HomeLAN

All three computers operate as one. Each one can access, modify, and save files from and/or to each of the others. All three computers operate as one.

I replaced my old K-6 desktop computer with a new AMD Athlon 750Mhz, 512 RAM computer. I put my old computer in a back bedroom to get it out of the way; however, I use it for backup storage.

I spend a lot of time outside on my deck working with my laptop computer. There was just one problem. It seemed that every time I wanted to do something the file I wanted was always on one of the other computers. So, I tried getting the files I needed using pcAnywhere and Laplink. I tried sending files to an Internet storage and then downloading them to the laptop. Everything I tried either required too much time, or it wasn't the file I really wanted.

Then, I saw an ad in a Fry's flyer for a Local Area Network (LAN) for the home. So, I went down to Fry's and plunked down 300 bucks on my Am Express card and brought home three wireless plugin antennas for my computers.

Now, I am not pushing the Intel AnyPoint units that I bought as the only way to go. However, I am pushing the idea that connecting your New, Old, and Laptop computers together as a Local Area Network is the only way to go. Here is what I did and how mine works.

First, I plugged one of the antennas into the USB port on my new 750Mhz Athlon desktop computer. Then I installed the software making the AMD desktop the "Server" computer. Next, I plugged another antenna into the USB port on the back of my old computer in the back bedroom (The old computer didn't have a USB port, so I had to install a 15 dollar USB card into the old computer first). Then, I installed the software on that computer making it a "Client" computer. And, last I plugged a PC card antenna into the PC slot of my laptop, installed the "Client" software, and I was in business.

Now, each morning the first thing I do is fire up my desktop computer. It is the master or "Server" for my home network. As I reported earlier, my desktop is always connected to the Internet through the @home.com high speed TV cable hookup.

I go outside and get the newspaper for my roommate of 54 years; then, I grab a coup of coffee, fire up my laptop computer in the family room, and it recognizes the desktop server and connects to it. I just start my Netscape browser on my laptop and it connects to the Internet just as though the Internet cable was connected directly to the laptop.

The first thing I do before looking at the comics is to check my email. Anything I would like to save I download to either the laptop or the desktop or both.

Through the day I backup or transfer or save files from one computer to another. I keep my portfolio accounts backed up on both of the other computers and on an Internet "X" file just to make sure they are never totally lost. If that sounds like over kill you have never lost all of your financial records.

OK, you have the idea. There are several brands available from different companies. You can find networks that are wireless with a range like mine of about 75 feet (half the advertised distance), or ones that hook up through your household phone plugs; and, there are several different speeds. Mine is 1.6 Mbps, which I find, works just fine; however, speeds up to 10Mbps are available.