802.11 and Newbies
You better beware. Wireless LANs are being sold as easy ways to network devices in the home. I have a problem with the word easy. If you know your way around computers and networking, establishing a simple WiFi connection isn't particularly difficult. I suspect for many Radio users, networking is no big deal. But for many others....
If you think that simply plugging in the hardware and installing the 802.11 drivers will get you connected, you're in for a rude and, quite possibly, hair-pulling awakening. The advertisements don't tell you that you have to configure your computers for a LAN -- setting file sharing, creating permissions, etc.
It isn't a major problem, but if you don't know the steps, you're in big trouble. How about this problem: You have successfully installed your 802.11 hardware and created a working network. Okay, where do you look to see the files? It might be amusing for networking mavens, but there's no big icon that automatically appears on your computers and proclaims: "Other computer files are here."
It's the "gotchas" like this that will keep 802.11 from becoming a mainstream product anytime soon. It also illustrates how the computer industry in general -- and 802.11 companies in particular -- still haven't learned about proactive customer education. You have to tell the customer what has to be done -- and ensure the information is available -- before he/she complains that "this doesn't work." From an 802.11 standpoint, the industry has got to ensure that users understand how to create a network. Being proactive also can save companies lots of money in customer support.
I'd also like to suggest that it's the "gotchas" in Radio Userland 8.0 that will frustrate many newbie users. What is an exciting challenge to a computer enthusiast and programmer is a frustrating experience to a new user.
10:42:49 AM 
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