Rik Fairlie Resources on ZDNet

ZDNet Resources

Network Magic simplifies tasks for home users: Network Magic from Pure Networks isn't a new product, but it's new to me. I've been playing around with this home-network manager for a week or so, and I think it's a great solution for those who are unfamiliar with networking. Its clean design and easy-to-understand interface helps you perform...; Tags: Network, Network Magic, Network Map, Network Advisor, Networking, Rik Fairlie; Blog posts 2008-05-09
D-Link (finally) releases the DSM-750 media extender: It's been a very long time coming--D-Link first unveiled the MediaLounge DSM-750 at CES in January 2007--but the company announced today that it is finally shipping the media extender. The $329.99 DSM-750 is a Windows Media Center Extender that enables you to stream...; Tags: D-Link Systems, Windows Media, PC, Video, Microsoft Windows Media Center, MediaLounge DSM-750, Media Streamer, Microsoft Windows, Home Networking, Corporate Communications, Digital Media, TVs, Operating Systems, Software, Networking, Personal Technology, Marketing, Consumer Electronics, Home Entertainment, Rik Fairlie; Blog posts 2008-05-07
IT managers voice doubt on speed, PoE for 802.11n hardware: Computerworld has an interesting story describing IT managers' doubts about the 802.11n Wi-Fi hardware. In a panel discussion at Interop, the corporate tech guys describe installations that fail to deliver the promised throughput and discuss doubts on the new hardware's ability to deliver Power over Ethernet (PoE). ...; Tags: Voice, IEEE 802.11n, Hardware, Power Over Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Wireless, Rik Fairlie; Blog posts 2008-05-01
Netgear announces new switches, access point at Interop: Netgear launched at Interop a handful of new switches that introduce static routing capabilities to the company's SMB product line. It also unveiled an 802.11n dual-band access point that brings in support for the 5GHz spectrum. New ProSafe Gigabit Smart Switches deliver PoE,...; Tags: Security, Associated Press, NetGear, Access Point, Home Networking, Smb/Sme, Wireless, Networking, Personal Technology, Rik Fairlie; Blog posts 2008-04-29
Archos Wi-Fi media receiver includes DVR for recording TV content: Archos has just launched a new set-top Wi-Fi media receiver that one-ups Apple TV by enabling you to record content from your television. The Archos TV+, which includes a Web browser, also enables you to watch Web content like YouTube video and certain programming from network TV Web sites. ...; Tags: Archos, Video, Wi-Fi, Digital Video Recorder, Programming, Archos Wi-Fi Media Receiver, DVR Capability, Corporate Communications, TVs, Tv & Home Theater, DVR, Digital Video, Development Tools, Marketing, Personal Technology, Home Entertainment, Software Development, Software/Web Development, Rik Fairlie; Blog posts 2008-04-24

Study finds that 14 percent of U.S. consumers "borrow" free Wi-Fi: A new study from Accenture reveals that 12 percent of U.S. and U.K. respondents admit to using someone else's Wi-Fi connection. Accenture says that piggybacking is more common in the United States, with one in seven people--14 percent-- admitting to borrowing someone else's signal. And, not surprisingly, the practice is...; Tags: U.S., Accenture Ltd., U.K., Wi-Fi, Wireless LANs, Security, Wireless, Rik Fairlie; Blog posts 2008-04-22
Ruckus launches first mesh-based 802.11n WLAN: Ruckus Wireless has introduced what it says is the first wireless mesh-based 802.11n WLAN solution for small and medium businesses. According to Ruckus, its new SmartMesh technology enables a simple installation at half the cost of similar Wi-Fi networks, yet delivers improved performance. ...; Tags: IEEE 802.11n, WLAN, Access Point, Ruckus Wireless, SmartMesh, ZoneDirector 1000, Ethernet, Wireless, Wireless LANs, Wi-Fi, Networking, Rik Fairlie; Blog posts 2008-04-21
How to troubleshoot your VoIP phone setup: I use a Vonage VoIP phone, and I noticed over the past few weeks that I was getting a lot more static during calls and, far worse, that my Internet connection was starting to drop when I answered the phone. I can take some phone interference, but when my Net...; Tags: VoIP, Phone, Router, Network, Vonage Holdings Corp., Adapter, VoIP Phone, Phone Adapter, Telecom & Utilities, Networking, Rik Fairlie; Blog posts 2008-04-18
Build your own Wi-Fi antenna: If you need a signal boost and want to get a little creative, the U.K. site Heise Online has a detailed post on creating a homemade Cantenna for 802.11b/g routers. (802.11a routers require antennas of different dimensions.) It's a great way to recycle packaging for household goods and ramp up...; Tags: Antenna, Wireless LANs, Routers & Switches, Wi-Fi, Network Technology, Wireless, Networking, Rik Fairlie; Blog posts 2008-04-16
How to network Outlook using Google Apps: Over the past eight years or so, I've grown accustomed to using Microsoft Outlook as my e-mail client, calendar, and contact manager. But I ran into a wall after leaving the refuge of a corporate network: I found that I couldn't rely on Outlook because I regularly use four different...; Tags: Google Inc., Google Apps, Network, Microsoft Outlook, E-mail, Groupware, Microsoft Office, Office Suites, Software, Online Communications, Enterprise Software, Rik Fairlie; Blog posts 2008-04-11
Intel splits Wi-Fi signal to create two adapters: Intel has demonstrated a future technology dubbed Cliffside that enables a single Wi-Fi adapter to work as two adapters, one of which becomes a Personal Area Network (PAN). The demo took place in Shanghai before the recent Intel Developer Forum, but you can see Intel marketing product manager Gary Martz...; Tags: Personal Area Network, Adapter, Intel Corp., Cliffside, Bluetooth, Wireless LANs, Wi-Fi, Wireless, Rik Fairlie; Blog posts 2008-04-07
iPass launches Wi-Fi and 3G service for travelers: If you're operating without the benefit of an expense account, staying connected while traveling can be an annoyingly pricey proposition. A new service from iPass enables you to connect via Wi-Fi, 3G cellular data, and (no!) dial-up if necessary, all at pretty reasonable prices. iPassConnect gives you...; Tags: iPass Inc., Wi-Fi, 3G, Wireless, Cellular Phones, Wireless LANs, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Rik Fairlie; Blog posts 2008-04-03
New service could make your 3G phone a Wi-Fi hot spot: Want to turn your Wi-Fi-enabled 3G phone into a wireless hot spot? A company called TapRoot Systems has launched a product that will enable you to do just that. There's just one catch: The WalkingHotSpot service will be marketed to wireless carriers, who will then offer it to their subscribers....; Tags: Phone, WalkingHotSpot, TapRoot, 3G, Wireless LANs, Wireless, Wi-Fi, Cellular Phones, Telecom & Utilities, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Rik Fairlie; Blog posts 2008-03-31
Wi-Fi on the Rhine: I'm sampling Wi-Fi, among other tasty things, this week on the Rhine River in Germany. I'm on vacation aboard a river cruiser, the MS Amadagio, which sailed from Amsterdam on Sunday. Today we're headed toward Frankfurt. As with its TV service, the Amadagio grabs its Internet signal...; Tags: Ship, Wireless LANs, Wi-Fi, Internet, Wireless, Rik Fairlie; Blog posts 2008-03-26
Make your own Wi-Fi access point, for free: Looking for something to do this weekend? If you've got an old wireless router that you have outgrown, why not turn it into an access point and use it to wipe out dead zones throughout your home? I just ran across a handy...; Tags: Wi-Fi Access Point, Wi-Fi, Access Point, Wireless, Rik Fairlie; Blog posts 2008-03-21
Apple's new AirPort Express 802.11n takes the slow lane: I've always wanted an AirPort Express Base Station, if only because my stereo and laser printer are in a closet in my living room. If I hooked up the AirPort Express in that closet (I do have a power outlet), I could wirelessly connect the printer via its USB port...; Tags: Apple AirPort Express, IEEE 802.11n, Apple Inc., AirPort, Printers, Wi-Fi, Digital Media, Hardware, Peripherals, Wireless, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Rik Fairlie; Blog posts 2008-03-20
How I (finally) shared a Wi-Fi connection with my neighbors: Editor's note: Don't try this at home. Sharing your Internet connection may be against your ISP's terms of service. My neighbors in Woodstock, NY, aren't wired for cable or DSL, so I figured I'd extend some country courtesy and wirelessly share my cable connection. But I had...; Tags: House, Device, Router, Wi-Fi Connection, Wi-Fi, Ruckus, Routers & Switches, Network Technology, Desktops, Networking, Wireless, Hardware, Rik Fairlie; Blog posts 2008-03-18
How wireless power could deliver a truly wireless network: I have often pondered exactly how Wi-Fi works. How do we really grab all this great content out of thin air? (Not being a scientist, I just lumped it in with other airborne magic like FM radio and TV signals.) And I've also wondered why we don't have wireless electricity,...; Tags: Network, Wireless Network, Wi-Fi, Wireless, Rik Fairlie; Blog posts 2008-03-15
A free and easy way to test your Wi-Fi security: If you're wondering just how secure your home network is, here's an easy way to find out. Pure Networks, makers of the popular Network Magic management tool for home networks, has a free diagnostic scan that will deliver a scorecard on your network's security status. ...; Tags: Router, Network, Network Magic, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Security, Networking, Routers & Switches, Rik Fairlie; Blog posts 2008-03-13
Wi-Fire high-gain Wi-Fi antenna doesn't always ignite: In my quest for a wider-reaching Wi-Fi signal, I took notice when I stumbled upon a new (to me) company called hField Technologies. It markets a directional USB antenna that can deliver a signal up to 1,000 feet. But what really got me? A review from MacEnstein.com that claimed hField's...; Tags: Antenna, Wireless LANs, Wi-Fi, Wireless, Networking, Rik Fairlie; Blog posts 2008-03-10