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EXPLORATIONS - Wireless Internet Connection

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EXPLORATIONS - Wireless1 Internet Connection
By Paul Thompson

Broadcast: Wednesday, December 22, 2004

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:

I'm Faith Lapidus.

VOICE TWO:

 
A wireless router can link many computers. (Picture - Firewalldepot.com)
And I'm Steve Ember with EXPLORATIONS in VOA Special English. The Internet computer communications system permits anyone with a computer to search for information almost anywhere in the world. This method of communication began with computers linked to telephones.

Now, computers can link to the Internet without telephones. Today we tell about "Wireless Fidelity2" or the Wi-Fi method of communicating with the world.

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:

Our report begins during World War Two in nineteen forty-two. It involves a famous and beautiful movie actress, Hedy Lamarr, and a music composer, George Antheil. They invented a method of quickly changing radio frequencies3. Radio frequencies that are quickly changed cannot be intercepted4 or blocked by the enemy.

 
George Antheil and Heddy Lamar develped a new radio technology. (Picture - Bluetoothnews.com)
Mizz Lamarr and Mister5 Antheil believed this method of communication would make it harder for the enemy to detect6 radio-guided underwater weapons used to sink enemy ships. They gave the idea to the United States Navy7. Navy officials believed the idea was important and guarded it as a national secret. But they never used the invention because it would have been very difficult to develop. However, the United States government gave Mizz Lamarr and Mister Antheil legal protection for their idea.

This idea later became known as "spread spectrum8 technology." It remained a secret until nineteen eighty-five. In the last several years, this old idea has become the most modern method of communication involving computers and telephones. It is called Wireless Fidelity, or Wi-Fi.

VOICE TWO:

Wi-Fi is a method of communication between computers without the use of wires. This is how it works9. One computer has a very small, low-power radio transmitter and receiver device10. It communicates with a device called a router that is attached to a second computer. The second computer is linked to the Internet in the traditional way by telephone. The router sends and receives signals to and from both computers.

The first computer must be within several meters of the router for the system to work. Routers can be placed almost anywhere. Usually, a network of routers covers a large area. As a result, a person with a small laptop computer can use the machine to link with the Internet at any place that has a router.

Wi-Fi still uses Mizz Lamarr's and Mister Antheil's idea. It uses several frequencies at the same time. This prevents interference11 and produces a clear radio signal. Experts say Wi-Fi is the fastest growing part of the computer industry.

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:

In the very recent past, if you wanted to connect with the Internet computer system, you had to link with a telephone. It is now possible to link with the Internet in almost any place that has Wi-Fi equipment. Wi-Fi connections can be found in most major airports in the United States. People traveling through airports on business trips can use their computers while waiting for their flights. They can use this link to send and receive business information. This service is free in most American airports. All the person has to do is turn on his or her laptop computer and have the computer search for the Wi-Fi link.

Most modern laptop computers search for the nearest Wi-Fi link as soon as they are turned on. The computer produces a message telling the owner if it has found a Wi-Fi link and how strong the signal is.

VOICE TWO:

Several major hotel companies around the world now have Wi-Fi links. These links are found in hotel rooms or a special area of the hotel. The hotels provide this as a service to guests who are staying at the hotel. They might provide guests with a special number for their computer to use the Wi-Fi link. Other hotels provide a good, strong link that can be used by anyone who has a laptop that can communicate with the router signal.

Industry experts say thousands of hotels, motels12, and businesses around the United States are providing Wi-Fi connections. This is very important for people who travel a great deal on business. In fact, many major cities around the world are already providing the service. Most cities are planning to make a huge Wi-Fi link that will let people use their laptop computers almost anywhere in the city.

Many cities already have Wi-Fi or will in the near future. They include the American cities of San Francisco, California; Saint13 Louis, 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.

VOICE ONE:

Wi-Fi links are usually free in public places. Many cities and towns provide Wi-Fi in their public libraries. Some coffee houses and eating places in the United States also provide free Wi-Fi service. However, if you are using the service you are usually expected to buy food or a cup of coffee.

A modern laptop computer should connect to a Wi-Fi signal very quickly. However, if the person using the laptop has problems with the signal, most businesses that provide the service will help connect to the link. Many businesses will provide written information that tells how to connect with their link.

Business owners have learned14 that a Wi-Fi service brings people into the business. And, if the Wi-Fi link is good, they may stay longer and spend more money while they work. An example is a hotel company that provides a good link for business travelers. This would make all the company's hotels more popular with business travelers.

VOICE TWO:

Wi-Fi is becoming extremely popular in the United States. Industry experts say that more than sixty-four million Wi-Fi systems are expected to be sold this year. This is an increase from twenty-four million in two thousand two. More than eight and one half million American homes have Wi-Fi equipment. Experts say this is expected to increase to twenty-eight million homes in two thousand eight. Wi-Fi systems are not costly15 and easy to link with a home computer. Laptop computers with Wi-Fi equipment can then be used in almost any room in the house.

This also makes it possible for more than one person in the family to use the home computer system at the same time. For example, a mother can use the home computer in her office while a child uses a laptop to do his schoolwork in his room.

VOICE ONE:

Industry studies show that seventy-seven percent of home Wi-Fi users16 also want to connect other devices17 to their computer. These include devices for copying music. Experts say Wi-Fi technology is also changing the way and the amount of time people use computers and the Internet.

For example, many people use their Wi-Fi connected laptops to pay bills when they are in their home office. They look for cooking instructions on the Internet when they are in the kitchen. Or they watch a movie on their computer late at night in the living room. The experts say the future will include much more use of Wi-Fi technology.

(MUSIC)

VOICE TWO:

Computer industry experts warn that Wi-Fi users should be very careful when using this exciting technology. They say users should not send important or secret business information without good security18. The industry experts say many public places that provide Wi-Fi links do not provide information security. They say anyone can copy everything you send or receive if the computer does not have a security system.

Many places leave security technology turned off to make it easier for people to find and use the Wi-Fi link. The experts say important information should never been sent or received in a public Wi-Fi link without good computer security.

VOICE ONE:

Industry experts say Wi-Fi has increased sales of laptop computers. Laptops that can link with Wi-Fi are now more than thirty percent of the sales of new computers in the United States. And, Wi-Fi equipment is selling well because it can be placed in older computers and is low in cost.

Computer experts say Wi-Fi technology will continue to grow as the industry improves this method of communication. They say that the laptop computer linked to Wi-Fi will truly make the Internet part of daily life in the very near future.

(MUSIC)

VOICE TWO:

This program was written by Paul Thompson. It was produced by Mario Ritter. I'm Steve Ember.

VOICE ONE:

And I'm Faith Lapidus. Join us again next week for another EXPLORATIONS program in VOA Special English.


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1 wireless Rfwww     
adj.无线的;n.无线电
参考例句:
  • There are a lot of wireless links in a radio.收音机里有许多无线电线路。
  • Wireless messages tell us that the ship was sinking.无线电报告知我们那艘船正在下沉。
2 fidelity vk3xB     
n.忠诚,忠实;精确
参考例句:
  • There is nothing like a dog's fidelity.没有什么能比得上狗的忠诚。
  • His fidelity and industry brought him speedy promotion.他的尽职及勤奋使他很快地得到晋升。
3 frequencies 5d69bd20993d46b0d7dcd68b1b686133     
n.(某事发生可重复的)频率( frequency的名词复数 );发生率;(声波或无线电波的)振动频率;经常发生
参考例句:
  • If the frequencies are low, this approach cannot be used. 若频率很低时,这种方法就不能使用。 来自辞典例句
  • We are asking a network or system to attenuate certain frequencies. 我们正在要求一个网络或系统去压制某些频率。 来自辞典例句
4 intercepted 970326ac9f606b6dc4c2550a417e081e     
拦截( intercept的过去式和过去分词 ); 截住; 截击; 拦阻
参考例句:
  • Reporters intercepted him as he tried to leave the hotel. 他正要离开旅馆,记者们把他拦截住了。
  • Reporters intercepted him as he tried to leave by the rear entrance. 他想从后门溜走,记者把他截住了。
5 mister rnQzwB     
n.(略作Mr.全称很少用于书面)先生
参考例句:
  • Mister Smith is my good friend.史密斯先生是我的好朋友。
  • He styled himself " Mister Clean ".他自称是“清廉先生”。
6 detect DvOxm     
vt.察觉,发现;探测
参考例句:
  • I can detect signs of improvement in your thinking.我可以察觉出你思考问题方面的进步。
  • Their instruments can detect the slightest vibration.他们的仪器能探测出极微弱的震动。
7 navy oGTxs     
n.海军,海军人员,海军军力,藏青色
参考例句:
  • My brother is in the navy.我兄弟在海军服役。
  • He has transferred from the army to the navy.他从陆军转到海军。
8 spectrum Trhy6     
n.谱,光谱,频谱;范围,幅度,系列
参考例句:
  • This is a kind of atomic spectrum.这是一种原子光谱。
  • We have known much of the constitution of the solar spectrum.关于太阳光谱的构成,我们已了解不少。
9 works ieuzIh     
n.作品,著作;工厂,活动部件,机件
参考例句:
  • We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
  • The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。
10 device Bv8x6     
n.器械,装置;计划,策略,诡计
参考例句:
  • The device will be in production by the end of the year.该装置将于年底投入生产。
  • The device will save much time and effort for us.这种装置会使我们节省大量时间和气力。
11 interference S5Hx0     
n.干涉,介入;阻碍,干扰
参考例句:
  • I couldn't hear the program because there was too much interference.因干扰太大,我听不清节目。
  • We oppose interference by any outside force.我们反对任何外来势力插手干预。
12 motels 633557e1314db80358d6e53ad0636382     
n.汽车旅馆( motel的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • All the motels lie beside the road. 所有的汽车旅馆都位于公路旁边。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • A lot of motels lie beside the turnpike. 很多汽车旅馆都位于付费公路旁边。 来自《简明英汉词典》
13 saint yYcxf     
n.圣徒;基督教徒;vt.成为圣徒,把...视为圣徒
参考例句:
  • He was made a saint.他被封为圣人。
  • The saint had a lowly heart.圣人有谦诚之心。
14 learned m1oxn     
adj.有学问的,博学的;learn的过去式和过去分词
参考例句:
  • He went into a rage when he learned about it.他听到这事后勃然大怒。
  • In this little village,he passed for a learned man.在这个小村子里,他被视为有学问的人。
15 costly 7zXxh     
adj.昂贵的,价值高的,豪华的
参考例句:
  • It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
  • This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用,左不过贵了些。
16 users 9bc65c2abec141778ffaa729489f3e87     
用户,使用者( user的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • The new software will prove a boon to Internet users. 这种新软件将会对互联网用户大有益处。
  • Ramps should be provided for wheelchair users. 应该给轮椅使用者提供坡道。
17 devices e0212e54ec3a2a120ca0d321b3a60c78     
n.设备;装置( device的名词复数 );花招;(为实现某种目的的)计划;手段
参考例句:
  • electrical labour-saving devices around the home 节省劳力的各种家用电器
  • modern labour-saving devices such as washing machines and dishwashers 诸如洗衣机和洗碗机之类的现代化省力设备
18 security iTdzh     
n.安全,安全感;防护措施;保证(金),抵押(品);债券,证券
参考例句:
  • A security guard brought him down with a flying tackle.一名保安人员飞身把他抱倒。
  • There was tight security at the airport when the President's plane landed.总统的专机降落时,机场的保安措施很严密。

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