English 421Y: Technical Writing Online

This research blog summarizes information from PC World, Australia (http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/review/networking_wireless_voip/linksys/wi...). The website includes a comprehensive review of the Linksys WRT54G2 wireless router.

The review includes several key features of the product, as well as performance results. The first thing they point out is the new design, as it is rather unique compared to previous models. This new router is the successor to the popular Linksys WRT54G, but is packaged into a black, sleeker-looking case without any external antennas. They go on to explain the simplicity of the installation process, but they also note a minor hang up. This product includes an installation CD with the new Linksys EasyLink Advisor (LELA) software, making installation a breeze for any type of user. However, most other routers on the market are able to detect an internet connection from a modem (PPPoE) automatically. The technicians at PC World had to select it manually during setup.

After completing the installation, the techs test the unit and provide feedback about the performance features. While testing connection speeds, they fount that streaming videos while transferring data results in speeds of approximately 1.49MBps, whereas data transfer alone can average about 2.33MBps. They conclude that this router is effective for home users who won’t be using more than a few wireless devices at a time.

I believe that I can use this information effectively in this paper because the techs explain the pros and cons of the hardware and the installation process, but they also test the performance of the connections for practical purposes. This kind of information will help our audiences make informed decisions about the products that they are considering. Once we find similar performance data for the other products, I think that we can create graphs to visually illustrate the capacities of each one. I trust that this is a reliable, unbiased source, as the feedback seems to be well-balanced and supported by methodical testing.