communication system

How Peer to Peer (P2P) Works

2007-02-27T22:58:00.002-08:00

Peer to Peer (P2P) Technology- How it works:

Ever wondered how P2P works? This guide will run down most of the major P2P services and how they work. Peer to Peer technology lets people share files over a network on the internet. Most people now use what is known as the second generation of P2P, which is unlike its predecessors like such as Napter, the second generation has no centralized server, making it harder for it to shut down.

How first generation P2P services worked:

A connection is established by a peer finding another peer to connect to. Each peer exchanges active peer and their addresses. When a connection has been established, the user can then search for files. When a search has been submitted, it connects to all nodes on its connection list. The results are then displayed and a connection is made.

How second generation P2P services worked:

Gnutella2: Hubs are used to quickly search for files, eliminating the original "find peer and search" method. Instead, they store a list of files on all the "Leaves" (A peer) that are connected to it, thus dramatically reducing search time. Advantages: Unlike Napster, if a hub crashes, it's network stays alive. Disadvantages: Doesn't make network any more durable than the first generation of P2P. Gnutella2: www.gnutella.com

FastTrack: Programs such as Kazaa and iMesh use the FastTrack protocol. Normal peers connect to a supernode which acts jsut like a hub. Supernodes also connect to other supernodes, allowing search requests to move through the network very quickly. Peers then establish a direct connection to a client after a file has been found. Advantages: Any client can become a supernode. Disadvantages: Corruption of files occur. Clients include: Kazaa (www.kazaa.com), iMesh (www.imesh.com)

BitTorrent: .torrent files are used to store information about the file being shared. Once a torrent file is opened, the client connects to the tracker which tells the client where the file is located and what other peers/seeders there are. BitTorrent works by chunks of small files being transferred (even through multiple connections), while you are downloading. The files are checked for corruption as the download continues. Leechers are people who download and don't upload, and are highly frowned upon on some sites, disallowing them from downloading any further. Advantages: Very fast for popular, new files. Disadvantages: Trackers are unreliable and if it goes down, the file is lost.

Searching for the Right ISP

2007-02-27T22:58:00.001-08:00

When searching for the right ISP there are a number of items to look at. How much is it going to cost me? What is the connection like? What are the Features? Is it available in my area? You will soon find that there are many ISP’s to choose from. So, it is beneficial for you to pick the right internet service provider.

The cost is probably the most important aspect to most subscribers. Yet, many are not willing to put up with the low quality provided by free ISP’s. This leaves them looking for low cost ISP’s. The best way to find the lower cost ISP’s is to search for them. Most of the ISP’s you are going to see advertising are going to be a bit higher than those who do not have as much advertising. A search of the internet may help you find some of these ISP’s.

Although the price may be right, if your connection is weak you may not to go with that ISP. This can happen because problems with the cable or phone lines are common with the ISP. It can also occur if your ISP has a large volume of users trying to access the internet at the same time. This is particularly true with dial-up ISP’s that do not have enough phone numbers. Also you want to make sure that the ISP is compatible for the tasks you want to do. For instance, AOL users sometimes have problems with some aspects of the net. This is because the program that runs AOL is so dominating. If you frequent certain sites, they may list ISP’s that have problems using the site. This usually applies to sites that have music, video and effects but don’t really apply to straight text.

The features are also important. In fact, if you don’t want to be frustrated with pop-ups you may find yourself drawn to ISP’s that offer pop-up blockers and virus protection. You may be worried about your children surfing the web. A feature to block adult sites may be what you are looking for in that case. ISP’s are coming up with new features all the time so you really do have some choices here.

Another important aspect is availability. Not all ISP’s are widely available. This is especially true for ISP’s that are free or low cost. Even if an ISP is available in your area, there may not be an available local phone number. When you use your dial-up modem with a long distance number you may incur long distance charges while you are on the net. In addition, if there are local numbers but not many of them, you may have trouble connecting to the internet.

BT Broadband

2007-02-27T22:57:00.002-08:00

Approximately 4 million people in the UK use ADSL with an extra 2 million using a cable connection, meaning 6 million people in the UK have an always-on internet connection. Of these over 1.7 million are subscribed to BT’s broadband package, making them the UK’s main broadband provider.

Back in August 2000 BT first launched its high-speed internet connection to customers. Initially only available to around one third of UK households and costing £500 a year it was the first step in many to Broadband Britain.

There are currently only 2 ways to connect to ADSL in the UK. Recently a technique called Local Loop Unbundling means you don’t need to have a BT phone line, but at the moment only 1% of people on broadband in the UK use this method. The only other way to connect transforms an existing BT phone line into a high-speed digital line. This is only available with a BT phone line though, so even if you don’t subscribe to BT’s package your ISP still has to pay BT money to maintain and connect your line. Because of this BT has been able to dictate the availability of broadband in the UK for a few years now.

For fear that UK telecoms watchdog Ofcom would break-up the company because they held a monopoly by owning all the phone lines and means to connect to broadband, BT has agreed to offer rival companies access to the “Local Loop”, which is the network of telephone lines around the country. By doing this BT could stand to lose many customers as other companies can offer their broadband directly and without having to pay BT expenses.

Since the introduction of ADSL in the UK many potential customers found their local exchanges were simply out of date and the lines too old to be able to handle this new technology. Campaigns run country-wide as BT will only upgrade exchanges if there is adequate interest. ADSL is still not available in many villages and more rural areas of Britain but BT is vastly expanding and upgrading its network to try and cover all the country, Broadband is currently available in more than 96.6% of all UK households.

BT’s standard package is 2Mbps with a 1 GB monthly download limit. This means you can only download 1 GB’s worth of content, be it WebPages, music or movies, a month. This is more than enough for typical WebPages, but excessive music downloads will result in your account being suspended or limited for the rest of the month. You can upgrade your broadband to a 15 GB monthly limit for a little extra a month. BT also offers Pay As You Go dialup and unlimited dialup contracts.

BT Broadband also offers a variety of packages and upgrades designed to suit every user. You can upgrade to a gaming account to play xbox and PS2 games online, you can setup parental filters for your children, and there’s protection against spam, junk mail, pop-ups, virus’s and online intruders.

One of the main reasons people will continue to signup to BT is its reliability. They have broken the mould of all ISPs having poor customer service and are incredibly helpful with setting up your connection.

BT are aiming to trail their 8Mbps connection soon, intending it to be in common use by the end of the year. BT’s ultimate goal is making broadband available throughout the country, including rural areas.

Broadband

2007-02-27T22:57:00.001-08:00

Broadband is the name given to a high-speed Internet connection that provide large bandwidth. It is a quick connection, typically “always-on” and capable of transmitting data at a much faster rate than a standard dialup modem connection. Broadband also won’t tie up your phone line, allowing you to use the internet and telephone simultaneously. Broadband can be provided from a dedicated line such as Cable or ISDN, or over the top of your phone line such as ADSL.

Low-band Internet access is typically running up to 56kbps using a dial-up modem. Mid-band Internet is a phrase given to dialup that operates at 64kbps or 128kbps. Broadband starts at 512kbps (approximately ten times faster than typical dialup) and is also typically available at 1mbps, 1.5mbps and 2.2mbps. Some companies offer broadband at 4mbps and 8mbps. The maximum possible for cable is around 26mbps and 24mbps for ADSL although these speeds are not sold commercially due to the high cost required to upgrade telephone lines to be able to transmit at this speed.

With broadband you can quickly download or stream music and video. Many websites are designed especially for broadband users with intense integrated graphics, flash and video. Another popular use of broadband is online gaming. Xbox and PS2 consoles include broadband support, by subscribing to gaming packages from your ISP you can play Xbox and PS2 games live with other people over the internet. Online PC gaming has been around since the early days of the internet, but now with faster speeds there is less lag (slow or jerky response from the computer making it hard to play) and you are no longer keeping an eye on the time as you play, making it much more popular. Many recent games are released requiring an internet connection, without them you simply cannot play.

With users so keen on downloading music and video most broadband providers have introduced a maximum limit on the amount you can download. This can be as low as 1 GB up to 30 GB for power users, or unlimited for the extreme. Exceeding your ISP’s download cap will result in you having a limit connection for the rest of the month or none at all.

The future of broadband is the possibility of Internet Television. Currently there is not enough bandwidth (the amount of data you can send and receive down the line) to give as good an image as of a standard television. But with ever increasing internet speeds Internet Television will soon be with us. You can already legally download clips from your favourite shows, music videos and other content you would normally find on your television, just not in real time. Another use developed because of broadband is online telephony. Software that enables you to turn your computer into a telephone and talk to people from across the world without any extra cost is not only commonplace but of a higher quality recording than standard telephone lines. It seems with ever increasing Internet speeds, Broadband will be able to replace television, telephone and will soon become a welcome addition to every home. Broadband is helping the internet become an extensive resource that’s easy to access and fun to use.

How to Secure your DSl / Cable Internet Connection Against Malicious Attacks

2007-02-27T22:53:00.000-08:00

Securing your Windows Xp computer is done by achieving two main tasks.

The first, is to prevent unauthorized users sitting at your computer and logging in through your keyboard.

The second, is to prevent access to your computer through your internet connection. Preventing unauthorized users is done by controlling your user accounts management.

This is done by creating one account beside the administrator account. This way, you end up with one administrator account for managing the whole system, and another user account for using all the time you are not managing your system.

Once you install Windows Xp operating systems, you create a user account beside the administrator account. This new account user ID and password is only known to you, the administrator. By doing this, you disallow anyone from using your computer by sitting at your keyboard.

The second task is to prevent unauthorized internet access from the outside world. Your computer internet connection is the main source of all kinds of attacks that will damage different programs installed on your computer.

Attacks from the Internet can be of different forms. Their effects can vary from slowing down you machine to producing annoying messages. Today with the high speed Internet access, you get bombarded with problems much more when you were using dial-up connection.

There is certain measures you can take to stop the Internet attacks through your high speed connection. I recommend you do four things:

a-Install an Adware / Spyware removal program on your computer.

b-Install an Antivirus program.

c-Install a Pop-Up blocker program.

d-Install a Firewall, software or hardware.

How to Test Your DSL and Cable Internet Connection Speed

2007-02-23T04:45:00.001-08:00

There are two measured elements that determine your internet connection speed. They are: The download rate, and the upload rate of data measured in bits per seconds. Usually, it is expressed in Kilobits per second.

A bit is the smallest piece of data that can be stored in a computer. The bit can be either "0" or "1". The byte is eight bits. Example of a byte and bits are the following:

bit= 0 or 1

byte=8 bits

1 byte=10011101 (eight bits)

A single charcter needs one byte or eight bits to be stored in a computer. So, when the data rate is 1 byte/sec, that means one character per second is the rate at which data is transferred through your connection.

This is very slow, and only intended for an example. In order to browse the internet, you must have at least a dial up access with a 56kb/s modem, in order to get a meaningful and practical result.

There are different types of internet connection. First they introduced the dialup connection using your phone line, then the broadband was introduced.

The broadband internet connections are DSL, Cable, or Satellite internet services. They are widely used and expanding due to the high bandwith.

When you get an internet service, your provider states that your speed will be a certain numbers. They usually give you a good idea, but not an exact one. The common asked questions among internet users is:

How do I know what is my connection speed, and if I am getting what I was promised?.

If there anyway I can test my connection, and do I need to buy expensive software to test it?.

The answer is simple. There are two ways to test your internet connection speed:

1- The manual simple calculation test that you can do yourself without any software or third party services.

2- You can find a service that lets you run a test through their servers, and get your numbers displayed at their webpage.

1-The manual method:

Since I mentioned that the connection speed consist of two numbers, the download and upload speed. So, what you do is download from the internet any free software, and watch the result box with the result that show the size of the file and how many seconds it tool to download.

When you are done recording the download speed, upload a file of a specific size (1 Mb, 2 Mb), and time your watch when you start. When the file is uploaded, check your watch and record the time it took for the task. Then divide your file size by the seconds it took.

If you file was 2 Mb. that took 5 minutes to upload, then your upload speed is 2 Mb./300 sec. or 6.826 Kbits/sec.You can run the above test couple times, and then take the average for a better result.

2-The automated test at a third party service:

This is my preferred one, where you get to a website where the test is done for you. It is done using a script installed on their server, and letting you download and upload to their server a test file (invisible to you). Then, the result is displayed on their webpage.

Mind Machine Interfacing

2007-02-23T04:44:00.003-08:00

SQUID:

In 1984 I was partnered with a Cable TV engineer and founding father by the name of Ray Osborne. He was working with people developing oscillating noise loop broadband technologies. These technologies were eventually bought by the Pentagon to use in untappable secure message or information transmissions. I imagine this technology now uses the Quantum teleporting and faster than light methods put out for contract in late 2001 by Mr. Everett of the Durham Army Depot. Ray had earlier worked with the Canadian Department of Communications on a brainwave enhancing device similar to a helmet and things I had read about that the Russians believed would someday allow the mind to move mountains (even literally) according to Psychic Discoveries Behind the Iron Curtain.

Ray told me about an experiment they did with him and another person wearing a helmet with energy inputs and electrodes attached to this helmet he wore. As the experiment was about to start, Ray had a need to have a cigarette and as he reached to get one and light it up, the thought energy directed ESP (or brainwavelength ability) was sent to the person across the courtyard who was sitting in the window so they could see each other. That person was sent into a coma and his hair turned white – thus ended the experiment on that day. Ray was not part of continued experiments and I suppose they considered stopping it for a while but I cannot believe they did not continue these researches. The military loves to have these things and they would rationalize that they must have the ability to counter any enemy who might have them too.

The Russians were the ones who tabled the removal of non-lethal weapons from the research of all signators to SALT. The Americans recently removed themselves from SALT on a uni-lateral basis. I believe SDI and HAARP are connected to these things and I fear other mind-control machines such as Dr. Persinger of Laurentian University is working on with the Earth Energy Grid will be involved. This will happen whether he and his boss Jack Verona of the Defense Intelligence Agency in the US know it or not. Los Alamos is working on a further refinement of superconductive helmetry and brain enhancements under the acronym SQUID as we see in this posting from my neuroscience forum. I do not have the original source of the posting but will follow it with another posting linkage to the University of Toronto research and related matters.

“Magnetic measurements of brain activity could be free from noise in the future thanks to a new helmet-like device developed by medical physicists at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the US. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is the only technique that can directly measure neuronal activity in the brain, but it is plagued by background noise that interferes with signals from the brain itself. The new helmet could provide much more accurate information on brain function (P Volegov et al. 2004 Phys. Med. Biol. 49 2117).

MEG is a non-invasive technique that provides detailed information on the brain in almost real time by using superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) sensors to measure the magnetic fields generated by currents flowing in and around neurons. However, these magnetic field signals are extremely weak -- typically between about 10-14 and 10-13 Tesla -- and are therefore easily overwhelmed by background magnetic noise. Although various techniques exist to reduce this noise, none are entirely satisfactory because they can also reduce the size of the signals produced by the brain itself.

The helmet designed by the Los Alamos team is made from a layer of superconducting lead and is placed around the SQUID sensors (see figure). The helmet needs to kept at temperatures below 8 kelvin -- in a liquid helium cryostat -- for the lead to be superconducting. The device works on the principle that Meissner currents flow on the surface of the superconductors in the helmet. These currents expel magnetic flux, therefore preventing any external magnetic fields from penetrating the helmet. Moreover, unlike previous methods, the helmet can be placed close to the head without affecting signals produced by the brain.

The scientists have already tested their helmet on real patients and say that background noise signals can be reduced by more than six orders of magnitude, making it the most effective system to date. However, the device still needs to be improved because noise levels are still relatively high around the brim.” “Vortex dynamics in superconducting systems imaged by Scanning SQUID Microscopy Abstract

Using a Scanning SQUID Microscope (SSM), we have studied vortex distributions in various superconducting systems. The excellent flux sensitivity of the SSM allows us to resolve individual vortices for low flux density. Field cooling produces quenched vortex patterns which can be disordered in strong-pinning Nb films or well ordered into a lattice in a-MoGe films with weak pinning. Surface steps alter the field-cooled patterns, with vortices formed in dense rows along the low side of steps with few vortices near the high side. We observe an asymmetry in the dynamics of vortices around the surface steps under the application of a driving force. The vortex line tension impedes vortex motion from thin parts of the superconductor to thick regions, while not affecting the opposite motion down the steps. We have also investigated the behavior of vortices in thin superconducting strips in a perpendicular magnetic field, a complex problem due to the large demagnetizing effects. These geometrical barriers are frequently encountered in transport measurements on high-Tc superconductors. Strips with transverse surface steps as well as strips with a uniform cross section have been imaged. We are attempting to correlate the observed vortex distributions with transport measurements of the vortex dynamics in the strips.”

How to Choose Best ISP for Your Needs

2007-02-23T04:44:00.001-08:00

Well, the Internet access industry is starting to shake its way out. The much-anticipated consolidation of access providers is nearing its end. In broadband, this means that most users have little or no choice of providers. Though many of the changes have been hard on user choice, this is not necessarily a bad thing. In some cases, it's better to have one stable and pricey provider than 100 unstable, cheap providers. The shakeout was painful for scores of users who often were left with no connection when they needed it most. And some providers left standing don't exactly have good track records, either.

Still, there is reason for users to be optimistic about the future. The following is an outline of the way the Internet access business should go in the coming year. I provide it to give you a better understanding of where you should go now, assuming you want to stick with the same internet access provider for at least a year.

Don't ditch dial-up

A lot of users were glad they hung on to their dial-up accounts in the midst of uncertainty with their broadband connections. When things go bad with broadband (as they often do), you at least can get e-mail, if not a quick scan of the headlines in text-heavy Web sites.

If you have a dial-up account, and you're paying less than $20 for it, consider it a blessing to have a back-up system. At the very least, when you need to reach tech support for your broadband account and you can't get through due to heavy call volume, you can e-mail them from your dial-up account. Things to look out for in dial-up:

Go with a provider that has been around long enough to quickly respond to such issues as software upgrades and peak calling volumes.

Read the fine print before signing. Some ISPs will disconnect you after a relatively short amount of time of idleness. Others let you stay online as long as you're actively engaged. Still others never disconnect users. The last is preferable; the middle option usually offers the best value.

Check out Boardwatch magazine's ISP Directory to see how much infrastructure you will be paying for. Make sure your chosen ISP has an acceptable ratio of modems to users. Three users for every modem is acceptable, considering that it is unlikely that all their customers will dial up at once. o Match prices with the ratio of modem pools to users.

Check out options such as personal Web site services and multiple addresses. These are nice to have and can add value to your experience as long as you use them--provided they're bundled in.

DSL doldrums

Of all the access methods, DSL has received the most scorn since I've been at this job. My own experiences were horrendous, and I'm not alone. It works great for about 20 percent of the population who are geographically blessed. It works OK for another 30 percent or so of the population, who may have to endure some line noise in order to get DSL. And it doesn't work at all for the other half. Couple its inherent technical limitations with DSL providers falling off the wires like shocked birds, and the situation has not been pretty.

Still, those providers that have made it through the shock test should be able to offer a good experience (with the exception of Qwest). Consider DSL carefully and you will avoid a lot of pain.

Some DSL issues you should consider:

Talk to a neighbor about their DSL experience. Do they have a lot of line noise on the phone even with the filters? Did they have any equipment or network problems with their provider? If so, did they get put on hold and shuffled around through tech support when they called in? Was their DSL provider able to support a variety of platforms, or was it basically Windows-only?

Consider an ISP for DSL service.

The Baby Bells, such as Qwest and Verizon, are not well equipped to deliver DSL service. Even though smaller ISPs may only resell DSL service from Baby Bell providers, they at least provide a live human being when things go wrong. Because the Baby Bells know the cost of supporting DSL users, they can offer DSL to ISPs much more cheaply than they can offer it directly to users. So you can often get a price break from ISPs, especially if you're willing to accept a slightly slower connection.

How to Troubleshoot Your Internet Connection for DSL or Cable Service

2007-02-23T04:43:00.001-08:00

One of the common problems among internet users is testing their internet connection to pinpoint the exact problem. There is a big number of internet users who use DSL, and cable modem service.

You set us your connection the way your ISP (internet service provider)instruct you to. Sometimes, it doesn't work for numerous reasons.

You service is not ready, your hardware in not connected properly, or your ISP is having problems.

Whatever the cause of the problem maybe, there are some diagnostic tools you can use in Windows XP, in order to identify the problem.

If you are not exact in your diagnostic, you will get a good idea at least.

Before we get to the diagnostic tools, let us discuss what is involved in an internet connection.

The information travels over the internet to your computer through your ISP service. This is done through a High speed modem then to a network card installed in your computer.

Your computer is called a host, your service provider will give you the DNS IP address, and you get your login and password. That is all what you have from your ISP.

Sometimes, your internet connection fails, and you want to find out the problem. You may be able to fix it, or at least get some information about the problem to advise your isp for help.

You will start by accessing the command prompt by going in sequence to:

Start menu, program, accessories, then command prompt. A window will open where you type commands from the prompt.

At the command prompt, you type: IPCONFIG. This command will give you the active network connection on your computer. Here is an example:

PPP adapter Copy :

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.239.158.45
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 68.239.158.45

The above output was produced when I ran the Ipconfig command on my own computer running Window XP OS, and A DSL connection. The IP address is my computer address assigned by the ISP.

Please note, you can add an option to this command, in order to get more detailed information about your connection. Here is the output, when I ran the same command with the "all" option.

Ipconfig /ALL

PPP adapter Copy :

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-53-45-00-00-00
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.239.158.45
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 68.239.158.45
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 151.198.0.39 151.197.0.39 NetBIOS over TCP/IP. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Notice now, the output includes the phisycal address of the network interface card installed in my computer. Also, you see the DNS IP addresses. With the above information, I didn't have any problems.

Supposed ,I disconnect my DSL connection and ran the command again, this is the new result:

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Notice in this case, where I disconnected my connection, you don't get a DNS server. This tells you that I am not connected to the internet.

Also, notice the IP address starts with 192.168, which is the default address whenever your computer is not connected to the internet.

Another command is the ping command. It will allow to check if a computer is connected to the network and ready to communicate, whether intranet, or internet.

Once you run it,it will sent a packet to the computer specified and gives the time it took for the packet to travel. This is an a output when I tried to ping www.yahoo.com:

C:>ping www.yahoo.com

Pinging www.yahoo.akadns.net [216.109.118.66] with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 216.109.118.66: bytes=32 time=35ms TTL=55
Reply from 216.109.118.66: bytes=32 time=39ms TTL=55

Ping statistics for 216.109.118.66:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 35ms, Maximum = 39ms, Average = 38ms.

That shows that the host was reachable, and connected to the internet.

A very important command is the Nslookup. This will let you check if DNS (domain name server) is working properly. The function of the DNS server is to translate ip addresses to domain name of the networked computer. Here is an example:

C:> nslookup www.yahoo.com
Server: home5.bellatlantic.net
Address: 151.198.0.39

Non-authoritative answer:
Name: www.yahoo.akadns.net
Addresses: 216.109.118.67
Aliases: www.yahoo.com

So, you enter the name after Nslookup, it will give you IP addresses and vice versa.

In summary, there more commands in Windows Xp, but using the three above commands should give you a good idea about your internet connection problems. You can find where the problem is occurring. Is it your machine, or the ISP.

Bleeding Edge or Expensive Enterprise Satellite Internet?

2007-02-23T04:41:00.000-08:00

For those businesses unable can't get T1, Cable or DSL internet service for less than half a year's Gross Profit, vsat (very small aperture terminal) satellite internet is about the only way to obtain decent internet speed. Over the last two years or so many companies have advertised about upcoming solutions to this issue...after all, the business internet industry is huge and growing by giant leaps each year and there are potential profits out there.

Let's take a look at what is currently available and what is on the way:

Available Ku Band Enterprise Systems

This is a "catch all" phrase covering the more expensive equipment and service offered by several large uplink comapnies. It is characterized by larger satellite dishes (typically 1.0 meter or larger), more powerful transmitters (at least 2 watts) and less populated transponders than the "residential" or "small business" setup's available from Direcway, Starband and Wildblue. The result is more consistent, faster service.....what most businesses expect.

There are two general avenues you can take regarding speed and throughput: Shared or dedicated bandwidth - and the difference in price is staggering. For most business applications, shared bandwidth (the less expensive choice) will work fine - giving a company 1.5 kbps downloads and 256 kbps uploads over 90% of the time for prices in the $400-$1500 range. The crucial element of ANY offering is the "contention ratio" - how much they oversell the product or the number of concurrent users they allow on a transponder. Any company that does not put the ratio in writing is not worth doing business with - period...and any company with a contention ratio above 20-1 is not offering you true Enterprise service. With dedicated service (Guaranteed speeds) you will spend over $1,900 per month (up to several thousand per month), but will have service that is nearly bulletproof.

The most tested and dependable Enterprise setup available today in N. America is centered around a modem designed by iDirect Technologies http://www.idirect.net. This is a proven system that will give you what you pay for.

Other systems are coming into the marketplace like the ViaSat Surfbeam DOCSIS setup and another DOCSIS product from Telnor; however, this is very new technology and certainly qualifies as "Bleeding Edge". Only three companies have the equipment to make it work right now and there are bumps in the road. Surfbeam and Telnor's big promise is a better utilization of available ku bandwidth, but no field results have confirmed this yet to my knowledge.

If it provides similar speeds during field testing, it will force iDirect to rethink modem pricing as the DOCSIS setup can be installed for about $500-$1,000 less.

Wireless and Satellite Internet Technology On The Horizon

The Satellite Internet world could be turned on it's head in the coming years as WIMAX emerges. It is a grand plan by Intel and others to cover very large areas of the world with a brand of microwave technology capable of sending data extremely fast to small antennas at homes and businesses. The big difference between WIFI and WIMAX is the distance covered by the main antenna.....the claim is 15-30 miles! Talk about bleeding edge....many of the "Big Boys" including Nokia and Cisco have abandoned plans to invest in it and speak of it as a bad business model to try to replace DSL. They point out that there are currently over 15 "standards" for the technology, not exactly a harmoneous start!

Ka band satellite internet for Enterprise has some real promise. The ability to "reuse" bandwidth, if the concept works, will enable companies to have T1 speeds or greater at any business location for much less than a T1 cost. A unit of SkyTerra Communications - the company managing Hughes Network Systems now, is working on advanced ka band spot beam technology to that end.

The greatest challange facing the satellite internet industry during the next 24 months is figuring out how to make profit.....in the absence of someone finding a business model that can show consistant profit, all of the transponder space allocated to internet will quickly be redeployed to HDTV or other types of profitable communication....bet on it!

Broadband - Will it Affect Your Online Marketing Future?

2007-02-14T23:08:00.006-08:00

The coming age of general Broadband use bearing down upon us, minute by minute, is going to leave many changes in its wake. Some will be welcome; others will demand all we can do, just to keep up!

Of course, items like high quality graphics, streaming video and movies on demand will be commonplace. On the other hand, Broadband spells the end of most common text-only websites. Let's face it: the consumer wants more! Offering a good deal with high quality service won't do it anymore.

Websites that cater to the newfound appetite for quality audio and video content will get the sale. Obviously, that makes perfect sense! It brings to mind an experience I had while learning Photoshop. I purchased a very big manual and it took me three weeks just to get my feet wet. A good friend bought a video tutorial and arrived at my level of skill in two days!

There are many other things audio and video can explain better and in much shorter time than text, as in the example above. We're not talking just innovation; but also, the very deep and long-lasting impact the technology is going to produce.

I was reading an informative article written by Darrin Coe, titled "The Internet Consumer Exposed." It's a piece compiled from larger studies of the habits and lifestyles of Internet centered consumers. By the conclusions reached in the item, it does appear the consumer will smile upon the coming Broadband changes. Here is Darrin's website: http://dcoe1.tripod.com/exposed1/

There are some Marketers actively staking out their Broadband future. One that comes to mind is Jim Edwards. Jim is also a well known writer and syndicated newspaper columnist and - not to mention - a very pleasant person.

A week or so ago, I received an email from Jim inviting me to witness the birth of his new multimedia Newsletter "I Gotta tell You." I was speechless! Very seldom do we get to watch one of the early events giving birth to a revolution! It is content delivery that's light years away and will only get better and better. Good work Jim!

Here is Jim's Newsletter: http://www.igottatellyou.com/

Another application that's blazing a trail into Broadband is the Instant Video Generator sold by Armand Morin, Alex Mandossian and Rick Raddatz. Though they claim it works as well with a dial up connection, I can see it carving out a big chunk of the Broadband market. I've gone to the website and viewed a few presentations. It does seem to work quite well! The buffering is almost instantaneous and the quality very good. Here is the website: http://instantvideogenerator.com

Conclusion

Start taking the necessary steps to get on the multimedia bandwagon or suffer the same fate as the dinosaurs! Broadband dominance will become an inescapable reality of the very near future. As Stark Trek's Borg say: "Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated!"

Chat-less

2007-02-14T23:08:00.005-08:00

Are you suddenly chat-less now that Yahoo has shut down many chat sites, due to complaints? One complaint was that people where using chat rooms to lure under age kids for sex. While others say the chat rooms were used to promote underage sex. A Houston Attorney, actually filed a 10 million dollar lawsuit to put an end to that problem. Yahoo reacted on the news by shutting down thousands of chat sites and advertisers on those websites pulled the plug on their ads as well. Do not despair, today you might be chat-less but soon you will find a new home to talk to friends on the Internet. Yahoo confirmed they took the sites off the air but insists it was in the high hundreds and not thousands.

Many users are enraged that the sites were taken down, while many parents applaud Yahoo’s fast acting public relations move to remove those sites immediately. Some of the advertisers who pulled out are PepsiCo, State Farm and others. Perhaps Paris Hilton can do advertise their now for Carl’s Jr.? Yahoo does not constantly monitor the content in the chat rooms, but will close a room if it receives too many complaints.

Some sources tell us that other such chat rooms now have real language filters which set points and once those have been exceeded warnings go up and if this continues then the sites are shut down. Modern Technology and text recognition software for these things is well known in high-tech circles and military intelligence. One company began promoting its software today to alleviate the problem, they specialize in email scanning and resume artificial intelligence reading and key word scanning. Chat rooms have always been a great way to meet online, yet also considered problematic for monitoring. Think on this if you find yourself; “Chat-less”.

Broadband Satellite Antenna Pizza Box Size

2007-02-14T23:08:00.003-08:00

Thanks to the transfer technologies and governments spending on military needs, soon the public will have Broadband Satellite antennas no larger than the dimensions of a Pizza Box. Lightening fast Internet from the heavens. The new record for the World’s smallest broadband satellite antenna was launched in Singapore this week. Absolutely incredible new technology, which seems to be very similar to something that DARPA was working on.

Nera Telecommunications debuted the device, which is shaped like a laptop with the lid closed. It is designed to use Inmarsat Broadband Global Area Network but could also be integrated into nearly any system. I believe the device might be good for a UAV and mounted on top in a gyro to send back real time video feed via Internet broadband. Currently the unit has enough speed to use VoIP as well. The detachable antenna allows the hand held 15 cm by 20 cm device to be used quite easily as well. Anywhere, anytime broadband communication on the go; perfect for recon, Osama Bin Laden or the US Military, which will find him soon?

Now here is the good part. You can have this high tech gizmo for only $2500.00 and it will be shipped to you immediately. This is only one of the new devices in broadband satellite coming on line soon. Another cool device, which should be able to be purchased by the public is a broadband antenna capable of constant communication anywhere while driving your SUV; expect this to be yours for $5000 in 2008 or so. Keep thinking broadband.

Beta Testing First Mobile Internet Satellite Broadband, Part III

2007-02-14T23:08:00.001-08:00

Back in 1999 when we beta tested the first wireless mobile office with satellite broadband Internet we had something that no one lese had. Today you can buy these systems for $5,500 fully installed on any RV. We probably had $10,000 in the first system and we had mobile satellite number 34. Today there are thousands of systems out there. Continuing the beta testing story of the first broadband satellite internet system.

It appears the Canadian based companies for obvious reasons are gaining fast while the US companies were hampered by the FCC in the last few years, forcing communications to move out of the country, yet the customer bases will be here and many of these companies will have 50K subscribers in no time, and the US mighty powerhouses will end up with all the technology and hardware through acquisitions or set up new systems in the coming years with higher capabilities. But do not count out the GM Hughes Team, Craig McCaw (he is a lifer when it comes to passion of the industry) and of course Lockheed and Microsoft. Teledesic, and the other recent alliances and projects prove that the world will be more than united and on the same page it will be doing so in real time. Expect the human rights violations of yesterday to disappear in all nations, religion to be put in check and knowledge to be the universal truth. I would like to thank; John Kettlewell, Jon Haugan, Steven Genuser, Stacy, Allen, Steve Ford WB8IMY, Michael Tavern, Frank Morring, Kim Komando and a few other writers, researchers and industry insiders for all the data in our research. We have scoured over 20 magazines for the last year for bits and pieces of the puzzle and personally visited all kinds of people around the US for this input.

We at WashGuys are sitting on the latest and greatest technologies on this Planet. We will always be on the leading edge of anything that makes us great. And when we say us, we mean all of the US, but of course this costs the big bucks and we like out electronic toys, but it is not for everyone. Okay back to the talk. TracNet is another purely Internet Based satellite service and has download speeds of 400kbps, but since it is not directly two way it’s upload speed is 14.4 Mbps on a cell phone or at 9600 through the satellite, bummer, but it works no matter where you are in the US. Truck drivers like this one a lot. It also works about 100 miles from the coastline in a boat and is good on yachts. Many high-end motor homes have this system too. TrackNet uses the 802.11b wireless standard WiFi; this is at 11Mbps, same as an Ethernet network. The cool thing about this system is you can be outside on the grass in a park doing you work as long as you have the server in your car with the Trac net antenna set up. Of course you need some space for all this but the size of this technology is getting smaller and the price is coming down too. Right now this system costs about $6K. It uses the ExpressVu Bell Satellite and it requires a 14-inch antenna. Let me know if you want to see what the dome looks like. This will cost an additional $3,000. Cost is $ .99 per minute and after 900 minutes it is only $ .79 per minute. MotoSat System, 12Kbs on down load and 1.28Kbs on uplink all satellite, no cell phones unlimited use for $79 per month. Hell you can even watch TV on the damn thing.

Got to love the diehards from GM Hughes Spin off. What’s the catch? A 39 inch antenna, not exactly transportable or brief-casable. DataStorm it is called. Our WashGuy Command Center antenna is 42 inches high and 39 inches across in an ellipse shape. We believe the next wave of technology is where it is at however and predict this to be in place where WiFi is sitting on top of every billboard in the US for uplink and the antennas are 5 inches high and self tracking the downlink from the satellite and with this technology and user codes each company can help America track terrorists and once a terrorist is coded like a whale that has been tagged, you always know where he is. When will this be? Not long. Give it three, maybe four years or so tops, five if the FCC does not see it’s obvious value.

Another system, which may enter the market, is GE Capitals Americom Communications Unit. Our founder met the president of Americom once, about 8 years ago, interesting guy. Societe Europeene Des Satellite (SES) added these satellites to its 28 owned and 13 satellites that it has an interest in. Why? To have a piece at the broadband seamless global conductivity market. This was talked about in April 2 issue of Aviation Week and Space technology. This means that SES will also control AsiaSat and Embratel’s Brazil StarOne. Other articles to tell the history of this whole thing are; Nov 13 2000 AW&SPT and AW&SPT of July 24,2000. SES maybe the most profitable in the entire sector due to the contract backlogs of 6.4 Billion as of June 2001. So now what will they do with others entering the markets? It appears GE was smart to sell and now needs to get back into the game somehow. I see the coming of a new age. Where information, innovation, security, safety, will change the world. And just imagine the power it will give to all the research going on in the World. Very cool. Car Wash Guys are in close contact with these technologies so we can put a small antenna on every until and address the entire company and every crew in it every morning of everything going on by way of satellite video conferencing. WOW, we are almost here.

Beta Testing First Mobile Internet Satellite Broadband, Part II

2007-02-14T23:06:00.000-08:00

We were the first beta testers of a Mobile Command Center with full Internet Access in 1999. Our mobile command center was also the first unit with WiFi and Internet Mobile Access.

The next generation of this system of Broadband Satellites was introduced in 2004. And the next wave of technology almost exists for the 10 times that speed. Looks like Moore’s Law may just apply to Satellites, however with the former practice tries by Motorola and the incompetence with the FCC we saw previously we may find that there are significant obstacle to over come still.

The biggest gripe back then was the Iridium pricing of $134.50 per month and the ridiculous cost of $1.34 per minute. Of course GlobalStar proves that they are worse at 150 per month and 1.39 per minute and International calls at $1.79. The cool thing about Inmarsat is that it is 20 years old and still has the 9.6 kbps data speed and sometimes you can get the 64 kbps. Inmarsat A is ancient and 18,000 ships have the maritime Global distress system aboard. GMDSS. If you look at most all commercial ships you will see the antennas on top that can run fax machines, Telephones and various data interfaces. Previously they ran below deck Telex systems. This system as you would guess is purely analog which has much advantages in weather conditions at sea. Inmarsat B is a whole different story with it’s digital technology, you can definitely get 64 KBPS all day long for broadcasting audio streams, video (a little jumpy), and voice and fax transmissions.

The pricing of data transmission due to speeds can save users up to 40% simply because it takes less time per minute to down and upload data. Of course the hardware runs about $ 10K, but for what it is that is not bad considering the original costs of data transmissions. Now here is the new deal Inmarsat C, two way data communications, terminals are portable and small, brief case style. Costs for terminals are only $4K approx. and everyone in the TV business has one or more. Inmarsat also has a system for voice, which needs only a little antenna of 9.3 or more inches and comes in a small dome. These were recently featured in Popular Mechanics in Nov 01. Trac Phone antennas for boats, RVs etc are expensive at $6,500 but work well. This is also known as the SatCom system mobile. It is a briefcase laptop system and is only 5 lbs. Costs only $3,000. People call it their brief case phone. It uses a SIM card for multiple users a system if you will remember never took off in the US like the smart card phones in Europe. Remember the PCS Phones had that little slide in cards, but they were too expensive for mass production in cellular technology. Inmarsat F77 is another innovation of 2001. ISDN and mobile packet data service capabilities. Delivering Fax, phone, voice and data. 64kbs, Absolutely and without a problem. Almost trouble free, this is nearly fully operational. We are almost there. This technology takes advantage of the B-GAN services that will be provided by the Inmarsat 4 being launched in 2004.

This will be cool. US Based ComSat Mobile, a division of Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications has announced it’s cooperation with Fleet F77 in the first half of 2002. Ah ha, now we are getting somewhere ? Says the people at Stratos, who are arrogant Canadians. Why is this so cool? It means that users can send and receive data but only be charged for the data sent and received. Serf the web in broadband from anywhere or even a remote log cabin on vacation, emails and web browsing for about $89.95 per month all in real time with about 2-3 second delays for distance or in another system the one we have now it will be a half second delay with even higher speeds (I will talk further about this in a minute). Internet based systems like this means we can track every ship, truck, terrorist school bus in the country real time, just like they now track all the aircraft as we saw on TV during the 9-11 act. We watched charts of the US with every single aircraft flying.

Imagine the system capabilities for efficiency, safety, storm and weather watching, and safety of our people. I am really liking this a lot and everyone in America will be safe and the President can have his missile defense program because we will be able to track everything that moves which is not cloaked and right now that is everything that we know about. We can even track stealth bombers by frequency disruption patterns from cell phones. We win. Guess what these systems have a built in safety switch so important transmissions get there first for instance a ship in high seas in trouble, DEA transmitting while profiling a smuggler, or mayday distress calls. So if you are surfing or on line sending emails it will be delayed until the safety priorities are taken care of and at those speeds and numbers of users and the forthcoming Craig McCaw’s Law I predict to replace Moore’s Law for satellites that will not be more than a nano second by 2005.

Beta Testing First Mobile Internet Satellite Broadband, Part I

2007-02-08T22:05:00.002-08:00

Being on the road has its advantages; the freedom is the biggest one. One draw back was the Internet Service, but having done much study on the mobile Internet Satellite Systems and future technologies; I was able to become a beta tester of the MotoSat system in 1999. I have used the system ever sense.

My company, the Car Wash Guys had joined forces with a Strategic Alliance of GM Hughes Satellite Division to beta test the First Fully Self contained, fully Networked Mobile Corporate Office, taking advantage of the newest in WiFi technology. We were the first in the world to have this powerful capabilities which at the time nearly blew away the Pentagon’s Performance with their 77 million dollar investment and Iridium Bailout.

Mobile Corporate Offices are the Wave of the future, where Network Centric Warfare (Net-Centric) in the marketplace combined with strategic mobile command centers used to create a network of networks, which will eventually dominate all of their market sectors. Corporate Giants are slowly learning the game is changing. And we are the ones teaching them. We are the leaders in technology and they will have to learn the hard way. Car Wash Guys are leading everyone's industry this time. As far as the car wash industry is concerned we left them in the dust a decade ago. Today we use 20 times less water, a third of the labor and spend less than a tenth of the capital to do it. We now have much bigger fish to fry as we go for the gold. To work with this technology you must move your business at the speed of thought.

We at our Bravo research team of WashGuys, had been studying the newest in satellite technologies. Most of our recent studies have been on satellite data transmissions and as many of you know we have become very knowledgeable over the years with satellite communications, I happened to live next door in Malibu from a physicist who worked at the Rockwell Research Center in Thousand Oaks CA. First we would like to talk about actually data transmission speeds and problems associated with relays and problems of security of data when data jumps from satellite to satellite or from satellite to ground. Also with the problems of relay where any and all data can be recorded. As everyone knows the Pentagon bailed out the Iridium project, which is good since we have learned so much from this. The 75 million dollar contract helped pay the bills of 7 million a month including the 40 million per year to Boeing who flies the satellites. Iridium was nice in that it covered the whole Earth, all oceans and remote areas, with spare satellites ready just in case. Iridium had 66 satellites in orbit in use at about 485,000 up. Very close and helps with data lag associated with satellites which is normally a half second or more. The data can be transmitted at 1Mbs, which is slow considering the Wash Guys data transmission capabilities of 10-12.265 Mps up load and the 1Mbs download, faster than that of the US Department of Defense. The other problem we see with their system is the relay in Tempe, AZ home of Motorola, which is unsafe due to the newest wave of possible terrorist devices such as the brief case electronic impulse devises which work from building tops and could easily destroy its relay station. This is why other systems, which are not voice systems and generally web based and data use satellites are much better such as the Globalstar System.

With Globalstar, which is in debt and filed bankruptcy, due to small amount of debt to Qualcomm who is also in trouble and Loral, it may cease to exist. EuroCom has a neat system, which is used in the shipping industry and there is an interesting article in Professional Mariner this month about them and a few others. It is similar to Imersat and supports PBX and PABX systems on ships. Of course the bent pipe approach by GlobalStar is worth considering its 48 operational satellites and the four spares. Only real problem is the range of 70 degrees north to 60 degrees south. And also the gaps if you let’s say in the middle of the ocean at sea level in the South Atlantic and or middle of the Pacific. Several satellites can transmit the coded signal but unlike the Iridium system the Satellites do not talk to themselves. But all in all Global Star data transmissions are still about 9.6 KBPS and actually slightly less than the Iridium system, which does not have the lapse in service.

The Iridium of course is the Arthur C. Clark theory in practice and is worthy of note; the big problem right now with data transmission is the problems with direct sight to satellite, which we have encountered. Hard for submarines, and below decks on vessels or in buildings. Good for catching bad guys who have to go out in the open to use the phone, they do not work in caves either. Iridium like all of Microsoft software has triple redundancy, and uses CDMA technologies to gateway the data from transmission point into the terrestrial system. Inmarsat Systems include the I-4 system, which can transmit data at 432 MBPS turns out to be excellent for things like video conferencing. The newest satellites by Inmarsat are said to be able to 10 times more communications than the current ones. Since the Inmarsat satellites are at 22,300 miles up three satellites cover the Earth with 3 back-ups. But remember with that altitude there is a time delay. You will notice this when you see video feed from the Middle East Wars on live broadcasts on TV, CNN.

3G EV-DO or How the Internet Got Its Wings!

2007-02-08T22:05:00.001-08:00

The Internet, as most people know it, is history.

It just seems like yesterday the Internet was just one big mass of wires and cables; a glorified file sharing warehouse with more than a few too many lines sticking out. One enormous LAN party that just got out of hand, causing a ruckus and spilling out down the block and around the world; creating too many millionaires for no good reason and causing too many sleepless nights surfing the neon pink.

The Internet quietly crept into every facet of our lives... no subject or topic was left unexplored in this binary medium. Suddenly, there it was, the authority on everything. Our lives encyclopedia-ed to death by bits and bites.

But the Internet has always been perceived as a connected medium; tied together by cables, servers and networks. Until now that is, because now everything has changed. And it's about time, the Internet has been tied to the ground for far too long, it's time for liberation. Independence Day. Bring it on!

The Internet is going Wireless -- for real this time.

There were a few false starts; you can Bluetooth yourself silly, but you won't get much further than 30 feet or so. The BlackBerry is great but a little limiting. And Wi-Fi services have been around for a long while but those were not really convenient, if you have to find something; it's not convenient. Finding a 'hot spot' is the space age equivalent of finding a 'needle in a haystack'; takes way too much time.

What changes things, what has finally given the Internet its liberation?

Verizon Wireless 3G EV-DO (evolution-data optimized) and other companies offering similar services around the world. This new technology will change how we view and use the world wide web. Verizon Wireless began commercial operations in Oct. of 2003 and is now expanding to over 125 million US consumers by the end of 2005.

With download speeds of 400 to 700 kbps and bursts up to 2 Mbps, 3G has really given us wireless Internet this time. It has or will turn the Internet into a truly wireless system that's devoid of any cables or lines and really make it omnipotent. It will be everywhere. No space within our biosphere will be without the Internet very soon.

For now Verizon Wireless or 3G is mainly located in the USA but this will quickly change as other 3G companies and systems start up to fulfill the demand. Wi-Fi may play a role too but will it go the way of the 'Beta'?

However, this wireless universe could not be possible without one other key element. The one element that also helped give the Internet its wings. The answer might or might not surprise you. What really gave the Internet its groove? Can you guess? Give up?

Finally, we come to the last element of this brand new liberated Internet -- the little notebook computer. Don't underestimate the power of this great little revolutionary device, it is doing for the Internet what the cell phone did for the phone industry -- making it wireless, portable, and accessible anywhere.

It could even be argued that it was the little notebook computer that gave the Internet its freedom. Finally cutting the cable and freeing the web, once and for all.

Once we had a portable computer that we could tuck under our arm and take anywhere; we naturally wanted to take the Internet along with it. After all, a computer without the Internet is like having Mickey Mouse without Disneyland -- a real downer -- any kid can tell you that!

Once the notebook or laptop computer gained in popularity, the demand for a wireless Internet grew right along with it. The portability factor being a strong selling point for both the notebook and the Internet.

Likewise, in order to take full advantage of each of them; for business operations, for personal communications, for emailing, for web surfing... a wireless portable Internet was the obvious next step. They compliment each other perfectly and one is not completely whole without the other.

Technology has created this unholy trinity (the Internet, wireless connections and the notebook computer) to fulfill our need for a portable communication system that we can take and access anywhere. Until now, the Internet was limited, tied to cables and wires...it never really got off the ground!

Internet Service Providers

2007-02-08T22:04:00.002-08:00

Internet Service Provider or ISP is a company that provides access to the Internet.

Before choosing an ISP, it is important to assess your company's business and marketing goals. You should find out what your organization will be using the Internet for. Once you've determined this, you can contact ISPs that serve your geographic area and ask them about their services. Those questions below will help you better understand that your local ISP offers.

Technical Questions About Reliability

1. Does the connection work at all hours of the day?

2. When are you busiest?

3. Does the connection support the speeds/types of hardware/software you want to use? Have specific questions to ask them. Know your operating system and the software that you need to use. Does the provider support 56K? Does it use the U.S. Robotics' x2 or Rockwell/Lucent's K56flex standard or both of them?

Technical Support and Troubleshooting

1. Is support part of normal service or an added cost?

2. What are the hours of coverage for network operations?

3. Is telephone support available via a local call, 800 number, or long distance?

4. Is there technical help available via e-mail? If yes who answers the questions and how soon?

5. Is there help and/or manuals available online?

6. Is there a user-friendly interface to Internet resources?

7. What software is provided and/or required?

8. Are the Internet tools that you need (such as e-mail, telnet, FTP, Usenet/News, Gopher, WAIS, WWW, or Lynx) available?

Business Arrangements and References

1. Are free trial connections available?

2. What local and 800 phone numbers are available for you to use?

3. Can multiple users access the same billing account simultaneously?

4. Can multiple user IDs/mailboxes use the same billing account?

5. Are there surcharges for any types of connections or particular hours of the day?

6. What kind of contract or services agreement is required?

7. What options are available for billing and payments? Discounts for pre-payments?

8. Are there refunds for early termination or if service is not satisfactory?

9. Are there any options that will reduce (or increase) your costs?

10. Are group discounts available? (Start your own group!)

11. After placing an order, how long does it take to make the connection active?

12. Are there charges for file storage?

13. Is space for Web pages included?

14. If you travel and want to access the Internet while you are on the road, ask about accessing your ISP from the cities you visit.

15. How long has the provider been in business?

16. Can you get answers to your questions in writing?

17. Ask for names of two to three similar users and check with them regarding their experience.

Some DSL Broadband Definitions

2007-02-08T22:04:00.001-08:00

Often too many people get confused with all the definitions, here we have explained in easy to understand terms.

ADSL:
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line - asymmetric meaning it's faster downstream than upstream.

ASAM:
Advanced Services Access Manager -Whether you have a DSLAM or ASAM in your exchange doesn't really matter. They do the same thing. See DSLAM's as well.

ATM:
Asynchronous Transfer Mode - a method of encapsulation which is capable of many virtual circuits. With these, providers (ISP's) can split an ATM connection (155Mbit or 622Mbit) up into many connections. ATM isn't just used for DSL but in the case of DSL it's used to provision each customer.

Contention Ratios:
A contention ratio is the number of users to xMbit of bandwidth. For example some providers offer 2Mbit DSL, with a ratio of 50:1, meaning 50 users to 1Mbit of bandwidth.

CPE:
Customer Premises Equipment, the term that describes the equipment used on the customer end of a connection, for example your DSL modem/router or cable modem.

DSL:
Digital Subscriber Line.

DSLAM:
Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer – They are placed in DSL enabled Telecomm exchanges, when your modem syncs up and the DSL light comes on, it means you are connected. When data travels down your connection, it goes from the CPE -> DSLAM -> RAN -> ISP

ERX:
Edge Routing Exchange. See RAN.

IPNet:
Telecommunications backhaul networks for carrying traffic from the customer to the ISP, i.e. carrying traffic from RAN's to ISP's.

Ping or Latency:
A ping measures the time in milliseconds that it takes for a packet to travel from your computer to a remote computer and back to you again. Just because you can't ping a given host, quite a lot of providers are beginning to filter ICMP (pings come under this protocol) traffic because it is commonly used to attack hosts and wastes a lot of bandwidth. Many providers also give low priority to ping (ICMP) traffic which may mean your ping at a command line isn't very good, but in say a game, things may be fine.

RAN:
Regional Access Node These aggregates many DSLAM's connections and then feed the data to an ISP

RTT
Round Trip Time - the time it takes in milliseconds for a packet to go from A to B and back again. See ping.

SDSL
Symmetrical Digital Subscriber Line - symmetrical meaning the same speed up and down.

Units

There is a major difference between UPPER and lowercase

MB = MegaBytes
Mb = Megabits
kB = KiloBytes
kb = Kilobits

MB/s = MegaBytes per second
Mb/s = Megabits per second
kB/s = KiloBytes per second
kb/s = Kilobits per second

There is 8bits to a Byte, 8kb = 1kB

1Meg connections only transfer at 128kB/sec or an 8Mb connection only transfers at 1024kB/sec or 1MB/s

Compare Cable vs. DSL

2007-02-08T22:02:00.000-08:00

Okay, so you are finally tired of those slow dial-up internet connections, and you want to go broadband. Good deal. But first, you may be wondering which type of broadband connection is best- DSL or Cable? Or, at least, which of the two gives you more speed for the price? Here we take a look at these two popular broadband connections and try to determine which one is better: DSL vs. Cable.

Cable Speed vs. DSL

The most common question that comes up is which type of connection is faster, DSL or Cable? To answer this, it is important to compare both upload and download speeds. Now, so you have something to compare these speeds to, your average dial-up connection is about 28 - 56 Kbps. Most often, however, you won't be able to get 56k through dial up, as most services can not handle this speed.

The average speed of a DSL download is 1.0 - 1.5Mbps. That's megabytes per second - about 20 times as fast as the fastest dial-up connection. This is fast, but consider Cable, which can give you up to 2 - 3Mbps. Thus, at least for downloading, cable can give you almost twice the speed of DSL - that's impressive. On the upload side, however, cable and DSL are pretty evenly matched. They both provide about 100Kbps - 400Kbps. It seems that cable has won this battle.

What about Price and Quality of Service?

There is more to discuss here besides the speed of the connections. Take price for one. Cable and DSL connections are both going to be more expensive than dial-up. But, DSL seems to be the cheaper of the two at the moment. You can get a good DSL internet connection for about $35 - $45 per month. Cable modem will cost you about $45 or $50 (this price may be included in a cable TV package). These prices, however, are really close and they change almost from month to month.

DSL is nice because you can talk on the phone and be online at the same time. In addition, business-level DSL service provides guaranteed data rates, so your connection speed is never a surprise. On the other hand, DSL speed tends to decrease the further you are away from the data center, and it is typically not as widely available as Cable. Cable speeds are not dependent on distance from the data center, and is occasionally cheaper than DSL when included in a cable TV rate. A cable modem, however, may require costly professional installation, and there may exists some limitations on downloads and uploads. All of these factors should be taken into consideration when choosing either broadband service.

Dreams Come True With The Help Of Global Consciousness On The Internet

2007-01-30T22:37:00.001-08:00

Dreams. There are two types of dreams: 1. When you are sleeping there are stories unfolding in your mind from a parallel dimension. 2. The aims one has in life. The latter is the type of dream I wish to discuss. We all have these dreams, don’t we? We picture ourselves in the future having realized our talents, having achieved in the areas that interest us most. Your dream may have been a relatively simple one, like reaching enlightenment, or helping to create world peace! Maybe your dream was just to set foot on as many beaches across the planet as possible, a little selfish-but hey, you’re still sharing a smile everywhere you go. In this the Information Age, our dreams have become more realistic and practical to attain. With the Internet and web sites in particular, a global consciousness is forming to help all people towards their goals.

Lets say you’re a young lady who lives in a small town in who-knows-where-land. Your dream is to one day live in a forest as a ranger, taking care of the trees and animals, living at one with nature. The Internet seems far removed from this reality but in truth it can be a main section of the road to your destination. By looking at web sites you can find out what other people with similar interests think about the subject. You can find out where you’ll need to go to study, what interest groups to join, and get opposing opinions on the pros and cons of a ranger’s life. You can communicate with experts from the other side of the world just as if they were next door. Seven days a week, night or day, you can access information and ideas from a wide community, a community you now belong to. All it took to start towards realizing the dream was simply by adding your identity to the new world culture created by millions of other normal minds. These are people who want to further humanity through the process of communication.

Now, let’s say you’re an old grandma living far away from the rest of the family. Seeing your grandchildren is a rarity as money to travel is not abundant. Through the websites and email on the World Wide Web, your family can ‘talk’ and send recent photos electronically. Distance becomes irrelevant and love connections remain intact, maybe even becoming stronger than before.

The Internet is bringing human society more closely together everyday. National boundaries turn out to be unnecessary, as knowledge and wisdom become the imperative of the people. As individuals become known identities in this world community, dreams are worked towards with newfound relish. Friends are instantly made, and loved ones are also kept involved in the present picture of life. A Global consciousness is forming and your input is only going to further the evolution of society and happiness for all people.

Wireless Technologies in Mass Transit for Convenience and Safety

2007-01-30T22:36:00.000-08:00

Modern Mass Transit is making it easier for commuters, especially with the latest inter connecting wireless technologies. Many buses, commuter trains, shuttles and even trolley cars now have WiFi wireless computer access so no one is out of touch during the travel time. This is being done now in Baltimore to NY trains and in Sacramento to San Francisco Trains thanks to Amtrak. After all we now have WiFi hotspots at McDonalds, Kinko’s, Book Stores, Starbucks, Airports and hotel lobbies already.

By having these amenities we can get people to stay out of their cars and enjoy the commute and or take a high speed train on their next trip; not to mention save the gasoline which is approaching $3.00 per gallon. Once the system is built the operational costs are relatively low considering the costs of expanding airports which tend to have cyclical trends during boom and bust years and thus hard to manage your ROI, with gates becoming empty and then new gates which need to be built in the up cycle. One only has to follow the sector rotations of the airline industry and take a trip through the California desert and look at Billions of dollars of Airliners sitting hibernated which may never be used again. Between the cutthroat price wars, Bankruptcy tactics and now era of International Terrorism we need to rethink our transportation strategy to include other redundancy methods, which can deliver the speed and comfort that we use to have in Commercial Aviation.

We have only a couple Nationwide Bus Companies that deliver people across the country. We need to insure buses are safe also in the era of International Terrorism and at the same time we need to increase usage and ridership. New interconnected wireless technologies can do both. Since you are already on the Internet you can send video feed back to the command and control for the mass transit system and constantly monitor.

Providing amenities to commuters and safety at the same time will bring riders back and let’s face it no one wants to pay $85.00 each week to fill up their SUV with gasoline. Now is a good time to coax the public back to the mass transit systems we have already set up and improve the economies of scale to make those old embellished proformas used to float the bond measure a reality. Can technology really do all that? Perhaps it can. Think about it.

Understanding Broadband - Are You Ready To Upgrade?

2007-01-25T04:43:00.001-08:00

Are you ready to upgrade your residential service to DSL or business service to real broadband or T1? Well, the answer lies in what you need. Before you can realize your needs, you must understand more of what the word broadband really means. Below I will try to give you some realtechnical terms broken down for a better understanding.

First of all, you must know some of the jargon! The word broadband itself simply is defined as a high speed Internet service that gives you continuous access to the Internet on a consistent basis. Broadband includes a technology called ADSL which stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line and requires a special modem to access the line. This technology uses standard copper telephone lines to provide Internet access speeds from 1.5 to 9 megabytes per second. DSL technologies or Digital Subscriber Lines use a higher frequency than standard telephone communication.

There are several types of DSL configurations including ADSL or Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Lines, HDSL or High data rate DSL, and VDSL or Very High Data Rate DSL. A DSL line dynamically increases the capacity of ordinary copper wire. Since the signal is stronger the closer you are to the DSL Access Multiplexor or DSLAM the faster your signal will be the closer you are to the DSL provider's Central Office or distribution point. DSL lines are typically used for small business and residential customers. Of course as your needs grow, it should be understood; that the more data you need to transfer, the larger the pipe (Internet access line or physical copper wire) you need to transport the data. This is where more sophisticated forms of broadband come in for business use. The technical terms for this type of broadband is measured by the amount of data that the line transfers. T1 -Transmits data in the range of 1.5 million bits per second and primarily used by small and medium sized business with heavy upload and Internet traffic. A T-1 line is usually leased by bandwidth used. Typical uses are large graphic files, photographs, sound files, music, video, etc. However, your company should evaluate the amount of data and computers that are connected for Internet Access at the same time. T1 lines in the United States carry a 24 pulse code modulation (PCM) signal using time-division multiplexing (TDM). These lines use copper wire which usually connect major metropolitan areas. There are a number of high quality companies that offer T1 Broadband and you will find that prices do vary so it is important that you compare.

You may also find that your local cable provider may have introduced their version of broadband which actually can emulate one side of a T1 connection. However, you should be aware... you may actually get 1.5 mpbs on the download side, but when you try to upload a file, your bandwidth is cut down to about 1/10th. A cable connection is made for residential customers to surf the Internet with great speed and download files, but not made for you to upload with great speed. This slow upload limit is the major difference between a real T1 line and cable.

There are many types of broadband connections that are much faster circuit than T1, these range from T3 (3 times faster than T1) to OC-48, and a frame relay connection which really are the same thing just MUCH larger pipes (lines) that can transmit the data. I have found while working with broadband providers you really need a persona coach to help guide you through the process. Not only can personal coaches such as ImageLink Networks guide you through the red tape, the efficiency that comes from our presence and telecom knowledge will save you time and money in the end. It is important to seek an unbiased opinion and research for the best real time price for your T1 line. Broadband is a commodity, and changes as new subscribers come online in specified areas. To make a long story shorter, you are ready for a broadband connection if you are tired of waiting for a standard dial up to connect and download.

Do not be confused, dial up companies use a standard phone line to connect you to their server to bring you an Internet connection. One thing is for sure, if you ever experience a broadband connection via cable, T1, T3, DS-3, or better you will never ever go back to dial up.

Wifi Hotspot Locations for Sale..is that a Good Thing?

2007-01-25T04:41:00.000-08:00

Recent companies have been advertising wifi hotspot locations that are 'turnkey' (they can run themselves), and only cost between $13,000 and $20,000 to start. Is that good?

First of all, if it's so turnkey then why aren't they just popping off wifi hotspot locations left and right for themselves, is it their newfound generosity that has them 'sharing' the opportunities they have available. I'm not knocking the possibility of some companies to provide a business model, like in the restaurant business where they allow you to own a branded franchise for an initial investment in order to spread out locations in a more easier return on investment. However, wifi locations normally have an additional service or product that acts as an anchor for customers to come in and use the benefit of wi-fi to connect to the Internet thru broadband high speed access. Starbucks and Hilton Hotels are prime examples of a business model that has customers coming in for a service or product and then using wifi access as a secondary product/service.

Secondly, the potential for wifi hotspots cannot be limited to a cookie-cutter system that will fit everyone, after all if that were the case the other auto makers wouldn't be in business and we would still be driving 'Model T' Fords. Not to mention the fact that if you open a business with only wifi access as the only product/service available and then the community, town or city where your business is located decides to wirelessly enable the public transportation system like in the southern California city of Cerritos; guess what - your business just got knocked the flip out.

African American small business people have resources, and some may believe those resources are unlimited. But if you shell out $20,000 for a new business and after 6 months get locked out of your client base by a larger business or business model, you have lost more than your investment. A wifi business is not something that can be advanced as able to stand on it's own in the present day. In the example above the city of Cerritos is delivering wifi along with it's transportation system, which should probably increase ridership as people will opt to ride and check their email or just finish up a project as they go to work or to shop.

Look carefully at starting to use wifi in your business, research and see if there is a potential for competition to knock you client base out of the ballpark. Even then, when is your competition going to implement their wifi access and see if you have time to enhance your wifi service with coupons or other attractive services that may not be available to your competition. Wifi access will become a very powerful business asset in the coming year and more so in the future. Now is the time to get your feet wet, just check out your options in order not to get drowned out of business.

Google Brings Millions of Hard-to-Find Library Books to Your Fingertips

2007-01-21T22:34:00.001-08:00

Millions of hard-to-find books from five major libraries will soon be a lot easier to access: Google has made plans to scan and digitize them, making the books available on their widely used Internet search engine.

Google's latest endeavor is a large step beyond previous attempts to scan books so they can be read online (Google, Amazon.com and other smaller sites have offered glimpses of books and libraries online before). What makes this initiative so different is the sheer breadth of material that Google plans to cover.

Five libraries will be involved in the project in various stages:

* New York public library: Allowing Google a small portion of books no longer covered by copyright.

* Harvard University library: Is contributing a limited 40,000 volumes to guage how well the process works.

* Stanford University library: Will submit its entire collection to Google's scanners.

* Michigan University library: Will also submit its entire collection.

* Oxford University library: Contributing all its books published before 1901

To get an idea of just how large a project Google is taking on, consider that Michigan's library alone contains 7 million volumes, which is about 132 miles of books, while Harvard's library contains 15 million. The Michigan job is expected to take six years.

Although some in the field worry that this trend could signal the end of libraries, others are excited at the prospect of putting valuable information that was once limited in its use at the fingertips of all Internet users. The project will also create a digital record for material that was created before computers, thereby preserving it in a way that could not have been done in the past.

Google users will only be able to view bibliographies and other brief excerpts from the copyrighted books scanned from the libraries, while works no longer covered by copyrights will be completely available to the online public.

USA Today December 14, 2004

New York Times December 14, 2004

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

Google's founders, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, have long vowed to make all of the world's information accessible to anyone with a Web browser. Now that vow will come closer to being implemented as Google has made an agreement with some of the nation's leading research libraries and Oxford University to begin converting their holdings into digital files that would be freely searchable over the Web.

Harvard, the University of Michigan, Stanford and the New York Public Library are some of the U.S. institutions that will be involved. The whole project will convert about 15 million books at a cost of $150 million, or about $10 per book.

Plus, the Library of Congress and a group of international libraries from the United States, Canada, Egypt, China and the Netherlands announced a plan to create a publicly available digital archive of 1 million books on the Internet. The group said it planned to have 70,000 volumes online by next April.

Doesn't that just want to make you get out of your chair and shout! I don't know about you, but I am excited.

As long as I am excited about Google I want to let you know that Google has been my home page for over seven years. Why would anyone want to have anything different?

Well, last week I changed my home page. Don't get worried, it is still Google but it is their new Google Suggest. It suggests queries as you type what you are looking for into the search box. By offering more refined searches up front, Google Suggest can make your searching more convenient and efficient, because it eliminates the need to type the entire text of a query.

In addition, the service can connect you with new query suggestions that are useful, intriguing and fun. Go ahead, try it, you might even make it your new home page. My guess is that in a few years this might be the main Google search engine.

While I am on the topic of Google, I have to tell you about the new version of Firefox 1.0. If you haven't switched to Firefox you simply must read my article on why you should do so immediately. Firefox isn't just for alpha geeks anymore. As of last week over 10 MILLION people have downloaded Firefox and installed it as their browser.

Many of you are already one of those 10 million, but the majority of you probably don't know that Firefox comes preinstalled with search engines other than Google in its toolbar.

Business Satellite Internet Products Compared - 2005

2007-01-21T22:31:00.000-08:00

There are a number of options available for Business Class Satellite Internet connectivity in the U.S. today. New offerings seem to launch every week in 2005 and it is becoming a bit confusing for the business owner who can’t obtain traditional high speed internet or can’t afford the expense of running a T1 line to a location off the beaten path. I’ve outlined below several options for business with the positive aspects as well as negative where applicable. Each company and heavy individual user has different needs, so no one platform is a “one size fits all”. I will outline them and you decide:

1. iDirect Platform:

This is a proven Enterprise platform which provides a wide range of dependable speeds for most any business, government or heavy use individual. Download speeds from 64 kbps to over 2000 kbps and Upload speeds from 64 kbps to over 1000 kbps are available. The platform supports “shared bandwidth” or guaranteed “QOS” bandwidth at much higher pricing. In the U.S. a 1.2 meter dish is standard. Equipment Cost: Equipment – A 2 watt system will cost about $2,700 installed. A 4 watt system is about $4,300 installed. Monthly Service: A minimum circuit is about $250. A typical setup of 1000/256 kbps is $499 per month for a shared bandwidth-no FAP setup. For about $350 per month you can get 2000/500 kbps service with a 3 GB throughput allowance per month. There is a cost of $.09 per MB thereafter. The “shared bandwidth” package is far more predictable with the iDirect platform than with DirecWay or Starband setup’s. You can expect to see the advertised speeds 85 % of the time or better.

2. Surfbeam Platform:

This product is in the process of being introduced in America. Surfbeam uses the same platform basically that a cable or DSL provider would use, except it is satellite internet. It is much less expensive than “Enterprise” grade systems. There is only one provider ready to launch this platform in the U.S. and they should begin shipping equipment by April 1, 2005. In most cases a 1.2 meter dish will be utilized with a 2-3 watt transmitter. Download speeds of 1500 kbps and uploads in excess of 500 kbps are the advertised speeds; however, this hasn’t been verified in the field as of this article date. Equipment Cost: Ranging from $1,295 - $1,995 including installation. Monthly Service: Ranging from $95 - $400.

3. Starband 484 Platform U.S. :

This is the “beefed up” version of Starband service designed to attract small businesses and heavy individual users. This is DVB (digital video broadcast) technology which is converted to IP – the conversion process is the problem. It adds to overall latency and even with higher upload speeds than their consumer products (they advertise “up to” 256 kbps in Turbo Max mode- unclear what that really is), they don’t support VNP traffic or VOIP connections. Download speeds are listed as up to 20 times faster than dialup…whatever that means. Dish size is 24”x36” and transmitter strength not given. Equipment Cost: $900 + shipping + installation (price not given) Monthly Service: $160

4. DirecWay Business Plus Service (U.S. only):

This is the DirecWay “beefed up” version of service. The only meaningful difference between this platform and the Starband setup above is DirecWay has more experience “massaging” the DVB conversion to IP and possibly more advanced acceleration techniques. They will support some types of VPN and VOIP, but it requires expensive equipment ($2,000+) to be placed at the satellite location and at Headquarters for a VPN circuit- often to the chagrin of the IT department at HQ. Inadequate upload speeds for heavy VPN “chatty” programs still plague this platform. You can expect download speeds ranging from 800 kbps to 1500 kbps or more. Upload speeds range from 29 kbps to 90 kbps. This system uses a .98 meter dish and 1 watt transmitter. Equipment Cost: $900 + $375 installation (shipping included) Monthly Service: $129+

5. Ka Band Satellite Internet:

When this technology becomes available the summer of 2005, it could literally shake the foundation of the satellite internet world – or not! It is a technology that has been many years and over 1.5 Billion dollars in the making. There will be 30 spot beams aimed at the U.S. and 5 used by uplink centers with the initial satellite (Telesat’s Anik F2) which will be operated by Wildblue Communications, a Denver, Co. based company. It is being targeted to small business operators and consumers in rural areas through a network of rural electric operators (NRTC) initially and through two national distributors as the year progresses. If it works as advertised it will permit telecommuters to successfully VPN into home office much like they would with a cable or DSL connection – except at somewhat slower speeds (due to about 500ms of latency). Still, it has a lot of promise for the small businessman. They will not offer an Enterprise solution for some time- if ever. With a satellite dish about the size of a trashcan lid (.67 meters) and a two watt transmitter, users will be able to download at speeds up to 1500 kbps and upload at speeds ranging from 128 kbps to 256 kbps. Equipment Cost: $300-$500 Installation: $ ?? Monthly Service: Three plans with varying download speeds

Why You Should Switch To A Fast Internet Connection

2007-01-13T22:35:00.001-08:00

With high-speed Internet access becoming available in more and more areas, perhaps it is now available in your neck of the woods. If it is, you might be wondering if it makes sense to upgrade from dialup. For most people, the answer is probably yes! Here are a few reasons why:

- Cost - As it was for me, your most important consideration is most likely the extra expense required to move up to a high-speed connection. But if you think about it, the extra cost is probably very minimal.

If you now pay for a second phone line just for accessing the Internet, that monthly payment added to your ISP charge is probably as much as a high-speed connection will cost you.

- Increased productivity - If you work from home via the web, you'll get more done in less time with fast Internet access.

Large downloads will take seconds instead of minutes (or even hours), and your Internet research time will be cut dramatically. And all of those huge, graphic intensive web pages that slowly creep onto your screen will pop up right away!

- Convenience - You'll no longer be annoyed by lost connections and endless busy signals. You can stop waiting around while your modem dials in and does its best to establish a shaky connection.

A high-speed Internet connection is always on, meaning whenever your computer is on you have immediate and constant access to the Internet. What a timesaver!

- Conclusion - If you work at home and high-speed Internet access is available to you, you'll almost certainly be extremely happy if you make the move. In fact, most people who try it wonder how they ever got along without it and say they'll never switch back!

Even if you use the Internet simply for recreation and pleasure, the astounding difference in speed and convenience coupled with the relatively minor extra cost make a high-speed connection a bargain!

3 Tips to Fix Unreliable Wireless Connections

2007-01-13T22:35:00.000-08:00

Generally speaking, wireless computer connections are reliable. However, nothing is perfect, and sometimes you may lose your connection or experience a weak signal. There are many factors that impact the reliability of your wireless connection.

For example, if your wireless adapter is too close to a 2.4 GHz wireless telephone, you may notice a decrease in your computer’s wireless single strength. Why? Because the phone and the computer reside on the same frequency and can interfere with each other’s performance.

Handy Repair Checklist for Wireless Interruptions

1. First check to see if your cable or DSL is actually working. Usually located in your basement, most modems have four lights. You have a live Internet connection if the “data” or “status” light is on. If it’s off, or flashing, your cable is out.

2. If your cable/DSL is working, then reboot your computer. Sometimes, if your cable/DSL goes out for even 10 seconds, your computer and the wireless router may no longer be able to talk to each other. By rebooting your computer, a new IP address is assigned, allowing them to once again communicate.

3. If your desktop is wireless and you’ve moved the wireless adapter [the box that sits next to the computer with antennas], then you may need to move the adapter until you find a stronger signal.

What are Your Internet Connection Solutions?

2007-01-12T22:34:00.002-08:00

Of primary concern to all internet users is their actual connection to the internet.

A user needs to look at all the factors and weigh the benefits and costs

Reliability - is the connection available 24/7, or do you get a busy signal?
Speed - at what speeds can a user upload and download files?
Costs - what are the setup and monthly costs for the internet connection service?
Support - is support available 24/7 and is it free or is there a cost associated with it?
Availability - is the desired service available at your location?

Available options with good and bad features include:

Local dial up with phone company (local isp) - While this many times is the simplest, often times, they are the most costly and support can be an issue. Speeds are typically the slowest at 26k to 56k connection speeds.

Software file compression- If you only have 26k dialup isp connections available to you or you want to speed up your DSL connections, this is an important option you should take a look at. With this type of software you can increase your internet connection speeds by as much as five times for very little money. Popular software products that accomplish this are ActiveSpeed, PropelAccelerator, Dr. Speed, and SuperSpeeder, Highly recommended solution to increasing your browsing experience.

Local dial up with national firm - This is by far the most popular with companies like AOL, People PC, Juno, EarthLink, and Netzero providing this service to millions of users. These certainly are the most cost effective and provide excellent 24/7 support. With the high speed upgrade options you can approach 112 k speeds. If the company has a local or toll free number available in your area, then this alternative provides the lowest cost isp internet connection.

Cable connection - If cable TV is available in your area, many firms also provide an internet connection for an additional fee. Requires special cable modem. Speeds are anywhere from 512k to 10Mps.

DSL or digital service line - Many local phone companies are providing this service to selected areas. Requires installation of DSL modem on your computer and speeds typically are from 512k to 9Mps. The distance from the local hub also affects your speed. You will pay 2 to 3 times the costs of basic dial up.

Broadband - Is a term loosely thrown around that is applied to a DSL, cable, wireless, or satellite internet connections. Technically broadband is a minimum of 1.5Mbs but is used to market products with bandwidth as low as 512k. When you hear the term broadband used, think like "health food", an undefined marketing catch word.

Wireless internet connection - This option is available in limited area's and requires a wireless modem on your computer. Speeds typically are 2Mbps and this is a flexible approach as you do not need to be hardwired or plugged in. Available in many metro area's.

Satellite internet connection - This is the perfect solution for remote area's if you require a high speed internet connection. Upload and download speeds are different and in some cases you can only download via satellite and are required to upload via dial up. This is the most expensive alternative, but you can get service basically anywhere in the world. Speeds starting at 500k are available. Contact Directway for dependable and fast satellite internet connections.

Time to Redefine Telecom

2007-01-12T22:34:00.001-08:00

Telecommunication, according to Wikipedia, is the extension of communication over a distance. In practice, it also recognizes that something may be lost in the process; hence the term 'telecommunication' covers all forms of distance and/or conversion of the original communications, including radio, telegraphy, television, telephony, data communication and computer networking.

While defining telecom gets more and more difficult, the profit and ethics behind the business keep on diminishing. SBC spent $16B to a company whose revenue stream is declining more than 10% year over year. Verizon bought MCI, and in order to make deal lucrative, they say they will layoff over 7,000 people.

The reason for scaling-down in telecom is that the technological advancement has terribly been focused on communications. We all owe a thank to nineties for that... Lots of technical people has seen the future in Telecom and made huge amounts of mind investment to the business. Today, we are forced to live in an overly competitive industry where telecom is forced to be cheaper everyday. To make matters worse, a company called Skype appeared. This global P2P Telephony Company decided to make old fashioned definition of telecom a commodity through its software, which allows you to make free calls over the Internet. Other emerging companies like Net2Phone and 8x8 also flocked customers to make cheaper (sometimes free) calls.

Some traditional telecom companies have kept an awry eye on those start-ups while adopting technologies like VoIP. They mostly thought those new technologies are something to monitor and investigate. In other words, they are disruptive. Some assumed the danger and started firing QoS bullet, as those startups do not provide top-notch service like incumbents do.

The fact of the matter is, none of those business plans will hold true should they are based on making money on calls. Like Michael Powell said, “I knew it was over when I downloaded Skype...”

So, can we say that telecom is a commodity?

My answer would be no, if network providers accept to change their musty mindset. Three things are important if the full background of this new notion is to be understood. First is, telecoms exist to provide infrastructure. The rest needs to be handled by networking and computing companies.

The need for voice, video and data are going hand in hand. There is no value in them when there is no Internet. That’s why, the second is, the new business plan should be based on the Internet access. If telecoms want to survive, charging customers packet-based with the guarantee of excellent QoS is the only way to go. MPLS is their material to make this happen.

This way, optimization, the biggest concern of telecom industry, can be solved as the packet usage can be approximated. Demoting VoIP into an application to where it originally is can be doable in packet-based model. This new model will also disallow fighting against free-of-charge models and bring a fresh breath to network providers to generate more revenue.

Third is, not only the ability of optimization but also the prioritization and security of the traffic, if needed, will let network providers to put extra cash to their pockets. The money behind the content will not be their ball game.

Some may argue that there is no incremental cost of extra usage of packets to a network so the value behind tracking the traffic is nonsense. However, what is unseen is that it forces network providers to upgrade their systems quicker. They can also build their cost /profit structure easier.

Perils to the model would be the evolution span of MPLS and anti-spam systems. MPLS, as an immature technology, is welcomed with high expectations. Addressing all needs in such a short period of time needs a lot of investment. The story is almost the same for anti-spam solutions too. No customer would like to pay extra for spam as this is adding to the traffic that a user is using. That would force network providers to unify on an MPLS/ anti-spam model where they and their customers can rely on.

Once this new role of incumbents is well assumed with solid technology, then converting the so-called threat of telecom commoditization into an opportunity is feasible.

Remotely Connecting by Satellite To the Hospital - 2005

2007-01-11T22:34:00.000-08:00

Hospital’s and the Medical Professionals associated with them across America have discovered during the last few years that a great deal of efficiency can be accomplished by utilizing the World Wide Web to connect Doctors, Surgeons, Medical Transcribers and remote or mobile Clinics together. A specialist can instantly review an X-Ray or medical chart half way around the world or from a very remote area. Although most of this connectivity is accomplished utilizing high speed terrestrial internet connections like a T1, Cable or DSL connections, there are many areas in the U.S. where this type of internet connection isn’t available.

Satellite internet connectivity has advanced enough during the last year or so to allow a specialist to view highly detailed graphical information (x-rays or scans from MRI equipment) in a HIPPA compliant internet environment that can be deemed “high speed”. The equipment needed to accomplish this is more expensive than a DSL or Cable connection and there are somewhat more complicated security measures needed; however, more and more medical group’s are seeing the benefits from this type of connection and adding satellite internet “ground stations” at the remote homes of resident doctors, medical professionals like transcribers and smaller clinics they serve.

The early efforts to provide satellite internet to this field were frankly miserable failures……either not HIPPA compliant or speeds so slow you could have gotten a courier to bring it faster! DirecWay and Starband solutions just don’t have enough upload speed to handle this type of activity. When you add nearly 2 seconds of latency inherent in this type of satellite connection, you have a bunch of frustrated folks!

The equipment which will be the standard for several years to come includes an outdoor dish (1.2 meter is now standard), coax cabling no greater than 200’ to an indoor unit which handles routing, modem functions and provides the required security. The upload transmitters are much more powerful now……up to 4 watts (compared to 1 watt or less in earlier solutions). They are capable of instantly “ramping up” the wattage during inclement weather to all but eliminate rain fade and can provide sustained speeds in the T1 or better range if required.

What does all of this magic cost? The costs have dropped precipitously during the last year as a result of two main factors: underutilized transponders on many Ku band satellites covering North America and good ole competition between the hardware manufacturers. In 2002 a .74 meter dish setup with a ½ watt transmitter ran over $2,800 for equipment and upwards of $150 per month…..and did a miserable job! In 2005, the same basic cost will bring a 1.2 meter dish and speeds of nearly 1200 kbps download and a sustained 128 kbps or better upload……including a Quality of Service (QOS) guarantee of speed from the internet service provider! Higher speeds are available for additional cost (as high as 2040+kbps downloads and 1028+kbps uploads).

These speeds combined with much lower latency (these internet providers use IP technology throughout the trip through space – not Digital Video Broadcast translated into IP) provide a reliable, secure and fast experience. For the professional or clinic unable to obtain terrestrial high speed internet, it is a great solution.

DSL Internet is a Simple and Easy Way to Get Fast Internet Service

2007-01-11T22:33:00.000-08:00

DSL – which stands for Digital Subscriber Line – is a great way to get high-speed internet service, without having to get a cable modem, or live in an area that has cable lines. DSL providers have very fast and comparatively cheap internet connectivity.

To explain DSL, it is a way to enjoy high-speed internet using your telephone line, just as you would for dial up. Except that it has so many more advantages than a regular internet service could provide.

Have a look at some of the great ways that DSL internet can benefit your home or business:

- With a DSL installation, you can keep your internet connection open, and still use the same telephone line for phone calls; both incoming and outgoing.

- The internet speed that you can obtain with a quality DSL provider is much greater than that of a regular dial-up modem. To compare, you can get an average of 1.5 Mbps with a DSL modem, as opposed to only 56 Kbps with a dial-up connection (that’s 10 times faster!).

- DSL connection doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll need any new wiring. As long as you have a phone line with which to connect, then you’re already all set.

- Many DSL providers will supply you with the right kind of modem as a part of the DSL installation.

There are a few minor disadvantages to DSL that you might want to note. But it is pretty clear that DSL is far superior than any standard connection to the internet, and if you have the choice, you should most certainly aim for the convenience of high-speed. Some of these disadvantages include:

- DSL connections work best when you are located close to the DSL provider’s central location. If you are, indeed, close, then this should not be a concern.

- DSL internet is faster for receiving than for sending. However, the sending is still a great deal faster than standard internet services.

- DSL service is not available universally. You’ll need to check your local suppliers to find out if they are DSL providers.

Broadband is State-of-the-Art Internet Access How Can a Broadband Cable Benefit You?

2007-01-10T23:33:00.000-08:00

We are now well ensconced in a time when the Web is riddled with graphics, animations, sounds, and videos, bringing about a necessity for superior internet access such as that which broadband can provide. The fact is that anything less than the speed supplied by a broadband cable has become inadequate for today’s Web users.

Of course, if you use the internet only once every so often, you wouldn’t be as heavily dependent upon high-speed internet access as is provided by broadband, however, if you’re a regular user, it’s virtually a necessity.

But wait a minute…even though you use the internet, it doesn’t mean you know exactly what this high focus form of internet access actually is. So lets start there. In essence, broadband is a very fast form of internet connection. Broadband Will provide you with a noticeably faster internet speed than a dial-up connection.

Broadband used to be a challenge only because of it’s limited availability, however, today there are many ways that you can have a much faster connection. The delivery methods of broadband have been expanded to the following types of broadband cable:

- Copper telephone wires
- Cable TV wires
- Radio microwaves from local base stations
- Satellite microwaves from geo-stationary satellites

Now lets look at why this faster style of internet access is actually better. The benefits of broadband actually include much more than faster downloads. Broadband is the connection that is always “on”. As soon as you start up your computer, it’s already connected to the internet. For anyone who has waited for a modem to dial up and connect, the advantage of this is quite apparent. Furthermore, broadband allows you to download movies, music, and web pages that were virtually inaccessible in practical terms when using dial-up.

But the benefits of broadband aren’t just felt by individual users. Businesses, governments, schools, and communities can all experience the superiority that broadband cables can provide.

Here are some examples of benefits for each of those types of organizations:

- Businesses will notice an increase in productivity when large data files transfer quickly and directly among local and head offices, no matter the distance between the locations. Moreover, with the popularity of net-meetings and videoconferencing, a face-to-face meeting becomes entirely possible without the travel costs.

- Schools can now offer equal opportunities to their students no matter their location or funding. A student in a remote community is now able to use a broadband connection to receive violin lessons from the same revered instructor as a student in a large city. Moreover, rural students can take virtual field trips and see the same fascinating and educational museums as city kids.

- Local governments are now enjoying broadband benefits that let them provide one-stop shopping for town business transactions, as well as licensing, permits, billing, and utility payments.

- Communities have been quick to jump on the broadband band wagon to promote their local historical and other various tourist attractions. No other marketing resource reaches as far and as effectively as the internet.

There are so many fantastic benefits to a high-speed, broadband internet connection, that it is becoming as “basic” a need as a computer in today’s society.

The Coming Television Revolution

2007-01-10T23:32:00.000-08:00

The revolution is just getting started and will be begin to make its mark this year. By 2010, it will begin to take off. By 2025, it will be the standard for all TV viewing. It's called Internet Protocol Television, or IPTV for short. IPTV works with a set-top box connected to any broadband interface and to a TV. It will allow users to choose among thousands (and eventually hundreds of thousands) of hours of programming, including movies, sports, classic TV, etc., and download their selections from the internet to the hard drive of the set-top box.

Initially, set-top box hard drives will be able to store up to 300 hours of programming at a time, but capacity will expand as the technology becomes more refined. Also, download times will become shorter and shorter as broadband connection speeds become faster and faster. Eventually, a two-hour movie will be fully downloadable in a couple of minutes. Once the programs are downloaded to the hard drive, they can be viewed on the connected TV at any time via a DVR-type interface provided by the set-top box.

Besides the convenience of an all video-on-demand (VOD) environment, IPTV will provide a much wider range of programming than broadcast, cable, and satellite TV, or even major video chains, could ever provide. Because the programming is available from the internet, it will be almost completely unlimited and unconstrained. Programming from all over the world will be available along with every imaginable genre of niche programming. Also, previously unreleased independent films that have been sitting on shelves for years due to the lack of a distribution source will suddenly become available to the masses via IPTV. Films that previously could not be made at all will become a reality and be available on the IPTV services. Long forgotten films and TV shows will have new life breathed into them by IPTV. To top it all off, much of this programming will be eventually be available in high definition (HDTV)!

Most IPTV platforms will be divided into "channels", but not the same kind of channels that we have grown accustomed to with traditional TV services. In this case, a "channel" is defined as a division of an IPTV service by individual content provider. Each content provider carried by a given IPTV platform will have its own guidelines for delivering programming on its channel. Some will provide their content for free to everyone who owns a given IPTV product. Some will be subscription based, i.e., everything on their channels will be available for a monthly or annual subscription. Others will be all pay-per-view. Still others will provide a combination of all of the above.

Several entrants into this market have either already debuted or plan to debut sometime this year. Among those are Akimbo (www.akimbo.com), DAVETV (www.dave.tv), TimeShifTV (www.timeshiftv.com), and VCinema (www.vcinema.com). Please see their respective websites for more details, as each one will offer a slightly different variation of IPTV technology. In addition, a joint venture between TiVo (www.tivo.com) and NetFlix (www.netflix.com) will be starting up later this year. TiVo plans to eventually make the entire Netflix DVD library available to its customers on an on-demand basis via a broadband connection to a TiVo box and a TV. Other potential IPTV contenders will be announcing their intentions over the next year or two. One of these nascent IPTV services headquartered near my home has already started placing "help wanted" ads in my local newspaper.

Within the next 20 years, all the fuss over broadcast TV indecency will become irrelevant, as there will be very little other than news and live sporting events on broadcast TV. The major networks will shift most of their entertainment programs to IPTV to avoid all the broadcast content restrictions currently being enforced by the FCC. Eventually, broadcast TV will cease to exist. Cable and satellite services as we know them will also become extinct. Yes, there will still be cable and satellite platforms, but they, along with DSL and wireless internet services, will exist merely as conduits for bringing broadband internet into homes and offices. There won't be any more cable and satellite TV, per se. The now 60-year-old paradigm of television schedules in which programs air at specific times on specific days of the week will pretty much be a thing of the past. Everything, except what's left of broadcast TV, will be exclusively available on demand via an IPTV platform.

These developments in no way mean that all TV programming will become more risqué. While there will be plenty of risqué programming available to those who want it, there will an almost unlimited supply of family and religious programs available. With a veritable smorgasbord of entertainment options at your fingertips, there will be something available for all tastes. IPTV may not turn out to be a TV utopia, but it's at least going to come close that ideal.

Ka Band -Affordable Satellite Internet On The Way!

2007-01-09T23:31:00.002-08:00

Ka Band VSAT* satellite internet technology has enormous possibilities for telecommuters, rural locations and eventually for Motor Home users around the U.S. - if it works! Ka Band satellite internet is an all new approach to sending and receiving internet traffic from space (satellites used for internet are at least 23,000 miles from Earth). *Very small aperture terminal.

The key improvements in Ka band technology from the “blanket” approach used up to now are:

1. Ka Band employs “spot beams” rather than broadcasting over an entire Continent….a far more efficient use of the available bandwidth resulting in lower monthly service cost to end users (as low as $49 per mo.).

2. Ka Band doesn’t require a very large dish (the dish is about the size of a trash can lid) to produce high speed internet in either direction (downloads & uploads are very fast), resulting in a lower equipment cost to consumers.

3. Ka Band uses technology that drastically lowers latency (the “lag” created by data traveling all the way to space and back).

When available, Ka band will enable remote teleworkers and consumer users to surf, work and email successfully at speeds approaching DSL & Cable for roughly $450-$650 for equipment and $49.00 to $95.00 per month for service. Users can expect download speeds at roughly 1500 kbps (kilobits per second) and upload speeds from 128-256 kbps, more than enough to handle most any work or leisure scenario. The cost is higher than DSL and Cable but when you can’t get anything but dial-up, the cost might well be worth it for the 20,000,000 or so folks out there with nothing but a phone (if that!). Another benefit of this technology is users will now be able to take advantage of Voice over IP (using the internet to make regular phone calls). Current satellite technology (Direcway and Starband) has too much inherent latency to allow successful VOIP, unless you are willing to say “over” like a walkie-talkie connection, after each sentence! I currently make unlimited calls Nationwide for a flat cost of $25.00 per month and nobody can tell the difference in voice quality. I can call Europe for about $.03 per minute or less! The savings are big, but for some rural homeowners it might be the only telephone service they are able to get.

Disgusted With Dial-Up? - Compare DSL Service Providers, Cable and Satellite Internet To See If One

2007-01-09T23:31:00.001-08:00

Do you find yourself waiting around for your Internet pages to load or digital photo files and other attachments to transfer?

Do your friends and family complain that they can never get through on the phone line because you or your kids are always online.Chances are you are still using dial up Internet service.Perhaps it’s time to consider an alternative method.

The main three types of high speed access include DSL, cable and satellite Internet. At the current time, DSL service providers and cable are not available in all areas. Some parts of the country do not have access to either option. Good satellite Internet reception is dependant on an unobstructed line of sight to the south. So where you live can make a big difference in which high speed Internet service you choose.

Here are some overviews of each service and comparisons for those fortunate to have more than one option available:

DSL Service Providers

DSL, which stands for Digital Subscriber Line, describes a technology that taps into unused frequencies on copper telephone lines to transmit information at much higher speeds. There is no dialup and accessing services. So access is immediate. With DSL, you can send both voice and high speed data over the same line. The bandwidth, or data transfer capacity, or DSL ranges from 128 Kbps to 1.544 Mbps downstream to your computer. Upstream transfer from your computer is usually limited to 128 Kbps. Bandwidth is dedicated so you don’t have to share with other users, but DSL is also more effective the closer you are to service provider's facilities. If your local area has plenty of cable bandwidth available it may be a better option for those located greater distances from a DSL provider. Average monthly charges for DSL services are around $55-$65.

Verizon is one of the leading providers of high speed DSL service, with a large coverage area. With Verizon DSL you get a monthly package for $34.95 that includes unlimited access with a personalized home page, 9 e-mail accounts, and 10 megabytes of web space. For those customers with multiple computers in the home, there is a home networking option available. You can connect multiple home computers and laptops to a single high-speed DSL Internet connection at no additional monthly cost.

Earthlink DSL is another option. Their basic package, which includes the same features as Verizon’s offer also includes a free dial-up service which allows you to enjoy 20 hours of Internet access per month when you're away from home. This package typically costs $39.99 per month. Earthlink also offers cable and satellite Internet.

As noted, DSL uses copper telephone wires. Rural areas and some cities do not have these wires available for large volume use, which means that DSL is not yet an option in those areas, even if Verizon, Earthlink or another provider offers services there.

Cable

If you have cable TV available in your area, chances are that you have access to Internet through your cable provider. This service uses the same wires as your cable TV programming and depending on the provider and the area, there may be a good deal of bandwidth available or a more limited amount. Because users share bandwidth, this could be an issue for those living in areas with limited amounts available for Internet use. It is a good question to ask your cable provider before signing up. Your choice for cable Internet is typically limited to only those providers who offer cable TV in your area. On average, cable Internet does tend to be a bit faster than DSL. Service is often slightly less expensive than DSL, averaging around $45 per month.

Satellite

If you do not have DSL or cable Internet available in your area, satellite Internet may provide a viable option. Its speed is comparable to other high speed Internet services, its always on, and you have the option of adding satellite TV service. However, it requires that you have a clear view of the southern sky from your home anywhere in the continental United States in order to receive good reception from the satellites. The service is typically a good deal more expensive than the other two high speed options discussed, averaging around $100 per month with installation fees of up to $400.

Some people confuse satellite Internet with what’s known as WiFi. WiFi Internet services are actually provided by access nodes located in high traffic areas such as airports and hotel or through Internet cafes. If you have a laptop equipped with WiFi receiver, you can access services from within about 1000 feet of the node. There is typically a fee to use this service. It is a good idea for travelers but does not meet the need for home Internet use because it required the access node.

Although there are several satellite Internet providers, they all use similar technology. DirecTV is a popular provider because they are also a top satellite TV company. DirecTV satellite Internet service is delivered through a wholly owned subsidiary, DIRECWAY. DirecTV satellite Internet costs $99.99 per month and requires customers to purchase a satellite dish and modem. Installation is typically available from the distributor.

Comparisons

Consult a comparison chart such as the High Speed Internet Guide which should give you a fair idea of the speed and costs involved. However, it is important to note that the data transfer rates you can get from either DSL or Cable will depend entirely on whatever local providers are in your area.

A Cheap Alternative To Broadband?

2007-01-08T23:30:00.001-08:00

Are you a dial-up user looking for a faster connection, but don't like Broadband prices? If so, you should take a look at a new service called OnSpeed, which has received rave reviews in Internet technology publications.

What OnSpeed does is to re-route web pages and email via its own servers, compressing the data on the fly prior to sending it onwards to your PC. A small program then decompresses the data, so that you can view it in the normal way via your browser or email client.

In my own dial-up tests, with a modem running at a nominal 49kb/s I appeared to get speeds close to that of my normal broadband connection of 598 kb/s - very impressive. Image quality is often reduced but the compression for this can be improved, though with an adverse effect on the speed of course.

Some file types like MP3 also cannot yet be compressed. The company is working on these issues however and expects to find solutions soon.

Unfortunately I was unable to use email in my tests, due to a 'port' conflict with a spam filter that I was using. The standard advice on the OnSpeed site for such cases is to disable the offending program. Not a constructive approach - to say the least - so I hope that the relevant instructions will be changed soon.

More significantly, the problem persisted even when I switched off the OnSpeed application on my PC; in the end I had to remove the program to get the spam filter working again. I expect that this fault can be resolved, but clearly there are issues in this area that need to be addressed.

The software is easy to install, and is available for Mac as well as Windows PCs. On the whole the service is surprisingly good, and a lot cheaper than broadband. Unlike other 'speed-up' techniques that tweak your computer's settings but result in little noticeable improvement, OnSpeed really works.

I can recommend OnSpeed for dial-up users who can't justify the expense of broadband, or who are not located close enough to a suitable exchange. OnSpeed is also stated to be great for mobile or PDA users, as GPRS (wireless) speeds can be boosted by as much as 8 times. It even helps with broadband if you can only get a reduced service in your area.

What Are The Most Frequently Asked Questions About Internet Fax?

2007-01-08T23:30:00.000-08:00

Internet or online faxing is a relative new invention that is quickly gaining in popularity with many fax users. Countless businesses, large and small, are switching their daily faxing chores over to this new online phenomenon. Likewise, many individual fax users are also switching their faxing needs over to an Internet fax service.

The major reason for this switch has to do with the savings you gain -- Internet Fax can be MUCH cheaper than using the old traditional method with a fax machine and an extra phone line.

Yet despite this growing popularity, many would-be customers still have many unanswered questions about this new way of faxing. Frequently asked questions that need to be answered in a simple and honest manner.

So here's a brief run-down of the most popular questions about Internet Fax:

What is Internet Faxing?

Email or Internet fax is simply using your email system and the Internet to receive and send your faxes. Anytime. Anywhere.

Major advantage - instead of a bulky fax machine and an extra phone line; you can use your current email and an online fax service provider. The most popular Internet Fax Services are MyFax, eFax, Send2Fax, RapidFAX and TrustFax. These fax providers will charge you a small monthly fee for their services.

Just How Does An eMail Fax Work?

Internet Fax works by using your email. You receive and send faxes by using your email system and the Internet.

First, you must set up a local or toll-free number with one of the Internet Fax Service Providers. Then you use this fax number to receive and send faxes via email.

Most, if not all, Internet Fax services will let you use an online site (Web Interface) to do your faxing. Or you can use an email program like Windows Outlook. Many Internet Fax Providers also give you a free desktop application download that you can place on your desktop to send and receive faxes. Most will also work with Windows Office Documents.

You can access your faxes wherever you have the Internet, this is great for busy mobile professionals, onsite workers, business travelers or just the ordinary person on vacation.

How Do I Read An Inbound Fax?

Incoming or inbound faxes are delivered to you as an email, with the fax as a file attachment. This file attachment will usually be a TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), or it can be PDF, JPG or other formats.

To view these File Attachments or faxes you will need a viewer. Most computers have an Adobe Acrobat Reader which will read PDF files. Also, you should note, the latest version of Windows has a built-in viewer -- just double-clicking the file attachment will automatically pop-up the Windows Fax Viewer. Then you can then zoom in and out, move between the fax pages...

Please note -- most services recommend that you NOT use any Graphics program like Paint Shop Pro to read faxes.

Will Email Fax Work With My ISP?

Yes, provided you have set up an account with one of the external fax service providers listed in the resource box link below. These fax services are well suited to work with DSL, ADSL and ISDN Internet Cable Broadband Connections.

Is Fax To Email Private?

No and Yes!

While many Internet Fax Providers use SSL and PGP encryption when sending your faxes and most email service providers are compliant with privacy regulations as Gramm-Leach-Bliley & HIPAA in the United States and PIPEDA in Canada, you are still using email and the Internet to send your faxes.

While encryption does insure safe transmission, many fax services will store your faxes online in their systems for a period of time, your faxes will be as safe or as private as your Provider's security measures.

Therefore, it is always a good idea, if you're worried about sensitive faxes -- to delete these from any online storage system ASAP. Keep in mind, any online site, no matter how secure may be hacked - including governments and banks, as you frequently read about.

If you're careful and take the right steps, email faxing can be relatively safe. But you should also ask yourself, how safe or private are ordinary phone lines if you're faxing old school?

How Are My Faxes Tracked?

Usually, your fax service provider will have a couple of ways of notifying you about the success or failure of your fax. They will send you an email or you can log into your Internet fax account and track the status of your fax.

Many providers will also report to you the cost of each fax you send. If you're new to Internet faxing, always keep track of how much your online faxing is costing you or your company. Rates vary and you can cut costs by choosing the most appropriate plan and service to perfectly match your specific needs. This is one case where a little homework done now, will save you money over the long haul.

What Is Fax Broadcasting?

Fax broadcasting is sending a fax out to a large group of recipients at one time. Most Internet Fax providers offer this service, especially to businesses or organizations that have to send a document to a large group of contacts. This is very similar to sending an email to all your opt-in list subscribers.

You can use your email contact list to send a Fax Broadcast.

Are Free Fax Services Really Free?

Be very cautious of free Internet Fax providers, many times it is free only to receive faxes, but you will have to pay to send them. This free service may be worth your while if you only receive a few faxes in a month. Don't confuse this with 'Free 30 Day Trials' that most of these services provide where you can try and test a service to see if it is suitable for your needs.

Remember, if your faxing needs are very modest, you can pay a very small yearly amount to get faxing services for yourself or your business.

2007 Thoughts on Vocal Cord Vibrational Communication Technologies

2007-01-07T23:29:00.000-08:00

Currently the United States Military and other militaries around the world are working on vibrational communication technologies, which allow someone to communicate without speaking to fellow soldiers. The men would merely think a thought and without actually uttering a word the vocal cords would move and create a silent vibration and that would be translated into a word and put into a tiny microphone of the ear of their team.

The Military has this technology now and will be giving it to the troops. So they can use vocal cords to send signals via a small box to other people on the team. I believe this is the next step to communication for special-forces and eventually the rest of the military, also SWAT and DHS. Then transfer technologies, will soon happen for medical and since the Universities who made this stuff often have medical facilities attached.

While I'll just bet all this is in the works right as we speak and test people and prototypes are already out there now. And look at the older technology that Steven Hawkins is using now to give speeches? Pretty cool stuff indeed. Perhaps also these units will be driven by LED computer chips using so little energy that it could work off the very vibrations that are produced or the human bio-system itself.

Not only that, but with the new translation technologies, people maybe able to communicate this way using different languages as well. Of course the next step will be to put one on your dog. Yes you language will be translated into any language, I assume this is how we will converse with animals one day. The dog will say, you know I want to go for a walk now!

Inter-species communication will be more possible. Because they do not have the same vocal cords you see, but they can make sounds and those sounds mean something, their language. It will be an awakening for humans, as they are so utterly arrogant really. Perhaps you will enjoy thinking on this in 2007 and it will indeed propel thought?

Telecom Billing Errors Drive Need for Telecom Expense Management Solutions

2007-01-07T23:28:00.000-08:00

Manually auditing reams of telecom bills from a variety of sources is time intensive and often proves ineffective. To identify costly telecom billing errors enterprises are investing in telecom expense management systems that automate these tasks. Gartner estimates that 19 - 20 percent of telecom charges are in error, making telecom billing management a priority for large and small enterprises. Charges for disconnected lines and unused services routinely appear in telecom billing invoices. By installing an automated call accounting software system, companies can identify every billing error so that it can be resolved.

To ensure accurate call data reconciliation, telecom expense management software allows enterprises to track all of their wired and wireless phone activity to determine where errors are occurring. A good telecom expense management system handles high volumes of call activity (many millions) and an unlimited number of stations and corporate users, to capture all call data records, so companies can reconcile charges with invoices from telecom carriers.

It is important to look for a call accounting system that can process calls and generate reports in seconds compared to hours on systems using conventional database technology, so that corporations with any number of sites can take control of their telecom expense management. A system that allows companies to build their own custom reports can help auditors examine call record data graphically in 2D or 3D, and automatically schedule and process reports via printing, emailing, saving them on a network, or posting them to a website.

With the sheer number and complexity of telecom carrier bills an investment in a call accounting system can deliver ROI by freeing up phone bill auditors' time and identifying costly billing errors. By employing a full featured telecom expense management system enterprises can also protect sensitive corporate and customer data. The advanced security features built into today's call accounting software systems can help thwart attempts to compromise the phone system, and provide safeguards to help enterprises comply with strict compliance regulations.

High Definition - When?

2007-01-06T22:41:00.001-08:00

High Definition – Formats and Camcorders

Before venturing into the world of high definition, it should be said that our UK-based clients primarily use Digital Betacam and DV Cam camcorders and we find minimal demand for HD Cam. Our American clients are using HD Cam more frequently than our British clients but Beta-SP remains the format they most commonly request.

Two High Definition Formats

To begin with, the future of high definition broadcasting is unclear. There are two HD formats being considered for transmission. One is 720p (720 horizontal lines or rows of pixels in the image) and the other is 1080i (1080 horizontal lines or rows of pixels in the image). The “p” stands for progressive scan and the “i” stands for interlaced scan but more on this later. Panasonic manufactures the camcorders that generate 720 horizontal lines and Sony manufactures the camcorders that generate 1080 horizontal lines. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has suggested for discussion using 720p for public service broadcasters but say that does not mean they favour 720p as the standard HD format for transmission. Trade magazines say BSkyB plans to broadcast both 720p and 1080i in a service that will begin sometime in 2006 although I was recently told 1080i may be the only format they use for transmission.

The Sony 1080-line system has one clear advantage over Panasonic’s 720-line system. Each image contains more than two million pixels (1920 vertical lines x 1080 horizontal lines) compared to 900,000 pixels (1280 vertical lines x 720 horizontal lines) in an image from a Panasonic high definition camcorder. This gives a superior picture. The advantage of the 720-line system is it takes less transmission bandwidth to broadcast.

Now to the difference between “interlaced” and “progressive” scan. These terms refer to the way television images are processed for transmission.

Interlaced Scan

Standard definition television broadcast signals are processed by television sets in an “interlaced scan” format. This means the screen first scans the odd numbered horizontal image lines, or rows of pixels, sequentially from top to bottom (1, 3, 5, etc). It then returns to the top and scans the even numbered lines (2, 4, 6, etc). In summary, the full picture from top to bottom is first made with half the information there and half of it missing. Then the missing information is filled in. In the PAL standard, each of these two processes takes 1/50th of a second so the entire process takes 1/25th of a second.

Progressive Scan

“Progressive” scan differs from interlaced scan in that the image is displayed on a screen by scanning each line (or row of pixels) in a sequential order rather than an alternate order, as is done with interlaced scan. In other words, in progressive scan, the image lines are scanned in numerical order (1,2,3) down the screen from top to bottom, instead of in an alternate order (lines or rows 1,3,5, etc... followed by lines or rows 2,4,6). By progressively scanning the image onto a screen every 25th of a second rather than "interlacing" alternate lines every 50th of a second, a smoother, more detailed, image can be produced on the screen that is perfectly suited for viewing fine details and is also less susceptible to interlace flicker.

The Sony range of camcorders offer both interlaced and progressive scan functions in a range of settings.

Procam Television and High Definition Camcorders

As a facilities company, we are moving into the HD Cam market – but cautiously. We have Sony models but have not purchased any Panasonic products. This is only in response to what our clients have requested most. Below is a summary of each model and what it offers from the lowest to the highest priced model.

Sony HVR-Z1P

This is one high definition camcorder we can recommend using immediately without exception. We purchased 15 of them in February of this year. It is an upgrade of the DSR-PD170P compact camcorder. The main reason for the unqualified recommendation is that the camera has a 16:9 chip so it shoots true wide screen images. It also delivers superior pictures.

Sony HDW-730S High Definition camcorder

The 730S is geared towards mainstream television programming rather than film or high end television drama productions. It shoots using the interlaced function only and can be switched between 50i and 59.94i. Progressive scan is not possible with the 730S. But if you don’t need to use progressive scan and you’re shooting for television, this camcorder produces excellent images and it allows you to shoot HD Cam on close to a standard definition budget.

Sony HDW-750P High Definition Camcorder

The HDW-750P offers the choice of shooting 25 frames per second in progressive scan mode (25P) to give your pictures a film look or of shooting 50 fields per second interlaced (50i) to conform to the PAL broadcasting standard. The camcorder has a 2.2 million-pixel FIT CCD, which is a step up from the IT CCD in the 730S, and Advanced Digital Signal Processing (ADSP).

Sony HDW-F900 Multi-format Cine Alta High Definition camcorder

This is the top of Sony’s high definition (1080 lines x 1920 pixels) camcorder range. The F900 offers the ability to shoot in any setting you might want. In progressive scan, it can shoot 23.98, 24, 25, 29.94 or 30 frames per second. In interlaced, it can shoot 50, 59.94 or 60Hz. This means you can shoot for any standard anywhere in the world. If you are shooting for cinema release, the F900 is the only Sony camcorder that can shoot 24P (24 frames per second film standard).

Panasonic AJ-HDC27

The Panasonic range includes the AJ-HDC27 VariCam. This is a DVCPRO HD camcorder that offers variable frame rates which can be set from 4-fps to 60-fps in single frame increments at the touch of a button. The question we have about Panasonic high definition camcorders is does going from the 625 lines offered by current PAL standard definition cameras to the 720 lines offered by Panasonic’s high definition format really merit the investment required in acquisition and post production equipment? It’s something to consider.

WiFi Spying

2007-01-06T22:41:00.000-08:00

Our CIA needs to develop fold out WiFi Spy devices for the field, this will enable them to track international terrorists, hack into Blackberry Type portable devices and monitor computer surfing when an Internet Service Provider cannot be trusted, as in foreign operations. I believe we should hire the Defcon Convention Hackers who were able to receive a signal over 125 miles away without amplification to help us design a system which can easily fit into a small space for easy transport. The previous World Record for an un-amplified WiFi connection was just over 55-miles.

We know that the International Terrorists and insurgents use personal computers and when they travel they use Internet WiFi systems to send and receive and communicate with their cells. If we can track them and pick up their signals this will in fact give us clues to who they are talking with, what they are surfing for and perhaps the potential dates and places of their next targets against humanity. The Internet Hackers as bad as they are, seem to be able to provide us with their down and dirty prototypes and they assure us, underneath it all they are still Patriots at Heart.

Performance Communication: How Can It Help You?

2007-01-05T22:41:00.001-08:00

PERFORMANCE COMMUNICATION: BENEFITS EMPLOYEES: 1.Establishes a good working relationship with the supervisor. 2. Provides clear understanding of job responsibilities and priorities. 3. Lets employees know where they stand. 4. Provides specific plans of action for improving performance. 5. Provides recognition of and motivation to continue good performance. 5. Increases self-esteem.

BENEFITS FOR THE SUPERVISOR: 1. Helps establish a good working relationships with employees. 2. Gives clear guidelines about responsibilities and expectations. 3. Maintains and clarifies job priorities. 4. Motivates employees. 5. Deals with performance problems effectively and in a timely manner. 6. Builds self-esteem of employees. 7. Allows supervisor and employee to share thoughts, ideas, and issues.

BENEFITS FOR THE ORGANIZATION: 1. Creates working environments that lead to dedication and improved performance. 2. Helps reduce performance problems that result in turnover and absenteeism. 3. Contributes toward achieving excellence. 4. Develops effective supervisors who use sound human resource management principles.

IMPROVING COMMUNICATION: Recognize specific accomplishments, showing that you are aware of the employee’s work and contributions. Yes: “I think you spent your time on the most important work, like the customer service letter, rather than on trivia. I appreciate that.” No: “You exercised good judgment, Henry.”

IMPROVING COMMUNICATION: Encourage the employee to participate in making plan for improvement. Yes: “Tom, how can we prevent these double shipments in the future?” No: “You have to file the green copies as soon as the order is written and check the folder at shipping and at billing time. There’s no other way to control the problem.”

Listening Attitude and Technique

2007-01-05T22:40:00.001-08:00

As the story goes, a New York columnist who had to attend many cocktail parties each season had come to believe a certain socialite was a less than perfect listener. It was said that this socialite was so preoccupied with making a wonderful impression on her guests that she was unable to hear anything that they were saying. To test this theory, the columnist came late to one of her parties. When he was greeted at the door by the hostess he said, “I am sorry to be so late, but I witnessed a murder and had to fill out numerous police reports.” The super-charming hostess beamed and replied, “Well, darling, the important thing is that you have arrived, and now the party can really begin.”

Having a listening attitude can speak volumes for itself. A listening attitude conveys to the person talking with you the message that says, “I respect you as a person, and I am working at understanding and appreciating your point of view.” Maintaining this genuine attitude is critical to enhancing your specific listening techniques.

The following are some listening techniques that will improve your comprehension and help you interpret information: 1. Visualize all that you hear: convert the words you hear into word pictures and experience them. 2. Ask yourself “What is the speaker trying to achieve?” and “What is their motivation?” 3. Study the non-verbals: facial expressions, tone, gestures, movements & emphasis. 4. Outline what is being said. 5. Cross-check information to test your perceptions.

Listening is Harder Than You Think

2007-01-04T22:40:00.000-08:00

Researchers have discovered that most of the daily communicating we do is in the form of listening. It is mainly by listening that we receive the vital information needed to make decisions, perform roles, and cope with the realities surrounding us. It is a little embarrassing or humbling to admit that we have some deficiencies in listening. But we have a good excuse. Whoever taught us to listen? We were all taught to read, write, speak, but at no time was a course offered in listening. Our listening training, if it could be called that, consisted of admonitions: “Pay attention,” “Open your ears,” “Listen". Our poor listening habits may result in conflicts, costly errors, and inefficiency. It is common knowledge that organizations which thrive and prosper year after year are organizations that spend money and energy on interpersonal skills training, including communication skills that focus on listening.

The paradox of the human listening function is that although it may seem like the easiest and most effortless of all communication functions (writing, speaking, reading, and listening) it is, in reality, the most difficult and requires the most effort — and skill — to perform properly. The reason for this is that in speaking you initiate the ideas and the easily-anticipated flow of words to express them. In listening, however, another person initiates the ideas and the words which strike your ears and enter your brain as totally new information. Studies have shown that in listening most people miss most of this information — and nobody notices.

The following are some barriers that affect our ability to listen: 1. Preoccupation with your own thoughts can prevent you from hearing and becoming involved in what others are saying. 2. Hostility or anger may be carried over from a recent experience and distort the message. 3. Emotionally charged words in a message may block listening or “turn you off.” 4. A perceived difference in power of status between sender and receiver may cause communication problems. 5. Stereotyping a speaker’s appearance, accent, or speech pattern can obstruct communication. 6. The physical environment may present noise or visual distractions. Keep these in mind next time you are in the position to listen.

How Do TV, Stereo and Cell Phone Antennas Work?

2007-01-04T22:39:00.000-08:00

Basic determination of what antennas are states that they are an electronic part created to transmit or receive radio waves. While the definition of antennas sounds quite simple, the specific job of an antenna can be quite complicated. Antennas are a system involving conductors that are intended to transmit an electromagnetic field and the joint electric current. In place of that situation, if antennas are put into an electromagnetic field, that particular field will bring about an alternating current upon the antennas, and electromagnetic force between its poles.

There are two basic types of antennas with the first type pairing with an electric field of an electromagnetic wave and oftentimes is part of a length of wire that an electric charge moves back and forth. The second type of antenna pairs with the magnetic field of an electromagnetic wave and is usually in the shape of a loop or a coil. If a person were to add additional conducting rods or coils that are referred to as elements as well as variegating their lengths, spacing and course, antennas that have particularly sought after properties can be created. Most of the time people will see antennas that were for use in a comparatively narrow frequency range.

The most common antennas people see is the straight rod on a radio or car that is about a quarter of a wavelength long. These types of antennas are very easy to put together inexpensively and can beam in and receive from all horizontal directions. Antennas are often used for the transmission and reception of radio frequency signals from electronic equipment like televisions and radios that can move over huge areas at the speed of light and move through various non-conducting walls.

There are many different factors that can affect antennas and how they perform that can be changed during the design of a particular antenna. The factors that can affect antennas are resistance, resonant frequency, amplification, regulation or radiation pattern, polarization, ratio and information measure. A transmit antenna can also have a maximum power rating and a receiving antenna can have changing noise rejection attributes. Whatever the internal workings of antennas might be, without an antenna most of the world would not be receiving much of the information and entertainment that it is today.

Email Fax 101 Learn How Faxing Over Internet Can Ease Your Life

2007-01-03T22:39:00.000-08:00

We all knew workplace and workforce nowadays require more and more mobile-power, Email fax (or some call it Internet faxing) services had turned into a popular communication tools in all sort of business. Nevertheless, the technology is still relative new to the public. We hope via this article, we can give a brief idea to those inexperienced about how Email fax can ease your worklife or business.

What is Email fax or Internet faxing?

In brief, Internet faxing is a service that provides you the ability to send faxes without the fax machine. Instead, faxes are sent or received over Internet in Email attachment format. These Email faxes can be either read in softcopy (.pdf or image format) or printed out by the receiver’s fax machine.

Why use Email faxing? The benefits of Email fax

By using Email fax services, faxes are sent and received instantly online in a cheaper price when compare to traditional faxing machine.

If you have ever used a conventional faxing machine before, you should be able to know how tiring can it be when a fax machine starts to dysfunction. Paper jam, incomplete fax transmission, fax machine constantly with busy tone, miss fax when out of paper, and cuts off page text are the common scenario you will be facing. Further more, it is not cheap to get a fax machine running. Besides startup cost in buying the fax machine and installing the extra phone lines, you still need to pay extra monthly cost for the fax lines, paper cost, as well as ongoing maintenance cost such as cost of toner cartridges replacement.

What if you can eliminate all these troubles? No more paper jam, no more incomplete fax transmission, no more busy tone, no more miss fax when out of paper, and no more cuts off page text! This is what you can get with Internet faxing; and this is why, Internet faxing is such popular.

As the Internet faxes are sent via Emails, all you need is a PC with Internet connection, which is a must for any business nowadays, and minimum subscription fees on the faxing services. Also by using Internet fax services, you skip the paying for extra phone line, faxing equipments, and also the sky-high fax machine maintenance fees.

How does Email fax works?

It is easy to use Internet fax services. When sending Internet faxes, users will use a web interface given by the service provider or email program like Outlook. The work flow of sending out Internet fax is very similar to sending email. Users will need to key in the fax number instead of email address in the ‘To’ text bar.

Receiving Internet faxes is easy; you do not need to be familiar with faxing software, nor fax machine neither to use the Internet faxing interface. Normally, the email faxing services will install a small application (toolbar or window box) into your PC as a plug-in inside the email program. Upon receipt, an automated program converts the email to a fax format, then faxes to the number supplied in the fax-header. The recipient receives the fax normally, through fax machine.

Choices in Email faxing services

Seeing Internet fax as an effective answer to the old fax machine, several vendors have produced and are selling Internet faxing services nowadays. There are companies that offer software only solutions that allow you to fax directly from your computer to any fax machine; and there are services offer fax-to-IP Internet gateway products, which are hardware-based routers that emulate a fax machines.

Faxing services that use software (for example eFax or CallWave fax) require that you sign up with fax service provider. For eFax Internet faxing services, the monthly service charge is from $0-$19.95 depend on which package you go for; while limiting their users to only receive fax, CallWave fax charge their users less than 10 bucks per monthly.

The advantages of using this method are that faxing becomes considerably cheaper because you are not making long distance connections over the phone lines, no hardware is required, you get faster transmission, you can send many faxes at once, no dedicated fax lines are needed, and a web interface is available if you wish to add fax-on-demand capability to a website.

Another type of Internet faxing is known as fax-to-IP. Fax-to-IP Internet gateway products needs hardware-based routers that emulate a fax machines. With these, faxing is done in the regular way using the fax machine, but the gateway device, which then dials the destination fax machine and sends the fax, interrupts the process.

The fax-to-IP service is good if you don't send a lot of faxes, but would still like to take advantage of the savings of using Internet delivery. It is also good if you do a lot of international fax calls. The disadvantages are that you won't save much on either domestic faxing, or faxing to countries where the Internet infrastructure is less well developed.

Marketing Your Business With Satellite Television

2007-01-03T22:38:00.000-08:00

Just starting a business? Do you have a product that if only the people of the world knew about they would just die to get their hands on? Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Try marketing your business through satellite television. For just a few dollars of airtime, you can have your business/product open and available to an entirely different market.

Why is this necessary especially when the World Wide Web is so prevalent? While it’s true, the World Wide Web has opened new doors in the marketing arena for the small business industry. Advertisers of new and innovative products are constantly looking for new approaches to expand their clients’ bottom line. Now, the opportunity to take part in global marking is easy as pie. It is time to tap into this continuous source of potential revenue, Satellite Television Marketing.

The use of satellite TV as well as the World Wide Web has also increased the bottom line for some business owners dramatically. Is there a better way to expand your bottom line and create a broader range of services for your business? Using both vessels to transport your products is easier now then ever before.

It’s simple. Marketing your product both online and on television covers an even broader market base than choosing only one. Still not convinced? First, let’s compare the facts: in the United States alone nearly fifty percent of the homes have computers with Internet capabilities. That’s fifty percent! So, not a bad push for advertisers, the ability to reach fifty percent of the household’s in one nation isn’t bad; why ask for more? Why not? Why not expand your potential to reach over 64 percent in lower income brackets and upward to 87 percent in higher income brackets. These figures are based on a survey from the Energy Information Administration, 2001 Residential Energy Consumption Survey. Look at how you’ve just expanded your product market by including those with cable and satellite television!

Secondly, using satellite television to boost your product awareness and market your small business can open the doors wider then ever before. Going fast are the days of snail mail and in store product demonstrations; advertising on satellite television will reach households and people up until now, you’ve only wished you could reach. Is it worth it? You bet! Having an opportunity available to you with twenty-four hours a day seven days a week access has never been easier and more affordable.

Providing Mobile phones and Accessories on the Web!

2007-01-02T04:48:00.002-08:00

Tired of your old phone and looking out to buy a new one? Buying a new phone can be a little taxing! First you need to decide what brand to go with, what model to buy, and in what color and what accessories to add? Then, there is also the price factor to consider. With so many cheap mobile phones and mobile phone accessories vying for attention in the market, it’s a tough job to ascertain that you’re getting absolute value for money!

The purpose of is to resolve this very dilemma. The website aims to act as a platform for the optimum display of all Communication Cell Phone Devices of all brands, along with a variety of Mobile Phone accessories . This one stop resource is associated with big names such as Blackberry, Ericsson, Mitsubishi, Motorola, Nextel, Nokia, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, and Siemens. Myreliancemobile.com makes available for you, latest handsets and information regarding their specifications, images, accessories, cost and more!

Take your time to view as many handsets as you want until you decide to buy a Panasonic Mobile Phone or a Motorola mobile phone or any other that best suits your taste, needs and budget. To make your exploration simpler, you may simply search by category. You pick your phone and we promise to give you the best deal ever! We strive to satisfy each one of our customers to make their mobile shopping experience a pleasurable one!

Order by e-mail or phone, the choice is yours! Rest assured as to the security of the sensitive information you provide us to carry out transactions. Our privacy policy outlines how we use your information. You shall find us to be transparent in all our practices and dealings. We cherish the trust you place in our hands and do our utmost to safeguard your privacy!

For any queries you may contact us at Reliance Mobile LLC, 45 Lafayette Circle, Totowa, NJ 07512. Do feel free to call at 973-595-5718 to speak to our dedicated customer service executives who shall be more than happy to answer all your questions, clear your doubts and resolve your concerns; or simply e-mail at sales@myreliancemobile.com. We promise a quick and satisfactory response!

Myreliancemobile.com has established itself as a popular site that provides mobiles on the web! Our commitment to providing people with mobile phones of their choice, quickly and efficiently, has led to us acquiring a considerable user base in a short span of time. Our constant effort is to serve you better, so do take out time to give us your valuable feedback.

A Quick Guide to Unlocking Mobile Phones

2007-01-02T04:48:00.001-08:00

How many cell phones do you have in the nightstand drawer next to your bed? Do you not want to toss them out because there’s nothing wrong with them? Have you ever wondered why you can’t use one of your phones with a different service than the one you originally signed up with? I mean really, they all sell pretty much the same phones, right? That’s why you need to seriously consider unlocking your mobile phone.

I remember back before I knew any better, the battery in my cell phone wasn’t holding a charge, so I took it back to the store where I bought it. They informed me that it would be cheaper to buy another phone and sign a new contract than to buy a fully charging battery. I didn’t want another phone, as I had four already, but I also didn’t want to spend more that I had to. So I got yet another brand new phone and signed a new agreement for two more years. If I had known then what I know now, I would have simply unlocked my phone. Here’s how it works:

Every cell phone has an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), a serial number that connects a phone to its service. An IMEI also connects the phone’s owner to the phone. The IMEI is the “tape” that connects the phone subscriber to the service.

Now, inside most cell phones is a removable Subscriber Information Module, or SIM for short. A SIM is a card that also connects the phone to the owner (subscriber) and simultaneously the phone to the service. Many cell service companies will lock the SIM so the phone will only work with their service. This is why you need to buy a new phone when you switch wireless phone companies. This is true no matter how much you paid for the phone- and you may never be able to use it with a different service provider, no matter how many calls they drop.

When you unlock your phone, you can use any cell phone service you choose, plus you’ll get rid of the roaming charges threat and be able to get more cash if you’d like to sell your phone. Your new, unlocked phone will be legal attachment-free. Of course, if you have a contract with a provider, legally you are fully responsible to fulfill all obligations with said company, including payment and length of contract.

If you wanted to unlock your cell phone in the not so distant past, you had to send your phone out to a company and have them perform the service. But recent technological advances and e-mail have brought this service directly into your home. Many companies who provide such a mobile phone unlocking service can get you the “secret code” to unlock your phone based on your IMEI and send it to you via email. You don’t even have to wait for the postal carrier to show up- just for your computer to boot up.

Grand WiFi Camera PRO Model II

2007-01-01T04:47:00.001-08:00

The Grand Wi-Fi Camera PRO can be used in a wireless environment. You can use Internet Explorer browser to remotely view and monitor your home or baby room from anywhere in the world via the internet or the local wireless network. Coupled with an embedded web server, Grand Wi-Fi Camera PRO is more than just a camera. There are many applications for The Grand Wi-Fi Camera PRO - Grand Wi-Fi Camera PRO can be used in a wireless environment. You can use Internet Explorer browser to remotely view and monitor your home or baby room from anywhere via internet. Features built-in 6 infrared LEDs, let you can also see the excellent image in the dark. (only for night version) Supports 4, 9, 16 cameras MPEG-4 recording.

Product Features
• Sensor
• Omni Vision (USA)
• IP Address Auto Detect and Setup
• Model 2: 4 in 1 ( IP CAM + PC CAM + Wi-Fi CAM + Divx MPEG4 capture).
• Wi-Fi camera with wireless LAN 802.11g (54Mbps), and also supports 802.11b (11Mbps).
• High Resolution Image Processor ( 640 x 480 320 x 240 176 x 144 ).
• Ethernet RJ-45,10/100 Base-T auto-sense.
• Remote view through the IE browser using an IP address
• Supports multi languages OSD: English, Spanish, Dutch, German, Italian, Russian, French, Japanese, Traditional Chinese
• Supports multi languages manual: English, German, Netherlands, French.
• 6 infrared LEDs and special lens supports the night vision function. ( only for night version )
• Supports many valuable Internet services: Email, FTP, PPPoE, Dynamic DNS, NTP service, User Management, and Image Quality Control.
• USB 1.1 Interface, compatible with Microsoft MSN and NetMeeting.
Bundled Surveillance Software with the following functions:
• DIVX MPEG 4 capture
• MPEG 4 Video File Management: Video File DataBase and Playback Control
• Storage Recyclable: When running out of disk space, files with the earliest date will be overwrite automatically
• Motion Detection: Detect any movement in the mask area and invoke the alarm as soon as movement is detected.
System Requirements:
• Router( with DDNS or PPPoE function ) is required
• 10Base-T Ethernet or 100Base TX Fast Ethernet
• Intel Pentium3 800 MHz, AMD 800 MHz or Faster
• 64M RAM or above
• VGA card with 8MB memory or above
• Microsoft DirectX 9

Remote Control Helicopter Align TREX 450SE

2007-01-01T04:47:00.000-08:00

The amazing T-Rex 450 Superior Edition (eCCPM) represents the state of the art in micro helicopter technology, utilizing the latest design techniques and highest material quality, aluminum parts are anodized in a pleasant blue color and silver SSG carbon assembly. This kit is for the flyers who want uncompromised performance and quality. This SE arrived with 80% pre-assembled! New CNC SSG carbon frame only 1mm, improve the rigidity and perfect for 3D flying. Changing servo location to CCPM version, new aluminum parts for prompt, precision actions.

SSG battery mounting plate connects to main frame. It makes the center of gravity closed to rotor blade, reduced the correction when the heli rotation rolling. Rigid CNC aluminum rotor head for precision and smooth movements. Using Ball and Hill two systems mixing control. Through simple structure of Ball control system, power-saving of Hill system and CCPM control, can simultaneously control 3 servo for AILE, EVLE, PIT 3 actions. This CCPM control system is great for 3D flying control and extending life cycle of servos. New streamlined carbon tail rotor blades makes the gyro more efficient. New tail rotor control set, CNC control piece and movable ball link for smooth pitch travel.

Providing flybar weight- When normal flying, you can add the weights on flybar paddles for stable flight. When aerobatic flying, you don’t need to add the weight, but you can see the flexibility of 3D actions. CNC Metal tail unit and tail holder are using high rigid aluminum, falling resistance.

New gear ratio(4.24:1), suitable for the motor with higher KV, provide more safety.
Use Aluminum alloy drive pulley and tail drive pulley, high rigid and wear resistance. It is efficient to reduce the rotation loss and makes more smooth.
All kit use stainless steel linkage ball, wear resistance, anti-oxidization.
Tail rotor hub made of stainless steel, very rigid.

Uses 32pcs precision bearing. Great stable and sensitive mixing lever design! Can display the great stability and precision for 3D flight. T-REX 450SE special adjustable pitch system, hold rotation system, tail rotor drive belt system! It is a work of great originality for a helicopter!

Types of Telecom Products

2006-12-31T04:46:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Internet Revolution, the Age of Technology, and the Era of Telecommunications. Telecommunications (tele-translated from the Greek to mean “distant” and Latin communicare- to participate) is defined as the transmission of information over a line of communication, like that of a telephone, which is carried over a long distance. It may or may not use a modem. The information may be communicated through voice, text, images, or even video via any product that will work, like a fax machine. Any product that enables telecommunication is classified as a Telecom Product.

Since Alexander Graham Bell invented his “electrical speech machine” (now known as the telephone) back in 1876, the telecommunications industry has evolved to include a wide array of products for both business and personal use. Below you will find several different types of telecom products and brief explanations of their different usage.

We’ll begin our mission with the originator- the telephone. Since it’s invention, the device has gotten smaller, portable, and even wireless. Accessories such as answering machines can attach to your phone or phone line for friends, family and/or clients and customers to leave you an important message when you’re unavailable to take a call. All-in-one answering machine/telephone contraptions have gained substantial popularity in recent years as the price dropped with the advancement of technology. Multi-line telephones for busy offices are also becoming more affordable for those who didn’t have the extra funding for such a telecommunications device.

Facsimile machines, also known as “fax” machines for short, take text or images from a piece of paper and transfer the data to another fax machine anywhere in the world via telephone lines. Much like the recent popularity of answering machine/telephone combinations and other telecommunication devices, technology has advanced to bring the price and size down and the convenience of all-in-one equipment for the average consumer. Phone/fax/copy/printer combinations are in a growing number of households across the country and around the globe.

If you have your own business that requires a combination of telecom products, it might be in your best interest to invest in a Voice/Data Line Sharing Device. This port-switching mechanism will allow you to run telephones, fax machines, modems, answering machines, climate control, security monitoring, credit card terminals and poll cash registers without needing a separate line for each.

Finally two-way radios, commonly referred to as “Walkie-Talkies”, are yet another device that falls into the category of telecom products. And yes, just like all of the other products we’ve covered, the price and size have dropped while the technology expanded. In fact, there are two-way radios that can communicate with each other from as far away as 6 miles depending on the area and terrain. Multiple units that run on the same frequency work quite well for large fleets after they are cloned for synchronization. LCD screens make for some easy programming by all.

How Using A Spy Phone Can Help You

2006-12-31T04:45:00.000-08:00

Similar to the fancy gadgets James Bond is accustomed to, spy phones offer an array of pretty interesting, fun and helpful features. Just when you thought spies and private detectives were the only ones to have access to the type of technology that allows others to conduct their own surveillance and personal monitoring, spy phones are now available to the public.

How Does a Spy Phone Work?

Spy phones provide two different kinds of services. The first is called an SMS Catcher, which allows a user to receive all of the messages associated with the input and output of the target phone. Another catchy feature of the SMS Catcher is that users can call a secret number attached to the target phone and use it as a listening device without being detected. The phone will not ring or flash, as an open microphone allows the caller to hear all that is being said in the presence of the phone.

The second kind of spy phone is called the Interceptor, which provides all of the features of the SMS Catcher, but adds the ability to intercept phone calls to and from the target phone and listen to what is being said on both ends of the conversation. The talkers will not detect your presence.

Why Use a Spy Phone?

You may see some of the classic signs of cheating, but have no way to prove that your husband or wife has been led astray. Instead of involving a private detective into your personal affairs, you can now take matters into your own hands with the purchase of a spy phone. Through this piece of equipment, you can weed out unfamiliar acquaintances and peak into the text message world of your significant other.

As a boss, there could be many doubts regarding whether or not your first baseman player is batting for your team or is in cahoots with the next company. Trust is a very important characteristic to have in an employer and as important information passes in and out of an office, executives need to know who is sworn to secrecy and loyalty. Spy phones catch distrustful employees in the act of badmouthing the company or spilling the beans regarding top-secret meetings. With a spy phone, monitoring phone calls and text messages allows bosses to pinpoint who is worthy of a high position within their company.

Spy phones can also be used as a listening device. Ever want to know what is being said behind your back? Want to know who you can trust to have your best interest when you are not there to defend yourself? Leave the spy phone behind during a business meeting while you tell others you are taking a bathroom break. Outside of the room, call the spy phone and you will receive instant audio of the things that are being said while you are away. While these are just a few ways to take advantage of a spy phone, you can practically use your imagination.

Different Kinds of Spy Phones

When you are ready to purchase a spy phone, you will find that Nokia, Samsung and Siemens provide the best of the bunch. Depending on the model you select, consumers will have access to a wide range of features.

With the Siemens A75 Spy Phone Interceptor, users may listen to calls in progress that occur on a target phone. All the user has to do is call the target phone and they will be able to listen to all of the juicy details without being detected.

When using the Nokia 6670 Spy Phone SMS Catcher, you can keep abreast on the whereabouts and telephone habits of your children and significant other, as well as friends without them having a clue.

Batelco - Together We Connect ‎

2006-12-30T04:44:00.000-08:00

With significant operations in Bahrain , Jordan, Kuwait and Egypt, the Batelco Group provides voice and data services over fixed, wireless, and internet platforms, systems integration and enterprise solutions to Government and Corporate clients.

Batelco’s specialised services cover the full spectrum of telecommunications solutions for residential and business customers and spans a comprehensive array of mobile services, international roaming, high speed Internet connections, WiFi, MPLS IP-VPN network provisioning and management, datacoms and other fixed line services. Batelco is currently migrating to an all IP network as part of its ‘Broadband Bahrain’ national project. This major investment reflects Batelco’s commitment for excellence which has reinforced Bahrain’s position as a leading communications hub. The Company’s shares are listed on the Bahrain Stock Exchange. Batelco had a total market capitalisation of approximately $ 3.3 billion at September 2006.

Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco) was established in 1991 as a Bahraini shareholding company and has an authorized share capital of BD 100 million (US$ 265 million). Batelco's major shareholders include the Government of Bahrain, Quasi-government institutions, financial and commercial organizations, and private Bahraini and GCC investors. All the pre-mentioned parties hold 80% of Batelco, while Cable and Wireless holds the remaining 20%.

Batelco’s employees reached around 1,500 of which 95% are nationals. The operator is very aware of its employees’ training and accordingly spent nearly BD 1.5 million (US$ 3.98 million) during 2003 in training its staff. Nearly BD 71 million (US$ 188.15 million) is injected into the national economy annually by way of salaries and local expenditure and investments paid by the operator. Batelco has allocated an amount of BD 42 million (US$ 111.3 million) for capital expenditure on network development and enhancement during the year 2002 to prepare for the migration to packet switching and ATM technologies that will support all the multimedia services. In June 2004, Batelco announced a further investment of BD 9 million (US$ 23.85 million) in the mobile network to expand its capacity to 550,000 lines.

Despite the full liberalization of Bahrain’s telecommunications market by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), Batelco is still the monopoly operator for fixed, Internet and datacomm services in the small but advanced gulf country. It is noteworthy, however, that four companies already have ISP licenses but are not operational at this moment. These are expected to be operational during 2005. Moreover, Batelco, through its holding company (Batelco Middle East EC (BMEC)) in Bahrain, have setup a number of communications partner companies acting as a spearhead for Cable and Wireless global datacomm strategy. These communications partner companies are found in several key areas of the region including Kuwait, Jordan, and Egypt. It is noteworthy that Batelco has sold its 50% share of the Datacomm provider, Batelco Al-Jeraisy (Atheer), in Saudi Arabia during the last quarter of 2004.

DLP (Digital Laser Projection)

2006-12-30T04:43:00.000-08:00

Forget the overhead projectors that you used in basic school. Gone always (we hope) are the days of blurry slide shows presented on the chalk panel with a projector that takes two folk to hoist. We are ushering in the age of "smaller is best", and pairing it with the finest character that you could request for. Digital laser projection (or DLP) engineering is just one of the astonishing original technologies that are taking the area and presenting something that we never still knew we needed until now.

Technology feeds engineering, meaning that the power to make with smaller and smaller components is allowing us to produce smaller and smaller products for our consumers to take and love with greater appliance than always. The DLP engineering was made potential by a small optical semiconductor. This semiconductor contains over two million infinitesimal mirrors, which are hinge-mounted in an angular array. These mirrors are each less than one-fifth the width of human hair – imagine the technology required to construct and to mount such tiny mirrors!

These DLP micro-semiconductors work in tandem with digital signals, light sources and projection lenses to project their displays onto screens of up to seventy-five feet. These sophisticated projection systems work in two phases to create colors and shades for projection, first with grayscale imaging and then with color overlay. The micro mirrors can create up to one thousand and twenty-four different shades of gray just by switching on and off. This grayscale adds shading and depth to the color, which is also projected.

The first step in the creation of an image is the grayscale phase. The mirrors, which are each on their own rotating pivots, can create shades of gray by switching on and off several thousand times every second. The mirrors switching on by aiming the mirror toward the projected light or shift away by facing off from the light. Mirrors that consume much moment "on" produce a lighter shadow of grey pixel than the lights that consume much moment in the away stance. The outcome of these speedy transitions is an extremely careful picture in grayscale. Color is added when the light-colored light generated by the projector passes through a tone bike of crimson, dark, and greenish. These easy colors, when paired with the grayscale and when coordinated by three semiconductor chips, are able of creating thirty-five trillion distinct colors. Each pixel of tone is created by the speedy flashes of soft, significance that a violet pixel will really be a super-speed flare of dark and crimson, which our eyes view and read as the tone violet. The DLP engineering and the surprisingly hi-tech human eyes make jointly to produce a full-color picture of surprising lucidity.

The DLP projectors can make in several ways, including unmarried chips and a lot of three chips working in tandem. The unmarried microchip structure is used in smaller, much private applications, while the multiple microchip structure works better for professional venues and good areas of projection. An unmarried microchip works in the manner described above to produce images for house theatre systems, televisions, and projectors for consumption within businesses. The human heart works with the projector to construe colors and images in a somewhat smaller scale for private uses and applications. The multiple microchip systems, however, make a less differently. This lot of three chips does not rely on a tone bike, but instead utilizes a prism to refract the light into the greenish, blue, and crimson parts. These projectors are better for utmost picture character and brightness in cases such as film and big locale applications. The images produced can be either moving or yet, and are of an astonishing character.

The three chips do not make the same manner, since one microchip is really dedicated to each of the colors coming out of the prism. The colored light refracted onto each of the chips and reflected by it overlaps to develop the surprisingly high-quality and good lucidity that makes DLP renowned.

The advantages of this structure are simple to know. The colors produced by the DLP structure for cinemas are brighter and clearer, not to cite that the DLP projectors are able of displaying eight times the tone of their conventional movie counterparts. The projectors permit viewers to have more practical tone and richer blacks, still in house theatre systems, than were always potential before.

The modern engineering used in DLP is too smaller than existing engineering, making it simple for designers to produce tiny, more effective projectors and televisions for consumers and businesses. Televisions can have wider and larger without taking upward much place into the room, and projectors can consider as less as two pounds while yet producing rich- and bright-enough projections to make with the lights on.

The digital nature of the projection too protects your medium from degradation over moment. Film might break, pull, or be otherwise corrupted, but digital files do not merely decay over moment. Quality and dependability are significant aspects of DLP engineering, which any consumer will find over moment.

These projection systems are an astonishing mix of design and old engineering. The nature of the systems makes it, hands downward, the better medium for anything from a job display to a computer monitor exhibit, and everything in between. DLP engineering is going the manner of the internet – it will shortly be a measure in every individual's living for years to go.

Office Telecoms in the Internet Age

2006-12-30T03:23:00.001-08:00

The telephone has been a mainstay of society since Alexander Graham Bell first developed the technology.

Telephony has been rapidly changing over recent years, though, as the internet and digital technology open new areas for it, and expand the ways in which we can talk to one another.

Digital Phones

One of the first breakthroughs in telecoms was the advent of digital phones.

Known as DECT phones - Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications – this offers cordless technology and allows different users to share to the same frequency.

This meant that digital phones literally broke the cord that kept people attached to their phones. You could have a handset and wander around the office while talking to someone, and keep the phone with you wherever you were, so long as it was relatively near the room with the receiver, without having to dash through rooms at the faint sound of ringing.

Of course, you could already do this with mobile phones – but the big difference was in the pricing: DECT phones allowed you to make and receive phone calls based on a landline tariff so you were find to use 0800, 0870 and 0845 numbers more accessible for customers, while mobile phones tied you to much higher priced network tariffs.

Teleconferencing

The next big step in office telecoms was teleconferencing over the internet. No longer did you need to leave the office to meet with staff, clients, or other associates – and you did not have to just make telephone calls either. Now you could be seen face to face and set up virtual conferencing rooms online.

Webcams and conferencing software were obviously the big openers for this change, but it has taken a while for this to filter into more common use as the rate of broadband use has significantly increased its share in the market for internet connectivity.

VoIP

VoIP has been the biggest recent change to office communications. Instead of having to use a landline or mobile to telephone people, you can now use the internet for telephony instead.

Not only that, but the calls are often either free or very low rate when made over the internet.

This makes VoIP a very accessible way of making calls generally, and with software such as Skype you can connect with other business associate/clients/workers simply, easily, and with little hassle.

The Future

One thing is clear about the development of telecoms – it’s getting cheaper, and easier, to talk with people.

Not only that, but with digital technology and the internet, comes the promise that one day making calls on video using streaming media, will become as common as a voice-only calling is nowadays.

How to Purchase Two-Way Radios

2006-12-30T03:22:00.001-08:00

Finding the right two-way radios, especially online, can be a difficult task. That is exactly why this purchasing guide was put together. Here, you will find some questions you should be asking yourself as you browse through a selection of radios, to give you a better idea of what you may need.

Analyze your situation:

Before we get started, you should know that every business has its own unique needs. Unfortunately, there are no generic communications solutions. As a result, it is very important that you select a system that fits your business needs. With the right setup, your communications system will operate seamlessly and smoothly integrate into your daily business life. However, a poorly designed system can cause more problems than it can solve, therefore proper engineering is essential.

Step 1: Coverage size:

The first question you should ask yourself is an obvious one, but one that is sometimes overlooked: How big of an area will I need to cover?

Once you answer this question, you can determine the type of communications system required. There are two basic systems. The first utilizes portables and mobile radios only and is generally used for short range in-house communications. The second type uses a base station and/or a repeater to increase coverage. This type of system is generally used for wide-area coverage or when large buildings need indoor coverage.

Portable radios are available in low power and high power versions. In additional to the popular conventional analog version, they are also available in both trunking and digital versions, which greatly increase their versatility by allowing many separate “talk groups”. This allows the setup of different groups of users that can communicate directly without interfering with other users who don’t need to be involved in the radio conversation.

So, ask yourself: “How big of an area do I need to cover?” It’s very important to purchase the system that works most efficiently for you, and that’s not necessarily the one that pumps out the most power. We will provide the engineering support to make sure you get coverage in all required areas.

There is something else you need to keep in mind as well. Range is dependant on more than wattage. If you’re communicating outside, you must take into account the terrain. Tall buildings and mountains can affect a radio’s signal strength. Indoor coverage is influenced by the building construction and frequency of the radios used. Now that we’ve got you thinking about coverage size, we can move on to step 2.

Step 2: Where will I be using my new radio?

Are you constantly getting breaths of fresh air outside or will you be day dreaming of your new radio while staring out of a window? Believe it or not, answering this question can help you decide whether to go with Very High Frequency (VHF) or Ultra High Frequency (UHF).

If you will be using the radio outside a lot more often than inside, selecting a VHF radio may be in your best interest. VHF generally gives you better coverage outdoors while a UHF radio will be more effective inside of buildings. That’s why more businesses prefer UHF radios over VHF.

Here’s something else to keep in mind while we’re on this topic. VHF radios will usually give you a wider coverage area, however (there’s that dreaded however again), UHF will give you more seamless coverage inside of the range you can get with it. The bottom line is that generally, UHF is more suitable for in-building coverage than VHF.

Now that you’ve looked at your coverage size and where you will be using it, there’s one more question you should ask yourself.

Step 3: How many people will be using our new radios?

If you have a small system, perhaps with 15 people or less, your needs would typically be met with a conventional radio system with a channel capacity of 16 or fewer. Using a conventional radio system starting with a single channel, each member of the party holding a radio can hear every transmission made and they can also transmit to every member of their party (“dispatch” style communications). Additional channels can be added as your needs change.

Larger companies that require a larger number of radios typically will require more than one channel. Using a multi-channel trunking system, many different “talk groups” can be programmed in the radios for maximum operational flexibility. This, for example, would be helpful to a supervisor who needs to break up his employees into several groups and communicate different messages to each of them.

Communications Evolution

2006-12-29T03:24:00.000-08:00

Communication as transmitting idea from one person to another varies from different languages, different nations, different age limits, different social background and even to the extent of people who cannot even talk but who are in need of expressing their ideas. From the early ages of mankind he used to express ideas on rocks, mountains and trunks of trees by drawing and making marks on those.

Though they were not capable to write letters and read they tried to communicate using signs and signals in a way which others could understand correctly. When time passed, it was understood that these are very primary ways of transmitting ideas and they recognized the limitations of using these methods, consequently many developed methods of communication were discovered. Also the importance of literary for man was supported by finding alternative which was of better communication.

From the invention of typewriter through sophisticated way of transmitting ideas up to using telecommunication internet, e-mail, etc. has made the world a small place. These innovative technologies are being used to eliminate the complexities limitations and various barriers which they came across in the early ages when they were communicating with each others. When people go for new technologies they understood the fact that even some new sophisticated methods may not capable enough if goes only as letters and words. Then it would make some disadvantages when it was used by people who are exposed to various languages in all over the world .Even when it is translated to other languages it was not that much efficient as duplication of cost, time and effort have to be taken into consideration.

Batelco - Together We Connect ‎

2006-12-29T03:23:00.000-08:00

Serving both the corporate and consumer markets in the most liberalised and competitive market in the Middle East, Batelco is committed to delivering cutting-edge telecommunications to its customers in Bahrain and MENA. Batelco is driven by an enthusiasm for delivering the best customer experience based on innovation, affordability and reliability of products and services.

With significant operations in Bahrain , Jordan, Kuwait and Egypt, the Batelco Group provides voice and data services over fixed, wireless, and internet platforms, systems integration and enterprise solutions to Government and Corporate clients.

Batelco’s specialised services cover the full spectrum of telecommunications solutions for residential and business customers and spans a comprehensive array of mobile services, international roaming, high speed Internet connections, WiFi, MPLS IP-VPN network provisioning and management, datacoms and other fixed line services. Batelco is currently migrating to an all IP network as part of its ‘Broadband Bahrain’ national project. This major investment reflects Batelco’s commitment for excellence which has reinforced Bahrain’s position as a leading communications hub. The Company’s shares are listed on the Bahrain Stock Exchange. Batelco had a total market capitalisation of approximately $ 3.3 billion at September 2006.

Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco) was established in 1991 as a Bahraini shareholding company and has an authorized share capital of BD 100 million (US$ 265 million). Batelco's major shareholders include the Government of Bahrain, Quasi-government institutions, financial and commercial organizations, and private Bahraini and GCC investors. All the pre-mentioned parties hold 80% of Batelco, while Cable and Wireless holds the remaining 20%.

Batelco’s employees reached around 1,500 of which 95% are nationals. The operator is very aware of its employees’ training and accordingly spent nearly BD 1.5 million (US$ 3.98 million) during 2003 in training its staff. Nearly BD 71 million (US$ 188.15 million) is injected into the national economy annually by way of salaries and local expenditure and investments paid by the operator. Batelco has allocated an amount of BD 42 million (US$ 111.3 million) for capital expenditure on network development and enhancement during the year 2002 to prepare for the migration to packet switching and ATM technologies that will support all the multimedia services. In June 2004, Batelco announced a further investment of BD 9 million (US$ 23.85 million) in the mobile network to expand its capacity to 550,000 lines.

Despite the full liberalization of Bahrain’s telecommunications market by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), Batelco is still the monopoly operator for fixed, Internet and datacomm services in the small but advanced gulf country. It is noteworthy, however, that four companies already have ISP licenses but are not operational at this moment. These are expected to be operational during 2005. Moreover, Batelco, through its holding company (Batelco Middle East EC (BMEC)) in Bahrain, have setup a number of communications partner companies acting as a spearhead for Cable and Wireless global datacomm strategy. These communications partner companies are found in several key areas of the region including Kuwait, Jordan, and Egypt. It is noteworthy that Batelco has sold its 50% share of the Datacomm provider, Batelco Al-Jeraisy (Atheer), in Saudi Arabia during the last quarter of 2004.

In May 2006 Batelco announced a change to the broadband packages, limiting downloads to only 15GB per month, whereas previously it was unlimited. This sparked a national movement to Boycott Batelco because of its monopolistic corporate practices.

Effective Techniques of Better Communication - Verbal and Written

2006-12-28T01:50:00.002-08:00

COMMUNICATION may just be a 13 letter word but as far as its importance goes there is very little that we gain without effective communication. As the saying goes “It's easy to dream but making dreams come true is what really counts. In a similar way its easy to be a communicator but to be an effective one is what really counts... to some its definitely an inborn skill and some strive hard to build it.

Its not always that we end up having a perfect communication...either there is a misunderstanding... confusion... or some or the other reasons due to which things turn out to be really sour...

Communication is basically of two major types...Verbal and Written...we can really follow some basic rules to make these two communications really effective.

Effective Verbal Communication

First impression is the last impression - Many a times we might have heard this being said but little do we actually realize the importance of the phrase. It’s very important to create an impression before any conversation... it helps to make it smooth.

Know the details of your conversation - It is very essential to know the details of your conversation. From the purpose of the conversation to what results are you expecting out of it... all this is very vital. In case of a “formal conversation” be well prepared from before... in fact try to go a step ahead knowing the taste and interest of the person you going to interact with. In fact try to make the communication a total learning process.

Be a patient listener - As easily the word “patient listener” goes, its not always easy to be one... but to make verbal communication effective its always necessary, otherwise you tend to miss out on the important information and offend the person sitting opposite you.

Stop being a liar - Be very genuine with your words keeping in mind that the person/s sitting opposite you is as clever as you think yourself to be. Your pretensions if exaggerated might get caught and ruin all your big hopes.

Presence of mind - It is indeed a hard virtue to follow, but the absence of it is sure to ruin all your supposedly good plans. So to make your communication really effective make sure that you don't miss out on a single point, in fact give all possible suggestions so as to ensure that you are taking an interest in the conversation.

Know to handle - When a conversation is at its peak, especially in case of a formal one, and if you feel that it could turn boring at any moment, quickly sneak in a healthy humor or a funny incident that happened recently... so very connected to the topic you were talking on all this while

Try not to be a forgetful goat - Its sounds funny but its not all that funny... remembering the points and information’s that you discussed a while ago is very necessary... its helps to make future communications more effective... and most importantly try your best not to forget the names. People appreciate if you remember their names, especially when you are introducing them to someone else in future.

Be clear with you conversations - Just don't converse merely for the sake of it. Reduce on your speed of talking... its helps the other person to follow what you are saying. Clarity is very essential.

Effective Written Communication

Purpose of your writing - Always be very clear with the purpose of your writing. Is it a favor that you are asking for or is it a favor that you are doing for somebody. Is it an invitation for your new business venture or one for the kitty party you going to throw very soon.

Clarity and proper use of words - Be very sure not to scribble around the paper you writing on... clarity is a must. Your content should also be precise and clear enough for the reader to understand.

Respect to the reader - Give due respect to yours as well as the readers point of view. Never be over judge mental, for it might offend the reader to a great degree. This is a very essential point. Ignoring this might land you into serious trouble...may be leading to a cancellation of the merger which seemed so obvious, till you had written that letter.

Well all these methods of communication if kept in mind is enough for you to strike the biggest deal of your life or may be regain that long lost friend whom you had lost because of one of your own stupidity. When you communicate make sure no ear dares to be distracted.

PBX Toll Fraud Protection - The "Extention 900" Scam

2006-12-28T01:50:00.001-08:00

Toll fraud is, or should be, a concern for any business with a telephone system. There are many scams that hackers may use to attempt to steal your business telephone system potentially costing your business thousands of dollars over a single weekend. The purpose of this article is to discuss a social engineer scam called the "Extension 900 Scam".

In this scam, the hacker calls your main number or toll free number and ask your receptionist to transfer him to extension 900. In most business telephone systems, "9" is the access code for an outside line and 00 is the number for the international operator. If the receptionist transfers the call, he is connected to an international operator who will then politely assist the caller with his connection to an international number. Your business will pay for this fraudulent call.

How this scam works.

Most hackers/thieves understand that not all systems are blocked from this kind of attack. It's a simple matter of calling your main number and asking to be transferred to extension 900. Most companies do not have an extension 900. Most companies do not have ANY numbers beginning with a 9. The digit 9 is almost always exclusively used to access outside lines. So if the caller is successful in having his call transferred to 900, he is connected to an international operator. The actual code is: 9(outside line) + 00(international operator).

A good receptionist will understand that there is not an extension 900. They will usually know most of their internal extensions by heart. If the receptionist tells the caller that they don't have an extension 900, the caller will say something on the order of "the president of the company told him to ask for that extension and was waiting for his call". If the receptionist insists that they do not have an extension 900 the caller may very well become threatening and try and intimidate her into transferring the call.

How to Protect Your Business

The most important thing is to educate your end users, especially your receptionist or operators. Bear in mind that it doesn't have to be the receptionist who answers the call in order to make this work. For example, if you can dial a direct number to any office in your building, you can ask any one to transfer you. That person could be the warehouse clerk or janitor, it doesn't matter. So be sure to educate your users at least once a year.

Here are some more things you can do to stop this kind of attack.

1) Block calls to 9-00. If your company has no need to call an international operator, then it should be blocked. I would also include all international calling (9-011) if it is not needed by asking your carrier to block it. If you need to make the calls on the rare occasion, then use a prepaid calling card. You can get some incredible deals with these cards and you will limit your loss liability.

2) Block any Trunk to Trunk calls. If a call comes into your PBX or Key System, and you transfer it back out, that is a "trunk to trunk" call also called a tandem call. This can be blocked on most systems. Keep in mind what this may effect: do your executives call in and have their secretaries transfer them to an outside number? Do you have an after hours service that requires callers to be transferred to an outside service? If you don't need to do these things then you should block trunk to trunk calls.

3) Restrict phones from being able to transfer callers to outside numbers. You may need this feature for some people but certainly not everyone needs it. Work with your telephone system vendor to set up the Classes of Service that will block this ability.

4) Restrict the calling areas telephones can call. Does every telephone in your business need the ability to call international numbers, or even to a number outside your business area? If a phone has no reason to call outside your business area then why give access to that ability? If you can't call a long distance number then you can't transfer a fraudulent caller to a long distance number.

5) Monitor your phone bills. It's easier to get away with any toll fraud scam if you never check your phone bills. You need to watch for unusual calls.

6) Finally, be sure your phone vendor even knows what toll fraud is. This may be surprising considering that they are supposed to be the experts, but I've met many technicians that really don't think about such things. Most have never had even the most rudimentary training regarding toll fraud security. I ran into one technician that was highly though of by our mutual customer. I noticed that a trunk to trunk transfer was enabled on the class of service of his voice mail system and insisted that it be removed. When I explained why, he even asked "Why would any one do that?" Now that you know be sure your vendor does.

E-mail Etiquette

2006-12-27T01:49:00.001-08:00

E-mail Etiquette

What is the importance of Emails in workplace?

All resources across the globe work and communicate primarily through e-mails. The content and intent of the e-mail could effectuate decisions and processes.

Discuss the Writing Process

· Planning
· Consider your audience, purpose & assignment
· Identify the topic
· Discover ideas to write about
· Shaping – organize material
· Drafting – write your first draft
· Revising – “Re-see” what u have written
· Editing – check grammar, spellings, punctuations and mechanics
· Proofreading – check for typographical errors.

Mails can be categorized:

-Responsive
-Instructive
-Invitation
-Appreciative
-Supportive
- Informative or descriptive

Opening Statements:

1. This is to update you
2. This is to inform you
3. This is to bring to your notice
4. This is to seek your permission
5. I would like to
6. Further to our discussion
7. With reference to
8. Please give approval for

Closing Statements:

1. Please get in touch for any clarifications
2. Please get in touch for further discussions
3. I would be glad to be of assistance
4. Would appreciate your prompt response
5. Thanking you in anticipation
6. Looking forward to your prompt response
7. Looking forward to your cooperation
8. Your support is appreciated

Few words that could be replaced

Reply – Response/Respond
Thank – Appreciate
Sorry - Apologize
Please – Request you to
Can - Could
But - However
Regarding - With respect to

Email Composition

Discuss basic Dos and Don’ts for composing a mail

· All Caps to be used judiciously.
· Use of passive voice.
· Avoid using misplaced modifiers, use adverb (quickly, fastly…) before the verb.
· Ensure the subject reflects the agenda of the mail.
· Use Greetings and courtesy words like “please”, “thank you”.
· Write short, unclouded sentences.
· Use simple words.

Email Response

Discuss basic Dos and Don’ts for responding to a mail

· Read the mail carefully; as if you were listening to someone
· Analyze whether it is a query, suggestion or an information
· Format response ensuring all points required from the principle mail are covered
· Proof-read for grammatical errors and spellings
· Read the mail from the receivers perspective and check for the intent of the mail
· Signature should be professional, prefixed with regards / thanks and regards.

How Does Email-Faxing Work

2006-12-27T01:49:00.000-08:00

The very first Email fax was started on 1997. On June 24, 1997 - PSINet, the first commercial ISP introduced InternetPaper(SM) a service that sent documents from your desktop PC to any fax machine on the planet through the Internet. Nowadays with the rapid growth of Internet users worldwide, Email fax has become one of the latest technologies that change how people connect to each other. By implementing Email faxing software, users can turn hardcopy documents into Email attachment or vise versa, receive hardcopy fax in Email format. The appearance of Email faxing reduces the faxing cost greatly and provides a powerful alternative for those that cannot afford a faxing machine.

So how does email faxing works?

To send an Internet fax, the user needs to create an email account. The fax content can be written in the body of the email, and attachments are normally permitted. The destination fax number is entered in the ‘To’ field, along with the Internet fax service name (efax for example). For example, if the fax number were 1-555-234-5678, the email would be addressed to 15552345678@efax.com. In the subject·field, user will need to input the recipient name, for example: Attn: Mr. Fax.

Receiving Internet faxes is even easier. If you are using Internet fax number, you will receive faxes as email attachment; if you are using conventional fax machine, your faxes will be receive from your fax machine just as others. Because Internet fax is sent in email form via the Internet - you can access your faxes wherever you have the Internet. This is ideal for mobile professionals, business travelers and for the ordinary person on vacation!

What are the options for Internet fax?

In the past year and a half, several vendors have produced and are selling Internet faxing services. There are several different flavors of this idea. There are companies that offer software only solutions that allow you to fax directly from your computer to any fax machine; and there are services offer fax-to-IP Internet gateway products, which are hardware-based routers that emulate a fax machines.

Faxing services that use software (for example eFax) require that you sign up with fax service provider. Using this software makes faxing as easy as printing. These services are good for companies that primarily send outgoing faxes from their computers.

The advantages of using this method are that faxing becomes considerably cheaper because you are not making long distance connections over the phone lines, no hardware is required, you get faster transmission, you can send many faxes at once, no dedicated fax lines are needed, and a web interface is available if you wish to add fax-on-demand capability to a website.

The disadvantages are documents must be sent from your computer. With these services, there is no support for fax-to-IP gateways.

While for fax-to-IP Internet gateway products you will need a hardware based routers that emulate a fax machines. With these, faxing is done in the regular way using the fax machine, but the gateway device, which then dials the destination fax machine and sends the fax, interrupts the process.

This service is good if you don't send a lot of faxes, but would still like to take advantage of the savings of using Internet delivery. It is also good if you do a lot of international fax calls. The disadvantages are that you won't save much on either domestic faxing, or faxing to countries where the Internet infrastructure is less well developed.

Prepaid Phone Card Tips Finding a Calling Card That's Right For You

2006-12-26T01:38:00.000-08:00

If you want to purchase a prepaid phone cards online or over the counter, you will quickly see that there are thousands of cards available. So, how do you choose the right phone card for your individual needs?
Begin by asking yourself the following questions, or go directly to the Basic Usage & Suggestions portion of this page. You may also want to consult the Glossary of Terms.
QUESTIONS TO ASK PRIOR TO PURCHASING A PREPAID PHONE CARD
1) What rate does the card offer to my calling destination (typically shown as ¢/min)? Confirm rates before you call and remember that some rates may fluctuate. Also, calls made to international cell phones are generally billed at a higher rate.
2) Do the rates vary depending on the hour of the day?
Be sure that the rate you receive remains constant throughout the entire day. Unless otherwise stated, the advertised rate should be constant no matter what time of day.
3) What is the Minute Billing or Minute Rounding schedule for the card?
Rounding (minute billing) refers to the increments in which phone calls are billed. For example, with 3 minute rounding, a 4 minute phone call would be billed as a 6 minute phone call. With 1 minute rounding, the same 4 minute call would be billed as a 4 minute call.
4) Will I be charged for calls that do not connect?
Know in advance if you will be charged for attempting a call that does not connect. Please confirm this with the carrier by contacting their customer service department.
5) Are there any additional fees or taxes?
Some phone cards include additional fees and/or taxes. Adding these fees allows carriers and retailers to to keep their advertised rates extra low. You can avoid many types of additional fees and taxes by using all of your minutes in one call. Remember... fees and taxes effectively reduce the number of minutes you'll receive.
Further, not all phone card retailers are created equal. Many will not disclose all fees and taxes, so be sure to ask before you buy. A retailer using best business practices will reveal all known taxes and fees to you up front.
7) Can I reach a customer service operator 24 hours a day?
Being able to get a hold of your phone card's customer service department is important because they will be able to help you with any unforeseen issues that may arise at any time during the day.
8) Does the phone card have an expiration date?
If yes, any remaining minutes on the card past this date will be lost.
9) Does the merchant/retailer offer any form of guarantee?
Most prepaid phone card companies do not offer any guarantee on their products. There are , however, a handful of companies that do. A guarantee will further ensure that you get the minutes you pay for.
10) Does the company I am researching appear to be trustworthy?
Look for signs of generating trust: Visible phone numbers, privacy policy, BBB membership, secure transactions, warranties and guarantees.
11) How will I receive my prepaid phone card after purchase?
Typically, if purchasing over the Internet, phone cards will be presented to via email or right on screen pending a successful transaction and acceptance by your bank. Some companies may send you a physical card, but in most cases the delivery occurs by email or right on your screen.
BASIC USAGE & SUGGESTIONS
1) Before traveling, confirm that your pin is valid. To do this, dial the US access number and enter your pin—make sure not to make any connections so that you will not reduce the balance. Confirm with the retailer and/or carrier that service is available and that the access number is correct.
2) You may be able to get extra minutes if you utilize a local access number (not available on all calling cards or in all regions). If available, the number may be provided when you dial the toll free access number included with your pin and/or online—if the pin was purchased on a website. You may also be able to confirm this information with the carrier of your calling card.
3)Be sure the site you are ordering from is secure. Look for an image or message indicating this, such as SSL, Secure Transactions, Thawte Certified, etc.
4) When choosing a card that does carry additional fees and/or taxes to get the lowest rate possible, consider purchasing smaller denominations so that you can use all of the minutes in one phone call. This will allow you to get MAXIMUM minutes as you avoid scheduled fees and/or taxes. Fees and taxes will not begin until your "first use" of the card.
5) If making long calls, be sure that your card does not have a long call fee associated with it. Some cards will tax you if you make calls that last longer than a predetermined amount of time. Some carriers add in this fee to keep people from using a card in one call. NOTE: This type of fee is not as prevalent as it once was.
6) All cards carry an FCC imposed payphone fee—this fee averages anywhere from 49¢ to $1.00 every time you use a when calling from a payphone. This fee also applies when making calls from other countries if using a calling card sold by a U.S. company.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Connection Fee (also known as Access fee) - This is the most common fee and one that most customers probably know about already. This fee is charged every time you place a call, and it usually varies from 5¢ to $1. The worst thing that can happen with this connection fee is, when the card buyer makes the call and either the answering machine gives a reply or the call is routed to a voice mailbox, the connection fee is charged even though the customer has not really uttered even a single word. Of course the best option to avoid this charge is simply to choose a that has no connection fee!
Disconnection Fee - This fee is identical as the connection fee, except that it is charged at the termination of the each call instead of the beginning of each call.
Taxes - This fee is charged on a per usage basis with reference to the call charges, and it is typically 5-15%.
Minute Rounding (also known as Billing increment) - If a has one minute rounding, a call of 50 seconds will be charged the same as one minute and 3 1/2 minutes will be charged the same as four minutes. Many consumers only choose a card with one minute (or less) rounding in order to avoid losing some of their call time.
Maintenance Fee - This is a very notorious fee (which many retailers keep hidden) that is charged against the . These deductions typically occur in ether daily, weekly, bi-monthly, or on a monthly basis.
Payphones Fee - There are surcharges on s for all calls made from payphones imposed by the FCC. You will pay this fee regardless of whether the call goes through or not.
Access Number - The billing also depends on whether one calls a local access number or a toll-free number. In many cases, using a local area access number will reduce your per minute rate.
Long Call Surcharge - Some carriers charge an extended talking fee if a call goes beyond a specified duration (usually around 20 minutes).
Expiration Date - Most prepaid s have an expiration date, of which there are two types: the date from which you actually begin using the card and a general expiration date. After the expiration date you will no longer be able to use the card even if you have unused minutes remaining.
PIN - This is the Personal Identification Number each has. This code will inform the carrier which card is being used.

Preventing Toll Fraud Helps FBI Thwart Criminals Selling Telecom Access to Our Enemies

2006-12-26T01:35:00.001-08:00

Today's heightened security consciousness has caused corporations to take proactive steps to protect their telephone systems from toll fraud. Unsecured telephone networks can allow criminals to sell corporate phone access to our enemies. According to Security.ITworld.com's article "Keep on the lookout for toll call fraud," the FBI treats some cases of toll fraud as intelligence threats.
In this day and age of corporate espionage, the importance of tracking the source of a call, and detecting internal or external toll fraud has escalated in priority for many CEOs in today's heightened security-conscious climate. According to a study by the American Society for Industrial Security, industrial espionage could account for potential losses for all American industry of as much as $63 billion. The actual dollar amount is heavily debated, but everyone agrees that the problem can't be taken lightly. Toll Fraud alone costs the American economy $5 billion annually.
Sophisticated call accounting software systems can be implemented to reduce the risk of toll fraud while also helping corporations rein in spending on telecom services. Often companies are unsure of how much they spend on telecom services, and telecom expense management systems can help recover wasted expenditures on lines no longer in use, and erroneous carrier phone bill charges. Unsecured phone networks leave proprietary information, corporate assets, and trade secrets open to hackers. Installing a full featured call accounting system provides a safe base of operation against internal and external threats.
Through real-time call data records (CDRs) collection and automated, customizable reports and alerts, enterprises can protect themselves against unauthorized phone use, tracing all calls back to their origination. Companies can realize 10 - 30% or more in savings by deploying a full featured telecom expense management system. These savings can often pay for the cost of implementing the call accounting system. In addition to the peace of mind that a secure telephony system provides, enterprises can also be assured that a secured phone system will help them be in full compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley and HIPAA regulations as regards call detail records.

Call Accounting System Enhances Marketing Efforts

2006-12-25T01:35:00.000-08:00

The popularity of 1-800 vanity numbers is on the rise, particularly as it relates to marketing efforts. The vanity numbers make it easy to pair with almost any type of marketing campaign. When using call accounting software, tracking calls can provide detailed reports as to which marketing strategy is yielding the greatest return on investment in terms of inbound calls.
These reports allow marketing strategists to monitor media buys and optimize clients' media budgets at any time. By monitoring the call detail records, one can tell which radio or television spot is pulling more response, and if a promotion is resonating with consumers.
Call detail records, both local and long distance, can be used for other reasons such as usage verification, billing reconciliation, network management and to monitor telephone usage to determine volume of phone usage, as well as abuse of your company's telephone system. CDR's are an asset in managing long distance telephone costs and aid in the planning for future telecommunications needs.
Call accounting software has long been associated with hotel industries or telecom companies as a means of cost allocation and telecom billing. The benefits and return on investment are many regardless of corporate industry. In this case, it would serve as a viable tool in tracking inbound and outbound marketing calls for better planning.
The right quality accounting system with present-time reporting can dramatically enhance a business' telecom expense management efforts. Call accounting software is one valuable tool for managing and retaining a high return on telecom investment through a variety of ways, including hard cost as well as soft cost savings via productivity and efficiency measures.
A useful tool when analyzing advertising environments for future efforts and the allocation of clients' media budgets, the reports can tell what times of day or days of week are most productive for a specific media outlet and message. Maximizing marketing efforts with the use of call accounting systems and 1-800 numbers can surely help boost the marketing needs for your company.

Sony Ericsson K800i Freeze The Beautiful Moments Of Your Life

2006-12-25T01:34:00.000-08:00

Sony Ericsson K800i, the first camera phone from Sony Ericsson’s Cyber-Shot range is another marvel befitting the reputation of the company. Sony Ericsson K800i incorporates a 3.2 mega pixel camera that makes it one of the best camera mobile phones with highest resolution. The quality of the camera leaves nothing more to desire. Generally, you will find that most camera mobile phones have a weaker LCD flash leading to poor exposure. But, Sony Ericsson K800i’s features like auto-focus and a real xenon flash brings this camera mobile phone in a league of its own. You can use it as a digital camera as the quality of pictures that it offers is really superb.
The K800i also offers you a unique feature enabling you to take nine pictures at a time. You can select the best frame afterwards. It is a dual mode UMTS/GPRS phone together with unique mobile phone applications and Sony digital imaging technology. K800i also offers you a FM tuner, USB 2.0, Memory Stick M2 slot, 64MB of internal storage and, yes, an image stabilizer that helps your camera phone to ride over the shocks while photographing. If seen as a multimedia mobile phone, it comes with stereo headphones.
Sony Ericsson K800i – the all-rounder is surely not a mere mobile phone with camera; it offers you all the other needed features to make it a comprehensive handset. This 3G mobile phone is really worth owning. You can get this all-rounder through various lucrative mobile phone deals available from mobile phone retailers. Just browse through some mobile retailing sites and select a particular mobile phone deal that suits your needs and caters to your requirements.

Prepaid Phone Cards Give Hope to Struggling Telecom Industry

2006-12-24T20:43:00.000-08:00

The current sales of prepaid phone cards are rapidly increasing at double-digit rates. Prepaid calling cards are being purchased not only by low income households and small businesses. Rising prices of commodities and instability of the economy are just few of the reasons that make the use of prepaid phone cards a practical choice by almost everybody. Even wealthy families and big corporations have been washed away by the current trend and cannot help join the bandwagon.
According to the recent report released by market research company called the CPR Group, almost 55 percent of the highest income households have utilized prepaid calling cards, as well as 50 percent of the lowest income households.
The prepaid phone card started with the goal of satisfying the demand for cheaper call rates in the height of increasing costs of telephone subscriptions. The industry targeted families in low income brackets and also starting businesses who do not have regular phone service or find it hard to shoulder expensive telephone services. It also aimed to accommodate immigrants who are always on the go by offering them features that allow users telephone accessibility in every corner of the globe at a very cheap price.
Prepaid calling cards can be purchased not only in convenience stores but also in the Web. Its increasing sales and popularity have been said to be the only light in the struggling telecom industry and have been hoped to prevent the industry’s current downtrend.
With the expanding prepaid calling card market, there had been increasing competition between key players and infant prepaid calling card companies. This competition led to the decreasing calling rates, which have fallen dramatically to mere pennies per minute.
An example of this decreasing trend is the $10 phone card by Nivatel Communications. This card gives its users 400 calling minutes to Germany, 300 minutes to Brazil, or 500 minutes to Singapore. Sometimes the price of these cards can be further bargained to $9 or even $8.
Prepaid phone cards have been hailed as big moneymakers, even during its infancy. Experts say that these cards continue to be the most profitable segments of the dwindling telecom industry.
IDT, a huge corporation, recorded 30 to 40 percent annual growth in the sales of prepaid phone cards. 70 percent of the company’s revenues is said to be coming from sales of prepaid phone cards. In July alone, it has sold 18 million calling cards.
Problems with quality of phone calls made through prepaid phone cards had already been resolved with technological developments, greatly reducing echoes and delays in calls.
These technological advancements in telecom industry have also made possible the entry of small businesses in the prepaid industry. Instead of building their own networks, smaller companies can just lease lines from big telecom companies at a low cost.

Nokia 6280 A Real 3G Phone

2006-12-24T01:33:00.000-08:00

If you want a phone that’s a real 3G phone then you should go for Nokia 6280 phone; a phone that has every facility that a youngster wants. Nokia 6280 has 2 cameras: an 8x digital zoom ,2 mega pixel camera to click high resolution pictures with integrated flash which is at the rear end of the mobile and a VGA camera at the front so that you can make interactive phone calls. You can actually see a person while making a phone call to him or her.Nokia 6280 has an inbuilt music player in it .You also get a stereo headset free with this phone so Nokia 6280 can be used like a walkman. Music can be downloaded and songs of one’s choice are available.
Java – embedded games can also be downloaded as this phone has got Java. One can play these games with friends to have fun and frolic. Nokia 6280 can be used to send MMS’s to all the phones that have this facility. You can make videos and send them like SMS. Nokia 6280 increases your connectivity and accessibility manifold with its modern technologies like EDGE, MMS, WAP and GPRS. Infact emails can be sent through this phone. So, you can send emails to the job portals and also apply to important British universities.
Are you actually irritated by the frequent battery failures of your phone? Nokia 6280 does not need a recharge till 250 hours which means at least 9 days. You will love the slide-up design of the phone that looks very sassy. Screen display is also quite good: 320x240 pixels resolution which is definitely high quality.Nokia 6280 is available at 12 months free line rental. It means that the coupons can be bought for each month and at the end of the year these coupons are reimbursed. So, get a contract phone and enjoy the benefits of 3G for the rest of your life. It is perfectly in sync with what our generation needs.

How to Use Prepaid Phone Cards

2006-12-23T20:43:00.000-08:00

Phone cards can be used in a variety of ways. It could be used to call from a land line, mobile or payphone to any regular phone. First times should not be afraid of not being able to understand and use it. All phone cards work in a similar way and its dialing instructions are very simple. These dialing instructions can be found at the back of each prepaid phone card. The first step, usually, is entering the access number. The next is the PIN code and lastly, the number of the destination that you want to reach and access.
In order to activate prepaid phone card, you must follow the processes instructed in your e-mail account after your request has been approved. If approved, you will be receiving immediately the PIN number in your e-mail account and you can use it immediately.
It is highly recommended that you should read the instructions at the back of the prepaid phone card before purchasing it so that you will be able to decide which prepaid phone card gives the best value for you money. Remember that the beauty of using a prepaid phone card is that you are able to make calls at a cheaper rate than regular phone subscriptions. It is cheap because you are able to keep track of your calls. After each call, you will hear a recorded message informing you of how much is left in your card and how many more minutes you can still consume. This service is important as you are able to gain control of the minutes that you have used.
Prepaid phone cards have lots of other services to offer their consumers. Most cards, for example, can be used from Payphones, Mobiles, and Hotels. Others also offer PINless dialing options for some countries like the United States and Canada. This PINless dialing option gives you a more hassle free experience when making your calls. It allows you to register several numbers and these numbers can be accessed without having to go through the hassles of entering your PIN number every time. Some prepaid phone card companies offer wireless cards. These cards are not used for making international calls. These cards give their users the easy recharging of their cell phone credits. Another service that consumers can enjoy is calling from ones computer to regular phones or cellular mobile phones anywhere in the world. This service offers amazing rates for its users by using their consumers’ internet connection to establish high-quality but low call costs.
Using prepaid phone cards using your telephone landlines at home is also a service that gives you a degree of control over your future telephone bills. For instance, if a local call is made then it would be charged through your regular telephone bill. However, international calls will not be included and its cost will only be reduced from the balance of your prepaid card. This type of accesses is advantageous to users since it gives them better rates for their international calls and can still be used from any type of telephone.
There are also prepaid cards that allow toll-free accesses. With this service, you are able to perform calls from a toll-free access. The total cost of your calls will be discounted from the balance of the calling card. You would not have to fear of being charged with additional fees. This service has a nationwide coverage. However, there are some hotels and payphone that restrict the use of this particular feature.

The History of Police Scanners

2006-12-23T03:20:00.000-08:00

The history of the police scanner goes clear back to the early 1930’s. The police would broadcast through a local AM radio Station. Anyone with a radio could hear the calls. A conventional radio system is basically full of frequencies. Frequencies are the channels of communication.

To hear transmissions you must program certain channels into the scanner. The first type of police scanners were crystal controlled with about four channels. To listen you would have to have a quartz-crystal tuned to that frequency and plugged into an internal slot. Each of those crystals would cost around $7.00 and eventually become very expensive to upkeep.

Then in the late 1970’s scanners that were programmable were invented. It had a keypad that you would enter frequencies with and the memory of the scanner would save all your frequencies. Then the trunked radio system came out and it allowed you to keep track of five to thirty channels or frequencies. A site controller is where users were automatically assigned frequencies. Like the emergency departments would have one frequencies or truckers would have another frequency. These types are harder to monitor because you are often switching channels even in between conversations.

Today, you have digital trunking scanners. It is a computer that encodes a voice transmission into streams of data and then the receiver will decode it so that an audible voice can be heard. They were first introduced in 2002 by Uniden and then in 2003, Radio Shack released their digital scanner. These are great to use because you can say things over the radio and it not be heard, but only by those who can decode it, which would be a few people. The only people who could decode the codes is those who are programmed for the channel.

Police scanners are nice to have because they are something different from TV and radio. You can sit in your backyard and understand why the police are going up the road and you know that it would be something to become alarmed over or something not to frit over. Police scanners are purchased because a person belongs to one of the emergency departments or just for the interest in the community.

Many times, there are announcements on a police scanner that will first be aired before any TV stations get a hold of the information. For example, you will be notified first from a police scanner about any tornados that touchdown or if the weather gets too sever before the news airs the information. This type of information is announced from the National Weather Service and is completely trust worthy. Police scanners can also be entertaining as much as informational because of all the silly things people will say over the air.

Predictive Dialers and Other Vital Tools to Increase Your Telemarketing Profits

2006-12-22T20:42:00.001-08:00

Telemarketing has changed a great deal over the past few years. With innovative technologies being released such as Spitfire predictive dialers and other call center software and products, your telemarketing team can now be more productive than ever. Computerized telemarketing tools and the recent integration between the Internet and telephone systems enable your telemarketers to spend less time dialing and more time actually giving their presentation to potential customers. Below are some unique telemarketing services and products that have revolutionized the way telemarketers conduct their businesses. Predictive Dialers A predictive dialer was developed to dial phone numbers automatically and then monitor calls and the types of answers it receives when dialing. It then connects telemarketing agents to the call once it recognizes that a real person is on the line. Predictive dialers are used in many call centers today, and have helped thousands of telemarketers maximize their efforts and waste less time dialing non-responsive numbers. How It Works With a hosted predictive dialer system, you'll only need a computer, Internet connection, and a telephone line for each telemarketing agent. With a Spitfire Predictive Dialer, for example, you'll receive outbound and inbound dialing capabilities, and can integrate the system with your T1 or analog lines without having a separate database server. Other features include query-based dialing, and time zone sensitivity. You'll also have the capability to run multiple campaigns simultaneously, alternate number dialing, and monitor and record calls. This setup is an easy-to-use system and requires minimal effort to get started. This amazing CRM (customer relationship management) software drastically reduces the number of answering machines, voice mails, busy signals and hang-ups that your telemarketers may encounter during the workday. Auto Dialers Auto dialers were available prior to predictive dialers. These can dial telephone numbers automatically for your call center agents, but do not use algorithms such as the predictive dialer to connect the agent to only successful calls. The auto dialer is a handy tool if you have a limited budget but want to automate your telemarketing efforts. Monitoring Systems A monitoring system enables you to monitor calls for testing, training, motivation and assistance. You can ensure better quality service by keeping an "ear" on your telemarketers during their training. Amplifiers Amplifiers are great for ensuring good sound quality for each telephone call. With an amplifier, you can control the volume and enable muting. With some amplifiers, you can switch from your telephone to your computer easily. Headsets With headsets, your telemarketers can have free hands to write, type or do anything else while talking with potential clients. This prevents dropping of the receiver or the need to hold the receiver in an odd position while trying to write or type the client's information. There are many types of headsets including voice tubes, in the ear, over the ear, noise canceling, wireless, and convertible. These are just a few of the basic tools every telemarketer should have to be successful. In today's ever-changing marketplace, you have to stay ahead of the game with innovative call center software and products like predictive dialers to be a success. Telemarketing is still a great way to contact potential customers once you have all the tools you need.

Change Talk: How to Make Change in Your Relationship

2006-12-22T20:42:00.000-08:00

Have you had it? Are you tired of the same routine that is increasingly stressful and less fun? Have you talked about making a change but another month passes and nothing changed at all? Here is how you can make some big changes that will put back the time, fun and intimacy in your strained relationship. These ten tips on Change-Talk will help transform your warring partner into a willing and involved team player.
1. The I Statement. If you start out with “You” we have already lost! Say, “I want…” You must decide what is most important to you, right now. Focus on only one subject. The quickest way to become ineffective is to dilute your message. If you ask for multiple things all at once, you are definitely not going to get them, and then you start a pattern of failure. Your partner stops paying attention. Spreading your demands all over the map renders you powerless and ineffective. The important thing is that you establish a pattern of getting what you want and especially getting what you need. Say, “I want a change in the quality of our relationship.” Who can argue with that!
2. Make an Appointment.
Next, agree on a quiet time early in the day when you and your partner are able to talk uninterrupted for at least an hour. This is a time to discuss and listen, maybe with a third party, like a counselor, trusted friend or family member. The third person, acting as a mediator, can help keep it more of a discussion and less of a fight.
3. It’s Your Fault. As you each discuss the problem, somebody’s feelings may get hurt. The more frightened the dog, the more likely it will bite you, so be prepared to get nipped. Exploring the un-chartered waters of your relationship is scary and threatening. Cut your partner some slack and be compassionate, even while he or she is acting ridiculous.
4. It’s All My Fault. Avoid letting one person take on all the blame for a current situation or the discussion will mire down in self-pity and guilt-inducing wailing. If you are willing to split the blame then you can move forward and the discussion will progress.
5. Anger and Tears.
Loud “barking” may occur. As you or your partner get close to revealing dark, hidden, secret fears and insecurities, you may defensively lose your temper. This is when that third party can divert and calm things down. Fear changes to anger very quickly. Try to stay focused on talking to your frightened Beloved’s inner child and just ignore the obnoxious, angry, foot-stomping façade that is hurling accusations.
6. Stroke and be patient.
As you take turns freaking out, also take turns steadying each other. Give reassurances that you believe in them, love them, respect them and want them so that they can get control of their runaway emotions. Only then can you get back to talking about the subject that you want to discuss. This is where most couples give up and never allow their partner to work through their terrifying anxiety about making a change. Their idea of change may include a fear that the relationship might get worse, rather than better. This stubbornness may be misdirected love for you, and although annoying, is also sweet. Remember that it takes great courage to make changes in what you care about the most.
7. Let it rest. After the hour of emotional bombing of each other, reason and logic now have an opportunity to surface. Watch for that brief moment when your partner sees it from your side. When that happens, both of you take a break and let the ideas cook and rise like yeast bread. If you touch it too soon it will collapse! Agree to a second time to talk more and leave it alone, or you will have to start from scratch all over again.
8. No cheating. Couples can approach huge conflict and change by allowing Change-Talk to run its bumpy course without trying to skip or shorten the steps. Once the ideas have been fully stated, listened to, emotionally reacted to and then pondered on alone and undisturbed, a satisfying resolution is just around the bend.
9. Know your Matchline Gap. The key is to understand that you and your partner have different capacities to give and receive in the relationship called the Matchline Gap. When the Gap is large, people must work harder to keep a relationship balanced. If you are more capable in the relationship, then the responsibility for establishing and maintaining that balance is mostly up to you. Everyone deserves love and happiness.
10. List your relationships’ priorities. There are your needs and your partner’s needs. Your relationship, a third and separate entity, has needs too! Both of you must nurture your relationship. Even a great relationship will die if ignored - just like a like a lovely flower. Ask yourself if you are starving your relationship of time, energy, resources and laughter. Give your partner a chance to catch up to wherever you are with Change-Talk and then commit to goals and restructuring that will allow you, your partner and your relationship to thrive.

Communication-Does It Really Need Two People?

2006-12-21T01:50:00.001-08:00

I start from telling you about communication. The word ‘communication’ has been derived from Latin word ‘communis’ that means ‘common’. Acc. to Wiber Schramn “When we communicate, we are trying to establish a ‘commonness’ with someone. The essence of communication is getting the receiver and the sender ‘turned’ together for a particular message. Communication takes place when one person transfers information and understanding to another person.

So, it is clear that communication involves at least two persons.

BUT, ”Does communication necessarily involves at least two persons?”

If we talk of commonly written process of communication in various books, it is summed up in following steps:

1. SENDER

2. IDEAS

3. ENCODING

4. SELECTING CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION

5. RECEIVER

6. DECODING

7. ACTION

8. FEEDBACK

This also shows that communication involves at least two persons.

BUT, “Does communication necessarily involves at least two persons?”

If someone asks from me I would reply “NO”. This can be proved very easily. To arrive at the answer “NO” you have to take an example. I request everyone reading this article to think of a morning when you are not in a hurry and you are getting ready for your office or what ever. Then to get dressed you go to the cupboard and open it and start searching for trouser with matching shirt, a suit or any similar dresses. Normally, we first two or three dresses and then decide which one to wear. And imagine you are alone.

So here lies the answer.

If we go by process of communication it is as follows: you are sender, you have a message that is “what to wear?”, you encode via uttering slowly or thinking, you choose a channel which is abstract to communicate (i.e. mind), then your inner mind is the receiver it decodes the message and at last action is taken with feed back i.e. you decide to wear a dress. So communication is complete. And it doesn’t need two persons in this process.

Synchronized Swimming and Dolphin Cognition and Communication

2006-12-21T01:49:00.001-08:00

As humans become more technologically advanced and are able to see our environments from the outside looking in, we gather insight to our 3D space that we normally would not be able to do, these leaps in understanding which leads to increased technological advances appears to be increased due to such abilities. We have been able to increase our understanding of our total world and space through sea exploration, aircraft observation and space flight. Watching an Earth Rise from the moon would indeed be such a moment, watching it on TV or by way of video link also gives way to additional total populous insight and makes available to our culture to take another huge leap into the such understanding.

Ancient peoples who lived in the hills and mountains developed better spatial reasoning than those cultures, who dominated flat lands. Flat land civilizations often put up castles, pyramids, and temples and from the tops of these they could better see the land, study the terrain and space and better adapt to their environments. Perhaps a ruler or advisor could look out over the lands and develop plans for better use of the land, strategic defense of the area and control over the territorial innate needs of the region. Perhaps this also was the first version of today’s urban planning methodology. Such a view from above would give humans, like birds a better perspective of their environment, for a species of prey such as a bird flying over the fields in search of small rodents, humans also were able to use advantage of the mountains since they were unable to fly. I can vouch the increased ability of understanding from an aerial perspective having a father take me up in a light aircraft often when I was very young and then teaching me to fly at age nine through my teens.

Those who build scale models, especially train set ups have another advantage over others in that they begin to see the world from another perspective and this brings to mind additional thinking in how the world works and our place in it as surface dwellers limited by gravity, perhaps ideas in how best to adapt our world to serve us better. Drawings and paintings also achieve this additional cognitive ability allowing us to see from someone else’s perspective, point of view or actual place of viewing, without ever having been there or had such a thought previously. Such thought provoking images trigger our brains to a new perspective and increase cognition.

Now then what if we take the Athens 2004 Olympics Synchronized Swimming Event and then videotape it and then put it on large screen plasma TV monitors and play it outside the pool where non-stressed and happy Dolphins are and can view it, they will watch it and smile. We know cats and dogs will sit for hours beside a TV set and that some will in fact may eventually realize that if in front of a mirror that they are looking at themselves in reflection. We can have at least 15 hours of the Synchronized Swimming Olympic Event if you take into consideration all the different teams, it would be good PR for the Olympics and all those countries submitting videos. This will help increase the Dolphin Cognition and increase the Dolphin’s Visualization since they will be looking at screen in virtual reality signifying and simulating another pool of water from the outside perspective looking into their own type of world which they are familiar with. This could be considered similar to humans watching a videotape, which is taken looking out the window of an aircraft flying over their cities. We know that this does help humans understand things much better.

I believe that such vide tapes of the cities should be played in grade school for kids, to show the kids a better idea of their true environment from another perspective. This concept is similar to the idea of unlocking the prisoners in the Plato’s “Cave Allegory” and allowing them to see the larger picture. Also as the Mars Rovers send back video the video should be played on ten surround a sound screens for a virtual reality environment for kids to see, this will develop their spatial cognitive abilities so they can think and understand. If we are to move the human race to the next level and understanding of multi-dimensional space and help them grasp the current theories and reality of the future we need to insure now that their brains are adapted in such a way to think there. Imagine what this can do for early childhood cognitive development? In Mesa Union School District in Phoenix, NASA has a Space Shuttle VR Machine that the kids can use, this type of things should be available everywhere in all United States Schools, we cannot now afford to slack off, because in the future we need generations thinking here to propel our country and the future of all mankind.

Spatial reasoning, thinking, outside the box cognition will be fully necessary in the future for mankind’s next evolutionary step, we need to be ready because here we come. If we can share our environment with the Dolphins and understand the basics of how mammals learn and think we are well on our way to a world-class educational system, which crosses species and uses the whole brain. For instance taking dolphins up in a hot air balloon over their environment, letting them literally fly with the birds. We should be measuring their brains also to see what they think of all of this, through our advances in TMS and fMRI. We should indeed not limit our observational perspectives to only mammals, as it does appear that many other species of fish, reptiles, birds, marsupials also contain many similar traits with regards to genetic code and therefore perhaps insights into cognition of higher life forms. Such studies and experiments will give us the abilities needed to progress Artificial Intelligence in computing, robotics and the creation of organizational swarms and socialization which will be necessary to co-evolve amongst non-organic manmade machines.

Establishing moon bases and continued video from Space and NASA on websites, VR portable truck mounted machines traveling to our schools, Discovery Channel TV and picture books will do the same thing to awaken our current human evolutionary process as did the cultures which had the look out advantages of their own lands, as such previous civilizations did have a huge growth spurt over similar peoples in flat lands. Mapping, GPS visual handheld devices, Satellite photography, Aerial pictures should be shown in schools and today they are more available than ever, now we should up the ante and provide better visual images to our entire population to bring them to the next step. We have found life on Mars and realize that we are not alone now and will no longer be able to maintain the thought that we are so special a life form that none other exists anywhere else in the universe. Such a thought is now as silly as the notion of a flat world.

Is it possible to show pictures and videos to Dolphins of the Synchronized swimming from our perspective, then show them the perspective of the birds on their water world, then show them the perspective of the space shuttle or space station on the Earth to a point they can understand it? Surely it should be, since their brains are the same size and they are very well adapted for spatial reasoning, Dolphins can fly in their world of water in the 3D that humans cannot without artificial wings, balloons, parachutes, aircraft, etc. So in essence their evolution has an advantage over us in spatial reasoning, is this to say Dolphins are smarter or have better cognitive abilities than humans? I did not say that, but I certainly wouldn’t bet either way, in fact they are much better adapted to their environment then we appear to be in ours. What would a Dolphin think in space, floating around in near zero gravity? What would that Dolphin say when he got back to his buddies in the water? The first step of my project concept would be to entertain the Dolphins with our synchronized swimmers, much the way they might entertain us at sea world, but using 3D. We know that Dolphins like to entertain and be entertained and have showed up at huge surfing events in record numbers simply to say, “Here we are, we can do this too!” Perhaps bringing both the species together in a common cause and help each other understand one another we can learn more about ourselves and our current environment, current perspective and increase our cognitive abilities to understand what comes next.

As the human race increases their work with frequency modification, gravity waves, sound and light and discover new ways and uses for these, we may find our selves unlocking time, quantum physics and many other great discoveries which will forever change the way we perceive the world we are in. By bringing up our next generation and current generation to a higher and current level they can be ready for what comes next, without rejecting it, calling it evil or refusing to adapt to it. Taking chimpanzees into the international space station is not as silly as it seems. Teaching them to communicate with us through computers they can control with their minds is a worthy and minimal investment in the possibilities of the future. Taking them into a submarine to visit the Dolphins is a great idea. Showing them the water level and submerging below it to meet with the Dolphins and then allowing them to meet, play and attempt communication, whether assisted through Virtual Reality, computers or human go betweens is a smart thing to do. It is time we all got together and learned because it is readily apparent that millions and millions of years of evolution has created some unique and very well niche adapted species here. Our most recent technological advances of the last 200 years is shocking considering the previous 2000 and yes we are moving quite fast and almost at a break through point of the next innovations of computer-human interfaces, life extension, space exploration, time travel, gravity and weather manipulation to mention only a few; however the possibilities of the future are so intense, that we must not leave stones un-turned. There are many species on this planet with extremely high intellectual capacity and we should be thinking in terms of their perspectives, as well as our own to get to the next level of human understanding of the life experience and world’s we live in, effect and move through.

Comet Tail Communication

2006-12-20T01:48:00.001-08:00

It is possible to put a device on a comet which can not only steer it to distant lands, but also use it’s tail as a communication banner. This idea is not too far fetched as scientists are figuring out ways to encode photons. Atomic Photon Cloud Communications:

http://www.spacedaily.com/news/physics-04zi.html

Right now this experiment is allowing communication between sets of atoms, which has major implications for quantum computing. Also experimenting is being done at Los Alamos National Labs with encoding light with data and so far they have been able to send data over ten miles away on a beam of light. What does all this mean? Well it means unbelievably fast computing speeds, over vast distances. Data and communication at the speed of light, is a fascinating future. As we discuss this it appears we can send data even faster than light itself:

http://kh.bu.edu/qcl/pdf/chiao__r1993751f1505.pdf

When intelligent life wants to contact us, what method might they use? Well, perhaps they have already discovered the concept of Atomic Photon manipulation and are able to communicate using that, perhaps there is data in the light itself? Is intelligent life trying to contact us using the photons sent thru light to our planet in the latest waves of energy waves? Although this sounds like science fiction, we are learning it is quite possible to do that ourselves.

The writing on the tail of a comet is interesting in that as the comet passes planets it leaves its Comet Dust for all to see. Perhaps we should collect some Comet Dust ourselves and de-code it? Aerial Advertisers have often used the heat from the combustion of the aircraft engines at to make smoke signals and clouds with writing on them. The Atom Photon Manipulation is along this line of thinking and can you imagine the amount of data you can send and receive over vast distances using such a method? Scientists have been working on this stuff for quite a while and the age of quantum communication and computing is nearly upon us. Fifty years ago it was more or less science fiction in Arthur C Clark’s books, now it is almost here. If we encode the ice crystals coming off a comet’s tail with messages we have a way to send a messenger across the galaxy.

The ice crystals tail of the comet can contain both a large-scale message and a micro message within the molecules making up the Comet Tail itself. A robotic attachment which uses some of the comet tail for fuel and propulsion will steer the comet to other solar systems and encode the ice crystals as it passed distant planets to deliver a message, a portable message greeting. It will also make ice patterns on the tail so that all who visualize this can see that this comet contains a message.

How To Protect Yourself From Reverse Cell Phone Lookup

2006-12-20T01:48:00.000-08:00

With the rapid advancement of technology, many of us feel that our right to privacy is being threatened. Unlisted phones numbers were at first introduced just for this reason, to protect our privacy. Unlisted numbers made it very hard to discover information about you without paying a lot of money for private investigation services. These days you can find directory assistance services even for phone numbers that are unlisted.

Reverse cell phone lookup has only added further discomfort to our already growing discomfort regarding our privacy. These days the only thing you have to do is to type in the number in one of many free internet reverse phone lookup services and provided that the number in question is not unlisted, you will have the persons name, address and many other personal information right before you.

So how can you protect yourself?

1. Always, always have all your phone numbers unlisted. Provide your phone number only on a need to know basis, to your family and close friends.

Even if someone wants to pay for that information, it will be very hard to obtain your personal information in this way, if your phones are unlisted.

This should be your first line of defense, and in case that your number is already listed ask your service provider to change it, and then have it unlisted.

2. Use caller ID blocking system. Most cell phone models have that function ready for use, so why not use it if you have to call someone not on your friends list.

When calling friends however it is always good to let them see who is it that is calling them. You can always dial *67 before actual phone number, that will prevent your number from showing up.

The person you are calling will see just blank space with a message unknown or private being displayed instead of your number.

3. Government laws. Government has many regulations and laws in place that protect your private information. OK, so maybe these laws are not perfect, but they do limit the amount of information that can be gathered about you without your approval. Actually in this case reverse cell phone lookup is safer then most other information gathering services. For example, information from your drivers license or social security card can be far more dangerous and easier to use if someone would want to steal your identity.

Streamline Your Communication in the Modern Day

2006-12-19T01:48:00.000-08:00

Communication is a basic tool of success in modern days. Communication means interaction between persons, or to a crowd. Interpersonal communication efficacy is considered as a skill since the bond of relationships relies on the power of it. The focus of the communication is to makes others understand about what you want to make them know. The primary need of the communication is that it must be clear and evident. The modern days are mentioned as the communication age since an evolution in the communication modes has been taking place. The developments in the communication have helped to shrink the world indeed into a global village. However, as the communication modes evolves, the necessity to streamline the communication also increases.

While streamline your communication, you must be conscious to use words, which are sufficient to convey your idea. The communication has to be molded considering various factors such as the occasion, mode of communication, and the person to whom you are communicating. Communication includes all the means of interaction such as speaking, writing, gestures, and expression. The basic protocol, which the person has to maintain in the communication, is considered as the etiquette of communication.

Streamlining of the communication has to be done according to the context of interaction. In case of business relationships, communication is extremely important. The special feature of business communication is that it must be short, and precise to the matter. In public speaking, communication has to be interesting. You have to adopt a sort of demonstration in public speaking, to make it appreciable for the whole crowd. Context relevant examples and jokes will make it really attractive. The preference in the personal communication has to fix in accordance with the other person. However, prior preparation for communication is advisable, in common to all types of communication.

The advent to new technologies has raised the necessity of streamlining the communication. From face to face interactions and mails, now, the horizon of communication has extended to telephone, fax, mobile phone and internet. The etiquette of communication has to be readjusted, with accordance with the peculiarities of the mode of communication such as for telephone speaking manners is important and for internet quick reply is the requirement. However, in streamlining, the general requirements for communication must be retained, such as it has to be interesting and pleasing. Any how, if you want the expected response, you definitely have to be an active listener too.

Choosing a Communications Designer A Practical Guide

2006-12-19T01:47:00.000-08:00

“I don’t know the first thing about professional design!”

You say your MBA program didn’t include training to work with creative professionals? Perhaps your degree is from the Seat-of-the-Pants School, and didn’t include experience in outsourcing creative work. Don’t know what a designer actually does? Don’t even know where to find one?

Relax. You’re not alone. Few executives are trained to make these kinds of decisions or to work effectively with creative professionals. This puts them at a distinct disadvantage when hiring creative consultants.

We’ve run into this situation with many of our clients. That’s why we’re offering this white paper to fill in this critical information gap. What you learn from this paper will give you the power to approach marketing projects with confidence. It will help you understand:

• The benefits of hiring a professional designer

• Where to look for the pro you need

• How to choose the right one for each particular project

• How to work effectively by taking a sensible approach to project management:

— Establishing clear project parameters and expectations

— Maximizing the talents of your chosen designer

— Setting an optimal amount of your own involvement in the project

— Designating appropriate liaisons to your designer and other creative talent

When do I need a designer?

Unfortunately, many business owners know little to nothing about what a designer actually does. This results in them making the mistake of not knowing when they need one. Design professionals are still sometimes referred to as “graphic designers,” based on the old definition of their duty: to attract attention to the message. However, with the advent of digital technology, they have become so much more than creators of a pretty layout.

Today’s successful graphic designers are actually information managers, using visual techniques to corral similar ideas together, then lead the reader’s eye through the material in the most efficient and effective way. After all, they not only need to make sometimes dry information interesting enough to read, but also fight the time deficit that every busy, modern person deals with. If your designer doesn’t know how to hold the interest of the reader and move the eye along at a reasonable pace, the reader may just give up and your entire investment becomes just another expense…and a wasted one, at that.

Those professionals able to not just attract a reader’s eye, but also to hold it until the end of the message, are true communications designers. Their skills make sure the communication — that elusive connection between words and visuals and the reader’s mind — actually happens.

So, the answer is: You need to hire a professional communications designer when you want to produce some kind of material, whether traditional print or new media, that must communicate to today’s preoccupied, harried audiences.

What should I look for?

Communications designers bring all the talents, knowledge and understanding of the graphic designer to the table:

• effective information layout

• readability through sound typography

• color theory and psychology

• effective use of illustration and photography

But then they add the expertise of someone who understands the purpose, potential and the limitations of digital media:

• the Internet, intranets and extranets

• email

• CD-ROMs & DVDs

• Touchscreen technology & kiosk displays

Communications designers are familiar with the many different programming languages and “applets” that allow such media to work. You may be familiar with some of their names:

• Java

• CGI/Perl

• Shockwave

• Flash

• Cold Fusion

This knowledge doesn’t necessarily equate to the ability to perform such coding themselves, but some really advanced communications designers are also proficient programmers in these languages. When you hire these well-rounded individuals, you get a lot of bang for your buck.

But do I really NEED to hire a professional?

Some business owners and managers, even when they need top-flight communications materials, opt not to hire a professional designer. They mistakenly believe they are “saving money” by using a staffer who may have some creative ability, or by trying to do the work themselves. Usually, the results make them regret such a decision.

The fact is, really good communications design is an alchemy of art, science, training, experience and creativity. Simply having access to the tools of the designer’s trade—a computer and some page layout software—doesn’t make someone a designer, any more than owning a toolbox makes one a mechanic, or having a piano makes one the next Beethoven. We’ve all seen the sorry results of “garage design,” and the proliferation of low-end desktop publishing software has only exacerbated the problem.

The argument that professionals cost too much money is one that doesn’t hold much water. The fact is, you get what you pay for. So if you’re tempted to go “on the cheap,” ask yourself if it’s worth saving a few bucks to negate the impact of the rest of the budget. Remember: No matter how much time, effort and money is spent crafting the message, if no one reads it everything is wasted.

When a real designer is brought in at this point, much time has frequently been lost, tempers are frayed, and everyone is beginning to feel under the gun. Now-looming deadlines frequently require lots of budget-busting overtime on everyone’s part. The designer must be brought up to speed, and then come up with the creative concepts that should have happened at the beginning. And face it: no one produces their best work under unrealistic pressure.

Okay, we want a pro. But how do we find one?

There are many places you could start your search. There are trade associations whose members include professional designers, and membership in such organizations usually signals a certain seriousness about the members’ careers. Many of these associations have websites, several of which even feature search criteria for member specializations.

One such organization is the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). You’ll find an interesting treatise on information design, and other useful topics on their Clients page at http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm?alias=clientsview.

Other organizations that will help you locate professional designers include:

• International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) at www.iabc.com

• Graphic Artists Guild (GAG) at www.gag.org

• Creative Business at www.creativebusiness.com.

There are many websites that help you locate freelance designers that allow you to key in your project specifications and let the designers contact you. Two of the most reputable of these are

• VendorSeek at www.vendorseek.com

• Elance at www.elance.com

The very best way to find professional design talent, however, is the same way you find other critical service providers: leverage your professional network. In other words, ask your colleagues whom they recommend.

But you mentioned all the different things designers might know. How do we find the RIGHT one for our project?

Hiring the designer that fits any given project is equally as important as making sure the candidates are professionals. Just as there are different kinds of designers for certain kinds of clothing (fashion designers), automobiles and other products (industrial designers), and buildings (architects), there are different types of designers for certain kinds of communications materials.

Step #1: Project Parameters

Project Planning & Management Structure

The first step in hiring the right designer is to determine your project’s parameters. Once you decide on the end result you want, it’s fairly easy to use logical processes of elimination to decide who is most likely to help you reach it. The most logical way to establish parameters is by using the “five W’s” system: Who, What, Why, Where, When (and How).

Who

• Ask who comprises your target audience. Establish a primary and secondary focus; all other audiences are extraneous to this project. The rule for your most effective piece is “one piece, one audience,” whether you’re talking about a brochure, an ad, or a website.

• Ask who in your organization will be responsible for gathering all the data, information and images that will be used in the piece. This is your content point person, and is critical to getting things moving.

• Determine who in your organization will be responsible for final approval of the piece. Try to assign this responsibility to no more than three people: “Design by committee” is the kiss of death to fresh, creative ideas.

• Who in your organization will be responsible for acting as liaison between the person providing data, the designer, and the approval panel? This project manager or coordinator should be highly organized, a good listener, personable, and capable of impartiality.

What

• Decide what is the most important overall message your piece must communicate. All other messages should be subordinate to this message, and should be few, if any.

• What is the end result you hope to achieve with the production and distribution of this piece? State your goal in a measurable way, so you’ll be clear about whether or not the piece was successful.

• What is your budget and timeline for producing the piece? Include everything from preparatory staff meetings through delivery of the finished piece to the end user.

• What is the critical buying path (CBP) of your primary target audience? Knowing where to find your targets when they are in an information-gathering (shopping) or decision-making (buying) frame of mind, and intercepting them with your piece at those points, will give your campaign a much greater chance of success.

• What is the format for this piece? Print advertising, direct mail, brochure, catalog, website, opt-in email blast, CD-ROM, stationary on-site kiosk? This determines much of the form the content will take.

Why

• Why have you chosen the proposed format for the piece? Does it really make sense, or would it perhaps be more effective in another form? Weigh all characteristics against the result you are trying to achieve.

• Ask yourself why you have chosen the people designated for the approval board and liaison positions. Make sure it’s because their skill sets and availability match the needs of the project, and not just because someone’s ego needs servicing.

Where

• Where will the different facets of the project’s development take place? Consider where you’ll hold meetings for in-house project prep, designer interviews, concept brainstorming, incremental project review, and final approvals. Logistics are important to efficient administration of a project, especially one that may run over an extended period of time.

• Where will you want the actual creative work to take place? If you feel you need a great deal of control and so require on-site work, be aware that you are setting up a work-for-hire situation according to federal government definitions. This will likely limit the range of professionals who will be willing to work with you.

• Where will your piece be distributed? This, along with target audience and format, determines much of the form the content will take. For instance, catalogs that mail to a list of upscale office buyers will be designed very differently than those mailed to a list of hair salon managers.

When

• Determine when your project will need to start and end. Establishing and adhering to a schedule will make everyone’s job easier along the way, by establishing measurable production performance expectations.

• When will you need to meet with the designer to interview and issue a work order, then for status reviews as the project progresses? Use common sense to establish these benchmarks: Make initial meetings coincide with in-house prep meetings, and progressives coincide with such things as receiving final copy from your copywriter; delivery of first, second and possibly third-round proofs; and perhaps a press check, if your designer is to be involved in that phase.

• When will the finished product be needed at its final destination? This date will most likely act as the control for the final project schedule, as you back all other activities off from it.

How

• How will your project team, including your designer and any other creative professionals you hire, work together? Avoid having meetings be the only time your project team communicates. Such a scenario will rapidly deteriorate into one of missed deadlines and finger-pointing. Keep the lines of communication open and active by encouraging regular updates via phone, fax or email.

• How will you decide whether unscheduled extra meetings are necessary in the process? Most obviously, the liaison or project manager should be empowered to make this call, but you may find that other project team members also need this ability.

Laser Fax Machines

2006-12-18T20:41:00.001-08:00

Fax machines are one of the most reliable tools in sending documents through the use of telephone lines. These are faster than regular mail and more affordable than overnight mail delivery. Although email has begun to supplant the fax machines in many businesses, there are still many types of fax machines that are widely used nowadays which very much include the laser fax machines.
Pros and Cons of Laser Fax Machines
Laser fax machines are heavy-duty machines that make use of the laser or what is known in technical circles as the light emitting diode printing engine, which is used in laser printers. One main advantage of laser fax machines over the older models is that such equipment no longer rely on thermal paper. They can quickly produce premium quality images with toner on plain paper and are quite reliable because they only need few services aside from toner and paper.
However, the major disadvantage of laser fax machines is their price. Laser fax machines usually cost several times the amount of thermal or inkjet fax machines. But in spite of this, many businesses still rely on laser fax machines because of their higher sending speeds. Such speeds help save a great deal later on in terms of reduced phone charges, since these costs come with the territory with regard to sending faxes.
These are the advantages and disadvantages of laser fax machines. If you are looking to purchase one, you must carefully consider these pros and cons in order to arrive at the best buying decision. Aside from these, you should also check on the other features such as memory, color, broadcast, and paper sizes. With all these in mind, you can be confident that you will get the quality laser fax machine that will suit your requirements.

International Toll Free Numbers From More Than 30 Countries Are Now Easy To Establish For Business

2006-12-18T20:40:00.000-08:00

Toll Free Numbers are clearly established in the business world and have in the past few years with lower cost found their way into the home. US based toll free numbers are widely known and used. In fact they became so popular in the 1990s that new 888, 877, and 866 needed to be added.
But did you know that US numbers can be made to "ring" overseas? Or did you know that a company or individual can get a toll free number in Non-US countries?
Most people do not, but many are learning fast the benefits of global toll free services.
People on the move like toll free numbers. You can send the incoming calls to a home, office, or even cell phone as needed. Many providers allow you to easily change online the number to which your toll free number rings.
NEW USES:
Now expatriates living far from family and friends get USA toll free numbers that forward incoming calls to their homes and cell phones overseas.
These include the military, Peace Corp and related volunteers, missionaries, and of course business people relocated for extended periods.
Using a toll free number makes it easy for people to reach them. They also know that people who hesitate to dial international numbers are more willing to call a toll free number.
And, of course, many companies in the world would like to have US and Canadian customers.
For example: A fishery in Costa Rica wants to easily reach the vast US market. They subscribe for a US toll free number and have it ring to their main office in San Jose, Costa Rica. And they can allow Canadian callers to reach them just as easily for just a few cents more.
Or a software designer in China would like customers in the US to feel it is easy for them to converse with the designers as needed. They would likewise get a US toll free number that rings directly to their design studio in Shanghai.
But these are still uses for US numbers that ring overseas.
There is also a burgeoning market for international business owners that want toll free numbers in other countries to communicate with their customers and clients AND establish a professional presence in globally.
When I say international toll free number now, I’m talking about a number you dial from another country (not the USA). An international toll free number can also be directed to any phone or cell phone number worldwide. International toll free numbers are NOT so cheap, so they are mainly used for business. For example, Globaltollfree.us can provide you with a toll free number in Germany that rings anywhere you want on the planet. BUT the setup charge is $20 and there is a $10 monthly fee. The per minute rates are dependent upon the countries involved and it pays to be sure your global toll free is cost effective relative to sales or customer service. For a bona fide global business, it can be extremely cost effective to encourage sales and service.
After all, a toll free number or 800 number boosts your perceived level of professionalism and represents you to be a credible prospect to potential markets. Things as small as assuming if the company wants to pay for the call, they must want to talk to their customers. People like that. When prospects see a toll free number, there is comfort that because they feel a safer connection with you. It has been said that putting your 800 number in your advertisements, you should increase your ad response by as much as 600%. And now your ads can appear worldwide via the web!

Of Letters and E-Mails

2006-12-17T20:40:00.000-08:00

Letters, greeting cards, postcards - the heartfelt gestures and the most meaningful ones if you would agree with me. Do they still work like before? Yes! it can never lose the significance and the personal touch that it gives. Today, emails, ecards, everything techno seems to be making the world shrink smaller and smaller. Emails have taken the place of letters making it easier and easier to reach out to a person close to you or simply to pass an information.No doubt, this world has become a place where everything is just a click away.Short text messaging at the tip of our fingers, it feels closer to being home even when you are miles away from home.
The changing times and the advancement of technology have made us easily accessible to almost everything.Music, movies, news, communication.....these are all within our reach and they have certainly made life easier during times of emergency because in a much much lesser time we could finish up a lot of important things.
There yesterday, here today, travelling is such an easy trip too. You can go on chatting as though the person you are conversing with is right in front of you even if he may be in another continent. But despite the fact that the use of latest technologies is on the rise, with everyone preferring the easier ride, type a few words and mail it in a click of a mouse, wish somebody in the form of ecards, sms' ,etc, Letters and greeting cards still have the most personal effect on the reciever on the other end.The content may not be much but it says a lot about how much you care.Of course, emails and ecards are nice ways of showing you care too but when it comes to relating to people personally it is letters and greeting cards that still rule. They have this power of making people feel closer to you and seem to hold a bigger meaning. Today, writing letters and sending greeting cards might have become the last thing people use to keep in touch but they are the most wonderful ways of saying you cherish the person concerned.
True, internet is amazing and one of the things that top the list when it comes to satisfying our many needs - chattting, games, loads and loads of fun, meeting people from every walk of life, a platform where we can learn and grow, shopping, news from every corner of the world, Its simply incredible how its been designed to work.And i am so happy there is such a thing where we can expand our horizons too because i am learning everyday, which i am pretty sure, has been a saving grace to millions around the world.
Yes, the speed of a letter will never match that of an email but if you should think, letters have lost its impact on the present world, you got to have a second thought because its still the one trend that hasn't died and for ages to come, who knows it will continue to give a greater impact on one's lives.

Wealth of Applications Telemetry Equipment

2006-12-17T20:38:00.000-08:00

Telemetry, literally meaning "remote measurement" or the remote collection of data, is an automated measurement process that enables data to be gathered at remote locations, and transmitted to receiving telemetry equipment for interpretation, display, and recording. Telemetered data can be biological, environmental or physical data. Telemetry is used to gather data from remote, inaccessible or dangerous locations, such as a satellite in orbit, to control stations on ground, where the information is decrypted. Space agencies like National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), European Space Agency (ESA) and other international space agencies employ telemetry equipment to collect data from orbiting spacecraft and satellites.
Communication channels are a major part of any telemetry system. When telemetry was relatively new, information was relayed over wires. Today it uses radio transmissions and GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) technology for data transmission. Telemeter is the apparatus used for recording the readings of an instrument and transmitting them by radio. A telemetry handler, collects, formats and stores the data in a dedicated buffer, and then relays it to the receiving station. The type of telemetry equipment required depends on the type and amount of data to be transmitted and whether remote control capability is desired. In the simplest system, the data are simply displayed on annunciator, indicator, and recorder. In larger systems, video display terminal and data logging is frequently used. Many times this data is analyzed by computer systems in order to put meaning to the readings being recorded.
The contribution of telemetry to basic biological and medical research cannot be overstated. Discoveries made during manned space programs led to development of complex physiological monitoring and telemetry equipment, typically to gauge the health and well being of astronauts. Since early 70s, the use of these devices to provide real time physiological monitoring in hospitals has become widespread. Cardiac patients are equipped with automatic recording, measuring, and transmitting devices. I even recall one time when I went into the hospital for chest pains and even in this small town hospital, they were equipped with telemetry devices. I wore one to go outside for some fresh air when I was stable. Incase of an emergency, an alerting function instantaneously summons the healthcare professional in charge of the patient. Telemetry also permits the tracking of endangered land and marine species tagged with customized telemetry equipment. These devices collect data on their patterns of movement, dispersion, and migrations. The daily positioning of these animals, coupled with continuous tracking gives an explicit representation of the way they utilize their habitat.

Audio Visual Innovations

2006-12-16T01:14:00.000-08:00

Audiovisual technologies facilitate and enhance communication capabilities, but it is vital that their integration into your existing technology infrastructure be expertly conducted through proper and appropriate system designs. Audiovisual equipment refers to equipment and applications that deal with sound and sight. The audiovisual world includes microphones, audio tape recorders, audio mixers, sound systems, analog and digital cameras both still and video, film projectors, slide projectors, VCRs, CD players/recorders and DVD players/recorders, multi-functional devices and computer controlled sound and video systems.

The installation and integration of all equipment pieces into a working system is a complex engineering task. In order to make the audiovisual system functional with differing needs and technical know-how, the end-user interface design often requires customized solutions. In the audio industry, audiovisual innovations include projectors, screens, monitors, cameras and plasma displays. Broadcasting companies are creating a revolution in how we get and listen to audio. Innovation in this field means a compelling product portfolio that delivers complete audio solutions for performance audio, for computers, the internet, for home, for life--in short, for every conceivable need.

Audiovisual home service providers can seamlessly integrate almost anything—media walls, touch screen panels, speakers, structured cabling, etc., into your existing components or into the architectural integrity of any room. These innovations have not only enhanced entertainment but have also been useful for education. The use of audio visual equipment in teaching has made it possible to break geographical barriers and reach out to a wide range of students. Greater interaction between the teacher and the student has been made possible by integrating traditional knowledge with innovative means of reaching out to students.

For ensuring the right usage of any new technology some amount of regulation is essential. The audio-visual regulatory framework imposes a certain amount of control on the content providers. It redefines ’broadcasting’ by distinguishing between linear services and non-linear services. Linear services comprise of scheduled broadcasting on television platforms as well as the internet and on mobile phones. Linear services would be subject to the same rules as those which apply to broadcasting. Non-linear services comprise non-scheduled broadcasting including video-on-demand and web based news. Regulation would ensure that innovation happens in positive and constructive ways.

Quality Telephone Answering Systems

2006-12-16T01:13:00.000-08:00

The telephone is one of the all-time great inventions of modern man. We use these devices on a daily basis to keep up with work issues, and to communicate with our family for whatever reason necessary. Telephones have become a necessity for all of us. Because of the, telephone answering systems have become very important to help us monitor our calls. How else would we keep up with all of those different activities going on in our hectic lives and businesses? We all take advantage of telephone answering systems of some sort, which ensures that that we are in touch with the world around us.

Cell phones have become ubiquitous as if they were and other appendage. While we still use our home phones, cell phones are a constant addiction. They can literally be taken anywhere. It seems that people have to make calls for no reasons these days. And I'm sure many of these calls are unnecessary. Regardless of this epidemic, telephone answering systems are still prominent. Voice mail is probably the most well-known of them all.

For businesses, cell phones can be relied on when you are in the car or outside of the office and need to be accessible. If the person is unavailable, a voice mail service will be able to take any messages for you and relay any messages as well. Many of us, even away from our work environments use this feature regularly for family issues and simple chores. I know there are times when I have the use my voicemail as a call screener. Telephone answering systems can at times be an excellent secretary.

While voice mail is certainly the current rage when it comes to telephone answering systems, I still prefer the good old answering machine. I guess I'm old school but I still like having the ability to glance over at my ringing phone, check out who's on the other end with caller ID, and then decide whether or not I want to talk to them. If not then the answering machine will get it. It is actually quite efficient. I can still has a message as it's being reported and if I'm unclear about what was said I can replay it is many times as I like.

This to me is the greatest of telephone answering systems. The funny thing about keeping track of our messages these days is the simplicity. Whether you want your messages routed through your cell phone, home phone, or computer, the choice is yours. When it comes to telephone answering systems, there are plenty of choices to be had. However you like to receive your messages, you still nevertheless, need to get them. If you're in need of a good telephone answering system, you can check the local electronics stores, who will provide you with valuable information to aid you in your choice. My personal preference is to compare telephone answering systems on the Internet in order to find the very best deals available.

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About RFID

2006-12-15T01:13:00.001-08:00

We all have of course seen James Bond attaching a small chip on an enemy's overcoat to track the bad guy enemy. The spy-chip he used was actually the RFID system. RFID means Radio Frequency Identification method. This system uses transponders to store and remotely retrieve stored data. In the RFID method, these transponders are also known as RFID tags. Currently, RFID is used everywhere. From animal tracking to container tracking, and credit cards to library cards, we see the use of RFID. Some of the RFID applications can even remove human intervention completely.

Generally, an RFID system has tags, tag readers, servers and application software. The tags are mobile devices with digital memory chips and unique identification codes that transmit the data, which is then read by the tag reader. Further processing is done by application software according to the need.

Though relatively expensive, RFID provides the advantage of having multiple independent data sources on one chip. And when one thinks of long-term gains, RFID is the future. RFID technology not only provides greater functionality but also greater clarity. But, as every coin has two sides, RFID technology has some side effects too. The use of RFID creates the problems about the privacy of an individual. These concerns mainly rise from the RFID tags attached to products consumers buy.

Thus, great technologies like RFID must be judiciously used to enjoy the benefits from it. Once the negative issues are removed by standardization and by law then RFID will definitely be useful for mankind.

Antenna Basics

2006-12-15T01:12:00.001-08:00

An electrical device designed to receive and transmit electromagnetic waves is called an antenna. Antennas are commonly used in radio, television broadcasting, cell phones, radar and other systems involving the use of electromagnetic waves. Since electromagnetic waves can pass thru any medium at a certain frequency, this simply means that antennas can work not only in air but also under water and even thru solid ground. An antenna is also defined as an arrangement of conductors that generate electromagnetic field as a reaction to applied alternating electrical current or induce an alternating current between its terminals when placed in an electromagnetic field.

The word antenna became popular because of Guglielmo Marconi, an Italian scientist. Marconi was testing experimental wireless equipment in the Alps of Salvan, Switzerland way back in 1895. A tent pole in Italian is called l'antenna centrale and Marconi was using the term antenna to describe the pole that serves as the transmitting and receiving elements of his wireless equipment. Today, the term used by Marconi is now being used uniformly to refer to this type of equipment. Antennas are usually intended for communication applications involving radio waves. Although other communicating systems that utilize electromagnetic waves other than radio waves still use antenna to refer for their transmitting and receiving elements.

There are two basic types of antennas. The omni-directional antenna radiates electromagnetic signal equally in the three dimensional plane while the directional antenna radiates the signal more in one direction. Adding conducting elements such as a rod or a coil and varying their spacing, direction and length can create a specific antenna with specific properties. By connecting several antennas to a common source, it becomes an antenna array that has a directive radiation pattern. The conductive means for conveying signal energy between the active antenna and the source is called antenna lead-in while the components between an amplifier and the active antenna is called antenna feed.

There are certain parts of an antenna that perform a distinct function. A few of these parts are the reflector and director. The reflector is usually a metallic plate or screen that reradiates the electromagnetic radiation coming from or going to the active antenna and adding a component in an opposite direction to the velocity of the interrupting electromagnetic wave. The director on the other hand, works in a similar manner but adds a component on the same direction to the velocity of the interrupting electromagnetic wave. Most antennas are made up of simple vertical rods. These simple antennas are inexpensive and are omni-directional with respect to the horizontal plane. However, the direction that the rod is pointing at is a null area where the antenna can't receive or transmit. Theoretically, signals transmitted by an antenna can travel at great distances and at the speed of light. In reality, the speed of the signal is affected by the medium it is passing thru. Radio waves can even penetrate solid materials such as a non-conducting wall. Some solid materials however, may totally reflect the signal and in essence, not allowing it to pass through.

Hidden Charges of Phone Cards

2006-12-14T01:12:00.000-08:00

Phone cards (calling cards) are a convenient way to save a lot of money on international calls without the need to have an expensive international telephone account setting up. Of couse the cheapest way is to use Voice over IP as used by skype however the person you call would need also to have a breadband quality computer. So when buying a calling cards you need to consider a fwew things.

You may be aware of the many choices you have when buying a calling card. However, have you considered the truthfulness of the claims that some companies will make in order to get a competitive edge? Are you aware of the tricks that are played and the hidden charges that are made?

The minutes that a calling card will offer may look good but did you know that even if you were to make one continuous call, then most companies would steal between 10% and %20 of those minutes. They call this "fluctuation". Then there are also other charges to be taken into account; *connection 3p-5p *daily maintenance 5p-10p *rounding up to a whole minutes *second call rate increase *increasing the rate based on call duration *overcharging for calls to other destinations not specified

Broadband Suppliers Should Get Ready for Takeover Offers

2006-12-14T01:11:00.000-08:00

The UK broadband market is notoriously crowded but has become smaller over the last few years, as a minority of very successful Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have begun to dominate the market. Experts now predict that the industry is about to see a period of consolidation, where more ISPs are taken over and the broadband market starts to merge with other markets, including mobile telephony.

The UK broadband market is still very crowded in terms of ISPs, and you have some big winners and some also-rans. A period of consolidation makes sense for businesses and consumers, as traditional mobile operators have the global financial muscle to buy out some of the smaller UK broadband ISPs.

The convergence between mobile, broadband and fixed line operators has already begun: NTL already owns Virgin mobile and Wanadoo is re-branding to Orange. For consumers, this means that you’ll soon be able to pay for all your communication – internet, home phone and mobile - on one bill. Are Vodafone, O2 and 3Mobile at risk of being left behind as the bundle becomes ever more prominent as a marketing strategy?

T-Mobile has announced its intention to offer a wireless broadband service via 3rd generation mobile networks, and the TalkTalk ‘free broadband’ offer has redefined customers’ expectations in terms of value for money. The telecoms companies are trying to secure long term relationships to recoup the amount they have hadto pay to entice new customers in. Therefore they need to be able to offer broadband, mobile and fixed phone lines so that customers have a ‘one-stop shop’ for their communication needs.

The UK broadband market is currently in the middle of a price war, which has led to some clever bundling of products. To date, this mainly means fixed phone and broadband services, but why not add mobile and TV content into the mix? BT is expected to launch a Broadband TV product shortly and Channel 4 now offers new episodes of Desperate Housewives and Lost via its website.

Recent press reports have also suggested that Vodafone and O2 are looking to enter the UK’s fixed line marketplace, simply to acquire broadband customers. Telefonica, the parent company of O2, is Spain's largest provider of internet TV services, and this will surly push O2 to either enter the UK market independently or acquire a leading UK ISP.

We may also find that if Channel 4 viewers have an appetite for TV over broadband, some of the other commercial broadcasters may decide to have a closer look at some ISPs, because at the moment the advertising potential of this distribution is largely being ignored.

Prepaid Calling Card Market Future Outlook

2006-12-13T01:11:00.000-08:00

The reason behind the sudden proliferation of prepaid calling cards in the telecommunication market is the degree of convenience that they impart on consumers. One doesn’t have to bring those messy coins just to use the pay phone; one prepaid calling card is all that is needed. Phone bills are gotten rid off as well since the calls that one is going to make through the prepaid calling card has already been paid for. Prepaid calling cards have been around Asia and Europe for quite some time. Another reason for the fast rising popularity of prepaid calling cards is the facility that allows a consumer to regulate calling times in order to save a lot of cash on a monthly basis. Since one can make only a preset number of calls equivalent to the monetary value of the card, the worry of running up a phone bill eventually reaching to surprising amounts is eradicated. One also needs not to have a good credit history to acquire a prepaid calling card. There is no need for deposits as well; just pay for the card and one is ready to make calls.

The PELORUS Group reported about the surge of revenues in the prepaid calling card market over the United States and Canada between 1995 and 2000. The prepaid calling card market sales increased from $750 million to over $3.3 billion in a matter of 5 years. Domestic and international components of the market simultaneously rose during this period. However, between 2001 and 2002, the prepaid calling card market in North America decelerated. It was during this time period that domestic prepaid calling card revenues declined. Nevertheless international prepaid calling cards continuously enjoy increasing revenues. With the escalating popularity of international calling cards, the total prepaid calling card revenues managed to bounce back to about $3.2 billion.

International calling has been made affordable to a larger segment of the population by rates the have lowered sharply in recent years. The drop in rates has been sparked not only from the intense competition among prepaid calling card vendors, but also from the escalating competition from other telecommunication modalities and Internet telephony or VoIP, which foreign carriers have been struggling to keep up to. But this has consequently generated a higher degree of acceptance among consumers. Hence, call time has grown to more than counterbalance the detrimental effect of revenue erosion due to lower rates. The net result is a higher gain in revenues even as some sectors of the market, such as domestic calling, have receded.

The same report projects a gradual decline in domestic prepaid calling card revenues starting from 2003 all the way up to 2008. On the contrary, international prepaid calling card revenues are positively foreseen to boost by almost 33%, climbing to an estimated total of $2.75 billion in 2008. By 2008 the size of the international market will more than double the corresponding size of the domestic market.

However, the promising industry of prepaid calling cards is not impervious to problems. For instance there is a diversity of opinions regarding rechargeable cards. The prevailing issue is concerned with the fact that retailers do not agree to sell rechargeable cards because the sale will be a one-shot deal. The counter argument asserts that rechargeable cards actually render extra revenue from the recharge residual fees to retailers.

Vending machines are becoming the fastest-growing method of merchandising. Retailers can benefit from enhanced security this method of retailing provides. Furthermore, it also requires lower inventory needs as well as no employee involvement.

Manage Your Time Effectively By Using A Virtual Switchboard

2006-12-13T01:10:00.000-08:00

If you run a small business it is likely that you wear several hats by necessity and this makes it all the more important to manage your time effectively. It is also important to build a reputation for always doing what you say you will do. Being reliable is the easiest way to ensure customers give you more business. It’s just so much easier to use someone you know will do the job rather than someone who has to be chased.

One of the areas that should be immediately addressed is how you manage incoming phone calls since you can save valuable time by not allowing work to be interrupted it is all too easy to allow them to disrupt what you are doing. How many times have you answered the phone in the middle of doing something else then, when the call ends, forget to finish the previous job? This endangers your reliability and can easily lose you business. So it’s important to manage incoming phone calls effectively otherwise you run the risk that they will mismanage you.

You can save valuable time by not allowing work to be interrupted. A good way to manage phone calls is to allocate specific time slots when you will make return calls. Perhaps one hour in the morning and another in the afternoon. Callers won’t mind waiting for your return call if they know you are reliable about so doing.

You can safely avoid answering every phone call by offering callers the ability to leave a voicemail message. Your greeting shouldn’t just request callers to leave a message. Be more specific by asking callers to leave their name, phone number and what it is they want. This enables you to prepare your answer to their query. Otherwise you’ll find yourself responding to a caller to ask what they want then having to call them back again with the answer.

It’s amazing how often people will call simultaneously, especially as your business becomes busier. If you only have one incoming line this can be a problem. However, it can easily be solved by using a virtual switchboard service that, in the UK at least, is often available free of charge.

A virtual switchboard is never engaged even if you only have one incoming line. Every caller will be answered and, if you are not answering calls right away, will invite them to leave a message. Most virtual switchboards will email the message to you as a voice file, which has much more clarity than an old fashioned answering machine. Many will even email you the phone numbers of callers who hang up without leaving a message.

Of course, it goes without saying that you should always answer calls in a professional way by announcing the name of your business. This can be difficult for home workers with only one phone line unable to distinguish between business and private calls. But it is easily solved by another function of most virtual switchboards called a whisper. When you answer a call from the virtual switchboard, the whisper feature will announce that it is a business call and invite you to accept it by pressing a key on your handset. This way you can either ignore the call and send it to voicemail or answer it straight away in the name of your business.

With modern technology every business however small can handle calls effectively and in a way that enables the business owner to make the most of every valuable minute.

Office Phones Giving You Problems?

2006-12-12T01:09:00.001-08:00

With so much new technology, including Voice over IP (VOIP), coming to the office today, small business owners and managers are increasingly challenged to maintain their systems. They face the ordeal of making multiple vendors with overlapping responsibilities accountable for systems that must work together.

Poor customer service from a vendor can result in an entire office being off-line or unable to receive normal call volume for hours, or even days. Few companies really specialize in providing prompt, personal solutions in this market.

Large companies hire technical specialists as permanent employees to maintain their telecom equipment and carrier services. Small and medium sized companies most likely look to their network administrator, office manager or other administrative person to maintain their telecommunications equipment and service. When telecom issues arise, both large and small companies often rely upon outside vendors and carriers to solve these problems as quickly as possible.

Carriers are notorious for their weak customer service, relying on multi-level auto-attendants and remote call centers to minimize their cost in responding to customer questions and service issues. Small carriers and resellers often do not have qualified staff to provide good customer service. Typically very strong in their customer acquisition process – sales – carriers, especially, are very weak in after-sales customer service.

Business customers may be unaware of this weakness in their carrier’s customer service process until they lose their telephone or data connection completely or have a serious intermittent service issue. Loss of service is a rude wake-up call that makes everyone suddenly appreciate the trade-off made in selecting the lowest cost provider or vendor.

Telecom equipment vendors may leave customers in a similar predicament. In order to capture new business, a vendor must be very competitive in pricing equipment. As compared to selling, post-sale service is another challenge altogether.

Some equipment vendors may be technically competent but not have a customer service orientation or friendly personality. You may discover when calling on your vendor, that they are non-responsive to your “emergency” and not especially good at dealing with customers on routine issues either.

For the vendor’s customer service person, it often takes finesse, or at least careful listening and gentle questioning, to respond appropriately to a customer with telecom issues.

How to choose a vendor?

In the first place, you should make it part of your decision criteria for purchasing equipment, a conscious decision to hire a mature, service-focused vendor. Choose carefully. It requires a savvy customer who understands these issues to assure a wise choice of vendor.

When purchasing new equipment, most people focus on the feature set and initial cost. They may assume the after-sales customer support is everything that the sales executive claims it to be.

Based on experience, we know that a sales person will always claim to have outstanding or excellent customer service. Whether the company actually has in place the organization, training, technology and culture to really meet customer expectations for after-sales service is irrelevant to most telecom sales people. Their mission is to close the sale.

The Solution

How do you minimize problems with your office phones? Be selective in your choice of vendor. You are not just purchasing equipment. You are looking for a vendor with an outstanding reputation for service. You are hiring a vendor to install and maintain your telecom system. That’s right; consider your purchase to be a hiring decision.

If you work at it, you can find vendors out there, who offer outstanding technical support with a highly professional approach to customer service - before and after the sale.

Call Accounting Software Fills The Bill For End Of Year Budget Surpluses

2006-12-12T01:09:00.000-08:00

Many businesses and organizations employ a "use it or lose it" strategy when it comes to setting annual budgets, particularly in the technology sector. Often the end of year budgets yield a frenzied spending spree on the latest gadgets without any real perspective on whether or not the purchase is even beneficial to the company. Any surplus can be the ideal time to consider a tried and true technology purchase that can actually generate a return on investment - call accounting systems.

Telecom managers wrestle daily with keeping track of a vast inventory of telecom equipment, vendors, bills, and endpoints, not to mention the time it takes to sort out who made what call and to which department it should be allocated.

The benefits and return on investment of a call accounting system far outweigh the initial costs.

Cost allocation is used to hold departments, divisions or individuals accountable for usage and to ensure they stay within budgets. Calls can be charged back to departments for phone costs based on their actual usage. A call accounting software can save time and labor by distributing telecom expenses by department. Often personal calls or calls that don't normally fall within the corporate calling patterns can be billed back to the person or department. By keeping track of call detail records of each department, project or product, it can be determined which are profitable and which aren't.

Take employee productivity. Call accounting systems can be used to provide managers with reports showing number of calls, types of calls, cost, average duration for each person/station; evaluate calling patterns and calls completed per hour (useful for collection agents, customer service agents, telemarketers and sales persons); monitor the number of incoming calls per hour to correctly estimate the number of staff needed at the right time and at the least cost; verify the effectiveness of marketing efforts. Analyzing how an employee spends time on the phone can be an effective measure of productivity.

Traffic Analysis is a good way to track needless spending. Telecom managers can monitor the efficiency of the phone system by locating unused trunks and can verify the correct routing of calls in order to achieve cost effective routing. Additionally, call accounting can help to spot fraudulent or incorrect billing practices by vendors, as well as identify and provide documentation of down trunks and malfunctioning circuits that may make it possible to obtain rebates from vendors.

One of the greatest ROIs that can be enjoyed through a call accounting system is the ability to catch and minimize toll fraud and internal phone abuse. Toll Fraud costs businesses billions of dollars per year according to the FCC. Repeated incoming call attempts over a trunk can indicate hacker attempts to gain access to the switch in order to loop back through it for outgoing call purposes. By using a call accounting system, you can identify suspicious calling patterns, monitor 411 and directory assistance calls, check for abuse of incoming 800 calls from employees' friends and relatives; track illegal or suspicious destinations to the station originating them; monitor production time spent on the phone. Legal departments can track employees suspected of revealing confidential information to competitors, the news media, or headhunters, and can provide proof that a call took place in the event of obscene or harassing calls.

When planning for end of year budgets, telecom managers can be the heroes with a purchase or upgrade of a call accounting system with a call detail record feature that can provide a cost savings benefit that will stretch far into the future and is easily applicable now with legacy PBX systems, or later with VoIP deployment.

What are Call Detail Records and Why are They Invaluable to Your Business?

2006-12-11T01:08:00.000-08:00

Whether using a legacy PBX (public branch exchange) system or a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) system, most telephone networks generate call detail records (CDR). Usually these come at the end of the call, but with modern developments, this data is now available during the call. Information generated by Call Detail Records includes time, date, call duration, number dialed, caller ID information, extension, line/trunk location, cost, call completion status and more.

Knowing this data can be invaluable to a business providing insight into phone use, employees, sales and traffic trends, and so much more.

Call records produced by the PBX are transmitted via serial port to a buffer, where they are temporarily stored until retrieved by call accounting software. Since they provide a reliable method of safely transferring information to call accounting or telemanagement systems, call record buffers have long been broadly accepted as the preferred storage device as a safeguard against cases of delayed call collection or communication failure.

The greatest benefit of CDR is perhaps in telecom expense management. Call detail records, both local and long distance, can be used for usage verification, billing reconciliation, network management and to monitor telephone usage to determine volume of phone usage, as well as abuse of your company's telephone system. CDR's are an asset in managing long distance telephone costs and aid in the planning for future telecommunications needs.

Identifying seasonal call traffic can be invaluable for staffing purposes, marketing efforts, and the records themselves can be beneficial in call verification if a caller is harassing staff over some dispute.

Once you have a call accounting system in place, review all the CDR's for accuracy. Those records can then be used to verify costs and usage; resolve discrepancies with vendors; disconnect unused service; terminate leases on unused equipment; deter or detect toll fraud of long distance services; and negotiate the most cost-effective call routing.

By choosing a secure call accounting system, CDRs can be collected for processing at a centralized corporate site for any sized network from both legacy and VoIP phone systems in real-time.

CDR collection can be accomplished via the corporate LAN or over the Internet using encryption technology. Encrypted CDR collection via IP enables real-time processing of call data enterprise wide.

How Much Should You Pay For Reverse Cell Phone Lookup?

2006-12-11T01:07:00.000-08:00

When we use new technologies and services, very often we worry about their cost. It has become sort of a law that each new service is very expensive, and some of us just refuse to use it until the cost goes down.

The same thing can be said of almost any new service involving cell phones, which naturally includes reverse cell phone lookup service. Reverse cell phone lookup enables us to look up just about any cell phone or regular number and discover who owns it.

So how much should you as a consumer pay for such a service?

Well if you do not need reverse cell phone lookup then naturally you should pay $0. But remember that the cost of anything that is for sale is not determined by its real value but rather on how much are people willing to pay for it.

However, try and compare reverse cell phone lookup with its much older sister, the standard directory assistance service. Today a call to the directory assistance is so low cost that we do not even notice it on our monthly phone bills. It was not always so, as little as 15 years ago such a call would be much more expensive.

However, with the reduction in prices, these days very few of us bothers using the old phone books anymore (I buy them each year just because of Yellow pages). Directory service is cheap (just a few cents per call), fast and saves you from the sometimes long and difficult phone book search. In addition, the internet phone number search is free and also very fast. So compared with these two services how much should we pay for reverse cell phone lookup?

The answer to these questions is that usually obtaining the information you need by using the cell phone number should be free or at least very cheap. Nevertheless, sometimes just as with regular phone number request, you can experience difficulties finding it. Many cell phone numbers just as well as regular landline phones are unlisted.

There is no way that you can just lookup these numbers and get the info you need. Pay service however, can in some cases discover the unlisted numbers for by using reverse cell phone lookup. Consider them your own private detective, only much cheaper. In most cases, this will require deep investigation, and that costs money. Anything not easily obtainable costs money.

In most cases, it is not worth it to track down the caller, unless you believe that an owner of that phone can be in some kind of a danger. You should report threatening and similar kind of calls to your local authorities, they have other, much better ways to track down these kinds of calls.

So finally, if you are a regular phone user, low cost or even free reverse cell phone lookup can provide useful information. Especially if you are a parent and you want to know who is calling your kid. For just a few bucks, you can check it up and keep your family safe.

Develop The Habit Of Winning Keynote Speeches

2006-12-10T01:07:00.000-08:00

I love football. And because I love football, (hey, I'm a guy!) I like using quotes from one of my favorite coaches of all time, legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi. His influence he left in the NFL is incredible and he is one of the most quoted people in the world. The legacy he left in the NFL was so great, that the superbowl winner is given the Lombardi trophy.

After one of the coldest games ever played, the Green Bay Packers won the NFL title game in terrible conditions in what was known as the Ice Bowl. At game time, it was -10 degrees and dropping. None the less, the Packers won the game and their third straight NFL title. When coach Lombardi was asked why his teams were so successful, he grinned and said that "Winning is a habit! Unfortunately so is losing. To be a successful team you must develop the habits of winning through proper preparation and practice."

And so it is with us. We must prepare and practice correctly if we are to give our best keynote speech to our intended audience. Most of the time we will face those conditions that will be most unfavorable to us. And when we do, we will be ready for them and come out winners. I waited for over 6 hours under very difficult circumstances to interview the great Tony Robbins. When he was ready, I interviewed him and it was one of the most incredible experiences I have had!

Knowing you are developing the winning habits will take you a long way while becoming an expert in your speaking career!

Cheap Long Distance Phone Services

2006-12-10T01:06:00.000-08:00

In today's interconnected world, long distance phone service is more important than ever before. People find themselves needing to call businesses, friends and family spread all over the country or world, and the related phone bills can be difficult to handle at the end of the month. Thankfully, there are many companies dedicated to providing cheap long distance service options - it's just a matter of finding the right one for you!

Landline Long Distance

If you have a landline phone in your home or office, you can simply call your local phone companies and compare their long distance rates. While you may already have long distance service, it may not be the cheapest available - as a matter of fact, it may be the most expensive. This is why it is important to compare rates. Be sure to look for hidden charges, taxes and fees before choosing a plan, as they can significantly raise your bill.

In recent years, "10-10" long distance services have been very popular for long distance calls. You simply dial the "10-10" plan's 7-digit access code, then the area code and number you wish to call - and receive the discounted rates offered by the "10-10" company. This is an easy way to take advantage of lower rates - without having to switch your long distance company. The Internet is a great resource for finding the rates and numbers of "10-10" companies in your area.

Cellular Long Distance

Do you have a cell phone? This is a great way to save on long distance. Many cell phone companies offer great long distance rates, on both domestic and international calls. A simple check of your cell phone provider's available plans (either on their Web site or by calling customer service) will help you find the best deals. Many companies offer unlimited long distance on nights and weekends - if you can limit your calls to these times, you stand to save a lot of money. In recent times, cell phone companies have started to provide better international long distance rates, as well. If this is something you need, be sure to ask about special offers and new rate plans. You may be pleasantly surprised!

Broadband Long Distance

Do you have a computer and a broadband Internet connection? If so, you can take advantage of one of the VOIP (voice over IP) services that have taken the market by storm.

With VOIP services, you generally pay a flat monthly fee to make unlimited local and long distance calls. This fee is often much lower than a traditional phone bill. Customers sign up for this service, and can usually keep their same phone number. They receive an adapter from their company of choice, which enables them to make and receive calls using their computer lines, rather than standard phone lines. While the technology is still somewhat new, it is growing in popularity every day.

These are just some of the ways to save money on long distance. One of the best ways to find something that will work for you is to research plans available in your area, or even better, ask friends and family what they use. Chances are, some of them have excellent cheap long distance and they will be more than happy to share their secrets on savings with you!

Business Telephone Systems Buying Tips

2006-12-09T02:12:00.001-08:00

Are you planning to purchase a new communication system for your enterprise? Whether you are looking at traditional telephones, cordless phones, or a VoIP system, there are a few basic points that your should consider.

First of all, it’s a good idea to make a checklist of all the features that you need, as well as extras that you might want. Evaluate your company’s requirements for features like voicemail, conference calling, and automated messaging systems, and ensure that your system of choice will be able to accomadate these requirements.

Once you have settled on a communications system that meets all of your needs and is priced reasonably, it’s worth taking the time to fully demo the system, and possibly allow your employees to try it out before making a purchase decision. Some of the things to check are ergonomics (how the phones feel in your hands), ease-of-use (for things like voicemail and system navigation), and sound quality (especially in the case of VoIP systems).

If your system of choice passes all of these basic tests, you should ensure that it is installed in an efficient and user-friendly way. It’s also a good idea to install more wiring than you will immediately need, so as to allow for expansion in the future.

The Usage Of Too Many Metaphors And Metonymy Can Make Your Paper Less Effective

2006-12-09T02:12:00.000-08:00

We often use metaphors in our written and spoken languages to show one thing within terms of another. It is sometimes very useful to use a different set of words and phrases to compare one thing with another. Your language can become more colorful if combined with different bodies of speech on the background of simple words and sentences. Another figure of speech which is widely used in our language is metonymy. However, metonymies are used to emphasize contiguity between two referents, while metaphors are mainly used to show similarity between two.

The use of metaphor, either verbally, or in written discourse, to describe scenes & explain events in the world around us is very common, its use enables us to understand & experience one type of thing within the conditions & terms of another, whereas metonymy is the use of one entity to refer to another that is related to it, & includes 'synecdoche' where the part stands for the whole, Lakoff & Johnson, (1980:36).

According to Lakoff & Johnson, (1980: ix) metaphor is ever-present, in language, as well as thought & action. They, along with Pinker, (1997: 352 et seq) perceive human thought processes to be metaphorical in nature; Pinker also suggests that some metaphorical concepts have grown to be so common, across the whole range of speech acts & other events that we experience, that they are no longer recognizable to the layman as metaphorical expressions, so entrenched within our everyday language use have they become. According to this insight into metaphor, it can be seen as one of the principal methods by which language evolves, Jaynes, (1990), moreover, repetition of a metaphor can bring it into ordinary language, eventually warranting a dictionary entry.

As metaphor is so deeply rooted within our everyday language use, it would be surprising if written discourse was free of metaphorical expression. In fact, on reading through various types of texts, very few, if any, can be said to be totally free of metaphor &/or metonymy, even those texts written by 'realists' who abhorred metaphor, such as Hobbes & Locke, were littered with it, Chandler, (2001). Although many examples of metaphor are not immediately obvious as such, this is generally because they have become so familiar, so prevalent, within everyday language use that they have ceased to be seen as metaphor; the connotations of these metaphorical expressions are clear because of their familiarity.

We often resort to metaphor when we encounter something unknown, or perceive something that is difficult to comprehend or communicate, according to Jaynes, (1990) we integrate these experiences to 'schemas' that are already available to us, which we adapt to cope with these new experiences. To quote Jaynes, (1990: 52) "Understanding a thing is to arrive at a metaphor for that thing by substituting something more familiar to us." From this, it could be said that if one were to attempt communication of something new or complex, without the use of metaphor, then this lack of familiar reference could inhibit comprehension, that, in fact, metaphor can increase the efficiency & intelligibility of a text.

In agreement with Lakoff & Johnson, among others, it would seem that the use of metaphor is so deeply rooted within our system of communication that it would be difficult to describe anything, either verbally, or through written discourse, without the use of metaphor, in fact, it could be said that the use of metaphor enhances the understanding of a text, adds to the significance of what is being communicated, by referring to easily understood previously

known concepts, especially when attempting to convey new information. The additional descriptive information that is established with the use of metaphor can add emotive connotations aid evaluation of a concept. Also, a less familiar metaphor may be understood due to the contextual information available & the receiver's ability to extrapolate from this.

Conversely, understanding of various metaphorical expressions may depend on the culture one is accustomed to; it is possible that certain instances of metaphor, especially novel but even conventional, which are perfectly clear in meaning within the language (culture) they originate from, may or may not translate clearly into another language or culture. A good example of this comes from a recent crime/comedy novel by Brookmyre, (2002) to quote, "the leader, 'Jarry', commenced the robbery with the words 'Alakazammy, stairheid rammy'." Brookmyre often writes using a combination of English words & Scottish colloquial terms. Stairheid actually means top landing or top floor (of a tenement) & is a metaphor for face, face being the 'top landing', whereas rammy is a violent disturbance or free for all, (Scots-online). In the text, 'stairheid rammy' refers to a face to face conflict, this is not an immediately familiar metaphor (to an English person) without reference to a Scots/English translator, but as the speaker (a Scotsman) in the text notes, "The stairheid rammy part is familiar to anybody who's ever witnessed an argument up close.", therefore, although stairheid rammy as a metaphor, is not clear (to an English person), to a Scotsman it is obviously a clear & effective metaphor for an argument or disagreement.

Metaphors are also often found to underline major theories of science & philosophy, & studies of scientific terminology by MacCormac, (1971) have revealed that the use of terms such as force & mass function as metaphors, e.g. "But at the lower particle energies […] W+, W- & Z0 would acquire large masses, making the forces they carry have a very short range." , Hawking, (1996:93) Out of context, this makes absolutely no sense at all, but within the context of the book these terms have perfectly clear meanings & are efficient in describing the concepts of weak nuclear force & radioactivity.

According to Lakoff &Johnson, (1980:4) the language of argument within the concept 'argument is war' is literal, not fanciful, poetic or fanciful. A good illustration of the concept 'argument is war' can be found in journalistic comment on political discussion.

Legislation under threat as upper house takes on the government […] forced to pay attention […] sustaining their opposition […] How far could the unelected upper house take its battle with elected MPs? […] a savvy operator who has formed a formidable alliance with the Lib Dem leader […] stayed up into the early hours negotiating. […] But the battle was a symbol of escalating tensions […] that threatens […] This week's stand-off […] Emboldened, they have stood their ground.

The Guardian, (22/11/03: 13)

All this from one article describing a disagreement between the members of the House of Lords & elected MPs. The use of metaphorical expression emphasizes the level of discord between the two groups, & without the use of these metaphors it would be less easy to highlight the intensity of this conflict. Another example of this common conceptual metaphor can be found in a scientific text book about quantum physics & is a perfect example of Lakoff & Johnson's definition of the concept 'argument is war'.

Each attack on the Copenhagen interpretation has strengthened its position. When thinkers of the calibre of Einstein try to find flaws with a theory, but the defenders of the theory are able to refute all of the attackers' arguments, the theory must emerge the stronger for its trial.

Gribbin, (1984:177)

An interesting metaphor from a magazine article about Hungary likens the country to a garment, & although this is an example of novel metaphor the connotation is apparent & Kincses' use of these additional components enriches the meaning of the text.

Next year, Hungary is set to join the EU, finally aligning itself more with the west than the east. This has long been Hungary's dilemma, says Kincses, who likens the country to "Europe's coat, where left and right, east and west, are buttoned together, where the garment is most vulnerable to wear and tear".

The Guardian Weekend, (22/11/03)

Another metaphorical concept, as described by Lakoff & Johnson, (1980:7) is that of 'time is money', this is one of those previously mentioned metaphors that are so common that it has almost ceased to be seen as a metaphor, e.g. spending time, saving time, wasting time, "I have been wasting quite a lot of time investigating these sites.", The Guardian Weekend, (22/11/03:7) "It's more about how I want to spend my time.", (ibid:25)

The following example of general use of metaphorical expression is included purely for its funniness & needs no explanation.

I once had two giggly young women asking me if they could touch my head, which they did, resoundingly, saying they had "never done a slaphead before".

The Guardian Weekend, (22/11/03)

Orientational metaphors give a concept spatial orientation, such as happy is up, sad is down, Lakoff &Johnson, (1980) "And she chooses without too much concern for the 'upward trajectory' of her career.", The Guardian Weekend, (22/11/03:25)

Metonymy is often more obvious than metaphoric concepts as it usually concerns direct physical or causal associations, it is similar to metaphor, although more focused, being referential & facilitating understanding.

Examples of metonymy seem less common in written discourse, although those that there are seem to be quite effective & understandable within the context they are presented in. "Scores of Labour MPs still plan top-up revolt.", Evening Standard, (05/01/04) Here 'top-up' refers to university top-up fees for students proposed by the government & would be obvious to anyone who reads newspapers or watches the television news. "There'll always be a place for plastic.", Evening Standard, (19/12/03) Here 'plastic' is referring to credit cards, a common & easily understood use of metonymy. "The midfielder was felled in a crunching tackle from his former team-mate Mauricio Taricco, who somehow escaped a second yellow." The Guardian, (27/12/03) The metonymic use of 'yellow' here refers to a yellow card, used as a first warning, & in this case, yellow has a 2nd (metaphoric) definition; being awarded two yellow cards in a game of football is equal to a red card, from which follows expulsion from the game, therefore 'second yellow' is a metaphor for a red card. What this example of metonymy (& metaphor) refers to here may not be clear to everyone, but would be immediately apparent to anyone with even a rudimentary knowledge of the rules of football.