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Time:
12:50 EST/17:50 GMT | News Source:
Microsoft |
Posted By: Byron Hinson |
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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#26 By
135 (209.180.28.6)
at
7/12/2002 10:46:31 AM
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sodajerk - "But it wasn't built into Microsoft systems..."
Microsoft doesn't build systems. Again, you've confused the Apple proprietary world with the x86 open world. Microsoft builds an OS. Others build hardware. The nice thing is that consumers have a choice as to what hardware to combine to build a system.
"it needed to be added by whoever wanted and understood wireless networking;"
Yep, which is the desirable way of building systems.
"But for three years, wireless networking on the Mac has been seemless, idiot-proof"
idiot proof is the best description of the Mac I have ever heard.
"and relatively cheap"
Of course it's been cheaper in the x86 world because we have a choice of a dozen vendors to buy from instead of just one.
"Three to five years ago, HomeRF was leading the race on the Wintel platform. "
Actually no it wasn't.
"And i never even brought up Apple whatsoever, soda"
You better start reading your old posts there, jerky boy.
"You can come over some time and play with my Macs if you want. "
I've already got a VIC-20, thanks.
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#27 By
4209 (163.192.21.2)
at
7/12/2002 12:40:49 PM
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SodaJerk, I hate to be the one to point out the obvious reasons why MS would chose b over the others but I will. B is cheaper, and fast enough for any home user. How many average home users do you know that need more than 11Mbs of bandwidth? How many home users do you know that know that have to transfer large files or any files at blistering speeds? And one last point, most users with a wireless setup are going to use it to connect to there broadband modem with a rated speed of 1.5 Mbs, so why in the hell do they need to go faster than 11Mbs, when the source of the data they are requesting is 1.5Mbs? It is overkill to have anything more than 802.11b in a home environment for %95 of thhe computer users. The only people that want more than that are Techies, which MS is not basing a whole product line on. They base it on what the %95 of the usrer population would buy and use. Even I am looking into 802.11b for my wifes laptop, because she does not need any faster to surf the internet and check her e-mail. Plus the laptop still would have a regular wired 10/100 NIC for file transfer if I could not deal with 11Mbs connection. So now do you get why the average user would only need 802.11b instead of the latest and greatest, and why MS picked that.
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#28 By
3339 (65.198.47.10)
at
7/12/2002 12:58:54 PM
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soda, I didn't bring up Apple, I responded to your's and others remarks that were inaccurate about them. It's you who keeps bringing them up.
Do you actually think Apple is using some proprietary 802.11b or something? Other devices work just fine with Macs, foo. I'm not restricted in costs except for the network card... I don't even have to worry about antennaes since they are built in.
mctwin, I'm not saying that this isn't a place to start--I'm saying this is a lackluster announcement. What you are saying is: there is no reason to push technology to faster rates. Okay, have fun. I don't think MS is doing this for people to get their email; I think the intention is to sell their wirless home network media devices. Yes, you could still stream a small movie, but I'm ready to stream high-quality, high-rez movies, music and playlists, while doing other serious network activities besides media.
el, it's nice to see someone who understands. It was my understanding that x or i could be folded into the systems without much difficulty, it's just the finalization of the specs and regulatory approval that's the barrier... Yes or no? What exactly will e bring to the table that you will wait another generation before considering--obviously security is key but Microsoft forgot about that (they say they got some solution, but it can't be much more than what others have already added to 802.11b, which I still considered insecure with the additional encrypting); I haven't heard too much about it.
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#29 By
5444 (208.180.140.230)
at
7/12/2002 5:15:01 PM
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e is a qos layer, it is needed for real use as a transfer protocol for telephony and other features that need constant clean bandwidth.
Alot of e has been added in piecemail but the standard isn't completed. it can be roled in fairly easily when it is done.
x and i are the same way. they can be roled in, although to get full use of them may require new hardware. (as the encryption routines may need added hardware to ensure the speed etc.)
e should be finalized in the second half. x and i perhaps by the end of the year more than likly 2003
unlike mctwin, I would use the bandwidth. in a secure platform on the home in a entertainment center, where Video and telephony is used. 11mb/s sec is nothing when you consider video transfers. even 54 mb/s isn't all that great. But the QOS features are needed especially for vid and telephony. And I am working with a company to make a consumer version of a wifi phone. :)
Believe me when you have a 400+ a month phone bill you find ways for your wife to call home that is cheaper.
El
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#30 By
3339 (65.198.47.10)
at
7/12/2002 5:36:21 PM
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I hear ya, el. Tanks for the info. Are you outside the US? I haven't seen a big need for VoIP but I can understand it for some.
Haven't checked it out yet but news.com has an article about IBM having a Wi-Fi system that can swap from cellular transmissions to 802.11--that 'd be wild to experience the long cellie ranges when necessary--even if the U.S, is fscked for cellular data transmission.
Agree with you 100% on using the bandwidth. Do you have any info on the status of .g certification in the U.S.? I haven't heard much in quite a while which has me wondering, but this sort of info doesn't always come to the surface... maybe I've just missed some tidbits.
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#31 By
5444 (208.180.140.230)
at
7/12/2002 5:56:56 PM
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yeah,
www.80211-planet.com is where I keep up with alot of the information.
I am also a member of our local Wireless group. that is working on Wireless zones for our town. Hooking up a direction 15 mile repeater is fun btw.
But we are working on trying to get WAN for the entire city so that several Lower income families have access to the internet for educational purposes. A work in progress, because there is a program to get computers to these children also. in an attempt to stop the digital devide. Not to mention that we are in a larger University town.
My wife is from the Ukraine. while not the most expensive place to call it is about 3 times as expensive to all as most other countries in Europe.
Working with the Ukrainian governement on allowing a WAP for my mother in laws place and installing a computer there. while I don't think I can get Broad band, in the city. I can get dialup and can set up the system so my wife and mother can talk.
The next goal will be to work with the citys in a couple of other places. so that VoIP just becomes more prevalent.
Since I do live in a college town, I pay taxes for that prevaledge. so part of the plan is to allow for a secure tap into the broadband that the university offers. to offer the access points to the low income areas.
El
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#32 By
3339 (65.198.47.10)
at
7/12/2002 6:16:32 PM
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Sounds very cool, el; good luck and thanks for the info.
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#33 By
4209 (64.78.96.11)
at
7/12/2002 10:08:31 PM
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I never said I would not use the bandwidth, but to stream my movies and all I would go with wired not wireless. I am an Electrical Engineer who works in the Broadcast industry and I will tell you now that the 2.4 and 5 GHz ranges are already maxed out, and everyone on the block with WiFi is not going to help it at all. You would not get real good speeds if you had a neighborhood full of wireless. Anyway we on this site are not the average home user, the average home user is not going to stream movies or transfer at blistering speeds. The home user wants his PC or laptop or iMac in the livingroom or kitchen to use to check e-mail and store recipes and use the internet. That is what the people want, not streaming 54 mbs video.
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