Wireless PCI Network Adapters - Speed and Signal Strength?

[gord]

So i have just got onto wireless technology and i have a wireless pci card in my pc. But, ive seen laptops whos speed is constantly 54Mbps.. always.. the signal strength just changes but not the speed. On mine, my speed changes and the signal strength.. so i can have Very Good signal strength and 2.0Mbps. Why?

Also, one network i have excellent signal strength from (reported by windows) when refreshing the list. However, when i connect to it the speed and signal are low.. why?

Are these things normal? Is there anything normal about wireless tech?

 

[Freakish_05]

TBH The only good thing about wireless is that it doesn't result in any mess (namely cables).
The only reason I'm using wireless is because my family don't want an ethernet cable running along a skirting board.

Wireless is:

• Unsecure - Its far too easy to wardrive a wireless network, even with appropriate security precautions
• Unpredictable - Speed and Signal strength fluctuate
• SLOOOWWWWW - Transfer speeds on a wireless network are at best 30% of transfer speeds over ethernet.

If at all possible, stick with good old trustworthy RJ45

My 2 Cents