Is it me, or does technology advance at an ever alarming rate? Just when you've got your head around what was current last year, something bigger and better comes along. It's little wonder then that we seniors struggle keeping up with the latest technologies.

As an example; the Internet is truly a wondrous achievement and quite literally has changed the way the world communicates, sources information and revolutionised the way we bank.

How we connect to the Internet has also changed too. No longer do you have to dialup your Internet Service Provider using a modem. Now it's common place for a home to have a router that is constantly connected to the Internet, and via ADSL provides blistering speeds unheard of just a few years ago.

With all this technology at hand, it's time too take the bull by the horns and embrace the modern world before you truly do get left behind.

A Wireless Internet Connection, in case your are unfamiliar with the term, enables you to connect to the Internet without wires. If you're thinking of buying, or are using a Laptop then wireless internet is the way to go.

Here's my story...

I decided to invest in a new laptop when my old computer finally gave up the ghost last year. For me, I liked the idea of surfing the Internet from anywhere in the house; or garden and so was really excited when I read about the possibilities of having a Wireless Internet Connection .

Still, I was concerned that somebody not technically minded, thought perhaps I was being too adventurous and should just be glad that I was able to connect to the Internet from my old fashioned desk, after all how many seniors can do that?

The decision to go wireless was made for me when my Grandson offered to help. Not that I needed any in the end mind...

I purchased a 4 port wireless router and a PCMIA Wireless Network Card for my Laptop. Much to my surprise I was able to install everything myself, and there was no problem when I switched everything on as it automatically self configured. All I had to do was to push the PCMIA Wireless Network Card into a spare slot on my Laptop and plug the wireless router into the ADSL socket, just like you would with a normal telephone. Finally, I entered in a password to tie down the Wireless Internet Connection to my Laptop and to stop other people from using it.

That's it; I'm still a little bit shocked just how simple it was. Mind you, the instructions were very good, and clear to follow which is always a plus.

When I bought the 4 port wireless router I enquired at the store how close the router would need to be to the Laptop before I would lose the Wireless Internet Connection. To my astonishment it's not uncommon to achieve a distance of between one hundred to two hundred feet before the wireless signal degrades. Though the salesman did say that this was dependent on the density of the house walls, and other obstacles that could interfere with the wireless internet connection.

Fortunately for me, I can now sit at the bottom of my garden and happily surf the internet without any connection problems whatsoever.

Who'd of thought that a technology shy senior like me could setup their own Wireless Internet Connection and browse the Web from anywhere in their home or garden? So what are you waiting for, go wireless and start enjoying the Internet in a completely different way.

Trust me, it really is very simple. Good luck...