Many still believe that each computer system needs every attachment and accessory for that workstation to complete the tasks it has been purchased to do.  There are ways to save time, space, and money that are now much more affordable.   Networks are not just for office buildings anymore.

With the drastic increase in broadband coverage and the drop in technology prices, networking equipment for the home is mass produced and more affordable than ever.  Powerful home networks already exist in broadband connected homes everywhere.  These networks can be used  for more than just sharing the plentiful internet connection.

In this article I am going to touch on some of the advantages of networking the different kinds of retail printers.  There are basic printers with just a USB connection, wired network capable, wireless capable, and bluetooth printers.  A common misconception is that you need to purchase a wireless printer (more expensive) to print wirelessly from a laptop.  As long as the printer is connected to the network there are options to print wirelessly even if it is not a wireless printer.  In fact if you would like to have your printer in the same area as your broadband connection and router I recommend to use the wired network connection for a faster, interference free link.  It is the computer you are printing from that needs to be wireless to print over the network from the couch, not the printer.  Granted there are some situations where the wireless printer would be preferred as if you need to put the printer on the opposite wall from the router and would like to eliminate running wires around the room or if you would like to put the printer in a more centrally located area because your new found ability to share this printer has family members coming from all reaches of the house to gather their prints.  If you have an older printer that just has the usb connection you still can print wirelessly, but it requires some configuration to share the printer across the network from the computer to which it is attached.  Aside from the extra configuration, another negative would be that the attached computer or host would have to be powered on and functioning for the wireless clients to print.  Bluetooth connected printers can be shared in a similar manner where the host would have to be on and within the bluetooth pairing range to the printer for others to print.

The overall advantages to networking your existing or purchasing a network capable printer in my opinion are costs.  In the past consumers would attempt to purchase all the same printers to only have to buy one type of ink cartridge.  Networking solves this by all users sharing one set of ink.  With the rise of ink prices and the lowering of printer prices a household can wait untill all of the ink is depleted in the various printers around the house (may only be one or two).  Calculate the cost of replacing all that ink and use that amount to purchase a new networkable printer that comes with some ink.  Also, it seems as though there is a trend that the higher price the printer is the lower the cost per page on ink it runs.  Sharing one slightly more expensive multifunction printer will save on overall ink purchases in this way.  Even the amount of household clutter can be reduced by having that many less printers and desks to put them on.   Some laptop users may remove the desk from the picture all together.

There is a good chance you can do more with the technology you already have…

RSL Tech may be the place you finally learn how.

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