Other generations of wireless standards such as 802.11a and 802.11g include better encryption.

Wired Option

If you're computers and components (printers, modems, etc.) are in one room and your mobility within your office is not an issue, then a basic wired network solution is way to go. It's less expensive and an effective choice that gives you fastest data speed.

Those business offices that are stay with wired networks solutions do so because of cost and speed. Wired is cheaper and can deliver speeds far faster than wireless' 11 Mbps.

If there are just a few computers within same room that need connecting, it's relatively easy. All computers and components connect to a central device called Ethernet Internet gateway. It acts as a central hub, allowing all computers to share Internet access and each other's printers.

Most personal computers purchased today have built-in network cards (be sure to check before buying your newest PC) that makes connecting to gateway relatively straightforward. You may want to handle networking setup yourself or contact your local computer professional to handle setup.

The challenge comes when you try to link computers in separate rooms or on different floors. When you start drilling holes in walls containing pipes and wires, then is when you can get into a whole new level of difficulty in setup and maintenance.

Unless you're a telephone technician or really comfortable installing telephone lines, consider hiring a computer professional to install your wired office network for this setup and save yourself a time and aggravation.

Copyright Steven Presar

~ Search Internet for technical support sites for your hardware where your support questions may be answered.

Computer Software Problems:

~ Be as specific and detailed as you can. Try to isolate problem. What exact piece of software is not working and under what circumstance.

~ Know what's installed on your computer, at least in terms of major pieces of software. Occasionally, there are known conflicts that tech support rep will know about. Try to remember if you've installed something new in past couple of days. Even new hardware might cause software application to stop performing as it should.

~ Know what operating system you have installed (Windows XP, Windows 98, etc.) and what version. Often that makes a great deal of difference as to whether a piece of software functions or not.

~ Search Internet online for technical support sites for your hardware where your questions may be answered.

~ Don't try to get support for a piece of software you don't own. If you have installed a pirated copy of "xyz" word processing software, don't expect "xyz" technical support call center to help you with your problems running their software that you have not paid for.

~ Be prepared to create a report of your problem (the technical support representative will talk you through this) so that it can be sent email to software's technical support center for deeper diagnoses and an email reply.

After You Get Through to a Technical Support Rep ("Tech Rep"):

~ No matter how long you hold to wait on hold on phone, be ready to jump into troubleshooting your problem. The individual tech rep is not responsible for your hold time (no matter how long it has been). Many technical support call centers have an "acceptable hold time range". The centers want to channel their customers into other support options before you call into their center to talk to a tech rep. Thus, encouraging you to check their provide users manual, a web site info-base, an online news group, or inquire via email; before you call into their technical center. In other words, your first impulse when you have a problem, "to call someone" for help, is contrary to technical call center's view that it should be your last option.

~ Be specific regarding your problem and circumstance under which it occurs. If your problem relates to a specific hardware device or software package, don't say your computer system is "acting up" or "blown up". If your problem relates to a specific hardware device or software package, state that clearly to tech rep. Save your opinions about overall operation of your computer system for another call.

~ Don't exaggerate problem. Don't say this is "always" happening to you, when in reality it's only happened once or twice.

~ Do what tech rep ask you to do in troubleshooting your problem. Don't interrupt their troubleshooting steps. Something that you think has no point in trying, may actually solve problem.

~ Lastly, as stated above, be prepared to create a written report so that it can be sent email to software's technical support center. You may have discovered sometime that they are not aware of about their software.

Keep these tips handy for next time that you have trouble with your office computer and have urge to "call someone"!

Copyright Steven Presar