802.11a: Ratified in 2002. Operates in five GHz band [where it encounters less interference with cell phones and microwaves] and delivers data rate of about 54 Mbps

802.11g: Ratified in 2003. Fifty-four Mbps in 2.4 GHz band, so backward-compatible with 11b

802.11n: Ratified in 2009. Up to 600 Mbps [in most commercial configurations, about 250 Mbps] in both 2.4 and five GHz frequency bands. A dual-band product that works with 802.11a and 802.11b/g products

802.11ac: Coming to a wi-fi-certified device near you in early 2013. About 1.3 Gbps of data [yes, that's gigabits per second].

"While the Wi-Fi Alliance and the wi-fi industry used to point to these naming conventions a lot, now we just call it wi-fi.

"There are many other 802.11 designations. They refer to a wide array of features that ship in products today—but, thankfully, the industry hasn't burdened users with their names and details.

"Some examples include 802.11i, which underpins the wi-fi security we have today; 802.11e, which includes important mechanisms to support multimedia applications; and 802.11u, which makes up part of the forthcoming Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint program we are developing, which will make getting on to hot spot networks as seamless as it is with a mobile phone on 3G today."

6 Comments

1. 1. JamesDavis 01:01 PM 5/1/12

   To me, that information was worthless. Why can't we use wi-fi to connect our desk tops to the internet? And why is wi-fi only in airports and big cities? Where is that little wi-fi box I saw that blind person carrying around their neck saying, "I am a wi-fi connection?

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2. 2. jafrates 01:46 PM 5/1/12

   The only thing required to connect a desktop to the Internet via WiFi is a desktop wireless card or a USB wireless adapter. I have a few of both, and they're not terribly expensive. Desktops, though, usually are stationary and thus it's often deemed better to run a cable to them for consistent network performance.
   
   WiFi is available anywhere that someone wishes to put up an access point (AP). They're limited in range, though, usually maxing out at around 30m or less (depending on device and environmental factors), so someone who puts up an AP at a rural farmhouse might serve the yard but not much more than that.

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3. 3. JatoThed 02:36 PM 5/1/12

   Although i'm not that blind person you saw, I do sometimes carry a 'Wireless hotspot' in my shirt pocket that many cellular carriers now offer, essentially making me a wi-fi connection.

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4. 4. JamesDavis in reply to jafrates 06:44 AM 5/2/12

   Thanks.

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5. 5. JamesDavis in reply to JatoThed 06:48 AM 5/2/12

   I reckon the blind guy must had wondered off somewhere or got out of range. So wi-fi isn't the miracle internet connection it was claimed to be. Figures.

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6. 6. openhacker 12:31 AM 9/21/12

   Regarding open hot spots -- there really isn't much difference between plaintext wifi transmissions and plaintext internet connections -- assume anyone can see it.
   
   If you use SSL you're generally safe from preying eyes.
   
   

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