www.dd-wrt.com | Unleash Your Router. 
Recently, in order to improve Internet reception at the FutureLawyer home, I strung CAT 6 cable throughout, with the help of a cable expert. (Note: some experts say that there is no difference in throughput between Cat 5, Cat 5e, and Cat6 - I disagree even if you aren't using high speed connections). However, in Number One Son's room, where he and his friends play online video games, he needed more than a single wired connection. I had an old Linksys N router lying around, and it occurred to me that I could expand the wireless access in the house by installing it there. I could have used the standard Linksys firmware; but, I am an adventurous sort, so I downloaded and installed the free, open source, dd-wrt firmware, which is a Linux based alternative that is easy to use, and supports everything you could ever want to do with a router. Imagine my surprise when, in addition to the increased functionality, I am getting strong 4 to 5 bar signals throughout the house. In addition, 3 of his friends can jack in to the router for a wired connection if they choose. I have a feeling he is going to be very popular. Now, She Who Must Be Obeyed can browse the web upstairs, and everyone else can access the net wherever they are. This solution will work at any small law office, as well, and, while stringing cable, and installing routers, is not for the faint of heart, it isn't as much of a pain as it used to be; especially if you are running Windows 7.
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