Connectify Wi-Fi Hotspot Software
My wireless router died recently so I have been playing with an application call Connectify for the last couple of days. The software is easy to use and very useful so I thought I would tell my fellow geek dads and moms about the program.
What is Connectify?
Connectify is an easy to use application that can turn a laptop (or desktop computer with wireless capability) into a Wi-Fi hotspot. Thanks to Connectify, geek dads and moms can wireless connect to the Internet without a wireless router. Cool! It’s also free. Double cool! The software isn’t limited to computers. Dads and moms can also connect Wi-Fi enabled devices like a cell phone or a Wii console. In my test, our Wii console detected the Connectify Wi-Fi hotspot, but couldn’t connect to it for some reason (I’ll get it working eventually).
What’s so special about Connectify?
With Connectify, dads and moms can network Wi-Fi devices together without a wireless router. Thanks to the virtual hot spot created by Connectify, parents can shared files, folders, drives, and Internet connection. On the road, users can save money by sharing their Internet connection (instead of paying for each wireless device they want connected). And if dads and moms already have a wireless router at home, they can use Connectify as a repeater to extend their wireless range. Nice!
What’s the catch?
It’s free, but there are a couple of catches. First, Connectify only works with Windows 7 (the WiFi devices don’t need Windows 7). And second, some hardware don’t work properly with Connectify (consult the list of supported cards and devices).
How do you set up Connectify?
It’s simple:
- Download and install the software
- Select a mode (Ad Hoc or Access Point) [Note: Access Point mode allows you to share a Wi-Fi connection from the same Wi-Fi card that you are using to access the Wi-Fi network. Ad Hoc mode needs the Internet connection to come from another connection such as Ethernet cable, cellular, or a second Wi-Fi card.]
- Name your Wi-Fi hotspot
- Create a secure password for your virtual hotspot
- Select your Internet connection (no Internet sharing, local area connection, or wireless network connection)
- Click on the Start Hotspot button
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This sounds pretty cool!
If only I could figure out how to connect the Wii to the Connectif hotspot.
Worked for my wii, but lags like hell when i want to play online :(
The hotspot also dies when my laptop goes into sleep mode. Not as useful as I originally thought.
How in g-ds name did you get it to work for ur wii???? i keep getting error messages every time it tried to test the connection!!!!
Sorry, I tested it two years ago. I have a wireless router now so I uninstalled the software.
It looks awesome!
I’m got a pretty reliable router (crosses fingers and knocks on wood), but i didn’t know such a thing even existed. Thanks for the tip!
My Linksys wireless router is dead, but the cheap wired router Verizon gave me still works. Very strange.
Try http://wlancontroller.com to turn windows 7 into hotspot