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VOICE ONE:
I’m Faith Lapidus.
VOICE TWO:
And I’m Steve Ember withEXPLORATIONS in VOA Special English. The Internet computercommunications system permits anyone with a computer to search forinformation almost anywhere in the world. This method ofcommunication began with computers linked to telephones.
Now, computers can link to the Internet without telephones. Todaywe tell about “Wireless Fidelity” or the Wi-Fi method ofcommunicating with the world.
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Our report begins during World War Two in nineteen forty-two. Itinvolves a famous and beautiful movie actress, Hedy Lamarr, and amusic composer, George Antheil. They invented a method of quicklychanging radio frequencies. Radio frequencies that are quicklychanged cannot be intercepted or blocked by the enemy.
Mizz Lamarr and Mister Antheilbelieved this method of communication would make it harder for theenemy to detect radio-guided underwater weapons used to sink enemyships. They gave the idea to the United States Navy. Navy officialsbelieved the idea was important and guarded it as a national secret.But they never used the invention because it would have been verydifficult to develop. However, the United States government gaveMizz Lamarr and Mister Antheil legal protection for their idea.
This idea later became known as “spread spectrum technology.” Itremained a secret until nineteen eighty-five. In the last severalyears, this old idea has become the most modern method ofcommunication involving computers and telephones. It is calledWireless Fidelity, or Wi-Fi.
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Wi-Fi is a method of communication between computers without theuse of wires. This is how it works. One computer has a very small,low-power radio transmitter and receiver device. It communicateswith a device called a router that is attached to a second computer.The second computer is linked to the Internet in the traditional wayby telephone. The router sends and receives signals to and from bothcomputers.
The first computer must be within several meters of the routerfor the system to work. Routers can be placed almost anywhere.Usually, a network of routers covers a large area. As a result, aperson with a small laptop computer can use the machine to link withthe Internet at any place that has a router.
Wi-Fi still uses Mizz Lamarr’s and Mister Antheil’s idea. It usesseveral frequencies at the same time. This prevents interference andproduces a clear radio signal. Experts say Wi-Fi is the fastestgrowing part of the computer industry.
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In the very recent past, if you wanted to connect with theInternet computer system, you had to link with a telephone. It isnow possible to link with the Internet in almost any place that hasWi-Fi equipment. Wi-Fi connections can be found in most majorairports in the United States. People traveling through airports onbusiness trips can use their computers while waiting for theirflights. They can use this link to send and receive businessinformation. This service is free in most American airports. All theperson has to do is turn on his or her laptop computer and have thecomputer search for the Wi-Fi link.
Most modern laptop computers search for the nearest Wi-Fi link assoon as they are turned on. The computer produces a message tellingthe owner if it has found a Wi-Fi link and how strong the signal is.
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Several major hotel companies around the world now have Wi-Filinks. These links are found in hotel rooms or a special area of thehotel. The hotels provide this as a service to guests who arestaying at the hotel. They might provide guests with a specialnumber for their computer to use the Wi-Fi link. Other hotelsprovide a good, strong link that can be used by anyone who has alaptop that can communicate with the router signal.
Industry experts say thousands of hotels, motels, and businessesaround the United States are providing Wi-Fi connections. This isvery important for people who travel a great deal on business. Infact, many major cities around the world are already providing theservice. Most cities are planning to make a huge Wi-Fi link thatwill let people use their laptop computers almost anywhere in thecity.
Many cities already have Wi-Fi or will in the near future. Theyinclude the American cities of San Francisco, California; SaintLouis, Missouri and Washington, D.C. They also include, London,England; Brussels, Belgium; Paris, France; Taipei, Taiwan and Pune,India. The list of cities planning to provide Wi-Fi is very long.
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Wi-Fi links are usually free in public places. Many cities andtowns provide Wi-Fi in their public libraries. Some coffee housesand eating places in the United States also provide free Wi-Fiservice. However, if you are using the service you are usuallyexpected to buy food or a cup of coffee.
A modern laptop computer should connect to a Wi-Fi signal veryquickly. However, if the person using the laptop has problems withthe signal, most businesses that provide the service will helpconnect to the link. Many businesses will provide writteninformation that tells how to connect with their link.
Business owners have learned that a Wi-Fi service brings peopleinto the business. And, if the Wi-Fi link is good, they may staylonger and spend more money while they work. An example is a hotelcompany that provides a good link for business travelers. This wouldmake all the company’s hotels more popular with business travelers.
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Wi-Fi is becoming extremely popular in the United States.Industry experts say that more than sixty-four million Wi-Fi systemsare expected to be sold this year. This is an increase fromtwenty-four million in two thousand two. More than eight and onehalf million American homes have Wi-Fi equipment. Experts say thisis expected to increase to twenty-eight million homes in twothousand eight. Wi-Fi systems are not costly and easy to link with ahome computer. Laptop computers with Wi-Fi equipment can then beused in almost any room in the house.
This also makes it possible for more than one person in thefamily to use the home computer system at the same time. Forexample, a mother can use the home computer in her office while achild uses a laptop to do his schoolwork in his room.
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Industry studies show that seventy-seven percent of home Wi-Fiusers also want to connect other devices to their computer. Theseinclude devices for copying music. Experts say Wi-Fi technology isalso changing the way and the amount of time people use computersand the Internet.
For example, many people use their Wi-Fi connected laptops to paybills when they are in their home office. They look for cookinginstructions on the Internet when they are in the kitchen. Or theywatch a movie on their computer late at night in the living room.The experts say the future will include much more use of Wi-Fitechnology.
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Computer industry experts warn that Wi-Fi users should be verycareful when using this exciting technology. They say users shouldnot send important or secret business information without goodsecurity. The industry experts say many public places that provideWi-Fi links do not provide information security. They say anyone cancopy everything you send or receive if the computer does not have asecurity system.
Many places leave security technology turned off to make iteasier for people to find and use the Wi-Fi link. The experts sayimportant information should never been sent or received in a publicWi-Fi link without good computer security.
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Industry experts say Wi-Fi has increased sales of laptopcomputers. Laptops that can link with Wi-Fi are now more than thirtypercent of the sales of new computers in the United States. And,Wi-Fi equipment is selling well because it can be placed in oldercomputers and is low in cost.
Computer experts say Wi-Fi technology will continue to grow asthe industry improves this method of communication. They say thatthe laptop computer linked to Wi-Fi will truly make the Internetpart of daily life in the very near future.
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VOICE TWO:
This program was written by Paul Thompson. It was produced byMario Ritter. I’m Steve Ember.
VOICE ONE:
And I’m Faith Lapidus. Join us again next week for anotherEXPLORATIONS program in VOA Special English.