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Techno
Page - By Harendra Alwis Wi - Fi:
The wireless network Now you ask
what is wi-fi? Short for Wireless Fidelity it is one of the hottest
technologies to emerge in recent years. It is a wireless technology,
much like cell phones, which uses radio waves to broadcast signals.
There are two powerful radio technologies currently being used with
wi-fi networks. One is IEEE 802.11b, which has an 11 Mbps data rate
and the other IEEE 802.11a with a data rate of 54 Mbps. Another
standard, the IEEE 802.11g with a higher data-transmitting rate
is yet to be certified. The wi-fi networks operate in the unlicensed
2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands. The backbone
of the wi-fi network is the wireless access points. These are essentially
transmitting antennae usually linked to a DSL or a high-speed land
based Internet connection and it will beam signals using radio waves.
These wireless access points can be set up practically anywhere.
Another antenna, which is connected to your lap top or any other
device can capture these signals and process them. Devices capable
of doing this are said to be configured with a Wi-Fi CERTIFIED radio
(a PC card or similar device) and by using these devices you can
connect anywhere where there are other Wi-Fi certified products
- be it home or office, an airport or a hotel or even a park or
other public area equipped with a Wi-Fi access point. One example
is Starbucks of United States, which has already wired 2000 of their
coffee shops nationwide with Wi-Fi access, enabling their patrons
to surf the net while enjoying their hot cup of java. This is different
from a normal Internet cafe because the people can use their own
machines (Lap tops or PDAs) to do the work. Last week saw
a major event that gave a boost to the wi-fi technology. This was
the launching of the Centrino chip by Intel Corp. This is the newest
line of chips introduced by Intel, which contains a built-in Wi-Fi
transceiver, has a longer battery life and is expected to make wireless
chips for laptops a standard. Intel also announced that it will
provide millions mare in funding for firms that make Wi-Fi technology
to fuel the growth of an industry. Another important
event is the launch of the official web site of the Wi-Fi Alliance,
which provides users a search facility of their database of thousands
of wireless access points spanning 23 countries. Now, when you're
planning your next business trip or holiday, you can check out where
the nearest access points are in that city. In case you're
wondering what the Wi-Fi Alliance is, it is a nonprofit international
trade organisation that tests 802.11 based wireless equipment to
make sure that it meets the Wi-Fi standard and works with all other
manufacturers' Wi-Fi equipment on the market and provides the Wi-Fi
certification for products. You can check
out the official web site of the Wi-Fi Alliance at www.wi-fizone.org
for more information. With wireless
technologies, it severs the bonds between the computer, network
media and connectivity devices, thereby giving the users more freedom.
These technologies are redefining our boundaries, bringing the world
ever more closer together. We can look
forward to a world without cables and connectors and where your
boss can send you more work even if you are stranded in a deserted
island. How piracy
affects you developers,
retail store owners, and ultimately all software users. Consumers
are at risk * It often
lacks key elements and documentation, and it always carries no warranty
protection or upgrade options. * These untested,
counterfeit discs may be infected with viruses that will damage
your hard drive and may cripple your entire network. * If they copy
software at work, users put themselves and their company at risk
by pirating a product protected by copyright laws. Economic
losses Innovation
is slowed Yahoo still
pops! Snippets * Philips has announced the introduction of LightFrame3, a dramatically enhanced software/hardware package that delivers brighter and sharper photo, video and game screen display simultaneously in multiple windows. LightFrame 3 automatically boosts sharpness and brightness of up to 16 images in web pages displayed with Microsoft Internet Explorer. LightFrame 3 allows users to adjust four levels of sharpness and three levels of brightness to give users the flexibility of 12 options for picture optimisation, making LightFrame 3 the only product of its type in the market in addition to delivering these simultaneous on-demand enhancements. Robbie
behind the troops Among the videos
which have been blacklisted by Music Television bosses are Don't
Want To Miss A Thing by Aerosmith, Lucky by Radiohead and Boom by
System Of A Down. The latter is a direct protest against the war
in Iraq. MTV staff have
also been asked to omit songs with sensitive titles. One such song
which has been banned is B.O.B (Bombs Over Baghdad) by Outkast.
Robbie Williams
has denied stories that he has written a new track in opposition
to the war in Iraq. This is because Robbie is going to carry the
track Happy Easter (War Is Coming) along with the new single Come
Undone. Williams was
quick to deny claims that he was not acting in a patriotic manner.
He said he was not pro-war but was behind the troops. He added that
he supports democracy. Robbie Williams'
controversial track Happy Easter (War Is Coming) is lyrically similar
to the late John Lennon's anti-war protest song of 1972 during the
Vietnam war which was titled Happy X'mas (War Is Over). Robbie will
release his new single on April 14. Come Undone, the new single
will also carry Happy Easter (War Is Coming). Spirit In The
Sky by Gareth Gates featuring The Kumars is the No.1 song in the
UK for a second consecutive week. If you were wondering who The
Kumars associated with the single are, well they are the cast from
the award winning TV comedy The Kumars At No. 42. The single
is in aid of the Comic Relief Charity. Entering the
UK chart at No. 3 is Being Nobody by Richard X Vs Liberty X. Richard
X was the person behind bootlegging the Sugababes' Freak Like Me. On the single
Being Nobody, Richard has refilled the old Rufus and Chaka Khan
hit Ain't Nobody, but this time officially. Liberty X is the group
on board for the song as it follows their previous hit Holding On
For You. Being Nobody
is the 6th Top 20 hit for the award winning group Liberty X. The Rufus and
Chaka Khan rendition and best todate first peaked in the chart at
No. 8 in 1984 . A remixed version by the same duo peaked at No.
6 in 1989. The all boy
group Blue enjoy their first hit for 2003 with U Make Me Wanna which
peaked at No. 4 this week. It follows the group's chart topping
duet with Sir Elton John - the track Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest
Word - from December last year. Back in the
Top 20 after a break of five years is the band Simply Red. Mick
Hucknall and his team hit the chart at No. 7 with Sunrise. The new track
is quite popular as it is based on the 1982 Hall & Oates hit
I Can't Go For That (No Can Do) with little bits of the original
lyrics creeping into Sunrise. It's the first
hit for Simply Red since The Air That I Breathe peaked at No.6 in
1998. Simply Red
is one of the few surviving 1980s bands. Mick Hucknall is the only
original member left and he is in other words, Simply Red. The band
had some super releases like Holding Back the Years, If you Don't
know Me By Now, A New Flame, Something Got Me Started, For Your
Babies and Fairground. A song with
pop and urban appeal Bump Bump by B2K featurning P. Diddy entered
the chart at No. 11. This is the US boy-band's first UK hit. The
song has already topped the US chart. Rapper P. Diddy
makes a guest appearance on the single and you know what to expect
next. A shocking
club version of Queen's Flash hit the chart at No. 15. The German
remix is a bizarre rendition of Flash which was originally the theme
tune for the movie Flash Gordon. Die hard Queen
fans will be horrified with this version of Flash but then again,
a new generation seems to appreciate the new club remix. Massive Attack member Robert Del Naja has been cleared of child pornography after police said there was insufficient evidence against him. All material taken from his property is to be returned. Naja, a.k.a. 3-D was arrested by Police in Bristol on February 25. Naja however, still may face charges of possessing a controlled drug. UK top BLC
Mini Fair The Fair will have many exciting stalls selling food and drink, garments, CDs, cosmetics, bags, electrical items, potted plants and many more. Special attractions include a free delivery flower stall, bridal show, lucky dip, games of skill, raffle draw etc. The open-air disco starts at 4 p.m. Tickets will be available at the gate. Those interested in having stalls at the fair could contact the college office on 695347. |
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