Upgrading - A Tale of 2's

Upgrading a computer system - hardware and software - is an ongoing process. Just about the time that one becomes comfortable with something PC-related, a new version hits the market. In the case of hardware upgrades, users end up with at least two of everything - the original device AND a second unit. An example of this would be a few upgrades which I recently made to my network.

My wireless network has worked very well for almost two years. And the fact that it is an 802.11b compliant system is not a problem (you may notice wireless products advertised as 'wireless B' or 'wireless G' - part of the IEEE industry standards definition). When I considered installing it, I wanted to link my notebook PC to my network. 'B' did the trick with a 100-300 foot wireless range.

But then, something happened. I started adding devices to the network...scanners, external hard drives, burners, webcams and digital cameras, memory card readers, etc.

My digital camera uses an SD memory card, and I prefer to use a card reader to transfer images from the camera to the PC, rather than draining the batteries while connected via a cable. For a few still photos, the reader worked fine. But with movies files and/or a large number of photos, connecting to the 1.1 USB port on one desktop unit seemed to take forever.

Additionally, the external hard drive seemed to take a painfully long time to read/write from the desktop, when connected via the USB port. Because the USB 1.1 controller and port installed on most systems more than a year old allows for data transfers at rates up to 12 Mbits/s, this has been more than adequate for most users. But with high capacity drives, video streaming, and other issues, the USB 1.1 has become woefully inadequate. So, in my case, I upgraded the PCs on the network (with the exception on the mobile PC) to USB 2.0 cards and controllers. Not very costly, very easy to install, and what a difference in speed. Downloads and transfers happen in seconds rather than minutes, since USB 2.0 operates at speeds of up to 480 Mbits/s (forty times faster than 1.1). For more about USBs, read this.

The next problem which I encountered was streaming video over the wireless network. With the 10/100 wired network, data between devices flows smoothly. But when I attempted to stream video over the wireless network, or transfer data from the external hard drive to the notebook via USB, I found the images freezing and the audio being interrupted. With the 'wireless B' network, data rates max out at 11 Mbs, and this was clearly causing a bottleneck during streaming. Audio streaming, such as internet radio, worked fine, but requesting video required more bandwidth. So, once again, I decided to upgrade the wireless network.

I purchased and installed a 'wireless G' router and cards for the desktop units and notebook PC. By utilizing the wireless network, the notebook did not need the USB 2.0 card to reach higher data transfer rates. As long as no other 'B' devices are connected to the network, the 'G' card will operate at speeds up to 54Mbs, and my notebook is usually operating at that speed. (If you choose to have 'B' cards also operating, the data rates will drop to 24Mbs).

So, while I now have my network operating at acceptable (to me) performance levels, I also have new paperweights and doorstops to complement the drink coasters (ruined CDs and DVDs) that I have accumulated over the years.

More About VoIP

Since I mentioned VoIP in a recent post, I have received a few e-mails requesting more information.

I began using VoIP with some of the early Internet phones, both hardware and software, and a dial-up connection. Like many, I tolerated the dropped connections and service problems because it was a new technology, and the calls were, afterall, 'free'. Many users saw this as their way to protest the monopolies of the RBOCs.

Today, the service is much improved, and broadband is widely available, making the quality of service as good, if not better, than the PSTN (public network).

Several commercial offerings are widely advertised, and perhaps Vonage gets more exposure than its competitors. Vonage recently lowered their premium residential plan to $24.99 (USD) due to tighter competition. Most providers offer unlimited local and long distance service within the USA and Canada, have voicemail, call forwarding, and in some cases, follow-me-roaming features. This feature allows the subscriber to have simultaneous ringing on several phones (i.e.: home and cell). A user may answer whichever phone is more convenient or economical at the time (don't use airtime on your cell if the call also rings while you are at home, for example).

Packet8 has a similar offering for $19.95 unlimited, and many other regional players have jumped into the market. AT&T has CallVantage, and Verizon also has the service available, albeit at a higher price point than the others. I have used several of these services, and the technology is transparent to the user, as it should be. It works, and that should be your primary concern.

For a good comparison of the various services, both free and subscription-based, see this site: VoIP247 .

Enjoy the savings.

Useful Gadgets

There are any number of tech gadgets on the market today, and honestly, I cannot understand why some of them were created and marketed. Well, okay...it's all about money. But beyond that, the utilitarian value of some devices is just not present, or, by the time the product reaches the market, it may already be obsolete or supplanted by something else.

Here are a few examples of devices that have little use, in my opinion:

• Camera phones - fun for teenagers and voyeurs; resolution so low that practical applications for commercial use are limited;
• Ringtones - switch to 'vibrate only', and let others enjoy the silence;
• iPods with 20-40GB drives - who needs to store 5-10,000 music downloads?
• TiVo - I never watched the TV shows that I recorded with my VCRs; why would I need 80GB of recorded TV?
• Satellite Radio - great for long distance truck drivers, but for the rest of us, just put a custom-mixed CD in the car player...no monthly fee.
• Subwoofers in cars and pickup trucks...enough said.

As for 'Useful Gadgets', there is a long list, so let me cite a few examples (click on the highlighted text for a direct link):

• Smartphones - 'PDA' phones with Palm OS or Windows; all-in-one devices with e-mail capability, and perhaps, WiFi and Bluetooth built in. WiFi for walking around the office or airport; Bluetooth for the wireless earpiece. BlackBerry 7100-series and the new Treo 650 are good examples. Some have MP3 capability, so that users can listen to music and look like they are working.
• Video-conferencing - Microsoft's Netmeeting is still one of the most useful tools for videoconferencing, and anyone with a high-speed connection, an inexpensive webcam, and a microphone can use it. Great for small companies with remote offices, and for traveling workers, but also useful for people that just want to stay in touch. Easy to set up...
• VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) - a few excellent programs have made it to the mass market. Skype is easy to use, and free. Again, high speed connection required, but calls to any other Skype users (PC-to-PC) anywhere in the world is free. Users will need a headset/microphone, available from retailers for about $15 (USD). Another provider is FreeWorldDialup (FWD). FWD utilizes a softphone (xTen software phone) that appears on screen, and users simply dial up other users for free. StanaPhone provides a similar service with a free USA telephone number, and free voicemail.
• Satellite TV - for the convenience of location. I also like cable networks like Charter Communications that combine cable TV and broadband Internet for a reasonable monthly subscription. Dump the landline and go VoIP, but beware of some limitations.
• Digital Cameras - not quite the quality of film, but the versatility and immediate gratification-factor more than make up for it. With a 3 megapixel or greater camera, good quality point-and-shoot photos are more than acceptable for most people...and easy to e-mail to others. I have several digicams, but my favorite is a 4 MP Nikon with a 3x optical zoom...While I would prefer a 10x optical zoom, the trade-off is in weight, and the camera can become too cumbersome to carry. The quality of the photographs is terrific, allowing photography buffs to digitally crop and enlarge without degradation, and the camera has automatic and manual adjustments to suit most users.
• Memory Cards / flash (non-volatile) memory - the 1 GB Secure Digital cards and readers can be used with cameras, PDAs, MP3 players, and as a spare PC drive.
• Rechargeable Batteries - Lithium Ion for phones; 2500 mAH or higher NiMH for digital cameras, audio players, handheld GPS, etc.
• Wireless keyboards and wireless optical mouses - just get a set; Microsoft's wireless optical mouse has good range and battery life.
• Recordable drives for PCs - CD-RW or DVD-RW; with recorders and blank media costs at an all-time low, you cannot afford to not have one. Get the DVD recorder and backup your high-capacity hard drive, and transfer your music and photos to DVDs.
• Notebook PCs with onboard WiFi - install a wireless network in your home or office (if you have broadband), and you will never look back. Sit by the pool, on the deck, at the airport or coffee shop, if you 'have to be' connected.
• Remote controls...period.
• GPS receivers - my Global Positioning Satellite receiver is a handheld, with accuracy to +/- 3m. It gives me accurate speed, odometer, heading, and mapping capability in the automobile, and is essential for hiking in the mountains and exploration. Good practical applications for engineering and surveying, marine and land use.

More to come...send in your suggestions, or forward a product if your company would like to have it reviewed.

Companies Moving Toward Interim Managers

More firms are moving toward utilizing temporary or interim executives to jump-start their operations, according to one industry source.

The Managing Director for MCA Group in Atlanta said that companies retain interim executives for any number of reasons. In some instances, technology start-ups need experienced managers to complement their tech founders. Other firms may be in turnaround situations, or may only need someone to fill a temporary vacancy until a permanent replacement is hired. Such can be the case for top-level positions like the CEO, COO, CFO, or CIO.

For more information, several websites can provide links to firms which provide interim executives: www.mcagroup.info , and CEO 24/7 .