5444 (208.180.140.230) at 7/12/2002 8:19:45 AM |
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a few points to remember.
EU just got the 802.11b passed as useable range for Consumers. (and only consumers) (and not in all of the countries of the EU) so the platform as a whole was in question. 802.11g is touted as the universal high bandwith platform, (namely because the chance of a being accepted for use in the EU is simply almost none) So a will always be a high cost bastadard child because it will only be usuable in the US and perhaps most of North America. Kind of interesting that MS announced the project After the EU authorized the use in Europe. And b is actually get into the consumer price range. although it still is significantly more expensive than lan lines 802.11g will be accepted in europe because it will be on the same 2.4 Ghz range. so that won't be an issue when it is introduced later this year or next year. Not to mention that the range is Much better on teh 2.4 than the 5 gig freqs. 802.11 e is another technology that needs to be implemented to get the real use of the wifi spectrem, but that is another topic all togeter. and the single most important is 802.11i which is a security protocol to replace WEP(which was cracked) I for one won't be buying a wireless platform until at least 802.11e and 802.11i are integrated into the platform, then I will look at either a or g as the underlying platform. (but since our lockal wireless group is trying to set up a good wlan for our city I may look at other features. El |
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