Even as you’re reading this, you are probably sitting at a computer that is confined to a particular part of your home, say your bedroom or living room. But, what if you want to use a laptop or computer from anywhere in your house? That’s where a wireless router comes into play.

A wireless router is basically a network device that lets you connect several computers to the internet without using a cable, but by using wireless access points, or WLAN. In essence, wireless routers allow the freedom of several users to be able to access the internet. Plus, wireless routers also free you from messy wires.

Basically, a wireless router works using signals that have the same radio frequency range as the wireless network card installed in the PC. The significant feature of this exchange of signal system is that both the router and the network card function on the same radio frequency range, thus allowing the transmission of data to and fro, between the devices.

In other words, the wireless router uses radio frequency range signals between devices instead of physical wiring connections to transmit signals. Being an intelligent device, a wireless router can determine whether a signal needs to be transmitted to a local computer on the internet or to the internet.

The signal’s strength is dependent on the manufacturer along with the internet signal strength that the ISP provides. A wireless network has the added functionality of providing security to the network with firewalls, security keys, and so on.

It is not difficult to set up a wireless network. All you need to do is connect the wireless router to your internet connection, and then just set up the drivers in your computer or laptop. You need not worry about anything, because the wireless router that you buy will come along with the drivers, manuals, and CDs, which will help you with the software and driver set up and the configurations.

Clearly, there are several advantages that a wireless router provides. The term ‘wireless’ is what it is all about. With a computer connected to a phone line or a cable, you get the sense of being tethered to a machine that is in turn tethered to a fixture or wall. This entails you sitting at one spot for a long time in order to do your work or access the internet.

But by fixing a wireless router, you can roam about all over your house, or even building, without having to remain connected to a cable modem or phone jack. This way, if for instance you prefer working outside, you will have the freedom to go out onto the deck, without needing to worry about setting up outdoor cables. If you feel like strolling down to your favorite café for a mug of latte, you can head straight there and surf the net while you wait for the brew to be made. These days, even airports allow you to surf the net without wires while waiting for your plane. Simply put, as long as you have a wireless router in place, especially a long range one, you can log on and surf the net practically from anywhere.

Not having to be tethered to a wall is particularly beneficial for employees or self-employed business people. Basically, any location can become your virtual office. With services and stores equipped with wireless routers, it’s easy to set up shop at any convenient restaurant like McDonalds or Panera. And in towns and cities with wireless facilities, access will spell freedom from the confines of a cubicle or tiny office. These days, more and more companies are allowing their employees the option of working from home.

Even as far as the sales force of a company is concerned, they can go from place to place without needing to return to the headquarters. Since the nearest Starbucks can be turned into a virtual office, business updates and sales reporting can be carried out via a laptop or PDA. This will mean more time being spent in the sales effort and less time being spent in the office.

The broadband router wireless VoIP technology is another great innovation. With this device, you can connect to the internet, using any ordinary phone device. You can then make calls to anybody in the world via your internet connection.

So do wireless communications have any drawbacks? Unfortunately, they do. Even though a great deal of flexibility and convenience is offered by this technology, some tradeoffs are there. A wireless network that is shared by all the users of a particular area has less bandwidth. This is felt most often where high-bandwidth multimedia applications or heavy file transfers are used. In addition, it is more difficult to secure wireless networks, plus, the installation of networking wiring to points of access requires coordination and long lead times with some combination of facilities maintenance and OIT. Hence, if you are thinking of going in for a wireless router you need to take the drawbacks into consideration.

Before buying a wireless router, it is best to check out the reviews about various brands in the market. There are many reliable and well-known brands such as Belkin wireless router, Netgear wireless router, and Linksys wireless router. Check out online to see which one will suit your needs, whether at home or in the office.

Wireless routers make life far more convenient and easier. You can go anywhere, without being restricted by wires and still be able to access the internet.

Bugs in machines go back a long way.

In the 1900s, bugs were “little faults and difficulties” in new devices, according to the Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang.

Thomas Alva Edison told how he stayed up two nights in 1889 trying to fix a ‘bug’ in his new cylinder phonograph.

Though some still say say the real modern usage of the word comes from the cockroaches, moths and creepies that used to infest the old room size computers,and cause malfunctions whenever they shorted the electrics…

Nowadays, PCs have got a lot smaller, but STILL harbour a stack of unwanted life.

It’s amazing that people who believe in cleanliness health and fitness can spend hours working at a dirty PC.

Where does that dirt come from? People, mostly.
Coughing, shedding flakes of skin, and spilling drinks and crumbs and bits on the keyboard, mouse, casing and mat.

Ever noticed a clear sticky, filmy substance on your desk or on parts of your computer?.
It is most likely to be BIOFILM – bacteria and fungi growing out of what’s been spilled..

Viruses dumped on the PC by coughs and sneezes can easily travel from person to person.

Inside your PC, the cooling fan sucks in and deposits dust inside the casing – creating a great home for mites, bacteria, molds and fungi.
All these (and their waste products) can cause asthma and allergy type reactions.

Cockroaches and flies are quickly drawn by most rotting matter, and spread germs, smell and allergens.
There’s a recorded case of fly maggots crawling out of a keyboard…

Apart from health issues, pests and dirt in a PC can still cause shorting, and the dust buildup can cause overheating, programs crashing and system failure.

That means downtime, disruption and expensive repairs.
Possibly even permanent loss of valuable data.

While we can’t live in a sterile antiseptic world, can you afford NOT to regularly sanitize your PC?

Here are Your Lucky 13+ Top PC Cleaning Tips :-

1. Turn your computer off, and unplug it before you start to clean it.
   Then electrocution isn’t an option.
   (Also, turning off at night saves electricity, and creates a cooler environment – discouraging nasties breeding, and things decaying.)

2. Vacuum the keyboard with a suitable extension, or a special PC vacuum.
   It’s a quick way of sucking out hairs, dust and debris and can also be used on the computer’s outer casing where there is no risk of damage.

3. Wash your hands with a bacteriological handwash before AND after using a keyboard.

4. Pure water is one of the best cleaning fluids. Many cleaning solvents
   can stain or attack the plastic parts of your computer and some people are allergic to certain fluids.
   Take care with alcohol-based wipes, because they can erode the coating on TFT monitors.

5. If you use proprietary PC cleaning materials, only use them in the ways
   and places intended, wear disposable gloves, and read any instructions before starting.

6. Never splash or spray any liquid directly onto the computer or any computer component.
   Instead, spray it onto a CLEAN lint free cloth, then lightly rub your machine clean.

7. Dont try cleaning the insides of your PC. The static electricity you create can damage the circuits.
   Leave delicate stuff to professionals like PC technicians if it must be done at all.

8. Use a cloth (rather than something more abrasive like a paper towel) to wipe components.
   Use fresh cotton buds on the difficult-to-reach areas of your computer.

9. Be careful when cleaning around the back of your machine – it’s easy accidentally disconnecting a plug, then finding certain peripherals like the mouse or printer arent working when you switch the machine back on!

10. Try to avoid smoking at or near the computer, but if you can’t quit the habit, ensure you clean the machine more regularly- every three months is best rather than every five for a non-smoker.

11. 11.Pests love spilled food and liquids – by not eating or drinking at your PC, you can dramatically reduce any health risks.

12. Get rid of clutter regularly. Junk attracts dirt and pests.

13. Do your PC cleaning regularly – not just when there’s been a spill, or you cant find your mouse in the dust!

Keeping a clean computer workstation will help keep your
computer healthy, and you’ll stay healthy computing!

Start today!