What You’ve Told Us…

What You’ve Told Us…

Our July survey asked about computers and networking in your homes. In one of the most lopsided responses we’ve ever seen to a survey question, 93% of the readers who responded report having at least one computer in their homes, and 85% of them have more than one (19% have five or more!). While multiple computers appear to be the norm, networked computers are not, as 65% of those with more than one computer do not have them networked. Another 31% has computers linked via a wired network and only 8% report using a wireless network (some of you apparently have more than one type of network). Among the group using wireless networks, more than half (56%) are using 802.11b networks, while 8% are using the older 802.11a and 12% the newer 802.11g standard; 24% aren’t sure what kind of wireless network they’re using.

Sharing high-speed internet access in the home appears to be the leading reason for networking home computers (28%), followed by sharing files and printers (20%), other (4%) and communication with area hams (3%). The rest (46%) had no network at home.

Multi-user wireless networking does not seem to be high on your priority lists, as 52% said you would not consider such a network at this time, 13% said you’d consider one under unlicensed Part 15 rules, 8% said they’d want to do it under Part 97 amateur rules, and the rest either didn’t know or had no opinion.

Finally, you were split on whether you believe that wireless computer networking is a valid amateur radio activity, with 28% saying yes, 29% saying no, and 32% saying they don’t know or have no opinion.

This month’s free subscription winner is Alex Swedenburg, ABØTJ, of Craig, Colorado.

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