Anywhere Computing with Laptops : Making Mobile Easier

887 Pages·2006·15.49 MB·English

by  Harold Davis

Anywhere Computing with Laptops: Making Mobile Easier
Table of Contents
Copyright
About the Author
Acknowledgments
We Want to Hear from You!
Introduction
How This Book Is Organized
Conventions Used in This Book
Let Me Know What You Think
Part I. Mobile Computing Quick Start
Chapter 1. Understanding Intel Centrino Mobile Technology
Intel Centrino Mobile Technology and Wi-Fi
Platform Architecture
The Benefits of Built-in Wi-Fi
The Importance of Performance
Changing the Way People Use Computers
Clearing Bottlenecks and Roadblocks
Intel s Mobile Technology Vision
The Future Is Faster; Wireless Is Everywhere
Summary
Chapter 2. Buying a Mobile Computer
Getting to Know Your Future Wi-Fi Laptop
Trade-offs
Buying a Mobile Computer
Value-Priced Laptops: What You Need to Know When You're Ready
to Buy
What You Need to Know about Buying a High Computing
Performance Laptop
What to Know when Buying an Ultra Long Battery Life Laptop
General Advice Regardless of the Type of Laptop You Buy
Where to Buy
Summary
Chapter 3. Configuring Your Mobile Computer
Working with the Control Panel
Help with Network Tasks
Working with the New Connection Wizard
Using the Network Setup Wizard
Understanding the Network Connections Window
Using Wireless Network Connections Properties
Enabling a Personal Firewall
Bridging Wireless Connections
Summary
Part II. Getting the Most from Your Mobile Computer
Chapter 4. Software That Makes the Most of Mobile Computing
Office Suites
Powerful Presentations on the Go
Email
Web Browsers
Transferring and Synchronizing Files
Pop-Up and Spyware Blockers
Summary
Chapter 5. Taking Digital Pictures from Your Laptop
Picture Quality
Locating the Camera
Taking a Picture
Working with Your Camera
Saving the Photos
Your Wi-Fi Photos on the Internet
Summary
Chapter 6. Using Your Mobile Computer As a Telephone
Understanding Internet Telephony
VoIP Vendors
The Hardware You'll Need
Bandwidth Considerations
Installing VoIP Software and Making Your First Call
Summary
Chapter 7. Let Your Laptop Entertain You: Streaming Media,
Gaming, and More
Downloading and Playing Music
Downloading and Playing Movies
Connecting to Home Entertainment Systems
Online Gaming
Summary
Part III. Mobile Computing On The Road
Chapter 8. Entering a World Without Wires
Understanding Wi-Fi
802.11 and Its Variations
Understanding Wi-Fi Networks
Hitting the Road with Wi-Fi
Summary
Chapter 9. Finding Hotspots
Where Are Hotspots Likely to Be?
Finding Hotspots
Paying for Your Fun
Surfing While You Sip
Using Directories
Finding Free Hotspots
Becoming a Hotspot
Summary
Chapter 10. Working with National Wi-Fi Networks
Wi-Fi Networks
Special Pricing, Good and Bad
What the Networks Charge
Comparison Shopping
Summary
Part IV. Your Own Wireless Network
Chapter 11. Networking Without Wires
Understanding Home and SOHO Networks
Different Ways to Use Wi-Fi in a Network
The Equipment You'll Need
What's It Going to Cost?
Summary
Chapter 12. Buying a Wi-Fi Access Point or Router
Understanding the Different Pieces of Hardware
Wireless Networking Kits
Choosing a Wi-Fi Access Point
Specific Brands and Models
Summary
Chapter 13. Setting Up Your Access Point
Preliminaries
You Need a Working Internet Connection
Collect Your Settings
Plugging in the Hardware
Configuring Your Access Point
Connecting to the Wi-Fi Network
Setting Up a Wireless Network with Windows XP SP2
Summary
Chapter 14. Configuring Your Wi-Fi Network
Ad Hoc Networking
Setting Up Ad Hoc Wireless Networking
Connecting to the Ad Hoc Network
When Ad Hoc Networking Has Problems
Sharing a Connection Through a Computer
Troubleshooting a Network
Understanding Networks and Their Layouts
Setting Up a Hotspot with a DMZ
Summary
Chapter 15. Advanced Access Point Configuration
Dynamic IP Addressing Versus Fixed IP Assignment
Settings That Might Be Required by Your ISP
Upgrading Your Firmware
Access ControlYour LAN
Access ControlThe Internet
Understanding Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
DNS
More About Mixed Wired-Wireless Networks
Summary
Chapter 16. Adding Wi-Fi Antennas to Your Network
Why Use an Antenna with Wi-Fi?
Antenna Basics
Different Kinds of Antennas
Antennas and the FCC
Adding an Antenna to an Access Point
Where to Buy Your Wi-Fi Antenna
Summary
Part V. Securing Your Computer and Network
Chapter 17. Protecting Your Mobile Wi-Fi Computer
"Social" Engineering
Physical Lockdown
Using Password Protection
File Sharing
Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Personal Software for Protection
Summary
Chapter 18. Securing Your Wi-Fi Network
Understanding the Threat
What Steps Should You Take?
Understanding Firewalls
Setting Up a VPN
Summary
Part VI. Appendixes
Appendix A. Wireless Standards
Understanding 802.11 Wireless Standards
The Flavors of 802.11
Appendix B. Where the Hotspots Are
Online Directories
Wi-Fi Networks
Retail Locations
Hotels
Airports
Free Public Networks
Appendix C. Intel Centrino Mobile Technology Platform
Product Information and Components
Processor and Chipset
Intel Wireless Network Connection
Platform Benefits and Vision
Appendix D. Glossary
Index
SYMBOL
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H
I
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K
L
M
N
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Anywhere Computing with Laptops: Making Mobile
Easier
By Harold Davis
...............................................
Publisher: Que
Pub Date: August 31, 2005
ISBN: 0-7897-3327-7
Pages: 408

Table of Contents | Index
You bought your Centrino laptop computer because of its ease-of-use and
portability. But are you using your laptop to its maximum potential? Anywhere
Computing with Laptops: Making Mobile Easier will show you what to expect
when buying and configuring your laptop and how to use built-in features such
as digital cameras and Internet telephones. When you're on the road, there are
hotspots that will allow you to connect to multiple national networks for access to
data and the Internet. This book will show you how to find these hotspots, as well
as how to install and configure a wireless network for your home or office. Use
your laptop the way it was intended from anywhere!
Anywhere Computing with Laptops: Making Mobile
Easier
By Harold Davis
...............................................
Publisher: Que
Pub Date: August 31, 2005
ISBN: 0-7897-3327-7
Pages: 408

Table of Contents | Index

Copyright
About the Author
Acknowledgments
We Want to Hear from You!
Introduction
How This Book Is Organized

Conventions Used in This Book

Let Me Know What You Think

Part I.

Mobile Computing Quick Start

Chapter 1.

Understanding Intel Centrino Mobile Technology