topic Re: WiFi, what is it and how do you get connected to it????? in Electronics

WiFi, what is it and how do you get connected to it?????

Big Sister — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 08:07:44 GMT

My neighbor asked me this ? today and I could not explain it. When my wireless system was set up in my home it was done for me by a friend.

I'm sure this is a simple basic question that everyone probably knows the answer to, but I don't.

Can you explain it easily to me so I can tell her.

Thank you.

Re: WiFi, what is it and how do you get connected to it?????

Nuttmeg — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 08:40:16 GMT

Wireless Internet enables wireless connectivity to the Internet via radio waves rather than wires on a person's home computer, laptop, smartphone or similar mobile device. Wireless Internet can be accessed directly through providers like AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Boingo and Clearwire.

While most wireless Internet options lack the high speed of landline broadband Internet connections such as cable and DSL, newer wireless Internet technologies like EV-DO and WiMAX are narrowing the gap, with maximum speeds of up to 7 Mbps in some cases.

Wi-Fi hotspots and wireless LANs are also options for wireless Internet connectivity. In these cases, Internet connectivity is typically delivered to a network hub via a wired connection like satellite, cable, DSL or fiber optics and then made available to wireless devices via a wireless access point.

Re: WiFi, what is it and how do you get connected to it?????

fitnessfreak — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 08:48:53 GMT

its a way to get the internet on your tablet/laptop/phone without any WIRES dragging around behind you.

You can carry your tablet into another room without being connected by a long cord. Instead of a cord connecting you to internet--a wireless signal is being sent to your device from a MODEM (a small box) provided by you or your provider.

This is my own LAYMEN'S way of explaining it! heh

Edit to add--I find it is much faster than being ""wired""!

Re: WiFi, what is it and how do you get connected to it?????

dooBdoo — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 10:08:53 GMT

Hi, bigsister! You're so kind to want to help your neighbor.

To add to what's already posted:

If you want to really simplify it, think of it as the way signals come from a tower to a tv antenna. Or the signals to a wireless radio, or cell phone. Through the air, invisible to the eye.

WiFi in your home starts with your internet service provider (ISP), such as Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, etc. The provider brings a signal in through a router, and the router transmits it through the air to the devices set up to receive it. Public WiFi "hotspots" are doing the same thing, but they're not as secure so we have to be careful how we use them.

You might want to do an internet search on "WiFi for dummies," and read some of the articles about the basics "in plain English," too.

hth!

Re: WiFi, what is it and how do you get connected to it?????

glb613 — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 12:12:40 GMT

Wireless internet is similar to how you get a radio or TV signal(back in the day when we had antennas). As posted, you need an internet service, a modem and wireless router to broadcast the signal in your home.

Re: WiFi, what is it and how do you get connected to it?????

violann — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 12:14:18 GMT

I am a person who despises the use of acronyms. In this day and age, life is often inscrutable.

Re: WiFi, what is it and how do you get connected to it?????

sidsmom — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 12:48:29 GMT

On 8/21/2014 violann said: I am a person who despises the use of acronyms. In this day and age, life is often inscrutable.

Too bad QVC doesn't do this...oh, wait.

Re: WiFi, what is it and how do you get connected to it?????

Perkup — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 12:55:11 GMT

On 8/21/2014 sidsmom said:
On 8/21/2014 violann said: I am a person who despises the use of acronyms. In this day and age, life is often inscrutable.

Too bad QVC doesn't do this...oh, wait.

Another vote with you here. And it's not just QVC. The people on this board often assume you know what XZA (or whatever) is and go on and on about it when many of us have no idea what they are talking about. I wish everyone here would spell out what they are talking about at least in the first line or so - they would get more answers that way.

Re: WiFi, what is it and how do you get connected to it?????

chickadee — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 13:56:04 GMT

On 8/21/2014 Perkup said:
On 8/21/2014 sidsmom said:
On 8/21/2014 violann said: I am a person who despises the use of acronyms. In this day and age, life is often inscrutable.

Too bad QVC doesn't do this...oh, wait.

Another vote with you here. And it's not just QVC. The people on this board often assume you know what XZA (or whatever) is and go on and on about it when many of us have no idea what they are talking about. I wish everyone here would spell out what they are talking about at least in the first line or so - they would get more answers that way.

I had a neighbor who was very very mad and called me because his new computer wasn't working and wanted me to help. The store sold him one and told him "it has wifi" and he could go on the internet with it, etc. Like most people, the store people just assumed that he understood the most basic concepts. Such as actually needing to have an internet connection.

I went to help him figure out what was wrong, and I asked him where his modem was. Blank stare... I asked him where the little box was that was connected to the internet cable. Another blank stare and a shrug. I asked if he bought a modem through is internet provider, or did he get one when he bought the computer... he had no idea what I was talking about. He just kept saying that the guy at the store told him that the computer came with internet.

ARRGH! I had to explain to him that his computer was only capable of connecting to the internet. Either through a wifi (wireless) connection, or through the Ethernet port (wired). And for that, he would need to buy internet service and use a modem and possibly a router depending on how he wanted to connect.

He looked so lost, I felt so bad. I told him that he could take his computer to public places that have wifi hot spots, and he would be able to connect through their internet providers. Or he would be able to take it to friends or family houses and use their internet - his computer was great. The internet just didn't come with it automatically.

Re: WiFi, what is it and how do you get connected to it?????

jackthebear — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 14:29:06 GMT

On 8/21/2014 iam4truth said:
On 8/21/2014 Perkup said:
On 8/21/2014 sidsmom said:
On 8/21/2014 violann said: I am a person who despises the use of acronyms. In this day and age, life is often inscrutable.

Too bad QVC doesn't do this...oh, wait.

Another vote with you here. And it's not just QVC. The people on this board often assume you know what XZA (or whatever) is and go on and on about it when many of us have no idea what they are talking about. I wish everyone here would spell out what they are talking about at least in the first line or so - they would get more answers that way.

I had a neighbor who was very very mad and called me because his new computer wasn't working and wanted me to help. The store sold him one and told him "it has wifi" and he could go on the internet with it, etc. Like most people, the store people just assumed that he understood the most basic concepts. Such as actually needing to have an internet connection.

I went to help him figure out what was wrong, and I asked him where his modem was. Blank stare... I asked him where the little box was that was connected to the internet cable. Another blank stare and a shrug. I asked if he bought a modem through is internet provider, or did he get one when he bought the computer... he had no idea what I was talking about. He just kept saying that the guy at the store told him that the computer came with internet.

ARRGH! I had to explain to him that his computer was only capable of connecting to the internet. Either through a wifi (wireless) connection, or through the Ethernet port (wired). And for that, he would need to buy internet service and use a modem and possibly a router depending on how he wanted to connect.

He looked so lost, I felt so bad. I told him that he could take his computer to public places that have wifi hot spots, and he would be able to connect through their internet providers. Or he would be able to take it to friends or family houses and use their internet - his computer was great. The internet just didn't come with it automatically.

sorry for your friend but he could have asked more questions at the store such as
"I am a complete beginner at this" and what exactly would I need.

Re: WiFi, what is it and how do you get connected to it?????

glb613 — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 17:26:48 GMT

On 8/21/2014 Perkup said:
On 8/21/2014 sidsmom said:
On 8/21/2014 violann said: I am a person who despises the use of acronyms. In this day and age, life is often inscrutable.

Too bad QVC doesn't do this...oh, wait.

Another vote with you here. And it's not just QVC. The people on this board often assume you know what XZA (or whatever) is and go on and on about it when many of us have no idea what they are talking about. I wish everyone here would spell out what they are talking about at least in the first line or so - they would get more answers that way.

Did it ever occur to you to state in your post you are a complete beginner? None of us are mind readers and have no idea the skill level of those posting. The more information included in your question results in a better answer.

Re: WiFi, what is it and how do you get connected to it?????

ChynnaBlue — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 17:45:25 GMT

On 8/21/2014 glb613 said:
On 8/21/2014 Perkup said:
On 8/21/2014 sidsmom said:
On 8/21/2014 violann said: I am a person who despises the use of acronyms. In this day and age, life is often inscrutable.

Too bad QVC doesn't do this...oh, wait.

Another vote with you here. And it's not just QVC. The people on this board often assume you know what XZA (or whatever) is and go on and on about it when many of us have no idea what they are talking about. I wish everyone here would spell out what they are talking about at least in the first line or so - they would get more answers that way.

Did it ever occur to you to state in your post you are a complete beginner? None of us are mind readers and have no idea the skill level of those posting. The more information included in your question results in a better answer.

Clear communications are a two-way street. I don't spell out or explain things that are pretty global (wi-fi... not going to explain that unless I'm asked, sorry) and do think the burden is on the new person to ask about those. But QVC forum users to tend to initialize a lot of things that you don't see talked about outside of these forums. If you go to the WEN forums, you'll see people talking about the SAM RTM. That means nothing to anyone outside of that group and it looks like a weird code. It's also frustrating to read, when when I'm familiar with the initializations - someone will always throw out an uncommon weird one. That's also going to alienate new users right away. I spell things out the first time I use them in a post and then use the initialization. I don't think that's too much to ask.

Re: WiFi, what is it and how do you get connected to it?????

Buck-i-Nana — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 18:02:13 GMT

For the record, as I didn't see this in any of the previous posts...

WiFi stands for Wireless Fidelity (fidelity being the quality of audio/visual signal).

I can't imagine anyone going in to a store to buy a computer and know absolutely nothing about them and yet not ask tons of questions! I also can't imagine anyone buying a computer and then calling a neighbor all angry and upset! If the neighbor knew you were knowledgeable regarding computers, they should have talked to you first! My neighbors frequently call or visit me BEFORE they go buy anything to get helpful hint or even to request I go with them (which I'm always happy to do).

Re: WiFi, what is it and how do you get connected to it?????

dooBdoo — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 18:19:51 GMT

On 8/21/2014 Buck-i-Nana said:
For the record, as I didn't see this in any of the previous posts...

WiFi stands for Wireless Fidelity (fidelity being the quality of audio/visual signal).

I can't imagine anyone going in to a store to buy a computer and know absolutely nothing about them and yet not ask tons of questions! I also can't imagine anyone buying a computer and then calling a neighbor all angry and upset! If the neighbor knew you were knowledgeable regarding computers, they should have talked to you first! My neighbors frequently call or visit me BEFORE they go buy anything to get helpful hint or even to request I go with them (which I'm always happy to do).

Hi, Buck-i-Nana! Nice to see you!

Actually, WiFi doesn't stand for wireless fidelity. It's just a catchy name the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance chose and "wireless fidelity" was part of a tag line they used later (they say with regret). I looked quickly to find a description better than I can explain. Here's a link with the info from one of the people who helped pick the name:

WiFi isn't short for "Wireless Fidelity"

link goes to: http://boingboing.net/2005/11/08/wifi-isnt-short-for.html

(Mindless trivia for today!)

Re: WiFi, what is it and how do you get connected to it?????

Buck-i-Nana — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 18:51:57 GMT

On 8/21/2014 dooBdoo said:
On 8/21/2014 Buck-i-Nana said:
For the record, as I didn't see this in any of the previous posts...

WiFi stands for Wireless Fidelity (fidelity being the quality of audio/visual signal).

I can't imagine anyone going in to a store to buy a computer and know absolutely nothing about them and yet not ask tons of questions! I also can't imagine anyone buying a computer and then calling a neighbor all angry and upset! If the neighbor knew you were knowledgeable regarding computers, they should have talked to you first! My neighbors frequently call or visit me BEFORE they go buy anything to get helpful hint or even to request I go with them (which I'm always happy to do).

Hi, Buck-i-Nana! Nice to see you!

Actually, WiFi doesn't stand for wireless fidelity. It's just a catchy name the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance chose and "wireless fidelity" was part of a tag line they used later (they say with regret). I looked quickly to find a description better than I can explain. Here's a link with the info from one of the people who helped pick the name:

WiFi isn't short for "Wireless Fidelity"

link goes to: http://boingboing.net/2005/11/08/wifi-isnt-short-for.html

(Mindless trivia for today!)

So basically, the Wi is the important part because it is definitely WIreless. The alliance may regret linking the made up term to a spelled out phrase, but from a basic user perspective as demonstrated here, I don't think they should regret doing it.

Thanks for the trivia though dBd, I will file it away with all the other mindless trivia that seems to fill my mind! Unfortunately, I have so much of that trivia stored that I frequently forget the important stuff!

Re: WiFi, what is it and how do you get connected to it?????

sidsmom — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 19:00:46 GMT

On 8/21/2014 sidsmom said:
On 8/21/2014 violann said: I am a person who despises the use of acronyms. In this day and age, life is often inscrutable.

Too bad QVC doesn't do this...oh, wait.

This was a tongue-in-cheek comment. The simple fact that "QVC" is an acronym & we post on here on a regular basis...doesn't make it hard to understand. Irony.

Re: WiFi, what is it and how do you get connected to it?????

hckynut — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 22:08:40 GMT

On 8/21/2014 Perkup said:
Another vote with you here. And it's not just QVC. The people on this board often assume you know what XZA (or whatever) is and go on and on about it when many of us have no idea what they are talking about. I wish everyone here would spell out what they are talking about at least in the first line or so - they would get more answers that way.

Maybe I am taking the above underlined the wrong way, but to me it is coming across as a undeserved criticism of those on this forum that always try to help others.

I can't speak for the others on this board that always "offer help", I can only speak for myself. The only way I know how to reply to a question is based on the information given by the one asking the question.

If you've ever read one of my replies(answers)you will seldom find one that is short on words. Many like to call my posts(replies) novels, and there is a reason they do so. I usually reply asking the one asking the question to be more specific about their question and if they don't understand something to ask me. If I don't know something I will tell them "I don't know".

Many go out of their way to try to explain things in the simplest terms they know how when they know the person to which they are replying is very much a novice when it comes to whatever device they are asking the questions about.

Don't a general statement as you made above if fair to the many here that take extra steps to make sure those asking the questions understand what they are saying. Why would I spend time typing a reply to someone knowing that probably don't have a clue what I am talking about? It would be a waste of my time and the one that was reading it.

Re: WiFi, what is it and how do you get connected to it?????

hckynut — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 22:11:08 GMT

On 8/21/2014 Perkup said:
Another vote with you here. And it's not just QVC. The people on this board often assume you know what XZA (or whatever) is and go on and on about it when many of us have no idea what they are talking about. I wish everyone here would spell out what they are talking about at least in the first line or so - they would get more answers that way.

Instead of same ""the people on this board"" why don't you just say their names? If you think I am one of them I would sure like to know.

Never mind. I thought my other post did not go through because of an ""error message"".

Re: WiFi, what is it and how do you get connected to it?????

Buck-i-Nana — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 22:44:38 GMT

On 8/21/2014 Perkup said:
On 8/21/2014 sidsmom said:
On 8/21/2014 violann said: I am a person who despises the use of acronyms. In this day and age, life is often inscrutable.

Too bad QVC doesn't do this...oh, wait.

Another vote with you here. And it's not just QVC. The people on this board often assume you know what XZA (or whatever) is and go on and on about it when many of us have no idea what they are talking about. I wish everyone here would spell out what they are talking about at least in the first line or so - they would get more answers that way.

I don't see a problem with asking if you don't know what an acronym stands for. People ask all the time on the WEN forum and nobody makes fun, they just post the answer to clear it up.

Re: WiFi, what is it and how do you get connected to it?????

HULAGIRL — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 22:52:09 GMT

I love my home WiFi, but I WILL NOT connect to any other WiFi......I don't trust any but my own. I have enough data usage on my iPhone to be able to log on to the internet when I'm not at home even though it seems everywhere I go, a WiFi connection will pop up for me to connect to it.....just don't want to take a chance.