Direct communication

Scientists at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology have developed software that makes possible direct wireless (WiFi) communication between computers without intermediary devices (such as Internet routers). The software is available as a free download at http://www.wipeer.com.

The user-friendly software enables simple communication between computers in close proximity – up to 300 feet inside buildings to more than 900 feet in the open. The scientists say that direct communication between computers was not widely explored previously because of the long, complicated configuration process involved.

The WiPeer software makes possible the transfer of dozens of pictures from one computer to another in less than a minute, and a 700 MB file can be transferred in 15 minutes or less, depending on variables such as the age of the computer and the speed of its wireless network card. It is also possible to carry conduct private online chats or to play collaborative games such as chess.