| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| 1029usr078198 |
Posted - April 23 2009 : 22:52:04
Listen now. or Download the archive.
Question: I have a router. How do I hook it up?
Answer: As common as this is, I was surprised to find that we haven't talked about this before. We've talked about routers, but not how to set one up. Fortunately, it's not difficult. I recommend that if possible, you setup your router (and cable/DSL modem when you get cable or DSL) next to one computer that can be connected with a network cable.
Eddie: Can you remind us what a router is?
David: In short, a router is a device that connects computers in your home or business to the Internet. In my experience, you always need one with cable, and sometimes need one with other types of high speed Internet if you have more than one computer to connect. They used to be more difficult to connect than now, but even that wasn't too bad. For both Linksys and Netgear, the two brands I'm most familiar with, the very first thing to do is to make sure your high-speed connection is set up and works with the computer nearest the cable modem. Next, find the CD that came with the router. It will have a wizard that will do all the heavy lifting, and it'll be illustrated and animated, so that with a little care, you won't be able to make any mistakes. There's still a possibility that the wizard won't work, it happened to me this week, but most of the time, it'll get you running in no time.
Cool Site: Monticello.org: These days there seems to be a resurgence of interest in our founding fathers. Some people question whether or not it is correct to say we live in a Christian nation. The first settlers here came in response to religious persecution. But what did the founders believe? Were they Christians or deists? This may not matter unless you are home-schooling, but Monticello.org is the official website of Thomas Jefferson. Did Jefferson really say that? You can find out here. They have a page that lists several quotes that have been incorrectly attributed to Jefferson over the years. A Monticello Explorer takes you on a 3D tour of the house, the Monticello mountaintop, the whole grounds. There's a trip planner if 3D images on your computer just aren't enough, and links to other related sites, like JeffersonToday.org that asks the question, "What would Jefferson do if he could see what's going on now?" For anyone who's an American History buff, Monticello.org is a great site to visit.
Cool Gadget: Ford's MyKey: Have you driven a Ford lately? No bailout-takers, they; Ford has come out with a new key that will be available on the 2010 Ford Focus. Availability on other 2010 model year Ford and Mercury vehicles will follow. The MyKey is intended for use by your teen drivers. When the key is used to start the car, the radio mutes until the occupants buckle up. After that, half volume is enforced. The car will chime as it hits 45, 55, and 65 mph. You can also set a top speed limit. Ford says that this is intended to keep someone from going like 100mph, since in emergency situations you might actually have to exceed the speed limit. You can program the limits and enable or disable features as your kids show their competency and maturity behind the wheel. No word yet on whether or not this would lower your insurance bill, but with the right circumstances, it might. Ford's even thinking about combining GPS with this to let you know if your kids are out too late or in places they shouldn't be. This is one of those cool gadgets though that's scary-cool. Cool as long as I'm in control, a little too "1984" if I'm not.
It's All "Geek" To Me: Online: Eddie: Doesn't everyone know what online means by now?
David: For the most part, they probably do. The current primary definition is, "available on the Internet", but the word can appear in other contexts as well. Online can also mean, "switched on and connected". This is what we mean when speaking of a printer. In pre-Internet days, the term Online Help meant that the resource was located on your computer rather than in a printed manual somewhere. I personally tend to use all three shades of meaning depending on context, so a better definition might be, "available on your computer" because it encompasses all those contexts.
Links
Wireless Router Hookup on eHow:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4424109_hook-up-wireless-router.html
Set Up A Network In A Snap on About.com:
http://pcworld.about.com/magazine/2001p154id68763.htm
Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello:
http://www.monticello.org
MyKey on Gearlog:
http://www.gearlog.com/2009/04/ford_mykey_warnings_help_teens.php
Online on Techterms:
http://www.techterms.com/definition/online |
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