#46 on Aug 8

Wireless Ethernet

     Let's keep it simple. Most people call it Wi-Fi. Technically, it is "a communication system that uses low-power microwave radio signals to connect laptop computers, PDAs, and web-enabled cell phones to the Internet."
     We have used Wi-Fi in previous sessions, but they were primarily for PC's. Anyone may bring a Wi-Fi equipped device to the August meeting. This will be an opportunity to tweak their device for best performance.
     Wi-Fi has a lot of advantages. Wireless networks are easy to set up and are inexpensive. They're also unobtrusive. Unless you're on the lookout for a place to use your laptop, you may not even notice when you're in a hotspot. At our next meeting, we'll look at the technology that allows information to travel over the air. We'll also review what it takes to create a wireless network in your home.
     For more information on Wi-Fi, go to:
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/wireless-network.htm

Routers

     A router is used to transmit Wi-Fi signals. Routers can be hacked. Some are more vulnerable than others, especially older models.
     Your best defense is to ensure that your router does not use the default password. Though this can't guard against exploitation of actual flaws in the router's software, it will at least prevent trivial attacks. You can check out your router model on line to verify its resistance to hackers.

      We had a good crowd at our July party. Thirty-three members and two guests attended: Sue Brooks, Nancy Brotherton, Jack Buff, Rondel Burke, Becky Burke, Peggy Carpenter, Reba Cordell, Jim Cox, Judson Crow, Gale Deal, Rodney Eaker, David Foster, Gene Graska, Randy Henderson, Judy Hicswa, Bill Keever, Allen Martin, Linda Miller, Charles Mize, Libby Mize, Humberto Ospina, Gloria Perkins, Ann Perry, Nona Perry, Linda Reeves, David Rhyne, Frances Rhyne, Charles Rudisill, Christine Simmons, Mike Vance, Sue Vance, Pat Wolfe, and Bob Wolfe.
The two visitors were Mary Hill and Norlinda Philbeck.

Birthdays in August

Six members were born in August: Chris Blankenship, Judson Crow, Lib Foster, Janice Hull, Christine Simmons, Sue Vance, and Nancy Venable

Birthstone= Jade                                     Flower= Gladiolus
Birthday Info: http://www.butlerwebs.com/holidays/default.htm

President's Notes

     Thanks to everyone who made our Independence Day celebration a success. We had plenty of food and camaraderie.
      Our meeting was short so the food wouldn't get cold. We covered several matters, and several people wanted us to have a follow-up meeting on Wi-Fi. More on this in the column on the left.

The Data Byte is the official publication of CUGOL, the Computer Users Group of Lincolnton., Direct comments to:Charles F. Mize   4797 Asbury Church Rd. Lincolnton, NC 28092 Phone 704-735-6433 = Fax 704-735-1899 E-mail editor: charlesfrank2@gmail.com E-mail CUGOL: welcome2cugol@gmail.com Web page: www.cugol.org (CUGOL welcomes anyone with an interest in computers.)