If your laptop isn't equipped with an internal wireless card or it didn't come with an external one, then you'll have to purchase one. When you go to purchase a wireless network card, make sure that it meets the following specifications.

• Conforms to IEEE standard 802.11b or g

DoIT offers a number of wireless networking cards at affordable prices. See DoIT's Tech Store for more information. Additionally, wireless network cards can be purchased at any computer retailer or ordered online. For additional help and for answers to your specific wireless network card inquiries, stop by the DoIT tech store at 1210 W Dayton St. between 7:45am and 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. Your laptop will also need an open slot of the appropriate type, usually PCMCIA and one of the following operating systems:

• Windows 95/98/ME/NT 4.0 SP4/2000/XP
• Mac OS 8.6 or higher
• Linux support varies by card

Minimum system recommendations for using tethered software with a wireless connection  

• Windows 95/98SE/ME - runs most tethered software
• Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4 or higher - runs most tethered software
• Windows 2000/XP - runs all tethered software
• 128 MB RAM
• 1024x768 monitor resolution
• Pentium II or greater processor
• CD-ROM drive

  These are the minimum system requirements for running tethered software. Optimum performance may require higher performance equipment than listed above. Continue to the instructions for accessing the wireless network