Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Totally wireless with XP?

by Mailman Dec 3, 2003 11:36PM PST

This might be off topic, but in my opinion this XP
forum is the most populous and is seen by the most members.

I'm seeing the trend in going wireless with networking.
Very nice. But is it feasable to go wireless with all hardware?
A little antenna for the keyboard, mouse, printer, monitor?
If this could be cone in XP, think of the benefits in neatness alone.
What are they waiting for?

~Dave

Discussion is locked

7 Posts
- Collapse + Expand Details
- Collapse -
Re:Totally wireless with XP?
by Yew Dec 3, 2003 11:50PM PST

There's been wireless keyboards almost as long as there's been PCs. The early ones were obnoxious IR based models that didn't work too well requiring a direct line of sight. Now there are slightly better IR keyboards and mice, as well as RF based mice and keyboards.

But once you start getting to printer and monitor, you're going to need something a bit more than 802.11b. Wireless printers might work for an individual home, but would be almost completely unworkable in a business setting. And I don't know if people would be accepting of the latency issues when it comes to their monitor displays. Even on a 10Mbps connection (almost 10X faster than the fastest DSL connection), trying to use any sort of remote control software requires some patients.

- Collapse -
Re:Re:Totally wireless with XP?
by Mailman Dec 4, 2003 12:02AM PST

Any wireless keyboards and mouse I've seen requires a wire
connection from the light receiver on the desktop to the
appropriate connection on the back of the tower.
I'm talking about an antenna on the hardware transmitting
to an antenna on the motherboard. I'm not aware of this
being available now. This would completely eliminate
any wires on the back of the towers. It would also
require many separate frequencies to isolate each component.

~Dave

- Collapse -
Re:Re:Re:Totally wireless with XP?
by Yew Dec 4, 2003 1:11AM PST

Intel is reportedly working on something like this. Starting with including a wireless controller chip in all future motherboard chipsets (just minus an antenna initially), then slowly progressing to where virtually all components communicate with one another via wireless broadcasts inside the case.

The idea's an interesting one, but I don't know if it really has any benifit over the current design aside from reducing clutter from wires.

One very important idea to remember, is that new isn't always better. There are a lot of ways wireless networking is highly inferior to wired networking, and sometimes the wired solution is simply the best one, even if it's not the only one.

Now, if you want to push for monitor vendors to include some longer bloody cords, I'm behind you completely on that.

- Collapse -
Re:Re:Re:Re:Totally wireless with XP?
by Mailman Dec 4, 2003 1:16AM PST

"Now, if you want to push for monitor vendors to include some longer bloody cords, I'm behind you completely on that."

LOL. I have an extension on mine already. But I'm mainly
interested in eliminating all external wires. Which I'm
sure will p.o. the folks who manufacture them.

~Dave

- Collapse -
Security and VCR's flashing 12:00
by LarryD Dec 4, 2003 1:43AM PST

Before the whole world goes wireless, remember that most VCR's continually flash 12:00 as most users can't figure out how to configure the time. That being said http://news.com.com/2452-7351-5112168.html points out that two thirds of wireless systems are not protected.

Imagine a wireless world where your work gets printed on your neighbor's printer? Or you upload his 'private' photos from his digital camera?

- Collapse -
NT - Or you press a garage door opener and it starts spitting out paper.
by Cursorcowboy Dec 4, 2003 2:29AM PST

.

- Collapse -
Re:Security and VCR's flashing 12:00
by Mailman Dec 4, 2003 2:29AM PST

Can these current obstacles not be overcome?
Our wireless phones are a case in point.
I can't remember the last time I answered my neighbor's calls.

~Dave

Back to Windows Legacy OS forum

CNET Forums

Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Brand Forums
Roadshow Autos
Off Topic

Other Forums

Forum Info