There are several different
WiFi protocols used in wireless networking. The older 802.11b standard has been supplanted by the faster 802.11g standard, which is in widespread use today.
The next generation of
WiFi equipment will use the even newer 802.11n standard, which promises faster speeds and a longer range.
However, this new standard has not yet been finalized, even though some manufacturers are selling so-called "pre-n" equipment today, based on the draft 802.11n standards.
Even though this "pre-n" equipment is faster than current 802.11g equipment, it may not be fully compatible with the final 802.11n standard, when it's released in 2007.
Michael Miller is a writer and commentator on technology and digital lifestyle topics. 
