Ensuring Compliance and Compatibility ....................................................21
Speed Limits on the Cyberhighway .............................................................24
Measuring speeds in cyberspace .......................................................24
Comparing advertised and actual wireless speeds .........................25
Comparing common Internet-connection speeds............................26
Picking the Standard That Meets Your Needs ............................................27
Chapter 3: Gearing Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Surveying Your Needs Before You Shop......................................................29
Living Large with a Laptop............................................................................31
Ensuring wireless capability ...............................................................32
Employing a Wi-Fi-friendly operating system ...................................33
Scouting out durability ........................................................................34
Keeping Life Compact with a PDA................................................................35
Deciding on an operating system .......................................................37
Picking a PDA ........................................................................................38
Considering your wireless options ....................................................41
Customizing with a browser, mouse, and keyboard ........................41
Getting more PDA info .........................................................................42
Adapting Your Laptop or PDA for Wireless ................................................43
Looking at enhanced-performance laptop adapters........................45
Perusing PDA adapters ........................................................................48
Extending Your Range....................................................................................48
Comparing directional and omni-directional antennas...................49
Choosing an indoor versus an outdoor antenna..............................50
Checking out example antennas.........................................................52
Getting cables and connectors ...........................................................53
Combining power and sensitivity in a kit..........................................54
Chapter 4: Putting Your Gear Together . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Getting Ready to Install a Wireless Adapter ...............................................55
Read the instructions...........................................................................56
Addressing the Wireless Zero Configuration utility.........................56
Eliminating conflict between integrated wireless
and wireless adapters ......................................................................59
Installing a Wireless Adapter (Laptop) .......................................................60
Installing the drivers ............................................................................60
Running the adapter's connection utility..........................................62
Installing a Wireless Adapter (PDA) ............................................................64
Setting up the PDA or Pocket PC ........................................................64
Updating drivers and firmware...........................................................66
Attaching an External Antenna.....................................................................66
Setting up an outdoor omnidirectional antenna ..............................67
Setting up an outdoor directional antenna .......................................72
Setting up an indoor antenna..............................................................73
Putting an External Amplifier in the Mix .....................................................74
Installing for intermittent use .............................................................75
Installing for constant use...................................................................75
Over-the-Road Wireless For Dummies
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