I have a love-hate relationship with my computer.

In fact, often I love to hate my computer!

It will do things I know even the great Mr. Gates didn’t intend, and it usually does them at the least convenient time (like when I’m on a deadline or in a hurry).

Rather than the usual whining and doing nothing about it, I’ve decided to share a couple of things that previously annoyed the heck out of me and the solutions I found to help you avoid these same problems.

*Disappearing Internet Explorer Status Bar*

The status bar at the bottom of the Internet Explorer web browser serves many purposes.

It allows you to hold your mouse over a link to see where the link will take you.

It enables you to see a page’s loading progress as you wait for it to download.

Most importantly, the status bar allows you to see the little gold “lock” symbol that lets you know you’ve made a connection to a secure server (very important to know before you input credit card data).

For some inexplicable reason, from time to time, this status bar disappears from my browser.

Also, the toolbars at the top tend to move periodically and mess up my “system” for surfing the Internet.

Now, it’s not the end of the world, but it really ticks me off when things change and I didn’t change them! If this ever happens to you, here’s how to literally “lock” the toolbars and status bar in place so they don’t disappear or move again.

First, close all your Internet Explorer web browser windows except for one. If the status bar doesn’t already appear in the window, go to “View” and then click “status bar.”

Also, make sure you have all the toolbars arranged the way you want them.

Next, place your mouse over a blank spot on one of the tool bars at the top of the Internet Explorer browser window.

Right-mouse-click and a menu will appear where you should check the option “Lock the Toolbars.”

Then, while holding down the key, click the “X” in the upper right corner of the window to close it. This will set your selection.

If you ever need to change your toolbars in the future, simply right-mouse-click on the toolbar and uncheck the “Lock the Toolbars” option, make the changes, and then re- lock the toolbars to keep them from moving or disappearing.

*Missing File Extensions*

One of the biggest pains in the neck involves opening Windows Explorer, viewing a list of files, and not being able to see the file extension (.doc, .txt, .html, etc.) for each file.

For some reason, Windows considers this classified information!

To make the file extensions show up, click “Start” then “Control Panel.” Double-click “Folder Options” then click the “View” tab. Scroll down the list and uncheck the box that says “Hide extensions for known file types.”

You will now see the file extensions any time you open up Windows Explorer.

(c) Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
http://www.thenetreporter.com

Jim Edwards, a.k.a. TheNetReporter.com, is a syndicated newspaper columnist, nationally recognized speaker, author, and web developer. Owner of nine (9) successful e-businesses as well as a professional consulting firm, Jim’s writing comes straight off the front lines of the Internet and e-commerce.

Simple “Traffic Machine” brings Thousands of NEW visitors to your website for weeks, even months… without spending a dime on advertising! ==> “Turn Words Into Traffic”

Just about everyone would I agree, I think, that wires on headphones are just about the most annoying wires associated with any electronic device. When you listen to music you don’t want to have to stay in anyone one place, and you don’t want to have to worry about cords tripping you are pulling your headphones down. The answer to this problem is wireless headphones, many of which allow you to listen to music over 100 feet away. They, like all wireless devices, give you a sense of freedom, an ability to move, work, and play wherever you want. You will find here a list of some of the most popular wireless headphone devices, with important information about each.

RCA WHR120 Infrared Wireless Stereo Headphones

Manufacturers Description: Experience the freedom that RCA Infrared Wireless Headphones can provide. You don’t have to be chained to your stereo when you put on a pair of headphones. With the infrared, line-of-sight transmission, you have 23 feet to roam as you please. Also, the base doubles as a convenient charger and stand. And the lightweight design and adjustable band make for a comfortable, snug fit. Enjoy life with RCA technology.

Key Features:

- Provides convenient listening privacy in the same room

- Low cost infrared technology operates up to 20 ft. from transmitter

- Adjustable headband provides comfort for hours of listening pleasure

- Horizontal style transmitter is compact, saves shelf space

- Operates on Two “AAA” size rechargeable batteries (connect to transmitter for recharging)

Price: $25

RCA WHR150 Wireless Stereo Headphones

Manufacturers Description: Hear your stereo outside your house without disturbing the neighbors. With RCA Wireless 900 MHz Headphones, you don’t even have to be in the same room with your stereo. The 900 MHz signal can pass through walls, floors, and carry outside of your home up to 125 ft. That means you have the freedom to work or relax wherever you wish without the problem of being connected to cords or carrying around a portable system. The lightweight design and adjustable headband make the fit so comfortable that you will hardly notice you have them on, as you move freely about your home. Also, the unique compact base serves as both a charger and a stand. Add some freedom to your life with this innovation from the RCA brand.

Key Features:

- Transmits 900MHz stereo signal up to 125 ft.

- Goes through walls and floors

- Unique compact base serves as both a charger and a stand

- Lightweight design with adjustable headband

- Soft earpads for comfortable listening

Price: $75

Sony MDRRF920RK 900 MHz Wireless Headphones

Manufacturers Description: Tired of tripping over cords, and accidentally ripping out headphone jacks? Go wireless, and listen to the freedom. Sony’s MDR-RF920RK 900 MHz RF Wirless Headphones have a transmission range of 150 feet, allowing you to roam your house or yard without missing a beat (or word). The 900 MHz radio frequency delivers high quality sound, and the 30mm driver units provide deeper bass, lower distortion and a wider dynamic range. These lightweight headphones are easily recharged by placing them on the transmitter, and the package includes rechargeable NiMH batteries.

A powerful ARM processor lets you listen to MP3s while looking up an address or scheduling an appointment. Watch the latest movie trailer or a new sales video. Carry digital photo albums of friends and family, students and co-workers, even the latest real estate listings. Plus it’s expandable, and with 32MB of memory there’s plenty of room to customize from more than 18,000 applications (sold separately).

Key Features:

- Wireless Design lets you move inside and outside your house and still enjoy music and TV sound, and lets you turn up the volume late at night without disturbing others.

- 150 Foot Transmission Range for listening enjoyment upstairs, downstairs, virtually everywhere in your home and outside in your backyard.

- 900 MHz Radio Frequency (RF) Transmission provides better sound quality and greater range.

- 30mm Diameter Driver Units are larger than many portable headphones for deeper bass, lower distortion and wider dynamic range; low frequency response extends down to 20Hz.

- PET Diaphragms ensure high rigidity for minimum distortion, and low mass for excellent high-frequency response.

- Ferrite Magnets combine high energy and small size for ample sound output.

- Comfortable Open-Air Type Supra-Aural Headphones fit securely for maximum frequency response reception.

- Double Headband with self-adjusting mechanism conforms to the curve of your head for a fit.

- Easy Rechargeable Battery System automatically charges the headphones when placed onto the transmitter.

- 3 Transmission Channels Available helps ensure optimum signal reception; convenient sliding selector control on the side of the transmitter.

- Automatic Power On/Off for both headphones and transmitter conserves battery life; transmitter turns on when it senses an input signal; headphones turn on when you place them on your head.

- Complete Kit is supplied, which includes transmitter, headphones, connecting cord, UniMatch plug adapter and AC power supply.

- Supplied Connecting Cord goes directly to headphone output of your high fidelity system for easy connection to hi-fi system, TV or VCR.

- FM Transmission System resists static and distortion for higher fidelity.

- Included Rechargeable NiMHBatteries provide up to 18 hours of playback when fully charged.

Price: $50

Sennheiser RS-65 Hi-Fi Stereo Wireless Headphones

Manufacturers Description: The RS-65 wireless RF headphone system with open, circumaural headphones features an integrated, switchable SRS processor for impressive surround sound. The system has very transparent and balanced sound reproduction and comes equipped with Center-Lock TM Auto-Tuning. This feature allows you to automatically adjust to the transmitter with a simple touch of a button (and can simply be returned with a second touch if it locks on to your neighbor’s transmitter).

Features:

- Supra-aural, hi-fi stereo headphones for superb audio quality

-Volume and transmission channel can be set individually on the headphones

- Expand with an additional set of headphones for multiperson use

- Soft, cloth-covered earpads and headband cushion for comfortable extended use

- Transmission range: 300 feet

- Extremely lightweight - less than 6 ounces

Price: $180

Sennheiser RS-85 Hi-Fi Stereo Wireless Headphones

Manufacturers Description: The RS-85 wireless RF headphone system with open, circumaural headphones features HiDyn Plus noise reduction for wide dynamics and superb sound quality, ensuring a very natural and detailed sound reproduction. The RS-85 comes equipped with Center-Lock TM Auto-Tuning, which allows you to automatically adjust to the transmitter with a simple touch of a button (and can simply be returned with a second touch if it locks on to your neighbor’s transmitter). The RS-85 headphones feature reception up to 300 feet from the transmitter, through walls and ceilings, even outside the home. A second battery pack is also provided for near limitless use; simply charge one as the other is being used.

Price: $250

Bradley James is a senior editor at SciNet.cc, a website containing many helpful consumer electronics review articles. For more information on wireless headphone technology, please visit our wireless headphones webpage.

Local Businesses have Been Slow to Capitalize on Search Engine Notice

Yellow Page directory usage has been falling for years. But most merchants who’ve always relied on their directory listing for new business have not taken the necessary steps to promote themselves online as well.

Local Search by search engines makes the Internet a vital component of more and more retail sales. Buyers can find convenient sources of products or services (the time-honored role of the Yellow Pages) with queries that include a geographic element.

They narrow their search by adding a specific city, zip code, region (Pike’s Peak), county, etc. Only nearby businesses appear in the results. Suddenly, even the smallest business (without a website) has a chance of being easily found online.

The Public’s Buying Habits Have Changed

Over 25% of all search-engine queries are for Local Search results; and that percentage is growing quickly. Last year, both Google and Yahoo committed to expanding the value of Local Search results they deliver. People want them and are driving the trend. Small businesses that don’t get aboard risk being left behind (and unfound).

Increasingly, customers go online first to find product information and sources - even if they intend to spend their money locally. Instead of opening the fat Yellow Page directory (which is months out of date, since it’s only updated once a year), they “let their fingers do the walking” online.

That could be Internet Yellow Pages (IYP), a search engine query such as Google or Yahoo, or visiting a specialized online directory. There are many demographic reasons why people no longer make the Yellow Pages the first step in their buying process. They still want to research their options, but are often looking for different information than Yellow Page ads provide.

Get Local Search Results on your Cell Phone

Add convenience to the search, since Google brought out Local Mobile Search in March, 2005. http://mobile.google.com/loc_search.html Google Local lets callers find everything from restaurants to retail outlets using their mobile phone. This option is available in most American cities. People can access the mobile web browser on any mobile phone or device that supports XHTML (WAP 2.0).

Visualize yourself driving down the street, and you decide you’d like sushi. You park and enter “your town” plus “sushi” into a Google search on your cell phone. Within seconds you know your choices. You can even get driving directions, maps and “click to call,” if you have a question.

Now, that’s miles ahead of finding a payphone and digging through the directory, assuming there is one.

Conduct a Local Search from your Cell Phone

- Type http://mobile.google.com/local

- Enter your local search query in the ‘What’ box

- Enter your location in the ‘Where’ box

- Select and hit the “Google Search” button

- Scroll through your search results

- Locate a business’s exact location

- Get driving directions to your desired location

- Place a call directly to a listed business

Callers can also get Local Search results by going to the Google home page on the phone’s web browser http://www.google.com/xhtml

Business Owners Must get Listed so they’ll Appear in Search Results

Given the widespread use of cell phones, Google’s new feature will create an immediate impact. People on the go (and who isn’t, anymore?) will have less reason than ever to look in the printed Yellow Page directory.

What to do? Yellow Page Sage http://www.yellowpagesage.com provides step-by-step how-to, so your business gets found when suitable buyers are looking. Make life easier for yourself - and customers relying on their cell phones to decide where they should spend their money.

It’s time to develop your marketing strategy beyond what the Yellow Pages can deliver. Be sure your operation is easy for people to find, whether they use a print directory or the Internet. Get your share of the free exposure that Mobile Local Search will be able to send your way.

©2005, Lynella Grant

–Dr. Lynella Grant Author, Yellow Page Smarts: Make more money from your directory ad in tandem with your website http://www.yellowpagesage.com Smarter ways to attract more YP customers. Local Search resources Off the Page Press (719) 395-9450

–Dr. Lynella Grant Author, Yellow Page Smarts: Make more money from your directory ad in tandem with your website http://www.yellowpagesage.com Smarter ways to attract more YP customers. Local Search resources Off the Page Press (719) 395-9450

As the Web grows more crowded and just plain “noisy” with information bombarding us from every angle, most people welcome any tool, trick or shortcut to help them wade through the mountains of data to find what they want.

Since your web browser represents your main window to the Internet, it makes sense for any tool which enables you to find what you need and get around faster online should sit right where you need it most.

Introducing Web browser “toolbars,” free little programs that work with Internet Explorer and Netscape to put you several steps closer to the information you need right now.

~ Google Toolbar ~
The free toolbar from search giant Google offers the best search features of any toolbar we evaluated.

Not only does it allow you to search the web, but also enables you to search within a website to find specific information.

The Google toolbar’s main features include “Page Rank,” which gives an indication of a website’s overall value based on your search criteria and other factors, along with a “backwards links” function which allows you to see which sites link to the website currently loaded in your browser.

You can download the Google toolbar on your web browser by visiting http://toolbar.google.com and following the simple installation instruction.

~ Alexa Toolbar ~
Alexa’s main claim to fame revolves around its traffic ranking report on virtually any site on the Internet.

The lower the Traffic Ranking number, the more popular a site rates in Alexa’s eyes. Currently Yahoo, MSN and Google occupy the top 3 spots on Alexa’s charts.

With so many websites on the Internet, an Alexa ranking of less than 100,000 is considered good, and a ranking of less than 10,000 is considered outstanding as far as a site’s relative popularity on the Web.

Alexa also offers a related links feature right on the toolbar so you can quickly find links to sites that other people also visit when surfing the site you currently have loaded in your browser.

Alexa also offers a pop-up blocker to help cut down on the pop-up windows that seem to invade your desktop the minute you venture online. You can download the Alexa Toolbar free from www.alexa.com.

~ AltaVista Toolbar ~
Former search giant AltaVista recently jumped on the toolbar bandwagon with their offering from www.altavista.com.

Install the AltaVista toolbar and access a couple of interesting features, including a language translation button and an MP3 search.

Click the “Translate” button and instantly translate entire web pages from one language to another.

The MP3 search will help you find the tune you want from AltaVista’s audio index.

Most of the toolbars offer additional gadgets to help you with everything from weather forecasts to currency conversion.

Because they offer many of the same features and they take up valuable screen space, using more than one toolbar at a time often proves impractical.

Since most toolbars come free of charge, evaluate them all for their main features and overall usability for your particular needs and then stick with the best one.

(c) Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved - http://www.thenetreporter.com

Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist (http://www.TheNetReporter.com) and is the author of numerous best-selling ebooks, information products and software programs.

Simple “Traffic Machine” brings Thousands of NEW visitors to your website for weeks, even months… without spending a dime on advertising!Turn Words Into Traffic

When it comes to computer speaker systems, you have a lot of choice. However, there are simply some brands that stand way out in terms of sound quality and dependability, and one of those brands is certainly Logitech. Logitech computer speakers are some of the best on the market, and provide a great deal of clean, powerful sound for a very reasonable price. Logitech offers a variety of computer speaker systems, for relatively inexpensive 2.1 2-speaker systems to the power 5.1 and 6.1 gaming computer systems with multiple surround-sound speakers. Whatever you are looking for in computer speakers, it is likely that Logitech has it.

Logitech x-230 2.1 2-Piece Dual Drive Computer Speakers

Manufacturers Description: Crank up the audio on your PC with this 2.1-channel computer speaker system and enjoy clean, crisp, consistent sound from your games, music, and more. The Logitech X-230’s high-tech subwoofer adjusts itself dynamically to deliver distortion-free bass, while the two wall-mountable satellite speakers use Logitech’s patented FDD2 technology to eliminate the uneven sound response created by conventional dual-driver designs. The result: a clear, uniform sound field without the “hot spots” and inconsistency of other dual-driver satellites.

Features:

-32 watts total power (6 watts x 2, plus 20-watt subwoofer)

-Frequency Directed Dual Driver (FDD2) satellite technology produces a uniform sound field for full, rich sound

-Dynamic, real-time bass equalization maximizes bass response while minimizing distortion

-Ported subwoofer design displaces more air for deeper bass

-Headphone jack enables private listening

-Master volume and subwoofer level controls placed for quick, convenient access

-Satellite speaker stands rotate for easy wall-mounting

Price: $50

Value Rating: 9.5 / 10 - This computer speaker system sounds better than some speakers that are $100+ with at least 50 watts of power. It has great crisp sound at nearly all volumes and the bass is surprisingly powerful. Be aware that the subwoofer is not magnetically shielded, and should be kept away from your monitor.

Logitech X-530 5.1 5-Piece Computer Speaker System

Manufacturers Description: Plug the Logitech X-530 into your computer, music player, DVD player, or even PlayStation2 or Xbox game console and immerse yourself in clean, crisp, consistent surround sound from your games, movies, and more. The high-tech subwoofer adjusts itself dynamically to deliver distortion-free bass, while the five wall-mountable satellite speakers use Logitech’s patented FDD2 technology to eliminate the uneven sound response created by conventional dual-driver designs. The result: a clear, uniform sound field without the “hot spots” and inconsistency of other dual-driver satellites.

Features:

-70 watts total system power (7.4 watts x 4, plus 15.5-watt center speaker and 25-watt subwoofer)

-Frequency Directed Dual Driver (FDD2) satellite technology produces a uniform sound field for full, rich sound

-Matching front and rear satellites deliver balanced surround sound

-Dedicated center channel makes dialogue clear and intelligible.

-Dynamic, real-time bass equalization maximizes bass response while minimizing distortion

-Ported subwoofer design displaces more air for deeper bass

-Headphone jack enables private listening

-Master volume and subwoofer level controls placed for quick, convenient access

-Satellite speaker stands rotate for easy wall mounting

Price: $60

Value Rating: 9.0 / 10 - A great step up from the X-230. It has the same great sound, with extra bass and a little more all-around power. The extra speakers are great for a surround sound setting. Only downside is that some games are not compatible with the this 5.1 system. Worth the extra $10 for most people.

Logitech X620 6.1 Computer Speakers

Manufacturers Description: More speakers means more sound, more detail, and more intensity. That’s what the Logitech X-620 6.1-channel speaker system is all about. Thanks to its 6 satellites, including a dedicated rear center speaker, you can hook it up to your PC or video game console and enjoy your games, music, and movies with sound that truly surrounds you.

Are you looking for powerful bass? Crisp highs and mid-range? The X-620 delivers. Its patented, powerful pressure-driver subwoofer provides twice the bass of conventional designs for smooth, powerful lows, and the satellite speakers provide rich midrange and crisp high-end tones. Even if you don’t have a 6.1 sound card, you can still enjoy the benefits of all seven speakers by using the source selector switch.

Got a Sony PlayStation2, Microsoft Xbox, or Nintendo GameCube? Just plug in the X-620 using the convenient video game console adapter and immerse yourself in the explosions, music, and dialogue of your favorite games.

Comes with 6 satellite speakers and a powered 8-inch subwoofer; 70 watts total system power (140 watts peak).

Price: $85

Value Rating: 9.0 / 10 - Another hit from Logitech. This one is much like more expensive home theater systems. Truely one of the best speaker systems in the growing 6.1 class. An important note: prepare to buy a pricey Sound Blaster 6.1 Audigy sound card in order to take full advantage of this speaker system.

Logitech Z-5300e 5.1 2-Piece Surround Sound PC and Gaming Speaker System

Manufacturers Description: Demanding gamers require high power, THX performance, and true surround sound. The Logitech Z-5300e delivers on all counts, with a sleek appearance featuring silver speaker accents and removable black cloth grilles. The system includes a patented dual chamber subwoofer that pounds out twice the bass of conventional designs to deliver deep, loud, and powerful bass. The Z-5300e also features polished aluminum phase-plug satellite drivers that project superb high-end and rich mid-range tones for balanced sound, along with a full-featured SoundTouch wired remote that provides convenient controls for quick adjustments. The satellite speakers’ rotating pedestals allow for easy installation on the wall or desktop.

Features:

-280 watts system power (35.25 watts x 4, plus 39-watt center and 100-watt subwoofer)

-PlayStation2, Xbox, and GameCube owners can plug in the Z-5300e using a console adapter

-Silver speaker accents and removable black cloth grilles

-Conveniently control volume and power with the wired remote, which also features a headphone jack

-Enjoy twice the bass of conventional designs with patented subwoofer design

-Satellites fit on a shelf or mounted on the wall

-Use Matrix mode and source selector switch to create breathtaking 5.1 surround sound from stereo, 4-channel, or 5.1 sound sources

Price: $150

Value Rating: 8.0 / 10 - This system is almost too much for your average computer user - but it’s great for gamers who demand perfection in their sound system. Even though it will work with game consoles, remember that it is a computer speaker system, and works best with a pc.

Bradley James is a senior editor at SciNet.cc, a website containing many helpful consumer electronics review articles. For more information on Logitech computer products, please visit our Logitech speakers webpage.

Because with VOIP you can make calls from anywhere you have access to a broadband connection, users can take their IP phones or ATA’s with them on trips and still have access to what is essentially their home phone.

Some people use a softphone to access their VOIP service. A softphone is a specially developed software application that loads the VOIP service onto your desktop computer or laptop. Some even have an interface on the screen that looks like a traditional phone. These softphone applications allow you to place VOIP calls from your laptop; anywhere in the world you have access to a broadband connection.

Most traditional phone companies charge you for extra features that are added to your account. With VOIP service providers these usually come as standard. Features such as:

1. Caller ID

2. Call Waiting

3. Call Transfer

4. Repeat Dialling

5. Return Call

6. Three-Way Dialling

Some VOIP service providers also offer advanced call filtering features. These additional features allow you to decide how calls to a specific number are handled by using caller ID information. They allow you to:

1. Forward the call to a particular number

2. Send the call directly to voicemail

3. Give the caller a busy signal

4. Play a “not-in-service” message

Many VOIP services also allow you to check your voicemail over the internet or attach messages to an e-mail that is sent to your computer or PDA. It’s best to check with VOIP phone system suppliers and service operators exactly what features they offer as package and service prices vary greatly.

There are many other cost saving benefits that arise from a streamlined VOIP phone system network. For the network administrators, a VOIP phone system means they only have one network to maintain instead of two. The portability of the phone system is also greatly simplified. This is because most VOIP phone systems can be configured using a web interface, which can be managed by the network administrator. The MAC (move, add, change) process is made much easier, and you will not have to call your system/service provider for every MAC you carry out. All this means lower ongoing costs for your company.

Another cost saving for companies who implement a VOIP system is, because multiple offices, no matter where they are in the world are seamlessly connected, they can share many of the features VOIP can offer, such as:

1. One single receptionist

2. Auto attendant facilities

3. Voice mail system

Thanks for reading, please take the time to rate the article.

Jason

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Jason Morris is co-author, search engine optimization and marketing consultant of Business Phone Systems Direct. Specialists in the supply and installation of business phone systems and accessories.
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Video technology has increased significantly over the past years, and is continuing to grow at an incredible rate. Digital Video Disc’s aka DVD’s are the most likely the last big jump in consumer video technology that everyone is familiar with. To keep up with the ever advancing world of electronics a new format of video storage will be released soon called Blu-ray.

Blu-Ray is a next generation optical disc that will blow the socks off of what we all know today: DVD. Conventional DVD’s use a red laser that have long wave lengths, which limits the storage capacity on a disc. Blu-Ray uses a blue laser which has much shorter wave lengths. Because the wave lengths on the Blu-Ray are much smaller it can focus on a spot with much greater precision, allowing for data to be packed much more tightly than the red laser DVD’s.

Blu-Ray discs can hold up to 50GB’s of information which 10 times that of a 4.5GB DVD. 10 times the storage will greatly increase the amount of information that we can save on any one disc and will change the way we save information. Dual Layer Blu-Ray discs will be able to hold up to 4 hours of High-Definition Video. High Definition video is going to hit big here, Blu-Ray is an example of a technology that is going to make it happen. 50GB is probably comparable to size of many of our hard-drives, and to picture having all of that information on a small disc that we can slide into a pocket and take wherever we want is a bit scary.

Expect to see Blu-Ray replacing DVD and VCR over the next few years, following along with the transition of video to High Definition Video. Video isn’t the only thing that will benefit from Blu-Ray technology; I would expect that it will also become the standard for PC and other types of storage.

–

Feel free to reprint this article as long as you keep the following caption and author biography in tact with all hyperlinks.

Ryan Fyfe is the owner and operator of Videos Area Which is a great web directory and information center on Videos and video technology such as dvd and blu-ray.

There are certain things people just shouldn’t do with cell phones! Like talking in the grocery store line while trying to pay for your groceries, talking in church (like nobody will notice!), talking while driving and eating and talking to the people in the car or talking in the middle of class!

Hey - I love my cell phone as much as anybody else, but people are starting to go overboard! You can’t have a conversation with a person before their cell phone rings and then they get text messages and then they have to surf the web and then their voice mail goes off because the phone was too busy to receive any actual calls. Come on! Enough is enough.

And, in that spirit, following is an official lists of Cell Phone Do’s and Don’t’s (please don’t take this list personally - but if you do, then you know that problem applies to you!):

Don’t:

1. Talk on your cell phone at church

2. Talk on your cell phone in class (you’re disturbing us, too!)

3. Talk about your mother when there are mothers around you.

4. Talk about your kids when there are kids around you.

5. Talk and eat.

6. Talk when there is a home phone less than 1 foot away from you.

7. Talk on the bus at the top of your lungs (we all have to ride with you at least a few more stops - have pity on us!)

8. Talk to your old boyfriend when your new boyfriend is around.

9. Talk to your old girlfriend when your new girlfriend is around.

10. Talk to your parents and then pretend to lose the connection so you don’t have to talk to them anymore!

Do:

1. Text message whenever possible.

2. Learn how to text message with normal capitalization - not ALL CAPS.

3. Surf the web on your own time - not in the middle of a conversation.

4. Turn your cell phone to silent/vibrate when you are in church.

5. Turn your cell phone off when you are at the movies (or at least don’t check the messages - we can all see that screen light up!).

6. Figure out how to turn your cell phone to silent/vibrate (nobody wants to hear ‘My Boo’ or ‘Drop it Like It’s Hot’ because you can’t operate your phone).

7. Ask people if they want their picture taken.

8. Show people the pictures you took - don’t post them as your wallpaper because they look so ‘crazy’.

9. Offer your cell phone to people who are lost, whose car is broken down or who need you to call their cell phone so they can locate.

10. Transfer your phone book to your new phone - stop calling everybody every time you get a new phone because their phone number is in the ‘old’ phone.

Help your teenager practice good cell phone etiquette today and make the world a better place!

Sonya C. Triggs is a contributing author to Urban Christianz Ministries. Visit this website to get more great articles and advice for Christian teens!

For many people the computer industry is a seeming unsolvable jungle filled with mysterious words. Here is a guide to help you understand the personal computer and to give you the information needed to make a shopping decision you can live with so you can enjoy your PC for years to come.

A few years ago the average cheaper personal computer cost was about $1500. - $2000. And this price did not necessarily include the power to edit videos, pictures, or play games. For that you would have had to spend more on upgrades. Now things such as video editing are standard on the newest personal computers. PC’s have become less expensive than ever before and they come with more capabilities than ever.

The PC you buy will depend upon what it will be used for. Will you be surfing the Internet and email, working in spreadsheets, playing video games? Who is using the PC and what are there interests? More than likely you will have to accommodate a combination of these or maybe even all of them.

Most personal computers today offer similar capabilities so your real decision will be based upon specialties. For instance if you are mainly interested in gaming than you will be sure to spend more for a good 3D graphics card. If you want to make music you will need a good sound card. If you work all day on your computer or use it for photo editing you will want to invest in a better monitor. Also, make sure your PC has enough memory to quickly work the tasks you have planed.

To sum it up; for the best value for your dollar spend your money on the personal computer components that will best suit your needs.

About The Author

Bonnie Archer is a successful author and publisher of http://www.A1-computers.net/desktoppc.html A great source of information about computers. Check Out Our Blog! http://a1-computers.blogspot.com

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.

And that is the story of our Beta Test Project and we are glad to be a part of Communications History and we have now tested the satellite system in every city in the United States over 10,000 people. Think about it.

“Lance Winslow” - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs