IT Support - 9 Tips For Ordering a New Data Connection

Having been with an IT Support Company for five years, there is one thing that always stresses me out; ordering data connectivity for clients. From all that stress, I have some advice for you when ordering a new data connection such as a T1 that I would like to share:

My experience with getting data connections for clients has been varied, and unfortunately plagued with issues. I have had order entirely messed up, circuit failures, tech miss punching the ports or even plugging into the wrong port at the smart jack and not admitting to it.

From all this I do have some advice:
1) Plan ahead, the time to process the order could take up to 60 days!
2) Research the carriers in your area. Don't just go with who you know, check on everyone. They are all hungry for business, you might find a good deal.
3) If a deal is too good to be true, research it and read the fine print. It may be just that, not true.
4) Don't be afraid to push on the carriers and drop hints that someone else may get your business, just don't be a jerk about it.
5) Make sure the client knows that this process takes time to select and order the data connection. Communication with the client is key. Anyone in IT solutions knows that the client likes to be kept up to date, tell them what is going on. You may need them on your side when the carrier drops the ball.
6) When selecting the bandwidth, make sure to build in expansion into the selection. Better to have too much now and just enough later than to have to go through the whole process again in a few months.
7) Determine early on who will run the extension from the smartjack at the dmarc to your data center. Some sites do not have the dmarc in the data center. I personally have never seen the dmarc in a data center, but maybe I am just lucky. Establish who will run this as most vendors will not want to. The resposibilty factor over this run is something that most carriers will not take up and you may have to bring someone qualified in to run it.
8) Be aware, you may have to justify your use of the public IP addresses to get the block size you want. It seems ARIN is getting stingy on handing them out since the addresses are running out.
9) If you are testing the circuits and it isn't working, try the other open smart jacks. The tech may have plugged the extension into the wrong port. Yes, this does happen, be the hero and figure it out before the service call is made.

Hopefully some of this helps you through the dark path of connectivity. Remember even though we live in a golden age of technology with instant access, there is still a wait period to get that access...be patient.
Michael T. McLaughlin
Partner at Trigon Technology IT Support Solutions

4 Easy Ways to Speed Up a Slow Computer

The first one I wish I could do to my own brain sometimes, and that's adding more memory. If your computer is running one of the more recent Windows Operating Systems like Vista or Windows 7, Microsoft recommends 2 gigs of memory as a minimum, but I would try to go at least 4 gigs if only to give yourself a smoother experience. And like a car, it's always nice to have some extra power under the hood to climb any steep hills one may encounter. YouTube will have lots of video on how to add memory if you've never done it before, it's really easy to snap some more in.

The second way to speed up your machine is to clean up your desktop. Think of your computer desktop like your real desktop when you try to find something. Is that document over there under that pile of books? Maybe under last week's Sunday paper with the coffee ring stain on it? Or is it tucked away in one of the drawers? You get the picture. I know some people swear that a messy desk helps them find things faster but your computer isn't one of them. Move all your files to "Documents" or condense them in folders, your computer can find them faster that way.
Speed It Up! The Newbie's Guide to Speeding Up Slow Computers and Optimizing Your Internet Connection
Number three. Scan your hard drive with Windows built in Systems File Checking utility. This comes in very handy if your computer isn't running stable and keeps popping up a lot of errors. As your computer ages it collects more and more files that are associated with lots of different functions. Sometimes those associations and files can become corrupted and produce errors. Use System File Checker to run a quick scan and smooth them out. In Vista and Windows 7, go to All Programs-Accessories-Command Prompt - type in "SFC/ScanNow" without the quotes and hit enter. It may take a few minutes to scan but may be well worth it.
And last but not least, scan your computer for Spyware and viruses. They can really slow your computer down by using up lots of memory resources, redirecting your browser to sites you don't want to visit, and causing a host of other unpleasant events. I usually recommend running a couple of different ones just in case one misses something the others find. You can find a whole list of free Spyware removal programs at my site listed below.
May your computer purr like a kitten (so to speak)

32 Bit PCI Slots - Explaining the Different Types of PCI Expansion

4+1 Port USB 2.0 PCI Desktop Card - VIA Chip SetAs PCI Slots has grown to become the default expansion technology for industrial applications, so have the variety of available PCI Slot technologies. It's easy to be confused by the number standards. Let's look at each and see what they do. The best industrial computers offer a combination of these expansion slots to accommodate a variety of devices.
1. 3.3V/5V 32-Bit PCI Slot -PCI remains an accepted standard despite several newer revisions. A regular PCI uses five volts of power. You can differentiate it from the rare 3.3-volt type by the position of the notch in the slot. If the notch is toward the edge of the motherboard, the slot is 5 volts. If the notch is toward the center of the motherboard, it's 3.3 volts. The differing voltages correlate to different notches on the device card.
2. 3.3/5V 64-Bit PCI Slot -An extended connector can allow the device bus to double its speed of data transfer. 3.3V/5V 64 bit slot is longer to accommodate the additional connectors required.
3. PCI-X - PCI-X is a double-wide PCI device slot and runs at 4x the speed. It enhanced the 32-bit PCI Local Bus for higher bandwidth demands for servers. It has itself been replaced in modern designs by PCI Express.
4+1 Port USB 2.0 PCI Desktop Card - VIA Chip Set4. PCIe PCI Express is used in consumer, server, and industrial applications, as a motherboard-level interconnect (to link motherboard-mounted peripherals) and as an expansion card interface for add-in boards. PCIe is based on point-to-point serial links, rather than a shared parallel bus architecture, like standard PCI. PCIe x1, PCIe x4, PCIe x16 are different slot sizes in the PCIe standard.
Whether you need 32-bit PCI Slots or one of the other useful types, the standard is here to stay. They are becoming increasingly hard to find in new systems and require specific engineering to meet your device needs.
Configure your new system with 32-bit PCI Slots or choose between many other reliable expansion technologies.

Understaing the Barcode Scanning Options for Your Business

Implementing a barcoding system can be a huge benefit to your business. Before choosing the right barcoding system for your business, you need to understand your options when it comes to the different types of barcode scanners available on the market.
Several types of barcode scanners are available in the market, varying in the methods of scanning and the technologies they use to read and decode the barcodes.
First, there are four methods of scanning implemented in barcode scanners: the pen-type, semi-automatic, fixed-mounted, and gate readers. Both the pen-type and the semi-automatic scanners need an operator in order to function. In using the pen-type reader, the pen needs to be swiped directly over the barcode for it to capture the image. This may seem inconvenient, but pen readers are still widely used today because of their portability and durability. The semi-automatic readers are handheld but can also be mounted easily. This is the commonly used scanner during inventory. It works like the pen-type scanner, but it does not require contact or swiping in order to get the image; the reader only needs to be pointed in front of the label.
The better choices for barcode systems of large-scale businesses are the fixed-mounted and the gate readers as they can automatically read barcodes and, thus, speed up the process. For the fixed-mount scanners, the item just needs to be directed on top of the device's image-capturing component and it automatically reads and decodes the barcode. This type of scanner is common in the barcode systems of supermarkets. Gate readers, on the other hand, just need the items to be placed under the reader for a short time to allow for processing. These are perfect for assembly lines and conveyor belts.
Secondly, in terms of technologies applied in scanning and decoding, there are also several options available. First is the one used in a pen or wand scanners. This uses a light source and photodiodes to capture and decode barcode labels. It works by directing light in front of the barcode labels and then measuring the amount of light reflected back to the pen.
The photodiode generates a wave-like pattern, and the pattern is used by the scanner's decoder to decipher the code. In the same manner, a laser reader also uses photodiodes to decipher the code. The difference lies in the source of light they use; the laser reader uses a laser beam. Also, the laser scanner has a rotating prism that keeps the beam moving back and forth through the barcode, thus, eliminating the need to swipe the scanner over the label.
The CCD (charge-coupled device), meanwhile, uses the emitted light from the barcode themselves to generate a pattern. It uses hundreds of tiny light sensors on its reader that measures the light from the barcode and the voltage that results from the emission is what creates the pattern. Large field-of-view readers and video camera readers, on the other hand, use cameras to capture the barcode image and then an image-processing program in order to decode it. This is the newest type of technology used in barcode systems in terms of barcode scanning.
The most common barcode scanners in barcode systems of various industries, however, still use the omni-directional scanners. This is the most complex type of technology but it is also the one that delivers the best result as it can read un-flattened, torn, skewed, and even faded barcodes. To do this, it uses several scanning lines in varying angles and directions as well as a rotating polygonal mirror and several other stationary mirrors.
42205535-01 - HONEYWELL DATA GENERAL DASHER - 42205535-01As you can see there are many different types of barcode scanners which use different types of technologies to read barcodes. The type of barcode scanner that will be best for your business will vary depending on the type of business you run and how you plan to utilize the barcode scanner.
One final consideration you may want to consider is that the barcode scanner will need to work with your inventory management or point of sale software so you should consider software compatibility as part of your decision making process when purchasing a barcode scanner. Consult with your software provider for your options. Waspnest Barcode
One of the most popular barcode scanners on the market that is compatible with most point of sale and inventory management systems is the Symbol LS 2208 barcode scanner. For more information on this scanner please visit http://www.amberpos.com/point-of-sale-hardware/symbol-ls2208-laser-barcode-scanner/.

Printer Cartridges - Getting Printer Cartridges At An Economical Price

New printer cartridges are generally expensive to buy. You do get an extra pair when you buy a new printer. However, they are not filled completely. So, when you run out of ink, you have two alternatives. Clash of the Titans [Blu-ray]
1. Get the original cartridges filled again
This is the most convenient option for a printer user.  You don't need to spend a lot of money on buying new cartridges every time.  It is not hard to find a good company and get your cartridges refilled. Apart from that, you can buy new compatible versions of your printer cartridges. Several people replace their original cartridges with these alternative versions.
2. The easy way of ordering new cartridges
It is not very hard to buy new cartridges for your printer. The problem is that you need to choose the right resource. You can place your order on several other websites other than the company domain. However, in my opinion, the most dependable option is to visit the company website and place the order. But this might take a long time in delivery. These websites have a complete range of all the related products and they are sorted according to the category. For instance, if you are looking for printer cartridges, you need to select the printer model and a snapshot will be displayed to you. After that, you can place an online order. There are many reliable websites who are direct agents for the company and provide services at similar standards but at a lesser price.
3. Getting cheap new cartridges through third party vendors
Popular printing companies will charge a higher price than the market rate for printer cartridges. If you are looking to save money, you can contact one of the indirect sellers. These sellers deal in products of multiple companies.  They charge a lower price that the company. However, there are some areas which you need to look at.100 Miles From Memphis
  • The cartridges may be new but the stock may be old as these companies do not replace the unsold batches with the new ones
  • It is hard to claim warranties when you don't make purchases from the company directly
It is not necessary to go online and search for authentic resources. You can buy a fresh set of inkjet cartridges and a lot more at competitive prices.
The reason for lower prices is not low quality but the site may be offering you a better price by keeping their profits low so that consumers get quality products at a lower price.
For more information on Ink Printer Cartridges and Toner Los Angeles visit inkworksdirect.com.

Getting Suitable Printer Cartridges For Your Printer

Nowadays, it has become a lot easier to buy printer cartridges through online purchasing. Every printer has a comprehensive websites which guides the user in a step wise manner. For instance, if you want to buy printer cartridges, you will have to go through the following steps.
In my opinion, this is the easiest and the least time consuming option to get suitable printer cartridges. However, you need to look at other option if you are not interested in buying OEM products. You can buy compatible printer cartridges which are new but do not have the same quality level. Hence, you cannot compare them to company manufactured cartridges.
Some printer companies do not continue producing printer cartridges for all their older models. They change their products as and when they produce a newer design.  Hence, they also stop the production of printer accessories including cartridges for the older versions. In this case, you need to buy re-manufactured cartridges as new OEM ones are no longer available. Some firms produce the same kind of cartridges for a series of printers. This makes it easy to find new printer cartridges as one fits a series of printers. The quality is good in most cases and there are no compatibility issues.
The best is that you should try to keep your old cartridges instead of throwing them away.  You can get them refilled.  The refilling quality varies from one vendor to the other. Try to get hold of a dependable vendor who provides quality products and then stay with him. Once your cartridges are refilled, they should be tested before being attached to the printer. Some firms do test them but others ignore this check. Hence, they create problems like blotting and leaking when the customer uses them.
How successful are the compatible versions?  People using them have mixed opinions. Some say that they are below the required performance level. These cartridges are slightly bigger or smaller in terms of size. Hence, they can damage the printer from inside.  In addition to that, they can make it difficult for the tray to move. Once, your original cartridges are used up, you have a number of options to replace them. Your selection depends on how much you are willing to pay. Remember, when you buy quality you pay only once!
For more information on Ink Printer Cartridges and Toner Los Angeles visit inkworksdirect.com.

What Are the Apple iPhone 4 Advantages Over the 3?

The new Apple iPhone 4 advantages surpass the 3 in a number of ways. Let's compare the 3 and 4 now to see what iPhone 4 advantages make it better and an improvement over earlier models.
First, the Apple iPhone 4 advantages in terms of display are that it includes a high-res Retina display which the 3 doesn't and a 960 by 640 resolution whereas the 3 has 480 by 320. The PPI (pixels per inch) has been doubled to 326 as a result, as well. They are both multi-touch.The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
One of the most notable of the new Apple iPhone 4 advantages which is heavily advertised and showcased in television commercials for it is the inclusion of "FaceTime", meaning you can see whoever you're talking to assuming they have the same phone and plan, as well. The 4 also includes dual-mix noise suppression, making it easier for whoever you are talking to to understand what you're saying regardless of the talking environment.
The camera has been significantly upgraded from 3 to 5 megapixels and now includes an LED flash, backside illumination sensor, and front camera with VGA resolution, none of which the 3 has. They both include autofocus and tap to focus.
Aesthetically you can now get the 4 in white in addition to the basic black.
Many of the Apple iPhone 4 advantages are battery related. Talk time has been bolstered from 5 to 7 hours on 3G and 12 to 14 on 2G. An extra hour is approximated both on 3G internet use and wi-fi and audio playback is up from 30 hours to 40 while video playback remains constant between both at 10 hours.
The Apple iPhone 4 is unfortunately but understandably more expensive than the 3 with it currently listed at $199 for the 16 GB and $299 for the 32 GB. Find out how you can get a COMPLETELY FREE Apple iPhone 4 WITHOUT having to sign up for a phone plan at http://www.freeapplegadgetsandproducts.info

Unique Computer Keyboards For the Geek at Heart

Today's technology has something for everyone, even those who travel a lot. When you need to get work done fast but are limited to picking each letter by letter as in a Palm Pilot or Smart-phone you think to yourself, "there has to be a easier and faster way."The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Simple answer, get a folding keyboard. Why yes they will hook up to anything including hand held devices up to the latest laptop computer. The coolest part is the wireless connection by Bluetooth so as no wires are needed, however you can go "old school" and hook up the keyboard into a USB port. These stowaway keyboards are made to be extremely compact when not in use, some so small when folded that it can literally fit in your pocket, then unfold it and eureka - a full size keyboard is bestowed in front of you ready and willing to get it's keys pounded on.
The convenience of this device is priceless, imagine being stuck in an airport with a load of work needing to get done, doing so without a keyboard would be a nightmare. Also if the ergonomics of the keyboard on your notebook just don't cut it for several reasons like spacing of keys, shape of the keys, and the overall funkiness of some of the newer laptop keyboards is downright confusing and frustrating to deal with. Some of those designs just don't make sense, on one particular model the keys are flat on top and have no distinction of where your fingers can distinguish on what key they lay upon.
There are also many different varieties of these compact fold-able keyboards as well. Some styles are hard plastic and fold up in sections while being made very thin and sleek, the there are the silicon types that are so pliable they can just be rolled up like a piece of paper and be stowed anyplace. These soft jelly like keyboards come in a variety of colors and some are even back lit, now that is pretty neat for the young at heart or teenagers who are finicky and demand the different of a great many things.
Go check out what folding keyboard may be right for your technological situation.

Industry-Leading Dell LTO-4 PowerVault Tape Devices

Dell is global leader that offers high quality media storage devices and services, which enable the users to assure in-time availability, long term protection and integrity of their precious business data. Dell has leveraged its superior I.T expertise to develop secure, fast and flexible lineup of LTO-4 PowerVault drives and tape libraries. These LTO-4 tape devices have been robustly engineered to offer greater flexibility, high density storage capacity, exceptionally high transfer rates and reliable data encryption capabilities. You can confidently use these PowerVault LTO4 products in data intensive applications, SMBs, public organizations, remote offices, network servers and desktop workstations.
In order to keep pace with the rapidly increasing backup needs, the data managers can count on the reliable disaster recovery and cost efficient solutions offered by Dell LTO-4 libraries and drives. These backup storage devices have the capability to satisfy the strict regulatory requirements. Dell PowerVault LTO-4 products provide a common platform for stability and growth, and help to strengthen the data protection features while reducing the energy and operational costs.
Capacity offered by the Dell LTO-4 tape reaches 1600GB in compressed mode. Dell PowerVault tape products offer 50% faster transfer rate than LTO-3 media technology, and their drive level encryption feature is the most powerful technique which assures highest level of security. Massive media capacity allows more information to be preserved on fewer tapes, thus enabling more cost-effective and compact data archiving. Storage capacity of Dell LTO4 is almost four times the media capacity of LTO-2 tape cartridges.
Users of Dell LTO-4 drives are provided with the excellent backward read-write capability with LTO3, while the drive can read the LTO2 cartridges. Dell LTO-4 tape solution is well equipped to handle the needs of high demanding data centers and backup applications. Accelerated transfer speed of 120MB/s (native) significantly reduces the time needed to conduct high-volume data retrievals and backups in demanding environments. Transfer speed of LTO-4 drives has been raised by 50 percent over the LTO-3 ultrium drives.
With increased competitive business environment, the price company has to pay for data loss can be extremely high. This price can be either in terms of time, money and customer's trust. Dell LTO-4 tape products provide an unparalleled data security level with its superior encryption capability and WORM technique. The data encryption functionality features an industry leading encryption keys and highly efficient cryptographic algorithm, which assure robust protection of your sensitive data during the processes of data encoding and decoding. Encryption process is carried out without affecting the overall efficiency.
LTO-4 PowerVault drives feature a 3 GB/s SAS interface. For improved energy-efficiency, an idle mode has been introduced in Dell LTO-4 drives that help to lower your operational costs. Dell PowerVault tape products provide the security, performance and low ownership cost to create high volume backups in budget-constrained IT environments.
Frank Miller is the Marketing Manager of Backuptape and markets LTO 4 Tape and Dell LTO-4 Tape. He has vast experience in the marketing and trading industries and has been helping buyers who have the backup needs and guide clients about the technology.
Frank Miller
3984 Washington Blvd #503 Fremont CA 94538
Tel: 888-686-8273
Fax: 888-449-5050
Email: sales@backuptapes.net

Nvidia GeForce GTX 460 graphics cards DirectX 11 Best Intermediate class

NVIDIA recently launched products VGA CARD Best for the middle class with a very affordable price of 199 USD or ga up to two million rupiah to 768 MB version and around 229 USD for a 1 GB. This product is VGA CARD NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 is able to provide revolutionary levels for comparison of price and performance. With 4x folding capability of DirectX 11 performance tessellation closest competitor (ATI Radeon HD 5830), GeForce GTX 460 display a very detailed visual packaging for your game - without compromising the high frame rate. And with NVIDIA PhysX ® ™ ® Vision 3D, and CUDA ™ technology, GeForce GTX 460 enables all the effects look very realistic from the game.

There are two versiGTX 460 is Nvidia's GeForce GTX 460 1GB and 768MB Nvidia GeForce GTX 460. GTX 460 architecture uses Fermi architecture and the classes under the GTX 465.

Specification of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 :

GPU Engine Specs:
CUDA Cores 336
Graphics Clock (MHz) 675 MHz
Processor Clock (MHz) 1350 MHz
Texture Fill Rate (billion/sec) 37.8
Memory Specs:
Graphics card version GTX 460 1GB GDDR5 GTX 460 768MB GDDR5
Memory Clock 1800 1800
Standard Memory Config 1 GB GDDR5 768MB GDDR5
Memory Interface Width 256-bit 192-bit
Memory Bandwidth (GB/sec) 115.2 86.4
Feature Support:
NVIDIA SLI®-ready* 2-Way
NVIDIA 3D Vision Ready yes
NVIDIA 3D Vision Surround Ready*** yes
NVIDIA PureVideo® Technology** HD
NVIDIA PhysX™-ready yes
NVIDIA CUDA™ Technology yes
Microsoft DirectX 11
OpenGL 4.0
Bus Support PCI-E 2.0 x 16
Certified for Windows 7 yes
Display Support:
Maximum Digital Resolution 2560×1600
Maximum VGA Resolution 2048×1536
Standard Display Connectors Two Dual Link DVI
Mini HDMI
Multi Monitor yes
HDCP yes
HDMI yes
Audio Input for HDMI Internal
Standard Graphics Card Dimensions:
Height 4.376 inches (111 mm)
Length 8.25 inches (210 mm)
Width Dual-slot
Thermal and Power Specs:
Maximum GPU Temperature (in C)        104 C
Maximum Graphics Card Power (W)         160 W
Minimum Recommended System Power (W)         450 W
Supplementary Power Connectors         6-pin & 6-pin

Acer LCD Monitors Series S1 World's Best Thin

Acer has announced its LCD monitors S1 series, which was praised because it is very thin, and also environmentally friendly. S1 series LCD screen will have a size ranging from 18.5 inches to 23 inches, and has a thickness of only 13mm-15mm. EcoDisplay logo is displayed which shows that the LCD is a low environmental impact thanks to the use of environmentally friendly materials and lower power consumption. Acer LCD monitors new S1 is also equipped with Adaptive Contrast Management technology.

S1 Acer LCD Monitor offers VGA and DVI ports with HDCP encryption, an HDMI port (on 21 and 23-inch models), 12,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 5ms response time, resolution and FULL HD.

S1 Acer LCD Monitor Prices starting from £ 119.99 ($ 184) to 18.5-inch model, and up to 169.99 pounds ($ 260) for 23-inch model. (source)

The Best Wi-Fi : New 802.11n Routers:

What a difference a couple of years makes. In our first roundup of draft-802.11n Wi-Fi routers (see "Wireless Routers: The Truth About Superfast Draft-N"), we found so many problems, we couldn't recommend any of them: Firmware was buggy, interoperability between vendors was hit-and-miss, and performance was not as good as that of some enhanced, earlier-generation 802.11g routers.

As of this year, we're happy to report, those issues have largely gone away. Although the standard is still technically in draft form and final ratification of 802.11n by the IEEE isn't expected until next year, the Wi-Fi Alliance has been certifying draft-2.0 n routers for interoperability and compatibility since last year, and the final version should largely be a formality that at most may require a firmware upgrade.

And the Wi-Fi certified products are worthy updates. With link rates--the nominal connection speeds, as opposed to real-world throughput--of up to 300 megabits per second (compared with 54 mbps for standard 802.11g) and extended range (thanks to multiple smart antennas), 802.11n Wi-Fi is the first Wi-Fi technology that can rival wired 100-mbps ethernet in performance. Upgrading your home router to 802.11n is thus one of the quickest and easiest ways to improve your network.

But choosing a particular 802.11n router has become more complicated than ever because the standard covers a lot of ground that lets vendors issue a dizzying array of product options, with literally dozens of models ranging in price from $50 to $250. D-Link alone has six 802.11n routers.

To give an idea of the options, we chose two widely available models in each of three categories: under-$90 routers for people who don't need maximum performance, but who can nonetheless benefit from 802.11n's improved range and speed; midrange (about $150) models that offer top wireless speeds and gigabit ethernet; and dual-band routers ($180 to $200) that support both the crowded 2.4-GHz frequency range (used by all of the less-Expensive models and their 802.11b/g predecessors) and the relatively open 5-GHz band, with support for legacy 802.11a gear. These top-of-the-line units target users preparing for an expected influx of networked multimedia devices that need uncluttered bandwidth to stream media. (The 802.11n spec supports both frequencies.) Up to now, vendors have been focusing on the 2.4-GHz band in order to support the vast majority of legacy devices.

For a point-by-point comparison of the six routers we examined, see our chart, "Wi-Fi Draft-2.0 802.11N Routers: Good, Better, and Best."
Deconstructing the Technology

The 802.11n variant of Wi-Fi achieves its high through??put (typically four times that of 802.11g) in two ways. First, it uses MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) antenna technology to transmit more data at a time. Intelligent antennas combine streams of data arriving at different times from multi??path signals bouncing off walls, floors, and ceilings. Entry-level routers typically have two receiving and transmitting antennas; midrange and high-end models have three of each.

Second, draft-n uses channel bonding: Instead of the 20-MHz-wide channels found in previous Wi-Fi standards, 802.11n can use 40-MHz-wide channels, which in theory should double their data-carrying capacity.

Unfortunately, the limited bandwidth of the 2.4-GHz range means that just one 802.11n router using channel bonding will take up virtually the entire 2.4-GHz spectrum, leaving no room for neighboring routers, and causing severe interference. For this reason, draft-2.0's so-called good-neighbor policies require that routers ship in 20-MHz mode, and that, when in 40-MHz mode, they drop to 20-MHz operation if they sense nearby Wi-Fi nets or other 2.4-GHz devices. The top link rate in 20-MHz mode is only 150 mbps (rather than the much-advertised 300 mbps); since many users are likely to be within range of other 2.4-GHz traffic, we ran our 2.4-GHz tests with 20-MHz channels.
More Bandwidth, Less Range

The 5-GHz frequency range, however, has much more bandwidth to play with and can support multiple 40-MHz channels. It's also relatively unused (802.11a products appeared primarily in business environments), so interference is generally minimal to none. We therefore used 40-MHz channels in our 5-GHz testing of the two routers that support 5-GHz operations.

Interestingly, even with twice as much channel bandwidth, speeds in our 5-GHz testing at close range did not double; on average, they rose about 20 percent. But they were generally more consistent than the 2.4-GHz results, and throughput at close range never dropped below 40 mbps--well above the 25 mbps needed for top-quality HDTV streaming.

The downside to 5-GHz: Its higher frequency doesn't allow it to cover as large an area as 2.4-GHz draft-n. But its range is still generally far better than that of standard unenhanced 802.11g.

Another 5-GHz plus: While draft-n is backward-compatible with 802.11b and g gear in "mixed" 2.4-GHz mode, performance for n clients drops significantly on networks when b or g clients are present. But with a dual-band router, you can put newer draft-n gear that supports 5 GHz on the fast track while maintaining a slower 2.4-GHz network for older gear. We recommend a dual-band router if you need maximum performance for streaming media or networked storage--or if you can't get a good Wi-Fi signal at all due to interference from neighbors' networks.

The Best Wi-Fi : New 802.11n Routers:

What a difference a couple of years makes. In our first roundup of draft-802.11n Wi-Fi routers (see "Wireless Routers: The Truth About Superfast Draft-N"), we found so many problems, we couldn't recommend any of them: Firmware was buggy, interoperability between vendors was hit-and-miss, and performance was not as good as that of some enhanced, earlier-generation 802.11g routers.

As of this year, we're happy to report, those issues have largely gone away. Although the standard is still technically in draft form and final ratification of 802.11n by the IEEE isn't expected until next year, the Wi-Fi Alliance has been certifying draft-2.0 n routers for interoperability and compatibility since last year, and the final version should largely be a formality that at most may require a firmware upgrade.

And the Wi-Fi certified products are worthy updates. With link rates--the nominal connection speeds, as opposed to real-world throughput--of up to 300 megabits per second (compared with 54 mbps for standard 802.11g) and extended range (thanks to multiple smart antennas), 802.11n Wi-Fi is the first Wi-Fi technology that can rival wired 100-mbps ethernet in performance. Upgrading your home router to 802.11n is thus one of the quickest and easiest ways to improve your network.

But choosing a particular 802.11n router has become more complicated than ever because the standard covers a lot of ground that lets vendors issue a dizzying array of product options, with literally dozens of models ranging in price from $50 to $250. D-Link alone has six 802.11n routers.

To give an idea of the options, we chose two widely available models in each of three categories: under-$90 routers for people who don't need maximum performance, but who can nonetheless benefit from 802.11n's improved range and speed; midrange (about $150) models that offer top wireless speeds and gigabit ethernet; and dual-band routers ($180 to $200) that support both the crowded 2.4-GHz frequency range (used by all of the less-Expensive models and their 802.11b/g predecessors) and the relatively open 5-GHz band, with support for legacy 802.11a gear. These top-of-the-line units target users preparing for an expected influx of networked multimedia devices that need uncluttered bandwidth to stream media. (The 802.11n spec supports both frequencies.) Up to now, vendors have been focusing on the 2.4-GHz band in order to support the vast majority of legacy devices.

For a point-by-point comparison of the six routers we examined, see our chart, "Wi-Fi Draft-2.0 802.11N Routers: Good, Better, and Best."
Deconstructing the Technology

The 802.11n variant of Wi-Fi achieves its high through??put (typically four times that of 802.11g) in two ways. First, it uses MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) antenna technology to transmit more data at a time. Intelligent antennas combine streams of data arriving at different times from multi??path signals bouncing off walls, floors, and ceilings. Entry-level routers typically have two receiving and transmitting antennas; midrange and high-end models have three of each.

Second, draft-n uses channel bonding: Instead of the 20-MHz-wide channels found in previous Wi-Fi standards, 802.11n can use 40-MHz-wide channels, which in theory should double their data-carrying capacity.

Unfortunately, the limited bandwidth of the 2.4-GHz range means that just one 802.11n router using channel bonding will take up virtually the entire 2.4-GHz spectrum, leaving no room for neighboring routers, and causing severe interference. For this reason, draft-2.0's so-called good-neighbor policies require that routers ship in 20-MHz mode, and that, when in 40-MHz mode, they drop to 20-MHz operation if they sense nearby Wi-Fi nets or other 2.4-GHz devices. The top link rate in 20-MHz mode is only 150 mbps (rather than the much-advertised 300 mbps); since many users are likely to be within range of other 2.4-GHz traffic, we ran our 2.4-GHz tests with 20-MHz channels.
More Bandwidth, Less Range

The 5-GHz frequency range, however, has much more bandwidth to play with and can support multiple 40-MHz channels. It's also relatively unused (802.11a products appeared primarily in business environments), so interference is generally minimal to none. We therefore used 40-MHz channels in our 5-GHz testing of the two routers that support 5-GHz operations.

Interestingly, even with twice as much channel bandwidth, speeds in our 5-GHz testing at close range did not double; on average, they rose about 20 percent. But they were generally more consistent than the 2.4-GHz results, and throughput at close range never dropped below 40 mbps--well above the 25 mbps needed for top-quality HDTV streaming.

The downside to 5-GHz: Its higher frequency doesn't allow it to cover as large an area as 2.4-GHz draft-n. But its range is still generally far better than that of standard unenhanced 802.11g.

Another 5-GHz plus: While draft-n is backward-compatible with 802.11b and g gear in "mixed" 2.4-GHz mode, performance for n clients drops significantly on networks when b or g clients are present. But with a dual-band router, you can put newer draft-n gear that supports 5 GHz on the fast track while maintaining a slower 2.4-GHz network for older gear. We recommend a dual-band router if you need maximum performance for streaming media or networked storage--or if you can't get a good Wi-Fi signal at all due to interference from neighbors' networks.

How to Choose Wireless Router Offers for the Best WiFi Range

Consumer wireless routers vary in the WiFi range they support. Routers with stronger WiFi signals allow devices to connect at higher speeds from a greater distance and stay connected more reliably. Which wireless router then, has the overall best WiFi range?
Answer: A wireless router's antenna technology generally determines its WiFi signal strength and hence its range. Generally speaking, 802.11g wireless routers offer better WiFi range than comparable 802.11b units due to improved antennas.
802.11n and WiFi Router Range
In general, wireless routers currently offering the best WiFi signal range, however, are 802.11n (sometimes called "wireless N") units. Where standard 802.11b and 802.11g routers contain just one WiFi radio and antenna, wireless N routers contain two or three radios specifically designed to maximize WiFi range. Note that the actual range and performance of any wireless router varies substantially depending on conditions of the environment such as obstructions and radio interference.
Increasing WiFi Range - Do It Yourself

The standard antennas shipped wih wireless routers work omnidirectionally. Omnidirectional antennas distribute their signal equally in all directions. These antennas provide more uniform coverage in a radius, but they also limit the signal's reach in any particular direction.

Some routers support replacement of their standard antennas with upgraded "aftermarket" ones. Many aftermarket WiFi antennas work directionally, meaning their radio signals can be focused in a specific direction. All other things being equal, replacing the omnidirectional antenna on a wireless router with a directional one will increase its range.
Router WiFi Range Only One Factor to Consider
WiFi range is just one of several factors to consider when choosing a wireless router. For example, the reach of a wireless network can also be increased by installing wireless range extender products, or by upgrading a WiFi client instead of the router.

Finally, even those routers with lesser range may service your residence quite well. If your WiFi devices are located near to each other, with few walls and other obstructions in the vicinity, you likely need not seek out a router with the best WiFi range. (Source)

How to choose the best modem. (Compute's Getting Started With: Online Communications) by Richard M. Mann

Before you can log on to any of the online services we're going to discuss in this Getting Started with Online Communications section, you've got to equip your PC with an appropriate modem. In today's market it's hard to buy a bad modem, but you'll be more comfortable choosing a modem with just a little basic information under your belt. (Incidentally, any modem you buy today will most likely be a fax/data modem; for simplicity's sake, we'll just call them modems.)

Even if you already have a modem, if it runs at 1200 bps or 2400 bps, you may well want to upgrade to a faster model. Prices are low (some under $200) for 14.4K-bps models, which will soon be old technology.

Speed Kills, Doesn't It?

Why would you need extra speed? As speeds double or quadruple, your online time is cut by the same multiple--or is it? Aside from the technical truth that noisy lines and other physical factors often slow the effective speeds, you'll quickly realize that except for downloading files, only a small fraction of your connect time is spent actually passing data--at any speed. Instead, you're dealing with menus, reading screens of information, typing responses, and doing similar tasks while the modem sits idly by, waiting for you to initiate the next tiny spurt of data.

However, when uploading, downloading, and working with the graphical services (which have to send large quantities of data to paint a single screen), the modem's speed is critical and will indeed save you significant time and money.

The Jargon Jungle

Modem ads and reviews are full of exotic technical terms such as V.32bis, which is the current standard for 14.4K-bps transmission. Don't concern yourself with the lower V-dot numbers; they're history. Other current standards include V.42bis data compression and MNP-3 error correction, both of which are good to have.

You're going to see references to V.34 standards for 28.8K-bps speeds, also known as V.FAST or V.TURBO. The international committee that issues these standards hasn't yet agreed upon and issued specifications for V.34 and its 28.8K-bps speed. Yet vendors are selling V.FAST modems right now. What's going on?

These vendors, which include the big names, are confident that their implementation of the proposed standard will end up working with the final standard. Right now, however, don't expect to use 28.8K-bps transmission unless you're sending to another modem from the same manufacturer. A clean phone line and a rabbit's foot will help, too. The online services will eventually support this higher speed, but they're just now taking their first hesitant steps into 14.4K-bps lines.

Both U.S. Robotics and Supra are dealing with the uncertainty of the unissued standard by guaranteeing a V.FAST upgrade for some of their 14.4K-bps and 21.6K-bps modems.

Recommendations

We don't have the space this time around to test modems and make specific recommendations, but we can tell you that all of the major modem manufacturers are selling quality products. Your purchase decision will depend on features, price, availability, and software bundles. You can count on modems by Hayes, U.S. Robotics, Practical Peripherals, Supra, and any of a dozen or more other leading modem makers to be reliable, good performers. (source : http://www.atarimagazines.com)

How to Choose The Best Cable Modem

Cable modem technology has come light years over the past decade. Utilizing DOCSIS 3.0 wideband technology, cable modems offer Internet download speeds of up to 50 to 60 Mbps with significantly faster speeds planned in the next few years. If you’re considering a new cable modem purchase, you’ll want to be sure that you’re purchasing top-of-the-line equipment that will give you access to the fastest connection speeds available.

Cable Modem Hardware Reviews


Cable modems should offer fast and reliable Internet connections. To find out which modem will work best for you, it’s important to research the types of hardware products available and consider professional ratings and reviews for each.


You can find ratings of today’s top modems at SpeedGuide.net, an excellent resource for information about broadband and wideband Internet connections, cable modem and DSL technology, and TCP/IP performance over high speed/latency networks. Whether you’re new to these technologies or an advanced user, you’ll find helpful tools at this site to find the modem you’re looking for and optimize your system’s performance.


Another information website for cable modem research is ZDNet.com. Here you’ll find technical definitions, relevant articles, and product reviews for every type of cable modem available on the market today.

Cable Modem Certified Products


To ensure that any cable modem you purchase uses DOCSIS 3.0 wideband Internet capabilities, you can find a complete listing of approved manufacturers and devices at CableLabs.com. Cable Labs is the non-profit industry organization which developed DOCSIS technology. The organization also evaluates and certifies cable modems based on conformity to DOCSIS 3.0 standards. Products are tested based on fairness and verifiable criteria, rather than the opinions of testers or novice cable modem users. To find a complete list of Cable Labs certified products visit cablelabs.com/certqual/lists.

Cable Modems and DOCSIS 3.0 Technology

Beginning in the fall of 2008, cable operators across the U.S. started offering wideband Internet connections with download speeds in the 50 to 60 Mbps range thanks to DOCSIS 3.0. If you’re buying a new cable modem, it’s paramount that your device includes DOCSIS 3.0 specifications to enable you to access the Internet at the fastest speeds currently available, and to be prepared for even faster speeds over the next few years. (source)

Invisible Mouses From MIT

If we observe the development of technology is very rapid. Moreover, information technology, if we do not quickly follow it we will be increasingly left behind. Examples of technologies Mouse, who used to still use small ball, we have not had time to buy a mouse that uses infrared, never appeared again this newest technology that is Invisible mouse. Mouse Magical times ... , But this mouse is not visible. You can not see the mouse in this video? Errors are not in your eyes because now starting to be developed invisible mouse (mouse is not visible) which is called Mouseless. Fluid Interfaces Group, MIT Media Lab to develop this technology using the IR camera and IR lasers to mentukan cliks hand positions and that makes your hands menjad mouse itself. An important point of this project is the cost needed to create a prototype product is only $ 20 or 180 thousand rupiah is still fitted with the bag. Please note that we provide video and let us hope that this technology will accompany us on future notebooks. source: beritateknologi.com

Hussar's multimedia speakers, The News Speaker from China

Hussar is a multimedia speakers artificial bamboo curtain country, but the speakers U8 Hussar this is quite okay. These speakers religion similar to ancient times and is suitable radio is also placed in the living room. This device is white and the box made of wood with a circular indentation. This multimedia device provides two impression that is at once retro yet modern.

U8 Hussar 2.1 and the speaker system has 18W total power, an FM receiver, a plug jack, AUX output, USB and SD Card Reader / SDHC also supported. This speaker supports various audio formats and has a size of 146 × 274 × 175mm and weighs 2.7 Kg.

Hussar U8 sold in China with the price of $ 78 US or 700 thousand rupiah (source)

Cheap Wireless Routers - The Internet is Now Easily Accessible

Cheap wireless routers are ideal for quickly and simply accessing the internet as well as using file sharing programs. Most Americans utilize the internet to chat online with friends, check their email inbox, and browse news feeds and online stores; all Americans can benefit from the performance provided by cheap wireless routers. These types of routers are relatively easy to install and completely foolproof. If you purchase a cheap router and are having difficulty setting it up and following the written directions, you can speak directly to a customer representative from your ISP, or Internet Service Provider, who will provide the help you need. Basic wireless routers come standard with all firewall and modem components necessary for establishing a safe, secure connection to the online world.

What You Will Sacrifice When Buying a Cheap Router

Today's sophisticated consumers tend to avoid any product with a price far below a competitive value, especially when it comes to electronic equipment. One of the best aspects of wireless products is that their level of progression has created an industry-wide standard, causing all inexpensive wireless router companies to provide quality performance. A few wireless manufacturers have taken the time to study a router's most basic services in order to provide the public with budget-friendly routers, sans high-dollar features, that everyone can appreciate.

The most distinctive aspect of any router is its data transfer speed. Usually, inexpensive wireless router models can handle a speed maximum of 56mbps while a more pricey model allows for a maximum of 300mbps, which is almost six times the difference. However, the speed differences are only noticeable when streaming video feeds or transferring and downloading big files. Cheaper wireless routers may sometimes cause the user to experience minor sluggishness when viewing a new web page.

What You Will Gain by Using a Cheap Router

You should always experiment with your new inexpensive wireless router in order to discover for yourself its many benefits. For instance, if you have a strong Wi-Fi signal in your house, you can take your laptop outside and almost anywhere else on your property without having to fool with aggravating cables. A wireless internet connection allows users to share their internet connection with laptop carrying friends who stop by to visit. And these devices also permit more than one wireless user to work from a single internet connection at the same time instead of the one-at-a-time process provided by dial-up internet providers.

When it comes to low cost, simple ways to acquire internet access, cheap wireless routers reign supreme. If you do enough research, you may possibly locate an ISP that provides their customers with a router to rent in order to establish an internet connection; these rentals usually run no more than five dollars per month. Most wireless users feel that cheap routers have a minuscule financial risk and allow them to experience the web while deciding if a wireless computer network is the best decision. Once you gain a greater understanding in regards to computer networks and wireless internet connections, you will have a good idea of whether or not it is time to upgrade your router.

For more great information and resources on a cable modem wireless router and a cheap wireless router visit our site today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Patullo

A Portable Photo Scanner

When you are traveling for whatever reason, either alone or with family, friends or business associates, and if you are a photography aficionado, you will be glad that you brought your portable photo scanner.

A photo scanner does exactly what its name implies, it scans photographs and turns them into digital images which you can then send to your computer to be stored or used as needed. A portable scanner, however, is very different from a standard scanner because it is lightweight and compact thus making it very easy to take with you to a business meeting or a conferences either in town or out of town. Moreover a portable scanner can easily fit into a laptop bag or briefcase and when you are traveling they are not considered additional baggage which might need special handling.

The portable scanner makes it possible for you, regardless of where you are, to scan your photos immediately and you never have to worry about losing or keeping track them. If you have your own lap top computer and a portable printer with you and you need to print your photos you have them wherever you happen to be staying.

These portable scanners don't have a lot of different buttons or switches which make them much easier and simpler to use, or in other words, they are user friendly even to the point that they do not require electrical outlets. They can be connected to and get power from an USB which enables you to scan pictures even if there is a power failure where you are or if you are in a remote area where electrical power is not available. Portable scanners can also help you save important documents and business cards which you might receive at an important meeting or conference.

The portable photo scanner will also automatically upload a stack of photographs, scan them into the scanner memory where they can be easily uploaded to digital images on you computer. Another great feature of the photo scanner is that of digital photo correction, with which the photo scanner can make old photos look better and even fix issues with lighting. This great feature also works if your photos have spots or scratches on them. It usually takes only the push of a button for the photo scanner to make the photos good thus relieving you of spending tedious hours editing them.

Interested in learning more? Read more detailed writings about Portable Photo Scanner right now. Visit our site for lots of great Portable Photo Scanner Information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ray_B_Spencer
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