The best thing about a wireless network is exactly that, its wireless! If you have a laptop or even a second desktop pc in the home, installing a wireless network is a great idea. How about checking your emails, chatting with online friends, doing some shopping or just surfing the net all from a deck chair in the comfort of your own garden. Wireless networks are so easy to setup too!

The router that you get with a wireless network kit is the backbone of the system and is basicly where all signals on the network are sent to and from. The signal is enhanced via a small aerial which is found on the back. The router does not need to be connected to a desktop pc or laptop, it can be installed remotely, you just need to site it near a power supply and a phone socket.

Every desktop pc you want to connect to the wireless network will need a wireless desktop adaptor, this is fitted by opening the case and finding a spare slot for it to go into. The wireless desktop adaptor for the desktop pc has a small aerial which is similar to that of the aerial found on the router.

Opening the desktop pc case and installing a wireless desktop adaptor is a very straight forward task. If you do not want to do this yourself, get your local dealer or a friend to install it for you. If you just have the one desktop pc you may as well just connect the router straight into the desktop pc via a network cable.

When it comes to connecting the laptop you need a wireless laptop adaptor. This is as easy as just slotting the network card into the side of the laptop.

Each desktop pc or laptop you fit a wireless adaptor to will require the software and drivers to be installed and this is done using the cd that came with them. Its just a case of following the on screen prompts to install everything necessary for the wireless network to function properly.

Once the wireless network is up and running you can share files between the lounge and the garden, you can play games between the bedroom and conservatory.

All the while the router power is on any number of the desktop pcs or laptop you have with wireless adaptors installed, will function on the network.

The strength of the signal on the wireless network will vary depending on what the type of router you have, the number of walls, obstructions etc between the connections, interference from other electrical appliances and how far within the radius of the router you are. The wireless network kits available at the time of writing this article are quite capable of covering an average property size.

A wireless networks internet connection is 'always on' meaning that in order to connect to the internet you just open the browser and your homepage is there. The use of a logging on or connection dialog box is no longer necessary.This makes accessing the internet much more convenient. Make sure you have a firewall, an anti-virus program and update your windows operating system regularly in order to prevent any nasty intrusions into your computer.

There you have it, now you do not need to miss your favourite television program while waiting for that online auction to end.