Are We Addicted to Technology?

By: Alex Lekas
You know him; you may even be him. Deftly wrist-driving an SUV in rush hour, cell phone cradled between ear and shoulder while simultaneously pecking his PDA as the GPS system maps out the quickest route to the next stop. Reveling in the orgy of technology that allowed him to focus on everything but staying between the white lines, I doubt he noticed me being forced onto the shoulder of the road. Gadgets are cool, but at 70 miles an hour, they lose some appeal.

Technology has increased productivity and efficiency at home and work, and it has reduced costs, particularly for business. It has also spawned digital junkies who can’t go longer than 15 minutes without a tech fix, even on vacation. Seriously, if the company can’t function for a week without you or if you can’t function without it, lie down quietly; the men in the white coats will be there shortly. (continued...)

One of the unwritten laws of technology appears to be that the function that an item was originally designed to perform may well be the last thing it actually does. Take the cell phone, for instance. Ever try to find one that only accepts incoming calls and lets you dial out?

Cell phones handle e-mail, send text messages, browse the web, take pictures, let you play games, and keep appointment calendars. Mine even has a world time feature, in case I need to know that 3 pm in North Carolina is midnight in Tashkent. In case you’re wondering, Tashkent is in Uzbekistan, and a Google search through the phone even provides a city guide and a list of hotels should I ever decide to go there.

Adding more features is a uniquely American mindset that imagines if one (fill in the blank) is good, then two or three will be spectacular. That’s true if you want more than one. If you don’t, you’re out of luck. Eventually, it will cost you more to have fewer features because what is new today becomes standard tomorrow.

The push for more has its downside. Computer programs and applications are designed to let as many people as possible collaborate across a network of as many other programs and applications as possible. A worthy goal, but as interoperability increases, so does the possibility of a security breach because the vulnerabilities of each single system are multiplied. It’s like medicine – each drug has a specific purpose, but when you mix several of them, it is likely that some may not work or play well with others.

So how much technology is too much? Consider a Food Lion in Mooresville, N.C. where customers use handheld scanners, kiosks suggest recipes to compliment the bottle of wine in a shopper’s basket, and sales fliers and price tags may go the way of the corner butcher. Grocers and other merchants see technology as a means of fostering a better shopping experience. Your question is: do you want a ‘shopping experience’, or to just want to buy a few things?

From a business to customer standpoint, technology makes shopping more convenient since people value nothing more than their time. That’s why online sales keep increasing. The potential downside is that in order to make ‘purchasing events’ smoother, merchants first want to gain as much personal information about their customers as possible.

That already happens in a low-level way and has for some time. The last time you bought electronics or clothing, were you asked for your zip code? Phone number? Address perhaps? In a statistical sense, that information is more demographic than personal. Gradually, information gathering is getting more detailed, to include brand preferences and buying habits. That’s how the grocery store “knows” to suggest the right wine to compliment your next dinner party. Exactly where convenience crosses into intrusion is a determination individual businesses must make for themselves.

In the office, technology streamlines tasks and processes, and it makes workers more productive. It also makes some of them obsolete. In short, technology has benefits if you’re clear about what the benefits are. Like medicine, technology can’t help you if you don’t use it right. And, it won’t keep your SUV moving in a straight line if your hands aren’t on the wheel.

Alex Lekas is the VP/Corporate Commmunications for AIT, Inc. (http://ait.com), web host to nearly 200,000 business domains in more than 100 countries.

Read more!

StarWars Special 20 Percent Discount

A special on PocketGear.com in honor of the new StarWars movie.

Enter the code THEFORCE into the Promotional text field at checkout and you will receive 20% off your entire purchase.

Offer valid through Sunday, May 22.

Here are some ideas to help you use your 20% coupon...

Office Tools
Tools and Utilities
Time Management
Travel: Maps
Email / Networking
Music / Audio Players
DVD / Movie Viewers
Health and Fitness
Medical / Pharmaceutical
Dictionaries
Astronomy
Games: Adventure
Games: Arcade
Games: Poker/Casino
Games: Strategy

Read more!

Basics of PDA Protection

By: The Editor
Ever misplaced your handheld computer? When you turn on your Palm Pilot do you bypass the login functionality? Do you connect to the Internet with a Pocket PC that also contains critical data? Ever lost a cell phone loaded with contact information? If you can answer yes to one or more of these questions, you’re probably not taking handheld security very seriously. You’re also not alone. Handheld devices store some of our most important and private information. Yet, they’re among the least well-protected technologies around. When we think about security and computer technology, it usually centres around laptops and desktops. But the fact is, personal digital assistants (PDAs) are at least as vulnerable as their bulkier cousins, and because their protection is usually an afterthought, they’ve become a huge security blind spot. Perhaps we can chalk this up to their small size; or maybe it’s because they’re a newer technology. Regardless, we all need to become more security-savvy with regard to handheld technologies. (continued...)

Your Identity in Your Pocket

Handheld devices, be they organizers, cellular phones or two-way pagers, have moved beyond convenience. Small, powerful, and easy-to-use, they’ve become almost indispensable. They’re the natural place to store critical information we use every day. Among those bits of data are often passwords, PIN numbers, and a host of personal contact information. Collectively, these pieces make up a good chunk of your digital and financial identity. In some cases, it’s enough to help identity thieves tap into your accounts, open lines of credit in your name, or harass your friends and business contacts. If your PDA is loaded with private information, you’re basically carrying your identity around in your pocket, and when you start thinking about it that way, protecting your handheld becomes paramount.

Now Where Did I Put That?

Physical loss is probably the most obvious security risk for PDA users. Handheld computers and cell phones invariably end up in the back seats of taxis, on restaurant tables, and in lost and found drawers everywhere. With regard to physical loss, responsibility for your handheld rests squarely on your shoulders—and it may be time to give yourself a good talking to. Make an accounting of what you’ve stored in your PDA. Is it really the best place for your account passwords? Does it make sense to store PIN numbers on something you may leave on the train? Come up with a PDA policy for yourself, including what you put in your handheld and where you take it. If you’re the type who easily misplaces things, be strict with yourself. Don’t give yourself the opportunity to leave your identity lying around. Finally, and most importantly, make full use of your PDA’s built-in security mechanisms.

Use It or Lose It

Handheld devices are not without their own defences. Because they essentially run mini-versions of desktop operating systems, most handheld computers have password-protected account functionality. So do cellular phones. The problem is, most of us don’t use that protection. For the sake of convenience, we just turn on our phones or power up our Palms and proceed with business. But, actively using your handheld’s security features is a powerful method of defence against potential data theft. So, just as you would with your other computer accounts, come up with a non-obvious user name and password, and set up your handheld to prompt for login each time you power up.

Beyond login functionality, there are other forms of security associated with PDAs. Handheld computers have become quite robust, supporting a wide variety of software applications. They can send and receive email, browse the Internet, and run spreadsheets. Many of these programs provide application-level password protection or data encryption technologies. Don’t ignore those safeguards. Learn how to use them and configure them at a level commensurate with your potential exposure. As the quality and quantity of software offerings increase, so do the potential security risks, and you need to protect yourself accordingly.

That also means acting with the same kind of caution and common sense you use with your larger computers. For example, be careful when adding new software to your PDA. Just as you would with software on your laptop, make certain you trust the manufacturer and distributor of a program before loading it on your handheld. What looks like a benevolent program on the surface may have malicious code lurking within.

Business or Pleasure?

Many people use their PDAs for both business and private affairs, often storing client contact information, work passwords, and other corporate-confidential information alongside personal data. You may be one of those people. If so, check with your IT department about your company’s PDA policies. You might have to amend your handheld habits to conform with your employer’s policies—perhaps splitting your personal and business information into two different accounts, or maybe even placing them on separate devices. In addition, make sure you’re running any security software required by your company. It’s possible they may not require anything at the moment. However, as new technologies become available for handhelds, corporations will likely begin incorporating those protections into their security plans.

Handhelds and the Internet

More and more PDAs are routinely accessing the Internet. As a result, handheld computers are increasingly vulnerable to the same online threats as desktop and laptop computers. Viruses, worms, and Trojan horses written specifically to infect handhelds are serious realities, and Symantec is working at the leading edge to counter those threats. Symantec recently launched Symantec AntiVirus; for Handhelds. This new product, which protects Palm OS- and Microsoft Pocket PC-compatible devices, runs unobtrusively in the background, constantly scanning downloaded files and emails for malicious code. It also performs a scan each time you synchronize or add an expansion card to your device. Like Symantec’s desktop and laptop products, Symantec AntiVirus for Handhelds supports LiveUpdate™, a patented technology which keeps your virus definitions and security software at the cutting edge. With Symantec AntiVirus on your handheld computer, you’ll be protected against each new wave of online attacks.

Handheld security is serious business, and it’s time individuals and companies start treating it that way. For your part, act with common sense and heightened awareness with regard to your PDA. Use its full range of built-in security options and think twice the next time you find yourself casually setting your handheld on the seat next to you. You never know who might pick it up when you leave.

Read more!

Laptop Battery Basics

By Cody Kahl
Throughout the years there have been many technologies involved with notebooks, and laptop batteries are no different. There are actually three distinct notebook battery types on the market today. Knowing the difference between them will help you decide on exactly what to get when the time comes for a purchase.

In this article I will discuss the three different laptop battery types, as well as some of the advantages each one carries. (continued...)

Nickel Cadmium – NiCd batteries were actually the first rechargeable laptop batteries ever. Manufactures loved them because their cost was relatively low and they had a high output. You won’t find Nickel Cadmium batteries being used anymore, due to them being heavier and not as efficient as the newer laptop batteries.

Nickel Metal Hydride – NiMH batteries can still be found all over the place -- particularly for older model laptops. The rechargeable NiMH laptop battery was a big step up for notebook technology mostly in part because they were more reliable than the NiCd batteries, and they had an even higher output. The NiMH battery was also cheaper to produce, and safer to use.

The only issue with NiMH batteries is that they can have a memory effect. Basically, if you don’t fully discharge the battery, it can remember this and leave you with a less than perfect battery output.

Lithium Ion – LiON batteries are now used in most new laptops. Unlike the NiMH battery, LiON laptop batteries have no memory effect. LiON batteries are also lighter than both NiCd and NiMH notebook batteries. Both of these advantages equal out to the Lithium Ion battery being the most popular and most expensive among the various notebook power sources.

You are probably wondering which type of battery to get. Getting a Lithium Ion battery would be the best solution, and if you have the money that is what I recommend. If you cannot afford a LiON battery or your notebook is not compatible with one, then getting a NiMH battery is the next best thing.

About The Author:
Cody Kahl is creator and writer of Toshiba Laptops Guide.

Read more!

Pocket PC Tips and Tricks -- PIM

Tip#5
View All Upcoming Appointments From the Today Screen

When you just want a quick overview of your schedule, it can sometimes be inconvenient to start the Calendar application. The Today screen would normally suffice, but sometimes it doesn't show enough of your upcoming appointments to be useful. This tip will help you change that. (continued...)

1. From the Pocket PC, tap on Start, and Settings.
2. Tap on the Today icon.
3. Tap on the Items tab on the bottom of the screen.
4. Select the Calendar item, and tap Options.
5. Under Display, tap on the Upcoming Appointments radio button.
6. Tap OK twice.

When finished, the Today screen shows all upcoming events for the day, and in some cases, tomorrow. If it becomes too lengthy and you find that your Today screen has a scroll bar, you may wish to change it back.

Read more!

Used Notebook Inspection Guide -- Part 4

By: The Editor
Used laptop computers are everywhere these days. How can you sift through the mass of available used laptop computers to narrow your search down to the right laptop for you? This fourth and final article strives to give you a few suggestions for your next laptop purchase.

Wireless Connectivity

Built-in wireless used to be a luxury. More and more now though, it really should be seen as a necessity. If the laptop you're considering doesn't have built-in wireless, you should at least have an external wireless card thrown in. Connecting to the internet and your local home network is something you'll find yourself doing a lot of in the future. If you have a choice between 802.1b and 802.1g, make sure you choose the 802.1g as it has more range and greater speed. (continued...)

USB Ports

How many USB ports come with the laptop? Older laptops may not have any. Some have only one. The more USB ports you can get, the more convenient it is. You should also ask if the laptop comes with USB 2.0 or the older original version 1.

Hard Drive: Choose a large one

In this day and age, anything less than 20GB is way too small. In fact, you should always choose a laptop with as large a hard drive as possible. Storage space fills up fast especially when you consider all the songs and movies people store on their laptops these days. Go as large as your budget allows.

User Computer Laptop Warranty

If you have followed my advice and are looking to buy from a reputable dealer, what kind of warranty do they offer? Don't buy a used laptop from someone that offers you no warranty of any kind. At the very least, you want to get a 30 day warranty. The more the better. You never know if the hard drive is near failure or some other catastrophic problem in near. Reputable dealers offer warranties. Stay away from anyone that doesn't offer one.

While I haven't gone over every possible thing you need to look for when purchasing a laptop, I have covered the main things that should make sure you make a used computer laptop purchase you're happy with.

Read more!

Camera Cell Phone Basics

By: The Editor
All the major phone manufacturers are cashing in on the ever increasing market in camera phones. Companies such as Nokia, Siemens, Motorola and many more have seen their profits soar since the introduction of the camera cell phone. Many of the cell phone carriers are offering a free camera phone for new customers to their networks.

What are the benefits of owning a camera cell phone? (continued...)

Yes the camera cell phone is a luxury and very affordable to buy but the there are many advantages to having such a phone. How many times have you been in a position where you wished “if only I had a camera” It’s easy to send a picture to friends or family who may live far away or overseas. Pictures saved on the camera can be easily uploaded to your home computer. Camera phones today offer high resolution photos with red eye reduction and different zoom options. You can take an excellent scenic photo and set it uniquely setup as your background image. The quality of the photo will depend on the type of phone you purchase but overall the camera phone is an excellent purchase.

Disadvantages of Owning a Camera Cell Phone:

Like everything there is always a downside. Camera cell phones have a number of disadvantages over standard cell phones. Firstly they are generally more expensive to buy. Sending photos to friends or family from your cell phone is a costly activity. You need to check with your cell phone carrier to see the rates. It is much more expensive than sending a general text. Sometimes the quality of the photo is not as clear as you may have expected. Some people find it difficult to focus the lens using the phone.

It can be costly if the lens gets cracked and needs to be replaced (some camera phone lens cannot be replaced and the whole phone will need to be changed)

Remember, if you are purchasing a camera cell phone, go the extra mile and get insurance. Unfortunately in today’s world they are the type of gadget that pick pockets only love.

What is the Cheapest Way to Get a Camera Cell Phone?

If you're a new user to the mobile world check out the different cell phone promotions offered by the carriers such as Cingular, T-Mobile, Verizon and others. These types of companies will offer free camera phones if you sign up to their network. Generally the camera phone will not be the top of the range but certainly good enough for you to practice with as your first camera cell phone. Once you have been on the network (generally for 6 months to one year) you may be entitled to an upgrade / trade in (check with the carrier before you sign any contracts).

Photos and Movies:

Apart from photos most camera cell phones can act as a mini camcorder. You generally get a 30 second movie feature with even the basic camera phone. You can even upload or sync the movie clip you have just created to your PC and transfer to the Internet or simply email it to friends or family. This feature is ideal for special occasions such as birthdays or even a wedding clip for those who cannot travel.

Conclusion:

The camera cell phone is by far the best seller on today’s market. Very popular with people of all ages. They are convenient and generally inexpensive to run (providing you do not abuse sending photos all the time to friends). If you are not at the level of a professional photographer and just want the party or fun pictures the camera cell phone is ideal, small and tidy to carry and mostly good quality pictures.

Remember to shop around for the best offers and ask the different carriers their rates for sending pictures MMS. You will be surprised at the different rates offered. Camera cell phones are also available as a prepaid cell phone but remember, prepaid cell phones a more expensive than one with line rental and MMS rates are generally very high per text.

Read more!

VoIP Basics

By: Rich McIver
For those who have never heard about the potential of VoIP, be prepared to radically change the way you think about your current long-distance calling plan. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is very simply, a method for taking ordinary analog audio signals and turning them into digital signals that can be sent over the Internet.

So what? Well, for those of you who are already paying a monthly fee for an Internet connection, this means that you can use that same connection to place free long distance phone calls. This process works by using already available VoIP software to make phone calls over the Internet, essentially circumventing phone companies and their service charges. (continued...)

Interestingly, VoIP is not an entirely new thing. In fact, a number of providing companies have been around for some time. But it has only been with the more recent explosion of high-speed internet access usage, that VoIP has gotten any attention. Now the major telephone carriers are setting up their own VoIP calling plans throughout the US, another testament to the potential of the technology.

How VoIP Is Used

While there are a number of ways that VoIP is currently being used, most individual callers fall into one of three categories: ATA, IP Phones, and Computer-to-Computer.

ATA or Analog Telephone Adaptor, is the most common way of using VoIP. This adaptor actually allows you to hook up the phone that is already in your house, to your computer, and then your Internet connection. What the ATA does, is turn the analog signals your phone sends out into digital signals that can be sent over the Internet. Setting up this system is quite simple. It simply requires that you order an ATA (its an adaptor remember), plug the cable from your phone which would normally go into the wall socket into the ATA, and then the ATA gets plugged into your computer, which is connected to the internet. Some ATAs include software that has to be installed on your computer before its ready, but basically it's quite a simple process. Then you are ready to make some calls.

The next type of VoIP usage utilizes IP Phones instead of your home phone. The IP Phone looks just like a normal phone, with all the same buttons and cradle, the only difference is that instead of having a normal wall jack connector, it has an Ethernet connector. This means, that instead of plugging in your IP phone to the wall jack like you would with a regular analog phone, it gets plugged directly into your router. This option allows you to circumvent your personal computer, and it also means that you will not have to install any software, because its all built in to the handset. In addition, the fact that Wi-Fi IP phones will soon be available, which will allow subscribing callers to make VoIP calls from any Wi-Fi hot spot, make this option an exciting possibility.

The simplest and cheapest way to use VoIP is through computer-to-computer calls. These calls are entirely free, meaning no calling plan whatsoever. The only thing you need, is the software which can be found for free on the internet, a good internet connection, a microphone, speakers, and a sound card. Except for your monthly internet service fee, there is literally no cost for making these calls, no matter how many you make.

For large companies, VoIP also offers some very unique possibilities. Some larger companies are already utilizing the technology by conducting all intra-office calls through a VoIP network. Because the quality of sound is comparable to and in some cases surpasses that of analog service, some international companies are using VoIP to route international calls through the branch of their company nearest the call's destination and then completing it on an analog system. This allows them to pay local rates internationally and still utilize the same intra-office VoIP network that they would if they were calling someone in the next cubicle over.

Other Advantages of VoIP

While your current long-distance plan covers you for only one location, say calls made from your office, with VoIP, you can make a call anywhere that you can get a broadband connection. That is because all three methods above, unlike analog calls, send the call information via the Internet. This means you can make calls from home, on vacation, on business trips, and almost anywhere else. Anywhere you go, with VoIP you can bring your home phone along with you. In the same way, computer-to-computer connections mean that as long as you have your laptop and a connection, you're ready to go.

There are also some nifty benefits to having your calls transmitted over the Internet. For example, some VoIP service providers allow you to check your voicemail via your e-mail, while others allow you to attach voice messages to your e-mails.

How VoIP Works

The current phone system relies on a reliable but largely inefficient method for connecting calls known as circuit switching. This technique, which has been used for over 100 years, means that when a call is made between two people a connection is maintained in both directions between callers for the duration of the call. This dual directional characteristic gives the system the name circuit.

If, for example, you made a 30-minute call the circuit would be continuously open, and thus used, between the two phones. Up until about 1960, this meant that every call had to have an actual dedicated wire connecting the two phones. Thus a long distance call cost so much, because you were paying for pieces of copper wire to be connected all the way from your phone to the destination phone, and for that connection to remain constant throughout the call. Today, however, your analog call is converted after leaving your house to a digital signal, where your call can be combined with many others on a single fiber optic cable. While this system is certainly an improvement over the past copper wire system, it is still quite inefficient. This inefficiency is due in part to the fact that the telephone line can't distinguish between useful talking and unneeded silences. For example, in a typical conversation while one person is talking the other person is listening. Thus the current analog system uses roughly half its space sending useless messages like this silence. But there is also more information, even down to pauses in speech, which under a more efficient system can be effectively cut out rather than wasting the circuit space. This idea of only transmitting the noisy bits of a telephone call and saving a great deal on circuit space, is the basis of Packet-Switching, the alternative method to circuit switching that the VoIP phone system uses.

Packet-Switching is the same method that you use when you view a website. For example, as you read this website, your computer is not maintaining a constant connection to the site, but rather making connections to send and receive information only on an as needed basis (such as when you click on a link). Just as this system allows the transfer of information over the Internet to work so quickly, so also does it work in the VoIP system. While circuit switching maintains a constant and open connection, packet switching opens connections just long enough to send bits of data called packets from one computer to another. This allows the network to send your call (in packets) along the least congested and cheapest lines available, while also keeping your computer or IP phone, free to send and receive messages and calls with other computers. This way of sending information, not to mention data compression, makes the amount of information which must be transmitted for every call at least 3-4 times less for VoIP than the exact same call in a conventional telephone system. For this reason, VoIP is so much cheaper than conventional calling plans.

The Future of VoIP

While most analysts believe it will be at least a decade before companies and telephone providers make the full switch to VoIP, the potential for the technology's use today is already quite astounding. A report by the Forrester Research Group predicts that by the end of 2006, nearly 5 million U.S. households will be using VoIP phone service. With the savings and flexibility that the technology already offers, and new advances just ahead on the horizon, we can expect those numbers will only increase in the future.

About the Author

Rich McIver is a contributing writer for VoIP Now: Voice over IP News. Learn more at http://www.voipnow.org

Read more!

Used Notebook Inspection Guide -- Part 3

By: The Editor
Used laptop computers are everywhere these days. How can you sift through the mass of available used laptop computers to narrow your search down to the right laptop for you? This is the third part of a series of articles designed to give you a few suggestions for your next purchase.

Test the Keyboard and Built-in Mouse

When you get an operating system up and running, open a text file like notepad and start typing on the keyboard. How do the keys feel? If they are sticking, this may indicate coffee or another liquid having been dropped on the computer. A definite red flag. (continued...)

Is the built-in mouse functioning properly? If it isn't, understand that this could seriously hamper the portability of the laptop. Using an external mouse when you are on the go can be very inconvenient.

Laptop Battery: Don't expect much

Laptop batteries generally don't maintain a full charge for more than a year or two at most. The manufacture date of the laptop is often found on its underside. If the manufacture date is more than two years and it has an original battery, consider yourself lucky with any battery life you get. Most used computer dealers will not give you any warranty for the battery. An extra battery is always a wise purchase when buying a used laptop. Consider asking the dealer what it would cost to get another one.

Laptop multimedia: Testing the sound and video.

Sound and video are both things that are important to some people and not to others. If you see yourself listening to music using the laptop speakers, try to play some music on them to see how they sound. You may want to cart a music CD with you along with your Knoppix CD. Have realistic expectations though. Laptop speakers rarely sound full. They usually have a tinny sound with lots of treble and little bass.

If you plan on watching movies on the laptop, you may want to consider choosing a used laptop computer with a DVD-ROM drive in it. If that is important to you, I would suggest you carry a DVD movie with you to evaluate how well the laptop plays back video. If it pauses and labors with the DVD, you may want to consider another laptop.

Stay tuned for our fourth and final article on tips you should follow when purchasing a used laptop computer

Read more!