Cutting the cords
With our ever-increasing digital life it seems we have more and more cables to deal with. You can free yourself from a few of them by investing in a wireless router and connecting all the computers, printers, back up drives and even your TV wirelessly.
Let’s start with the cheapest and easiest solution the wireless internet and email connection. First you’ll need a high-speed connection from MTS or Shaw and their free supplied cable box, a computer with a free USB port, or built in wireless modem and a wireless router. Many companies make routers and I have used D-Link, Belkin, Linksys and Apple and I have found some to be so tough to set-up I have had to call in experts (Linksys) and others so simple I was up and running in minutes. These days I like Apple’s Time Capsule, which works with both PC’s and Macs. I like it because it combines the latest Wireless G technology with a server grade hard drive for backing up your precious files.
Many router companies make wireless router add-on modules you plug into older computers or printers USB slots that enable them to transmit wirelessly. Most new computers have wireless modules built in. All new laptops are ready for the wireless world. A new router will set you back around $100.00.
Set-up is relatively easy. Pop the install disc into your primary computer and follow the on screen instructions. Plug the router into the supplied MTS or Shaw cable box using an Ethernet cable and plug in the router to a power source (OK so its not totally wireless) and turn it on. The software should walk you through it or if you are using an Apple router and computer it just works.
You will want to set some security options so that you are not supplying the whole street with free internet access and inadvertently sharing access to your computer’s hard drive contents with the world. When you set a password use letters and numbers and make it a 10 to 12 character chain. Don’t use your name, address, phone number, dog or kids names, use something villains won’t figure out too quickly.
You will find that a wireless connection is a little slower than being connected with an Ethernet cable. But when you’re surfing while on the deck or tucked into bed you won’t care.
The router does not need to be near your computer. I have mine tucked away in the basement out of sight. I took my bulky HP printer down there too as I can send documents to it wirelessly and that frees up more desk space. I have my printer attached with an Ethernet cable to the router but you can use one of the wireless modules we talked about earlier or some newer printers come with wireless capabilities installed.
If you have more than one computer install the software disc on each one until all have a wireless connection established. Don’t worry about mixing PC’s and Mac’s they all work seamlessly. One of the side benefits of a router is that all your computers are networked meaning that you can search one computer from another. Our house has three computers and many times the file I need is on a different machine. Using the network I can grab it and drag it to the machine I am working on.
Recently both PC’s and Mac’s are moving from the den into the living room and storing content from movies to music and photos. Apple has introduced Apple TV a little box that when plugged into a modern flat panel TV will search the hard-drives on each computer looking for content and store it or stream it wirelessly too your television on demand. With Apple’s iTunes store now “renting” movies you can download a favourite using your computer, send it to Apple TV and watch it on your living room set. PC’s have a similar capacity using Microsoft’s media center.
I use Apple’s Time Capsule, which is a great wireless router and adds the back-up function so many folks forget about. Once it is setup, the application “Time Machine” (part of the Leopard installed operating system on all new Macs) on my MacBook and MacBook Pro sends the data I want backed up to the server grade hard drive inside Time Capsule without me having to lift a finger. You can set it to grab a new back-up every few minutes, every few hours or every day. It’s peace of mind and convenience that is worth the extra cost to me. (Time Capsules start at $349.00 with a 500 GB harddrive)
Let’s start with the cheapest and easiest solution the wireless internet and email connection. First you’ll need a high-speed connection from MTS or Shaw and their free supplied cable box, a computer with a free USB port, or built in wireless modem and a wireless router. Many companies make routers and I have used D-Link, Belkin, Linksys and Apple and I have found some to be so tough to set-up I have had to call in experts (Linksys) and others so simple I was up and running in minutes. These days I like Apple’s Time Capsule, which works with both PC’s and Macs. I like it because it combines the latest Wireless G technology with a server grade hard drive for backing up your precious files.
Many router companies make wireless router add-on modules you plug into older computers or printers USB slots that enable them to transmit wirelessly. Most new computers have wireless modules built in. All new laptops are ready for the wireless world. A new router will set you back around $100.00.
Set-up is relatively easy. Pop the install disc into your primary computer and follow the on screen instructions. Plug the router into the supplied MTS or Shaw cable box using an Ethernet cable and plug in the router to a power source (OK so its not totally wireless) and turn it on. The software should walk you through it or if you are using an Apple router and computer it just works.
You will want to set some security options so that you are not supplying the whole street with free internet access and inadvertently sharing access to your computer’s hard drive contents with the world. When you set a password use letters and numbers and make it a 10 to 12 character chain. Don’t use your name, address, phone number, dog or kids names, use something villains won’t figure out too quickly.
You will find that a wireless connection is a little slower than being connected with an Ethernet cable. But when you’re surfing while on the deck or tucked into bed you won’t care.
The router does not need to be near your computer. I have mine tucked away in the basement out of sight. I took my bulky HP printer down there too as I can send documents to it wirelessly and that frees up more desk space. I have my printer attached with an Ethernet cable to the router but you can use one of the wireless modules we talked about earlier or some newer printers come with wireless capabilities installed.
If you have more than one computer install the software disc on each one until all have a wireless connection established. Don’t worry about mixing PC’s and Mac’s they all work seamlessly. One of the side benefits of a router is that all your computers are networked meaning that you can search one computer from another. Our house has three computers and many times the file I need is on a different machine. Using the network I can grab it and drag it to the machine I am working on.
Recently both PC’s and Mac’s are moving from the den into the living room and storing content from movies to music and photos. Apple has introduced Apple TV a little box that when plugged into a modern flat panel TV will search the hard-drives on each computer looking for content and store it or stream it wirelessly too your television on demand. With Apple’s iTunes store now “renting” movies you can download a favourite using your computer, send it to Apple TV and watch it on your living room set. PC’s have a similar capacity using Microsoft’s media center.
I use Apple’s Time Capsule, which is a great wireless router and adds the back-up function so many folks forget about. Once it is setup, the application “Time Machine” (part of the Leopard installed operating system on all new Macs) on my MacBook and MacBook Pro sends the data I want backed up to the server grade hard drive inside Time Capsule without me having to lift a finger. You can set it to grab a new back-up every few minutes, every few hours or every day. It’s peace of mind and convenience that is worth the extra cost to me. (Time Capsules start at $349.00 with a 500 GB harddrive)
Comments