Deciding to build a wired or wireless network depends entirely on you, and your' needs.
For example, most people with a laptop will want a wireless network, however I personally hate wireless networks because of the Electro-magnetic backwash that it makes((when you can hear it, it's not tolerable. Most people can't hear it, however.)). A wireless home network also allows items like Ipod touches to abuse all of their' features, and playing video games online gets significantly simpler.

And of course, you aren't tripping over wires.
WIRED NETWORKS:
For a wired network, your' main problem is cabling. We're talking about hundreds of feet of cabling, depending on your' home's design.
However, in a small apartment((like mine)), it has it's advantages. It means people can't "Leech" your' router's signal((Refer to "encrypting your' router" below)).
Wired networks have alot of wiring, but they also don't have problems with things like lead-based paint, or leechers, or faulty wireless cards.
WIRELESS B:
Wireless B was the second variation of Wireless. Wireless A was garbage, and could barely pass Dial-up speeds along.
Wireless B can easily distribute DSL speeds, however I remind you that no form of Wireless can pass along dial-up.
While DSL((IE: Telephone based "high speed" internet)) in it's lightest speeds can be passed along easily along Wireless B, Wireless B can't handle network gaming, and aren't all that tolerant of devices like Ipods, or Playstations, etc.
WIRELESS G:
Wireless G puts Wireless B to shame, with almost 5 times the speed transfer. It still is impaired by lead-based paint, etc, however it can tolerate Video Games, Ipods, and assorted other wireless devices. Wireless G is currently the best available out there.
WIRELESS N:
Wireless N has a greater speed, and greater range. While this has it's advantages in single-home buildings, it's a massive disadvantage in apartments.
Think about this? you've got three hundred neighbours, in range of your' wireless router. Some of them may be code breakers; people who can get through even complex router encryption codes.

As you can see, it is all dependant on your' needs.
A 6 acre place with no one else on the site, you'd enjoy a Wireless N router. You can go over quite a distance from your' router, and still get reception.
While, in a 300-unit apartment building, it depends on the type of building. My suite, for example, I can't get reception from my OWN router, 12 feet away, because of the paint, and odd electromagnetics, so I have to use wired connections. And of course, I promised something...

ENCRYPTING YOUR' WIRELESS ROUTER:
While the actual process varies from device to device, and should be listed in your' instruction manual, however, picking your password, or code number, it depends on your' mind-frame.
Take something that only YOU, and maybe a few others would know...
SIN numbers, Student ID's from school, etc.
Don't pick something obvious, like addresses, or phone numbers. Pick something UNIQUELY YOU.
AND
Don't buy a router with more range than YOU need!
A wireless N network in an apartment building is asking for leechers.

LEECHERS:
Downloading kiddie porn, clogging up your' bandwidth, and opening you up to a plethora of legal issues, Leechers are the peril of any wireless router.
Keeping them at bay is tricky.
Using the right router, coming up with a unique passcode, and even turning it OFF when you AREN'T using it are key tricks to keeping leechers off your' router.

Learn more about this author, Adam Churchill.
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