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Key Service Provider Features

2007-10-29T01:10:00.001-07:00

Key Service Provider Features

Coverage: The biggest nationwide carriers are Cingular, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless. Not all networks are created equal, however. Service can be erratic even if a carrier claims to have coverage in an area; the quality of the reception varies, too. One way to find out about a carrier's network reliability is to try out the service and one of its phones. Nearly all nationwide carriers offer a trial period of up to 30 days where you pay for only the minutes you use. You should also poll friends and colleagues about their experiences. Find out how good the phone signal is at your home, office, or anywhere else you'll need to use it.

Plan type: If you do a lot of cross-country traveling, signing up for a national phone plan is best because it will let you send and receive calls anywhere in the United States (and even in parts of Canada) at no extra charge. A local or regional plan limits the areas where you can originate a call and still pull from your monthly pool of minutes. If you have a world phone and plan to use it in other countries, choose service with international roaming.

Data plan: You should also take into account your data usage (e-mail, photos, IM, and Web access) when selecting your cell phone plan. Some carriers bundle voice and data plans together, while others let you select a voice and data plan separately. You can always pay for messaging and data use a la carte, but you'll likely be charged a higher rate. So if you think you'll be sending and receiving data with your phone, you'll want to select some sort of data plan.

Minutes: When choosing a plan, it's best to overestimate the number of minutes you'll be using for every sent and received call. Because one carrier's definition of off-peak may be different from another's, ask the carrier to specify the times for its peak, off-peak, and weekend hours. Other service charges include a data plan, three-way calling, and downloads.

Contract: Virtually all carriers offer discounted service fees if you commit to a specified period of time, usually two years, though one year is sometimes available. The longer the contract period, the lower the rate. If you break the agreement, you'll incur hefty fees.

Other services: There's almost always a fee for activating service to your phone or switching the service from your old phone to a new one. Look into phone replacement plans or extended warranties, both of which typically entitle you to a new phone if yours is lost, stolen, or goes kaput. You should also find out who you can call if something goes wrong with your phone. Find out exactly what you'll need to do--and how much you'll need to pay--in order to fix your phone.

How to Buy a Cell Phone

2007-10-29T01:02:00.000-07:00

Introduction

Few tools of modern technology have become as prevalent as the cell phone, which allows you to be in touch (almost) all the time, (almost) anywhere. And you can do more than just talk--modern phones let you send and receive e-mail and text messages, and even surf the Web. Sifting through the sea of service plans and handsets can be difficult, but we'll walk you through what you need to know to get the phone and service plan that's right for you.

The Big Picture

Cell phones are more than just convenient communication tools: They allow you to check e-mail, sync with the calendar and contacts on your PC, dial a number by the sound of your voice, look up breaking news on the Internet, take photos, play games, send text messages, view and edit documents, listen to music, and more. But choosing a phone--and the service plan to go with it--requires some legwork.

Your choice of phone may depend on your choice of wireless service provider. If you're shopping for a carrier, you first need to figure out which carrier offers the best coverage and the best monthly service plan in your area. Then you'll have to select a phone from the assortment your chosen service provider offers. With the exception of a few handsets, most phones work only on one provider's system because carriers have mutually exclusive networks, and many carriers lock their phones so you can't take the same phone to another provider.

The third generation of mobile communications technology, commonly called 3G, is becoming more widely available. It's supposed to boost data-transfer performance to 2 megabits per second from the more common data-transfer rate of 19.2 kilobits per second, and is particularly handy if you use a phone to wirelessly access data such as e-mail, text messages, and the Web.

The availability of 3G service remains a mixed bag. Sprint and Verizon Wireless use the Evolution Data Optimized (EvDO) network, which offers average download speeds of 400 to 700 kbps and potential maximum download speeds of 2 mbps. Cingular's 3G network, called High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), is available on only on select handsets. (Cingular's HSDPA is also available for use with PC Cards.) HSDPA promises average download data rates of 400 to 700 kbps with bursts to more than 1 mbps. Currently, most Cingular phones still support Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution (EDGE), which promises data transmission speeds of 384 kbps, and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), with an average speed of 40 kbps but a capability of going up to 115 kbps.

Key Phone Features

Wireless standard: World travelers are more affected by wireless standards than are users based strictly in the United States. This is because most of the world uses networks based on GSM, which is the global system for mobile communications standard. U.S. carriers, however, use a variety of networks in addition to GSM. U.S. carriers work on the CDMA (code division multiple access), TDMA (time division multiple access), iDEN (integrated digital enhanced network), AMPS (advanced mobile phone service), GPRS (general packet radio service), EDGE (enhanced data rates for global evolution), and/or EvDO (evolution data optimized) standards. Cingular runs on the AMPS, EDGE, GSM, GPRS, and TDMA networks. Nextel uses the iDEN network exclusively. Sprint and Verizon Wireless run on CDMA and EvDO; Verizon also uses AMPS. T-Mobile supports GSM and GPRS networks. It is important to note that while Cingular runs on both GSM and TDMA networks, the services and the phones that use them do not interoperate.

Wireless mode: Dual-mode phones, which send and receive both digital and analog signals, tend to be more reliable than single-mode models. In rural areas where digital service is often spotty or nonexistent, a dual-mode phone can fall back on an analog signal to allow service, though roaming fees may apply. Bear in mind that using an analog mode consumes more battery power than using a digital mode. If you use your phone mainly in big cities,where digital service is widespread, you can stick with a single-mode model, which is often cheaper than a dual-mode phone.

Band support: The more radio bands a phone supports, the more frequencies it picks up. Quad-band phones, as their name suggests, operate across four frequency bands. Theoretically, they provide better coverage than triple-, dual-, or single-band phones. These so-called world phones are compatible with four GSM frequencies--850 MHz (prevalent in the United States), 900 MHz (prevalent in Europe), 1800 MHz (prevalent in Asia), and 1900 MHz (also available in the U.S.). As a result, they function around the globe. You can also find tri-mode phones that work on two digital frequency bands in addition to an analog network, a particularly handy feature if you travel to rural areas.

Design: You can choose among flip-open, clamshell-style phones; nonflip, candybar-style phones; slider-style phones that--obviously--slide open; and swivel phones that twist open. Flip phones can be more difficult to use with one hand because the cover may be heavier than the base, and low-end models may lack a separate caller ID screen on the cover. Fortunately, many new phones sport dual screens--a small, external LCD on the cover plus an internal display. If you buy a nonflip phone, make sure it has a keypad lock that prevents inadvertent dialing--a helpful feature when you put the phone in a pocket or bag.

Whichever type of phone you choose, check its ergonomics. Is it comfortable against your ear, and can you hear callers without constant adjustment? Can you use the phone with one hand? How about hands-free use: Can you comfortably hold the phone to your ear by scrunching your neck and shoulder? Also, look for the placement of the headset jack--a jack located on top of the phone is often more convenient than one located on the side.

Size and weight: Part of what makes a phone easy to use is its portability. A typical standard cell phone weighs about 4 ounces, and most non-flip models are about the size of an energy bar--5 inches long, 2 inches wide, and 1 inch thick. Anything above that is considered large. An exception is a PDA phone, like a Palm Treo or BlackBerry device. While these hybrid units continue to get smaller and slimmer, they will be larger than a basic cell phone, and you should keep that in mind if you plan to use one for long phone calls.

Battery life: Most new phones allow at least four hours of talk time and two to six days on standby. Some phones can last up to 14 days or more on standby. Keep in mind that usage affects battery life, as does the signal strength of your cellular service. A phone that constantly searches for signals will run itself down quickly. Depending on the phone, recharging the battery should take about an hour or longer. When you buy a phone, consider optional accessories such as a higher-capacity battery and a portable charging adapter for use in a car.

Screen: If you intend to send and receive text messages, surf the Web, or use the phone's organizer, make sure the screen is up to snuff. Six lines of text are sufficient for most folks; anything less will make your eyes--and your thumb--sore from scrolling. Some handsets let you adjust the font size to fit more text on the screen, but the more digits you pack in, the tinier they get. Consider a PDA phone if you plan to go online or send lots of messages; many models come with a large LCD.

An LCD's contrast and backlight strengths are also important. The phones we've seen show marked differences in viewing quality. If your phone allows you to adjust such settings, you can make text and graphics easily viewable--even in bright places. These days, most phones offer color screens, which are easy on the eyes.

Keypad: If you can't figure out how to use certain functions on a phone within a few minutes (with or without consulting the manual), try another. The keypad layout and menu system should be intuitive. The buttons should be responsive and easy to press. Check out the navigation buttons on the keypad. A joystick-style knob on some phones can make navigating menus quick. Most handsets come with up/down and left/right arrow keys. Buttons that protrude slightly are much easier to use than flat or recessed keys.

Many PDA phones and a few standard cell phones come with a small QWERTY keyboard. The tiny keys may not suit everyone, but they can save you a great deal of time if you plan to use your phone for sending e-mail messages and editing office documents. Even very small QWERTY keyboards tend to be much easier to use than a software-based keyboard on a touch-sensitive screen.

Voice communications and organizer: Mobile phones bombard you with call-management features--voice-activated calling, voice recording, phone books, call histories, speed dialing, and so on. Enabling some of the features (such as caller ID, call waiting, and three-way calling) depends on your service plan. Most phones also provide security features that can restrict incoming and outgoing calls, lock the keypad, and protect or mass-delete phone book entries. Some handsets also provide a speakerphone. Some even function as two-way radios, connecting you with others on the same carrier; and in many cases, such communications don't count as airtime--a great benefit for IT personnel and other roving staff.

If you want to talk on the phone hands-free (a must if you use the phone while driving), look for a model that comes with a headset or an earphone. If you don't want to mess with cords, consider a phone that supports Bluetooth; it allows you to pair it with a wireless Bluetooth headset.

Wireless data: Nearly all new cell phones are capable of doing tasks such as sending and receiving e-mail and IM, downloading custom ring tones and simple games, or connecting to the Internet (usually through a minibrowser that's designed to work best with text-only versions of popular sites like Amazon, Google, and Yahoo). Such features, however, are heavily dependent on your provider and your service plan.

Going online while you're waiting for the elevator is a cool idea, but most phones connect at slow speeds: only up to 115 kbps on a GPRS network and up to 384 kbps on EDGE; 3G networks, such as EvDO, provide faster connections at up to 2 mbps.

When Is It Time To Get a New PC?

2007-10-29T00:33:00.000-07:00

...when should you upgrade your computer? Here are some rules of thumb to keep in mind.

Dead Components - Eventually your hard drive, optical drive, power supply, or motherboard will fail. These events can range from minor annoyances to catastrophic disasters, but depending on the age of the computer, any of them could be cause for upgrading to a new machine. Consider the power supply. Old, cheap power supplies are frequent failure points, and new supplies often don't fit in old cases and/or don't have the right connectors to work with old motherboards. You can hunt down compatible equipment and adapter cables, but even then it can be dicey installing it. Last time I upgraded an ancient computer's power supply I had to drill new holes in the case to line up the mounting screws properly. At some point, you might just say it's not worth the trouble and that it's time to dump the old PC and get a new one. On the other hand, motherboard meltdowns are usually so severe and expensive to repair that a new PC is in order right away.

New Software - Whether you should upgrade to Vista is a wholly separate discussion, but if you really want to run it, you're not going to be doing so on seven year-old hardware. When a new OS rolls around, you'll usually find online advisors that can evaluate whether your old PC is up to the task or whether you need an upgrade. You'll find the Vista Upgrade Advisor here. This is also good to think about if you are upgrading a major piece of software that you frequently use. If you find it runs very slowly on your old PC, it may be time for a new one (or at least some more RAM).
Valuing Your Time - Even with RAM upgrades and other internal tweaks, there's only so far you can upgrade any PC before maxing out its capabilities. And over time it will run slower and slower, especially as software (see above) gets larger and larger. If you find yourself launching applications, then wandering off to do something else while they finish loading, it's probably time for a new computer.

Compatibility - Newish features like Firewire and USB aren't available on old PCs. Not a problem if your parallel port printer is still running, but what happens when it croaks? You might need a new PC just to be compatible with peripherals you need (though add-in cards can be a stopgap measure). Ditto for software: An old operating system like Windows 98 or 2000 won't run most newly released titles.
Gaming - This almost goes without saying, but most gamers upgrade to new hardware every one or two years, simply to keep up with the extreme demands that the latest games place on their computers.

The bottom line: If you are using your PC for basic needs and it is serving you well, there is no reason to upgrade it just because it's getting old, unless you simply want to see what you're missing. With regular maintenance (particularly dusting inside the case), it should survive for a long while: 10, 15, even 20 years is not unheard of, though their utility dramatically diminishes after 10 years. That said, your risk of hardware failure increases as time wears on, as moving parts wear down and solder starts to become brittle and loose. Make sure your backups are up to date, no matter how young your computer might be.

Komputa Reflections, To Reflect in the future

2007-09-28T13:38:00.001-07:00

NComputing Xtenda X300 Desktop Expansion Kit

Four users and one PC. What do you do when all have to use the PC at the same time? You might want to check out NComputing's new Xtenda X300 Desktop Expansion Kit, which allows up to Seven simultaneous users on a single PC.

Each kit comes with one PCI card, three RJ45 output ports and three terminal boxes to connect using a CAT5 cable. After you set it up, the PC and the three X300 terminals run simultaneously and independently of each other, removing the need for separate server software. The only hitch is that the users must be close to the host PC - anywhere between 25 to 35 feet.

Some of the things that stand out in the X300 are:

multi-user Cyclone Field Programmable Gate Arrays

NComputing's terminal server

Direct WoIP (Windows over IP) terminal protocol

Definitely an affordable solution if you're setting up a home-office. Costing US $249 per kit, the Xtenda X300 is available now for select system integrators and others can expect to get their hands on it during the end of Q1 2006. For more information, head to NComputing's website.

Features of the Xtenda X300
Cost effective way to add more users up to 7 users
Save up to 80% of your hardware cost versus buying a P4 or equivalent PC, Xtenda X300 gives any office or home users the opportunity to expand an existing Host PC easily and affordably. (Each X300 PCI card provides 3 users ports. With two X300 PCI cards per PC can allow total 7 users operation including Host PC user.)

Hassle free installation
Just plug in X300 PCI card to PCI slot and connect X300 multi box to the Host PC via UTP cable. X300 multi box requires no external power adapter.

No maintenance required
You only have to maintain and upgrade the Host PC. Xtenda X300 requires no hardware maintenance, only occasional software updates.

Compatibility
The Xtenda X300 will run Windows based applications on your Host PC; video streaming, internet browsing, e-mail, office suites, most games and much more. It supports full screen video streaming mode, too.

Simultaneous Windows operation
Both Host PC and X300 multi box can run independently and execute same
application programs separately.

No noise output and low power consumption
Quiet operations while saving energy costs.

Supports SVGA/XGA monitor display
800x600, 1024x768 16 bit color (65,536 colors) at 60Hz.

Secure and fast
Our proprietary Terminal Protocol allows for a fast and secure environment using image caching.

Ready to go
Each Xtenda X300 kit includes the Xtenda Terminal Server software suite free of charge. No additional software required!

Specifications
Dimension & Weight:
134mm(W) x 121mm(H) x 19mm(D)

Supported Operating System:
Windows XP Home/Professional, Windows 2000 Professional, Linux

Minimun System Requirements:

CPU : Any PC with 1.0 GHz processor or higher(Up to 3 X300 multiboxes can be connected to the X300 PCI card).

RAM : 512 MB RAM or above.

Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor and Speaker are required for each X300
multi box.