Windows PowerShell Basics

Graphical interfaces use some basic concepts that are well known to most computer users. Users rely on the familiarity of those interfaces to to accomplish tasks. Operating systems present users with a graphical representation of items that can be browsed, usually with drop-down menus for accessing specific functionality and context menus for accessing context-specific functionality.

A command-line interface (CLI), such as Windows PowerShell, must use a different approach to expose information, because it does not have menus or graphical systems to help the user. You need to know command names before you can use them. Although you can type complex commands that are equivalent to the features in a GUI environment, you must become familiar with commonly-used commands and command parameters.

Most CLIs do not have patterns that can help the user to learn the interface. Because CLIs were the first operating system shells, many command names and parameter names were selected arbitrarily. Terse command names were generally chosen over clear ones. Although help systems and command design standards are integrated into most CLIs, they have been generally designed for compatibility with the earliest commands, so the command set is still shaped by decisions made decades ago.

Windows PowerShell was designed to take advantage of a user's historic knowledge of CLIs. In this chapter, we will talk about some basic tools and concepts that you can use to learn Windows PowerShell quickly. They include:

· Using Get-Command

· Using Cmd.exe and UNIX commands

· Using External Commands

· Using Tab-Completion

· Using Get-Help

Understanding the Basics of Wireless Printing

Wireless printing is becoming more and more popular among today’s business offices, large corporations, and even home users. Designed to eliminate the hassle of messy cords and unplugging machines, wireless printing allows you to print from any PC on the network. In the following article, we’ll go over some of the advantages of wireless printing, including the reasons why this technology can save you valuable time and money.

Mobility: Now you can print from anywhere in your home or office without being physically attached to your printing device. The latest WiFi technology offers much greater range than Bluetooth—approximately 300 feet.

Shared Printing: With a wireless network and printer, you don’t need to buy a printing device for every desk. Instead, several employees can send commands to the same printer from anywhere in the office.

No wires: All you need to get started is a computer, a WiFi enabled printer, and a wireless network (with a wireless router and ISP service, if you want to be connected to the Internet). This means your office can be free of cords and clutter, which also saves an average of $300-$600 for every network jack you don’t have to plug in.

Speed: WiFi printing, especially with the recent advancements in networking standards, is the fastest wireless technology to date—approximately 54 Mbps. There are several versions of the 802.11 wireless standards. However, the basic rule of thumb is that the higher the letter of the alphabet, the more speed. In other words, devices on a 802.11g network will operate faster than those on a 802.11b network.

Ease of Use: You might actually be surprised to find out how easy it is to set up and use a wireless network. Basically there are four simple steps involved in the installation process: 1) Download and install the appropriate printer driver; 2) Open the Control Panel and click “Add a printer” on the toolbar; 3) Select “Hardware and sound”; 4) Choose “Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer” and then select your wireless printer when it appears.

Security: All you need to do to secure a wireless printer is simply add it to the virtual private network (VPN). Nowadays, three out of four companies with more than 50 employees have a secure VPN. The other main reason for the increased security among wireless printers is the improvements in the 802.11i networking standards. Unlike its predecessor WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), the new-and-improved 802.11i uses the Advanced Encryption Standard adopted by the U.S. government.