* Dr. Internet columnist Steve Blass recommends low-cost programming tools * Help Desk columnist Ron Nutter offers advice on improving wireless security
* Learning functional programming
By Steve Blass
Q: I’m interested in learning functional programming and would like to know where I might find low-cost programming tools to experiment with.
A: The comp.lang.functional FAQ describes functional programming this way: “Functional programming is a style of programming that emphasizes the evaluation of expressions, rather than execution of commands. The expressions in these languages are formed by using functions to combine basic values. A functional language is a language that supports and encourages programming in a functional style.”
To read Steve’s response in its entirety, please click here.
* Improving wireless security
By Ron Nutter
Q: Partially for cost reasons (less money to spend vs. regular wiring) and partially for convenience (users don’t have to be close to a network jack), more wireless is starting to be deployed at my company. After reading about all of the security problems that come along with the benefits of having wireless as a part of the network, I am concerned about having enough protection in place will still having the wireless network being convenient to use. What do you suggest as possibilities for doing this?
A: There are several things to look at. The first is to do an inventory of all the wireless devices that you have. Most important, note whether the wireless device is mode B, mode G, etc. While not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, it will dictate, in part, the type of encryption that you are able to use and how sophisticated you can get.
To read Ron’s response in its entirety, please click here.
