Building Wireless Community Networks Author: Rob Flickenger Publisher: O’Reilley & Associates Price: Rs 100/- Available at: The Computer Bookshop. Tel: 022-2070989

Consumers who access the Internet from home usually frown at the shoddy service (Read: slow access). Some consumers in the U.S. are so fed up, they’ve set up their own access points, and given friends, family and neighbours free wireless Internet access.

Building Wireless Commu-nity Networks is a book for those who are thinking about setting up a wireless network in their neighbourhood, school, or building. Wireless networks would also work well in rural areas and smaller towns.

Through this book you’ll learn the basics of wireless network architecture, protocols, equipment, etc. Besides, the book discusses the technical limitations of the 802.11b standard and some possible workarounds. It also addresses issues like extending the range, wireless applications, and coping with interference and noise.

At times the book plays the hobbyist card in one chapter it shows you how to make your own antenna from a Pringles can.

Brian Pereira