>-"wi-fi", the next big thing in wireless communication

read wired.com may 2003 edition this morning. i haven't been there for years, only to find out they still have similar GUI to several years ago. not that i'm complaining. after browsing the site for a while, i bumped into their may 2003 edition: Issue 11.05 UNWIRED - A Wired Special Report - May 2003 on "get wireless" -- basically a pretty thorough look using non-geek lingo into the wonderful world of "wi-fi".

"wi-fi" is the next big thing after "3G" mobile technology that enables you to do a lot of things with your petite mobile device, from texting to sending pictures to record short video and exchange them with other users up to sending e-mails and browsing the so-called 'world-web-wait' from users' tiny mobile screen (despite recent pretty big screens in PDAs and other mobiles, for me it's still something smaller than regular 14 inch screen ).

"wi-fi" will allow you and your gadgets (mobile handset, PDAs, notebooks, etc.) to hook up to the net without any wire. true, without those nerve-breaking telephone fee and RJ-11 nor RJ-45 cables. hassle and tangle free.

but the still, despite the wonderful idea, existing and functioning technology, would "wi-fi" bandwagon "internet cable" and/or "adsl", "isdn", bluetooth" etc. in its acceptance and usage among wider public? especially public with limited internet access.

is "wi-fi" an alternative to expensive internet connection? what about the management of different radio frequencies used as the medium? how much do people have to pay? true, the price of "wi-fi" gadgets has been decreasing, but to what extent? the question of public infrastructure and low cost alternative internet connection are still valid as these seem to be the possible way out to equal distribution of information to all level and class of users worldwide.

the best thing about "wi-fi" that i myself agree is the nature of dematerialization. can you imagine the world without copper cables or plastic cables? cut down the amount of cables, but what about the physical storage hardwares? how can we dematerialize "hard disks", "compact disks" and all those teeny tiny electronic components that make up your personal computer at home and at work.