Techno Granny Show blog is an additional way for Techno Granny Talk Cast fans to keep up with Techno Granny. She is a 61 year old single grandmother who also hosts four Talk Casts on the Talk Shoe network. The Techno Granny show is designed to bring baby boomers and others up to snuff with 21st Century technology. TechnoGranny Talks is more than that, it is technology finds and opinions of a tech savvy grandmother who is a power user of technology.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Episode 55, Techno Granny Tips on Gasoline Economy
Techno Granny Note on Episode 55 on Saving Gasoline
All information from this show was garnered from various websites and these are the Condensed version. I have tried to add links that will help you come to your own conclusion about what to do for fuel economy to help with the currently high price of gasoline.
Gasoline Conservation Tips
You can save money while reducing both fuel consumption and air pollution by following some of the tips listed here. Which steps you choose to take will depend on your own particular circumstances, but any of them will reduce the amount of money you spend for gasoline.
• New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning
• http://www.nh.gov/oep/programs/energy/conservation_gas.htm
• ________________________________________
Driving
• When starting out, shift up to the next gear (manual transmission) as soon as possible without straining the engine.
• Drive more slowly. One study reported that for all vehicles tested there was at least 20% loss in fuel economy as cruising speed was increased from 55 to 75 mph. So, 20 mpg at 55 mph becomes 16 mpg or less at 75 mph.
• If your car has an instantaneous mpg indicator, use it to improve your driving efficiency.
• Remove extra weight from the car; 100 extra pounds may cost 1 mpg. Pack lightly for trips.
• Do not warm engine up before driving; it is not necessary, even in cold weather.
• Do not rev engine before shutting it off; this wastes fuel and can dilute motor oil, leading to excessive wear on engine parts.
• Reduce the use of your air conditioner at low driving speeds. When driving over 40 mph using the air conditioner costs less fuel than having windows open.
• Park in the shade and/or leave windows slightly open to reduce the need for air conditioning.
Fuel and Maintenance
• Replace air and fuel filters regularly as instructed by your vehicle’s maintenance manual; change air filter more often if driving in dusty conditions.
• Keep engine properly tuned.
• Use API certified "Energy Conserving" motor oil, either conventional or synthetic. Do not buy "aggressive" tread tires if you do not need them.
• Keep tires properly inflated and wheels aligned.
• Do not use mid-grade or premium grade gasoline unless specified for your vehicle. Older vehicles may require these grades to avoid "knock" which reduces power and may damage the engine.
• Do not overfill the tank.
• Determine gasoline mileage periodically. Declining mileage can be an early indicator of mechanical problems or a need for servicing.
• Store emergency fuel supply or fuel for gasoline-fueled power equipment in sealed, airtight containers, and it will still be usable in another season.
• LinksTips to Offset Higher Gas Prices from the Alliance to Save Energy
• Gas Mileage Comparisons and Efficiency Tips from the US Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency
• American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s Environmental Guide to Trucks and Cars
• NewHampshireGasPrices.com is a local website which offers an online method for web site visitors to post and view recent retail gasoline prices.
Thirty Gas Saving Tips
________________________________________
by Ernest Miles
From: How to Advice.com
The surest way you can improve your fuel cost problem is to change your motoring habits. Listed below under four categories are 30 effective methods of doing so... no need to buy expensive add-on equipment.
Techno Granny has actually only used the tips from this site which actually added information or were unique to this blog.
ENGINE WARM-UP
4. Avoid "reving" the engine, especially just before you switch the engine off; this wastes fuel needlessly and washes oil down from the inside cylinder walls, owing to loss of oil pressure.
5. Eliminate jack-rabbit starts. Accelerate slowly when starting from dead stop. Don't push pedal down more than 1/4 of the total foot travel. This allows carburetor to function at peak efficiency.
HOW TO BUY GASOLINE
6. Buy gasoline during coolest time of day - early morning or late evening is best. During these times gasoline is densest. Keep in mind - gas pumps measure volumes of gasoline, not densities of fuel concentration. You are charged according to "volume of measurement".
7. Choose type and brand of gasoline carefully. Certain brands provide you with greater economy because of better quality. Use the brands which "seem" most beneficial.
8. Avoid filling gas tank to top. Overfilling results in sloshing over and out of tank. Never fill gas tank past the first "click" of fuel nozzle, if nozzle is automatic.
HOW TO DRIVE ECONOMICALLY
9. Exceeding 40 mph forces your auto to overcome tremendous wind resistance.
10. Never exceed legal speed limit. Primarily they are set for your traveling safety, however better gas efficiency also occurs. Traveling at 55 mph give you up to 21% better mileage when compared to former legal speed limits of 65 mph and 70 mph.
11. Traveling at fast rates in low gears can consume up to 45% more fuel than is needed.
12. Manual shift driven cars allow you to change to highest gear as soon as possible, thereby letting you save gas if you "nurse it along". However, if you cause the engine to "bog down", premature wearing of engine parts occurs.
13. Keep windows closed when traveling at highway speeds. Open windows cause air drag, reducing your mileage by 10%.
14. Drive steadily. Slowing down or speeding up wastes fuel. Also avoid tailgating - the driver in front of you is unpredictable. Not only is it unsafe, but if affects your economy, if he slows down unexpectedly.
15.Think ahead when approaching hills. If you accelerate, do it before you reach the hill, not while you're on it.
GENERAL ADVICE
17. Avoid rough roads whenever possible, because dirt or gravel rob you of up to 30% of your gas mileage.
18. Use alternate roads when safer, shorter, straighter. Compare traveling distance differences - remember that corners, curves and lane jumping requires extra gas. The shortest distance between two points is always straight.
19. Stoplights are usually timed for your motoring advantage. By traveling steadily at the legal speed limit you boost your chances of having the "green light" all the way.
21. Park car so that you can later begin to travel in forward gear; avoid reverse gear maneuvers to save gas.
22. Regular tune-ups ensure best economy; check owner's manual for recommended maintenance intervals. Special attention should be given to maintaining clean air filters... diminished air flow increases gas waste.
23. Inspect suspension and chassis parts for occasional misalignment. Bent wheels, axles, bad shocks, broken springs, etc. create engine drag and are unsafe at high traveling speeds.
24. Remove snow tires during good weather seasons; traveling on deep tire tread really robs fuel!
25. Inflate all tires to maximum limit. Each tire should be periodically spun, balanced and checked for out-of-round. When shopping for new tires, get large diameter tires for rear wheels. Radial designs are the recognized fuel-savers; check manufacturer's specifications for maximum tire pressures.
26. Remove vinyl tops - they cause air drag. Rough surfaces disturb otherwise smooth air flow around a car's body. Bear in mind when buying new cars that a fancy sun roof helps disturb smooth air flow (and mileage).
29. Car pools reduce travel monotony and gas expense - all riders chip in to help you buy. Conversation helps to keep the driver alert. Pooling also reduces traffic congestion, gives the driver easier maneuverability and greater "steady speed" economy. For best results, distribute passenger weight evenly throughout car.
30. During cold weather watch for icicles frozen to car frame. Up to 100 lbs. can be quickly accumulated! Unremoved snow and ice cause tremendous wind resistance. Warm water thrown on (or hosed on) will eliminate it fast.
Fuel Economy.gov
Drive Sensibly
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.
Fuel Economy Benefit: 5-33%
Equivalent Gasoline Savings $0.19-$1.23/gallon
Observe the Speed Limit
While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.
As a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas.
Observing the speed limit is also safer.
Fuel Economy Benefit: 7-23%
Equivalent Gasoline Savings: $0.26-$0.86/gallon
Remove Excess Weight
Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2%. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle's weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.
Fuel Economy Benefit: 1-2%/100 lbs
Equivalent Gasoline Savings: $0.04-$0.07/gallon
Note: Cost savings are based on an assumed fuel price of $3.72/gallon.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Episode 54--E-Learning, Don't Get and F! Guest, Sue Tresetti of Taylored Solutions
Taylored Solutions Inc. is a 5 year old woman owned (WBE certification) custom technology solutions company based north of Pittsburgh, PA. Susan Tresatti the president of Taylored Solutions Inc. has been in the technology field for over 20 years. 11 of those years were working for a Fortune 500 company (5 as a Senior Programmer/Analyst – 6 in Management.) 3 years she worked for Seton Hill University as Manager of Academic Computing. And the rest of those years prior to starting Taylored Solutions Inc. she was a consultant working with 1 person offices to Fortune 500 companies. I have a Bachelor degree from Point Park University and a MBA from Seton Hill University
I am not a member of ASTD but I was asked for the last two years to speak at their annual conference on e-learning infrastructure which is how I got started in e-learning.
ASTD (American Society for Training & Development) is the world’s largest association dedicated to workplace learning and performance professionals. ASTD’s members come from more than 100 countries and connect locally in nearly 140 U.S. chapters and 25 Global Networks. Members work in thousands of organizations of all sizes, in government, as independent consultants, and suppliers.
What is eLearning? By 2006, nearly 3.5 million students were participating in on-line learning at institutions of higher education in the United States.
Goals of e-learning
E-Learning lessons are generally designed to guide students through information or to help students perform in specific tasks. Information based e-Learning content communicates information to the student. Examples include content that distributes the history or facts related to a service, company, or product. In information-based content, there is no specific skill to be learned. In performance-based content, the lessons build off of a procedural skill in which the student is expected to increase proficiency.
ASTD estimates that U.S. organizations spent $129.60 billion on employee learning and development in 2006.
Old Wikipedia definition
According to a definition provided by Wikipedia, a free, online encylopedia,
"E-learning most often means… to facilitate and enhance learning through the use of devices based on computer and communications technology."
Current wikipedia definition
Electronic learning (or e-Learning or eLearning) is a general term used to refer to a form of learning in which the instructor and student are separated by space or time where the gap between the two is bridged through the use of online technologies.
eLearning programs are utilizing the latest computer/electronic-based technologies, the internet and intranets, email, discussion forums, PDAs, and mobile phones, as well as the familiar CD/DVD-ROMs to disseminate knowledge to today's workers.
Why electronic-based training?
Train more people without breaking your travel or venue budget with our easy-to-use virtual classroom
Transfer existing content into an online format and make it more accessible
Extend the reach of your training department without adding headcount
Reach internal or external audiences, anywhere in the world. Now you can offer live and on-demand training without wearing out your trainers or breaking your budget.
eLearning can be a very effective method of training if constructed properly! It is self-paced and self-directed. You can simulate nearly any process. You can get up-to-speed quickly and effectively, and if designed well, can be stimulating and fun!
Airline pilots use electronic-based training programs every time they climb into a flight simulator to log flight time and to hone their skills.
eLearning yields great learning gains and has many advantages over "live" training alone. Consistency of learning
Less delivery variance
Increased training comprehension
Higher content retention
Faster learning curves!
Blended Learning
Blended Learning has often been referred to as the "Ultimate Learning Experience." Because learning is a social experience, trainees can benefit from enthusiastic and knowledgeable instructors to bring a freshness to learning with anecdotal examples and immediate answers to inquiry, especially where time and information is critical. This, combined with a well-constructed, self-paced CD or online training program to maintain consistency, generates a greater return on the training investment because of increased retention. Marry this with built-in accountability and feedback, and instructors will see measurable increases in understanding, productivity and efficiency.
Obstacles to Learning
The primary objective of corporate or industrial training is to transfer knowledge and years of valuable experience from subject-matter experts to learning minds with the net result of producing well-trained, motivated, and productive employees that become valuable assets to the company. However, we often see subject-matter experts that are very accomplished in their field but have difficulty translating their expertise into a format that is conducive to learning, especially if they are not trained educators. Let's look at a few of the obstacles faced by many trainers…
• Learning Styles. Adults have different learning styles. For real learning to take place, they need the curriculum delivered in a format that is conducive to their particular style. I have watched mature grown-up students, sweating and fidgiting because they couldn't grasp the concepts presented and inwardly assumed they just didn't "get it," when the real problem was the instructor's inability to present the material in a way that was conducive to their particular learning style. Sometimes the instructor would delve into the details without explaining the broad picture or how those elements integrate one with another.
• Delivery Variance. No instructor teaches the same way every time and often will teach different material. This leads to delivery variance. The material needs to be presented in a consistant manner, utilizing various media, and in a manner that can be assimilated easily and quickly.
• Learn at Their Own Pace. In addition, questions will arise in a trainee's mind because he or she didn't "get it" the first time because their attention was temporarily focused elsewhere, such as while taking notes. Meanwhile, the instructor is moving on and important information is missed. eLearning allows the trainee the freedom to learn at their own pace. They are free to review it multiple times until it is theirs.
• Reluctant to Ask Questions. Many times a trainee is reluctant to ask questions because he or she is trying to make a good impression and doesn't want to be caught asking "stupid" questions.
• Other Obstacles to Learning. Other obstacles to learning are boredom, misunderstandings of the way the instructor presented it, how to relate the material to their job, or a myriad of other reasons.
Well-designed, self-paced electronic/computer-based training programs, in company with an experienced mentor, can remove obstacles to learning. Good eLearning programs capture the combined knowledge from the best minds in a company and put that information into a training format that is easily understood by anyone wanting to learn.
We are a society spilling over with facts. Information overload is rampant, but the quality of that information should be measured by its receptability and usability.
Many technologies can be, and are, used in e-Learning, including:
blogs
classroom response system
collaborative software
computer aided assessment
discussion boards
e-mail
Educational Management System
educational animation
electronic performance support system
ePortfolios
games
hypermedia in general
learning management systems
PDA's
podcasts
MP3 Players with multimedia capabilities
multimedia CD-ROMs
screencasts
simulations
text chat
virtual classrooms
web-based teaching materials
web sites and web 2.0 communities
wiki
Susan Tresatti
Taylored Solutions Inc.
(724) 234-2669
sales@taylored-solutions.com
www.taylored-solutions.com
I am not a member of ASTD but I was asked for the last two years to speak at their annual conference on e-learning infrastructure which is how I got started in e-learning.
ASTD (American Society for Training & Development) is the world’s largest association dedicated to workplace learning and performance professionals. ASTD’s members come from more than 100 countries and connect locally in nearly 140 U.S. chapters and 25 Global Networks. Members work in thousands of organizations of all sizes, in government, as independent consultants, and suppliers.
What is eLearning? By 2006, nearly 3.5 million students were participating in on-line learning at institutions of higher education in the United States.
Goals of e-learning
E-Learning lessons are generally designed to guide students through information or to help students perform in specific tasks. Information based e-Learning content communicates information to the student. Examples include content that distributes the history or facts related to a service, company, or product. In information-based content, there is no specific skill to be learned. In performance-based content, the lessons build off of a procedural skill in which the student is expected to increase proficiency.
ASTD estimates that U.S. organizations spent $129.60 billion on employee learning and development in 2006.
Old Wikipedia definition
According to a definition provided by Wikipedia, a free, online encylopedia,
"E-learning most often means… to facilitate and enhance learning through the use of devices based on computer and communications technology."
Current wikipedia definition
Electronic learning (or e-Learning or eLearning) is a general term used to refer to a form of learning in which the instructor and student are separated by space or time where the gap between the two is bridged through the use of online technologies.
eLearning programs are utilizing the latest computer/electronic-based technologies, the internet and intranets, email, discussion forums, PDAs, and mobile phones, as well as the familiar CD/DVD-ROMs to disseminate knowledge to today's workers.
Why electronic-based training?
Train more people without breaking your travel or venue budget with our easy-to-use virtual classroom
Transfer existing content into an online format and make it more accessible
Extend the reach of your training department without adding headcount
Reach internal or external audiences, anywhere in the world. Now you can offer live and on-demand training without wearing out your trainers or breaking your budget.
eLearning can be a very effective method of training if constructed properly! It is self-paced and self-directed. You can simulate nearly any process. You can get up-to-speed quickly and effectively, and if designed well, can be stimulating and fun!
Airline pilots use electronic-based training programs every time they climb into a flight simulator to log flight time and to hone their skills.
eLearning yields great learning gains and has many advantages over "live" training alone. Consistency of learning
Less delivery variance
Increased training comprehension
Higher content retention
Faster learning curves!
Blended Learning
Blended Learning has often been referred to as the "Ultimate Learning Experience." Because learning is a social experience, trainees can benefit from enthusiastic and knowledgeable instructors to bring a freshness to learning with anecdotal examples and immediate answers to inquiry, especially where time and information is critical. This, combined with a well-constructed, self-paced CD or online training program to maintain consistency, generates a greater return on the training investment because of increased retention. Marry this with built-in accountability and feedback, and instructors will see measurable increases in understanding, productivity and efficiency.
Obstacles to Learning
The primary objective of corporate or industrial training is to transfer knowledge and years of valuable experience from subject-matter experts to learning minds with the net result of producing well-trained, motivated, and productive employees that become valuable assets to the company. However, we often see subject-matter experts that are very accomplished in their field but have difficulty translating their expertise into a format that is conducive to learning, especially if they are not trained educators. Let's look at a few of the obstacles faced by many trainers…
• Learning Styles. Adults have different learning styles. For real learning to take place, they need the curriculum delivered in a format that is conducive to their particular style. I have watched mature grown-up students, sweating and fidgiting because they couldn't grasp the concepts presented and inwardly assumed they just didn't "get it," when the real problem was the instructor's inability to present the material in a way that was conducive to their particular learning style. Sometimes the instructor would delve into the details without explaining the broad picture or how those elements integrate one with another.
• Delivery Variance. No instructor teaches the same way every time and often will teach different material. This leads to delivery variance. The material needs to be presented in a consistant manner, utilizing various media, and in a manner that can be assimilated easily and quickly.
• Learn at Their Own Pace. In addition, questions will arise in a trainee's mind because he or she didn't "get it" the first time because their attention was temporarily focused elsewhere, such as while taking notes. Meanwhile, the instructor is moving on and important information is missed. eLearning allows the trainee the freedom to learn at their own pace. They are free to review it multiple times until it is theirs.
• Reluctant to Ask Questions. Many times a trainee is reluctant to ask questions because he or she is trying to make a good impression and doesn't want to be caught asking "stupid" questions.
• Other Obstacles to Learning. Other obstacles to learning are boredom, misunderstandings of the way the instructor presented it, how to relate the material to their job, or a myriad of other reasons.
Well-designed, self-paced electronic/computer-based training programs, in company with an experienced mentor, can remove obstacles to learning. Good eLearning programs capture the combined knowledge from the best minds in a company and put that information into a training format that is easily understood by anyone wanting to learn.
We are a society spilling over with facts. Information overload is rampant, but the quality of that information should be measured by its receptability and usability.
Many technologies can be, and are, used in e-Learning, including:
blogs
classroom response system
collaborative software
computer aided assessment
discussion boards
Educational Management System
educational animation
electronic performance support system
ePortfolios
games
hypermedia in general
learning management systems
PDA's
podcasts
MP3 Players with multimedia capabilities
multimedia CD-ROMs
screencasts
simulations
text chat
virtual classrooms
web-based teaching materials
web sites and web 2.0 communities
wiki
Susan Tresatti
Taylored Solutions Inc.
(724) 234-2669
sales@taylored-solutions.com
www.taylored-solutions.com
Monday, May 12, 2008
Episode 53 WIFI-Why Care? Royal Taylor of Motorola
Guest: Royal Taylor III of Motorola
I have been with Symbol Technologies, now Motorola for 8 ½ years. I started out in this industry as a working as a depot repair technician down in Memphis right after I got out of the Navy in 1995. Then I transferred to Pittsburgh and worked doing RF site surveys and installations for wireless computer networks. I came to Symbol as a Systems Engineer and moved over to the Territory Manager role last year.
Motorola and Wi-Fi:
Motorola has been in the radio business for about 70 years. Wi-Fi is really just another radio but it has a high data rate for transmission of data rather than voice. Motorola is the second largest manufacturer of enterprise Wi-Fi infrastructure in the world.
What is Wi-Fi?
The term "Wi-Fi" suggests "Wireless Fidelity", comparing with the long-established audio recording term "High Fidelity" or "Hi-Fi", and "Wireless Fidelity" has often been used in an informal way, even by the Wi-Fi Alliance itself, but officially the term does not mean anything. "Wi-Fi" was coined by a brand consulting firm called Interbrand Corporation that had been hired by the Alliance to determine a name that was "a little catchier than 'IEEE 802.11b Direct Sequence'.
So, in a nutshell “Wi-Fi” refers to a set of standards officially titled IEEE 802.11b. The organization Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance or WECA was created to test wireless devices for their compliance with the 802.11b standard. Those that were compliant received the Wi-Fi seal of approval.
Ok, so what does this mean to our listeners that want to sit on their porch with their laptop and surf the web while they watch their kids play in the yard?
The Wi-Fi standard means that any device be it a laptop, wireless access point, phone, or pda with the Wi-Fi sticker will all work together. The 802.11n draft 2 looks like it will be very close to what is ratified, so if would like to invest in 802.11n I would recommend that you look at the sticker to make sure that the radio chip set is based on 802.11n draft 2. Also think about this if you have a “need for speed.” Your typical cable modem connection might run as fast as 5Mbit/s. So if that’s all that you have coming in to your house, why do you need a data rate of 248Mbit/s which yields a throughput (after overhead) of about 74 Mbit/s?
What do I need to know if I am going to Panera or Starbucks or some other location that offers free Wi-Fi?
If you have want to use your device to connect to any WiFi hotspot, go for it! However, I would recommend a few of things.
1. That you don’t have any of your drives shared. Shared drives can be hacked in to by folks that know how very easily!
2. If your company has a VPN use it! VPN is a Virtual Private Network that encrypts everything you send and receive over your network connection.
3. Leave your wireless connection off until you need it and make sure you are not it “ad-hoc” mode! Ad-hoc mode allows your computer to directly connect to any other computer that it “hears”. This can be very bad. Make sure that you set up your wireless connection for “Infrastructure only”. If you need to connect directly to someone else’s computer, use ad-hoc, then remember to turn it off when you are finished.
Benefits of Wi-Fi for business: Enterprise wireless networks as we discussed, allow business to have mobile computers that are truly mobile. That is, they can roam around a facility just like you do with your cell phone, but inside the four walls. A properly designed and installed wireless network in retail store for example, will allow the managers to be on the floor more because they will not have access to the applications that used to be available only on the computer in their back office, on a mobile computer which they can carry in their pocket. Now with the power of convergence, that mobile computer can also be used as a telephone so that the manager can make and receive calls as if they were at their desk; a walkie talkie that can be used in a one to one conversation or a one to many for paging, and even a video surveillance system that allows viewing of security camera feeds right on the mobile device anywhere inside that Wi-Fi coverage.
Benefits of Wi-Fi for home: Just like for business, Wi-Fi in our home allows us to use our laptop computers anywhere in our home so that we are not stuck behind our desk or in one room. So that means on the warm summer days that are approaching, you can sit on your porch and watch the kids in your back yard while you continue to work on your laptop computer connected by Wi-Fi to the Internet or with a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to your corporate network. My daughter even has Wi-Fi in her hand held video game. This allows her to interact with other people all over the planet
Cautions of using Wi-Fi at home: If you do purchase Wi-Fi for home you need to be sure to setup security on your network. If you just take the Wi-Fi access point or router and plug it into your network, you are now broadcasting everything on your network to the whole world! When Wi-Fi was first becoming popular there were people called War Drivers. These War Drivers use to drive around with high gain antennas made out of Pringles Potato Chip cans looking for unsecured wireless networks. We could spend a whole show talking about security but my recommendation is to read the manual that comes with your Access Point or Wireless router and at least use WEP if not higher levels of security including encryption and authentication.
The future of Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi has evolved tremendously since the first standard was ratified in 1999. Now the data rates are getting fast enough that businesses are installing totally wireless networks which can run all of their computers, printers and telephones. With the latest Wi-Fi Standard, 802.11n, to be ratified next year, data rates are expected to be 248 MBit/s.
Hot Motorola Product
Enterprise VOIP and WVOIP for business: It’s not the $.02/minute consumer stuff. VOIP for Enterprises is an extension of your regular telephone service. The difference is that they put the voice calls on to your Ethernet network instead of the old school telephone lines. Now to confuse it even more, VOIP can be wireless! With a WVOIP extension, you can forward your desk phone number to your mobile or you can use a wireless “skinny” phone device in place of a desktop phone. One of the greatest things that is coming, and one of Motorola’s visions for the very near future is a completely converged WVIOP system. What I am talking about is a system that would allow you to use your cellular phone outside of your office. Then when you return to your office, even if you are in the middle of a call, your cell phone automatically and seamlessly roam onto the WIFI network at your corporation. That allows you to use one phone for everything.
VOIP for Home: This is a lot different than for business. I use Vonage for my home connection but there are other great services that actually put your local telephone number on the Internet. To use these you must have a relatively high bandwidth Internet connection like DSL or Cable and a box that hooks up to the Internet and then you simply plug your home telephone into the box and you are on! There are also wireless handsets for home use. These connect using your home WIFI across the Internet.
VOIP Problems for the residence: IF you lose power, you lose everything! Also there have been major concerns for 911 use so if you sign up for a system like Vonage then you will need to certify your location.
I have been with Symbol Technologies, now Motorola for 8 ½ years. I started out in this industry as a working as a depot repair technician down in Memphis right after I got out of the Navy in 1995. Then I transferred to Pittsburgh and worked doing RF site surveys and installations for wireless computer networks. I came to Symbol as a Systems Engineer and moved over to the Territory Manager role last year.
Motorola and Wi-Fi:
Motorola has been in the radio business for about 70 years. Wi-Fi is really just another radio but it has a high data rate for transmission of data rather than voice. Motorola is the second largest manufacturer of enterprise Wi-Fi infrastructure in the world.
What is Wi-Fi?
The term "Wi-Fi" suggests "Wireless Fidelity", comparing with the long-established audio recording term "High Fidelity" or "Hi-Fi", and "Wireless Fidelity" has often been used in an informal way, even by the Wi-Fi Alliance itself, but officially the term does not mean anything. "Wi-Fi" was coined by a brand consulting firm called Interbrand Corporation that had been hired by the Alliance to determine a name that was "a little catchier than 'IEEE 802.11b Direct Sequence'.
So, in a nutshell “Wi-Fi” refers to a set of standards officially titled IEEE 802.11b. The organization Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance or WECA was created to test wireless devices for their compliance with the 802.11b standard. Those that were compliant received the Wi-Fi seal of approval.
Ok, so what does this mean to our listeners that want to sit on their porch with their laptop and surf the web while they watch their kids play in the yard?
The Wi-Fi standard means that any device be it a laptop, wireless access point, phone, or pda with the Wi-Fi sticker will all work together. The 802.11n draft 2 looks like it will be very close to what is ratified, so if would like to invest in 802.11n I would recommend that you look at the sticker to make sure that the radio chip set is based on 802.11n draft 2. Also think about this if you have a “need for speed.” Your typical cable modem connection might run as fast as 5Mbit/s. So if that’s all that you have coming in to your house, why do you need a data rate of 248Mbit/s which yields a throughput (after overhead) of about 74 Mbit/s?
What do I need to know if I am going to Panera or Starbucks or some other location that offers free Wi-Fi?
If you have want to use your device to connect to any WiFi hotspot, go for it! However, I would recommend a few of things.
1. That you don’t have any of your drives shared. Shared drives can be hacked in to by folks that know how very easily!
2. If your company has a VPN use it! VPN is a Virtual Private Network that encrypts everything you send and receive over your network connection.
3. Leave your wireless connection off until you need it and make sure you are not it “ad-hoc” mode! Ad-hoc mode allows your computer to directly connect to any other computer that it “hears”. This can be very bad. Make sure that you set up your wireless connection for “Infrastructure only”. If you need to connect directly to someone else’s computer, use ad-hoc, then remember to turn it off when you are finished.
Benefits of Wi-Fi for business: Enterprise wireless networks as we discussed, allow business to have mobile computers that are truly mobile. That is, they can roam around a facility just like you do with your cell phone, but inside the four walls. A properly designed and installed wireless network in retail store for example, will allow the managers to be on the floor more because they will not have access to the applications that used to be available only on the computer in their back office, on a mobile computer which they can carry in their pocket. Now with the power of convergence, that mobile computer can also be used as a telephone so that the manager can make and receive calls as if they were at their desk; a walkie talkie that can be used in a one to one conversation or a one to many for paging, and even a video surveillance system that allows viewing of security camera feeds right on the mobile device anywhere inside that Wi-Fi coverage.
Benefits of Wi-Fi for home: Just like for business, Wi-Fi in our home allows us to use our laptop computers anywhere in our home so that we are not stuck behind our desk or in one room. So that means on the warm summer days that are approaching, you can sit on your porch and watch the kids in your back yard while you continue to work on your laptop computer connected by Wi-Fi to the Internet or with a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to your corporate network. My daughter even has Wi-Fi in her hand held video game. This allows her to interact with other people all over the planet
Cautions of using Wi-Fi at home: If you do purchase Wi-Fi for home you need to be sure to setup security on your network. If you just take the Wi-Fi access point or router and plug it into your network, you are now broadcasting everything on your network to the whole world! When Wi-Fi was first becoming popular there were people called War Drivers. These War Drivers use to drive around with high gain antennas made out of Pringles Potato Chip cans looking for unsecured wireless networks. We could spend a whole show talking about security but my recommendation is to read the manual that comes with your Access Point or Wireless router and at least use WEP if not higher levels of security including encryption and authentication.
The future of Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi has evolved tremendously since the first standard was ratified in 1999. Now the data rates are getting fast enough that businesses are installing totally wireless networks which can run all of their computers, printers and telephones. With the latest Wi-Fi Standard, 802.11n, to be ratified next year, data rates are expected to be 248 MBit/s.
Hot Motorola Product
Enterprise VOIP and WVOIP for business: It’s not the $.02/minute consumer stuff. VOIP for Enterprises is an extension of your regular telephone service. The difference is that they put the voice calls on to your Ethernet network instead of the old school telephone lines. Now to confuse it even more, VOIP can be wireless! With a WVOIP extension, you can forward your desk phone number to your mobile or you can use a wireless “skinny” phone device in place of a desktop phone. One of the greatest things that is coming, and one of Motorola’s visions for the very near future is a completely converged WVIOP system. What I am talking about is a system that would allow you to use your cellular phone outside of your office. Then when you return to your office, even if you are in the middle of a call, your cell phone automatically and seamlessly roam onto the WIFI network at your corporation. That allows you to use one phone for everything.
VOIP for Home: This is a lot different than for business. I use Vonage for my home connection but there are other great services that actually put your local telephone number on the Internet. To use these you must have a relatively high bandwidth Internet connection like DSL or Cable and a box that hooks up to the Internet and then you simply plug your home telephone into the box and you are on! There are also wireless handsets for home use. These connect using your home WIFI across the Internet.
VOIP Problems for the residence: IF you lose power, you lose everything! Also there have been major concerns for 911 use so if you sign up for a system like Vonage then you will need to certify your location.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Episode 52--FIOS, Not Just a Guy with a Cool Truck
John from A & J Computers in Columbus Ohio does tech support for
one of the major Internet Service Providers. He is eager to help with educating the masses on computer technology and has been doing tech support for 2 yrs now, and says he has seen some of the major reasons that cause people stress with computers.
We went to Wikipedia for a definition of FIOS:
FiOS (Fiber Optic Service) is a fiber to the premises (FTTP) telecommunications service, presently offered in some areas of the United States by Verizon. Verizon has cited the fact that "fios" is an Irish word for "knowledge",[1][2] and has stated in mailings to New Jersey customers that it stands for "Fiber-Optic Service". Verizon has attracted consumer and media attention in the area of broadband Internet access as the first major U.S. carrier to offer such a service. In their rapidly expanding coverage areas, FiOS provides telephone, Internet and digital video services to the subscriber's premises. Some areas do not have service due to franchise agreements, and some can only receive the internet access, also due to franchising.
John’s Key Points:
1. The max speeds for upload and download.
2. The difference between what we are doing and other ISP's
3. Maybe a few ideas on how to keep your pc clean and FIOS friendly
Spy bot search and destroy
Rogue Remover
C Cleaner short for Crap Cleaner
( also talked about Ubuntu)
4. FIOS impact on smart houses.
(Travis (from Pittsburgh) short story by Ray Bradbury, written in 1950 about a Smart House that survives the nuclear holocaust “There Will Come Soft Rains.”)
Find at: http://jerrywbrown.com/datafile/datafile/110/ThereWillComeSoftRains_Bradbury.pdf referenced
6. The impact that Linux is making in
the Open Source world.
One of the listeners, Ben from Ireland, pulled up the 3-D alternative to maximizing and minimizing your screen with the latest Linux version
. Find it at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryl_%28window_manager%29
Some other sites John recommends:
For open source free programs
downloads.com
For refurbished and inexpensive computer hardware:
Tigerdirect.com
You can reach John for further Tech Support from his business if you are in the Columbus area at:
evila3333@gmail.com
Next week we will be talking to Sue Tresetti of Taylored Solutions on E-Learning.
Be there so that you don’t get an F.
You can listen to this show archived if you missed it at:
http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/tscmd/tc/30986
one of the major Internet Service Providers. He is eager to help with educating the masses on computer technology and has been doing tech support for 2 yrs now, and says he has seen some of the major reasons that cause people stress with computers.
We went to Wikipedia for a definition of FIOS:
FiOS (Fiber Optic Service) is a fiber to the premises (FTTP) telecommunications service, presently offered in some areas of the United States by Verizon. Verizon has cited the fact that "fios" is an Irish word for "knowledge",[1][2] and has stated in mailings to New Jersey customers that it stands for "Fiber-Optic Service". Verizon has attracted consumer and media attention in the area of broadband Internet access as the first major U.S. carrier to offer such a service. In their rapidly expanding coverage areas, FiOS provides telephone, Internet and digital video services to the subscriber's premises. Some areas do not have service due to franchise agreements, and some can only receive the internet access, also due to franchising.
John’s Key Points:
1. The max speeds for upload and download.
2. The difference between what we are doing and other ISP's
3. Maybe a few ideas on how to keep your pc clean and FIOS friendly
Spy bot search and destroy
Rogue Remover
C Cleaner short for Crap Cleaner
( also talked about Ubuntu)
4. FIOS impact on smart houses.
(Travis (from Pittsburgh) short story by Ray Bradbury, written in 1950 about a Smart House that survives the nuclear holocaust “There Will Come Soft Rains.”)
Find at: http://jerrywbrown.com/datafile/datafile/110/ThereWillComeSoftRains_Bradbury.pdf referenced
6. The impact that Linux is making in
the Open Source world.
One of the listeners, Ben from Ireland, pulled up the 3-D alternative to maximizing and minimizing your screen with the latest Linux version
. Find it at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryl_%28window_manager%29
Some other sites John recommends:
For open source free programs
downloads.com
For refurbished and inexpensive computer hardware:
Tigerdirect.com
You can reach John for further Tech Support from his business if you are in the Columbus area at:
evila3333@gmail.com
Next week we will be talking to Sue Tresetti of Taylored Solutions on E-Learning.
Be there so that you don’t get an F.
You can listen to this show archived if you missed it at:
http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/tscmd/tc/30986
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