WiFi: What is it?
Most people have heard of it, but the obvious question often
seems to come to mind: what exactly is WiFi
technology?
The answer is that it's a way to transfer data wirelessly, using
the IEEE 802.11 networking standard. It allows users to access
the internet at high-speeds, without the inconvenience of being
plugged into a cable or DSL connection.
The one limitation of WiFi is that it's primarily a short-range
technology, so you do need to be close to a wireless access
point or "hotspot" to use it. Because of its immense popularity,
however, WiFi
locations are relatively easy to find.
A good WiFi
directory will show you that there are hotspots located in
most high traffic areas, including airports, hotels, malls,
libraries, and coffee shops. With the proper hardware, you can
generally get internet access at little or no cost, if you know
the right places to look.