Most multimedia titles make use of hotspots. A hotspot is usually a button or
picture that reacts when you select it – by taking you to another part of the
title. Most hotspots are revealed by exploring the screen with the mouse and
observing where the pointer or image changes. Another type of hotspot is
hot text – a word or phrase that appears in a different colour from the main
text to show that it is live. Not all hotspots declare themselves; however,
sometimes you have to click around the screen to find them.
A hotspot is any public area where computers that have been fitted with
wireless network technology can gain access to the Internet. The computer
accomplishes this by contacting a nearby wireless network with its internal
NIC (Network Interface Card). The NIC seeks out the radio waves
generated by wireless networks. When it detects a signal strong enough, it
asks permission to log on to the network. Though this access is often free,
other times the wireless network requires registration and a small fee before
it will grant the computer access.
Many cafés now feature a wireless network environment or hotspot, so that
customers can sit leisurely, sip coffee and work on their laptops with full
Internet access. Establishments that offer hotspots are referred to as being
wired, somewhat of a misnomer since the technology is wireless.
A network that generates a hotspot basically consists of a wireless router
and modem. The RF, or radio frequency, waves used by a wireless network
extend in all directions from the central location of these devices, before
finally weakening through interference and lack of signal strength. If a
computer is inside the 'shroud' of RF waves, it will have the capability to
connect to the network. This area is the hotspot. As the computer moves
further away from the router and modem devices, the connection will
become weaker and slower. The quality of the connection deteriorates
rapidly at the boundary. The computer will lose access completely if it
leaves the hotspot.
A hotspot might not be specifically generated for public use. All wireless
networks generate RF waves and hotspots. A hotspot can be available
outside of a commercial building, for example. In this case, the wireless
network is not specifically set up to service public clients, so access will be
free.