Got|Apex? Review: Compex WavePort Wireless Network Solutions 03/11/2002

[Leon]

Thanks for reading the review. Please post any questions or comments in this thread.


http://www.gotapex.com/reviews.php?rev=compex/index.html

[Guigsy]

Good review, but one problem....

I'm pretty sure that BlueTooth and IEEE802.11 are different technologies. They share the same radio band, but appart from that they're completely incompatible.

Bluetooth is for personal device networking such as connecting your phone to your PDA. Range is about 10m and speed is <1Mb. Ideal for surfing on your Palm while your phone is in your pocket. http://www.bluetooth.com

IEEE802.11 is for networking with a range of about 100m and is about the same speed as an old 10Mb network (in theory). If you look at the devices, none of them say BlueTooth on them.


Guigsy

[lowlevel]

The reference to Bluetooth in this article is pretty confusing. 802.11b is different from Bluetooth as far as potential data transfer and security.

They are completely different standards, to the best of my knowledge. 802.11b (commonly known as WiFi) and Bluetooth are not compatible standards.

To quash the confusion, Darth may want to consider either removing the reference to Bluetooth altogether (since none of the devices he discusses are actually Bluetooth-based) or better clarify *why* he referenced Bluetooth in his article by discussing the differences between WiFi and Bluetooth.

Overall, I'm disappointed. The article is of lower quality than what I typically expect from Got|Apex?, and marks a low-point for Darth as well. I typically enjoy his articles, but this one in particular smacks of something that was composed by a Best Buy "product specialist".

:bandit:

[Devhux]

You guys are correct, in that Bluetooth is different than 802.11b wireless.

As for Bluetooth, I've actually been eyeing that new Bluetooth SD card for my Palm m125 -- looks like a nifty accessory for wirelessly connecting with other Bluetooth devices (like the HP Deskjet 995 printer)

[Jeffbx]

Originally posted by GuruX
You guys are correct, in that Bluetooth is different than 802.11b wireless.

As for Bluetooth, I've actually been eyeing that new Bluetooth SD card for my Palm m125 -- looks like a nifty accessory for wirelessly connecting with other Bluetooth devices (like the HP Deskjet 995 printer)

I'm having a hard time with Bluetooth, in that I don't see it's potential... what kind of applications is it good for? OK, printing I can see. Off in the future when vending machines can accept digital cash, maybe. What else are people using it for today??

[DARTH]

Thank you Sooooooooooooooooooooo much for catching this.. Sometimes when you are caught up in writing numerous reviews simultaneously, as well as testing new products, you tend to rely too much on the technical documentation that accompanies the unit. I will be the first to admit that networking components technology is my weak point, which is why you do not see many network equipment reviews here at G|A?. At the time of this review I did perform research on it, but unfortunately did so with the misconception the the two technologies were one in the same. Clearly now after looking at official white papers I can see where I made an error in my research. The article has been updated and once again thx for the heads-up.
DARTH

[Markel]

Jerry Pournelle's latest article at byte.com has quite a bit of explanation of various wireless technologies: link (http://www.byte.com/documents/s=7115/byt1019082146139/0422_pournelle.html)

[attgig]

Originally posted by Jeffbx
I'm having a hard time with Bluetooth, in that I don't see it's potential... what kind of applications is it good for? OK, printing I can see. Off in the future when vending machines can accept digital cash, maybe. What else are people using it for today??

Also, for the real 'wired' home, all appliances are supposed to eventually have bluetooth. Then, you can control your oven, dishwasher, etc. from your computer - or even from your office (via a web interface or vnc, etc....)
more down to earth ideas are syncing your palm, printing, sound in/out put.