Okay, the basics...
Your computer needs a NIC. That's a Network Interface Card, and that's how it communicates on the network. It can be wired or wireless.
In either case, the network has to receive it. A router, switch, or hub will do the trick. Or an access point, but more on that later.
If you're wired, a cable (cat-5) goes from the NIC to the router (or whatever). Your internet connection is wired into a router (or whatever), and everyone communicates happily.
When you're wireless, instead of using a cat-5 cable, you use radio waves. Or something like that. So you need something to receive them on the other side. That's also a router, hub, switch, or access point. That router (or whatever) is then connected via a wire to the rest of the network.
So what you need is an access point and a wireless NIC. Plug the access point into the network and configure it. Put the NIC in the computer and configure it. When both are done, you're ready to go.
Of course, that wireless router (or whatever) isn't too smart. It will let anyone connect to your network. So you'll probably want to go through the three levels of security to make sure no one else gets on there:
1. Don't broadcast your SSID (network ID) -- access point configuration
2. Use WEP -- a wireless encrypted password -- to secure the actual connection
3. Lock down access to only those MAC addresses (NICs) that you recognize. Every NIC has its own unique address (if it's from a reputable manufacturer), so you can decide which NICs are allowed on your network.
All three of these things are done when you administer the router (or whatever).
Give that a shot and see what happens.
*edit* Forgot to mention that you should pick up a copy of NetStumbler (it's a free download) so you can see what wireless networks are around (including yours). It can be... enlightening...
[ 03-18-2004, 05:11 PM: Message edited by: Bungleau ]