How to install a wireless network -- for free!

By David Ramel

February 27, 2004 12:00 PM ET

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Computerworld - Recently, a certain co-worker wrote a hands-on review of a certain hardware upgrade for a certain Knowledge Center on Computerworld.com.

So I decided I needed a hands-on review of a hardware upgrade for the Mobile/Wireless Knowledge Center.

But this certain co-worker is the kind of guy who gets excited about his latest flat-panel high-definition TV set with all the bells and whistles. Or his just-released mind-control miniaturized camera cell phone, or brand-new big-screen SuperUltraPowerBook or 500TB iPod. You get the idea.

I'm the kind of guy who gets excited by the money saved when my daughter decides she's a "big girl" and doesn't need Pull-Ups overnight any longer. Or when my son's new jeans still have knees by their third trip through the laundry. You get the idea.

Let's just say there's a certain discrepancy in disposable income levels.

So in view of certain financial constraints, what to write about?

Well, it just so happens I recently installed a wireless home network! This may not sound that exciting, but every time I change anything on a computer, it turns into a marathon survival drama full of skinned knuckles, lost screws, missing device drivers, trashed registries, futile Web searches and heated exchanges with certain family members who remind me that dinner is getting cold.


The final product: The Ramel 2004 Digital Music Jukebox. The AnyPoint wireless device is sitting on top of the PC speaker.

Sure, there was some of that, but it worked out in the end. And fairly smoothly. I think it only took two or three operating system reinstallations. (Note: When you get annoying boot-up messages about missing files referenced in the registry or system.ini, DON'T go delete those files from the registry or system.ini just to get rid of those annoying messages.)

And it cost $0. I was damn proud of myself.

So all of you IT leaders at Fortune 500 companies who may need some pointers on installing a wireless network at absolutely no cost, get out the notepad and prepare to learn.

First, go work for a computer publication. And steal -- I mean, set aside for further consideration -- any and all hardware sent in by vendors for editorial review. Especially old Intel AnyPoint wireless devices. These units, sent in a few years ago, actually use the old HomeRF technology -- 1.6Mbit/sec., baby! When's the last time you heard of that?

(Oh, yeah. Hey, Intel, here's your somewhat delayed review: These AnyPoint units work great -- I highly recommend them. Forget that 802.11 stuff!)

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