The Book of Wireless, 2nd Edition: A Painless
Guide to Wi-Fi and Broadband Wireless
Reviewed by Robert Pritchett
Author: John Ross
Publisher: No
Starch Press
http://www.nostarch.com/wireless.htm
Released: January
2008
Pages: 336
$30 USD, $36 CND
ISBN-10: 1-59327-169-7
ISBN-13: 978-1-59327-169-5
Strengths: Offers
a non-geek-like approach to understanding Wi-Fi and Wireless communications.
Weaknesses: While attempting to cover
Windows, Mac, Linux, Unix and Smartphones, the book tends to gloss over
details and leans heavily towards the Windows environment.
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Introduction
This plain-English guide demystifies
configuring and using wireless networks-everything from shopping for parts to
securing your network. Learn how to:
Select and configure hardware and software for your Wi-Fi network
and configure access points to minimize interference
Secure your network using WPA encryption or a virtual private
network (VPN)
- Discover open networks and maintain your privacy while surfing in
public
- Use VoIP over a wireless connection to talk on the phone for next
to nothing
- Evaluate wireless data services based on cost, speed, and
coverage
- Extend your network to give your neighbors free wireless Internet
access
Table of Contents - http://www.tinker.tv/download/wireless_toc.pdf
What I Learned
John Ross knows Windows and Linux, but not Mac so much. I
could be wrong. The Mac chapter (8) is either thin on purpose, because the
process is so simple and there isn’t a whole lot to write about. I’m guessing
he didn’t dig deep enough. Nearly all the links in the book are for
Windows-based snooping (wireless connectivity searching) and portable computer
protection. Towards the back of the book there is mention of Voice over IP and
possibly how to use it. My experience is that if the bandwidth is not fat,
forget it.
I have been assisting with wireless installations and
support in my region and the non-Mac folks have some incredible challenges to
overcome to get things working well.
I am sorely tempted to say that doing wireless Internet with
a Mac is so much easier, but a prophet is no prophet in his own land until
somebody else who is respected enough in the community quotes him.
This book filled in a few of the knowledge gaps for me for
Wi-Fi and the non-Mac environments. Not so much for the Mac environment.
Could it have been more technical? Yes, but apparently that
is not the intended purpose of this book. Could it have dug deeper into
Wireless Area Networking? Yes, but if it had, than it would not have been “a
painless guide to Wi-Fi and Broadband Wireless”.
Conclusion
This is a Beginner to Intermediate book on Wi-Fi networking.
It tries too hard to be generic instead of naming names and devices in an
attempt to keep current in the ever-changing world of wireless. Will it
withstand the test of time? At least until the “next great thing”™ replaces the
technology.
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