The WI-FI standard (802.11b) uses the spread spectrum technique, Bob. Even though the band is shared with lots of other consumer products (wireless phones, etc.) there is not the problem of having to select an unused frequency. I am using the Intel AnyPoint product for my network. A little box with an antenna for the desktop, a PCMCIA card with an integral intenna for the laptop. Works fine! Max data rate is 11 MBps but usually runs somewhat less than that. Range is a couple of hundred feet in my installation. Covers all my property anyway.

There is also 802.11a, which operates at double the rf frequency and is incompatible with WI-FI. It has a higher data transfer rate as well.

Finally there is the recently approved 802.11g standard which will be compatible with both the .a and .b versions. Only a couple of products out there and I haven't seen any reports of results from early installations on it. 802.11b is what you will find in airports and coffee shops and what you should buy for the time being if you'd like to get on the internet when you travel.