Question: Pam asks, "Why does my wireless connection keep dropping"?
Answer: Traditional radio stations like KBJS and more specifically cell phones have really raised our expectations about wireless communications. Power outputs on cell phones are from .6W to 2W. WiFi adapters max out at only around .1W. This makes their range much shorter and far more susceptible to interference from things like people walking around the room, walls, metal, microwave ovens, and cordless phones. Adding range to WiFi signals generally revolves around putting your router closer to the middle of the house if possible, or adding a high-gain antenna. In a business setting, you would add what's called an Access Point and connect it back to your router with a wire. Another option that I'm personally looking at is changing my router to Wireless-N. I don't usually recommend N for businesses because the standards for it aren't yet finalized, but for a home network, N is the fastest technology with the best range, because its designers took those interference factors into consideration from the start. That's why N uses two or three antennas. There is one more option, but honestly, I have only seen it used twice and in both cases it caused problems. That option is to use something called a range expander or range extender. What this does is you plug it into the wall, push a button, and it configures itself to work with your network. Again, while this sounds good, I've only seen it cause problems, so choose this option at your own risk. Finally, make sure you have the latest drivers for your adapters and firmware for your router. I mention that last because you really want to do that first.
Cool Site: Microsoft Fixit Solution Center: If you have a problem with Microsoft software, check out the Microsoft Fixit Solution Center. There, you'll find quick, automated fixes for all sorts of problems. The main categories are Windows, Internet Explorer, Enterprise Products, Office, Outlook and Outlook Express, Windows Media Player, Xbox & Zune, Games and Consumer Products. You look at the topics and then as you click your way down, you'll find different articles that talk about problems in those topics. Now, there may be more articles about the problem, but all of these will eventually lead to a "Fix It for Me" icon. When you click that icon, a short program will be downloaded that carries out the fix described as the article continues. You can read the rest of the article to find out what the fix is going to do, or how to fix it yourself. This is useful if you aren’t reading the web page on the computer that has the problem. Even so, many of those small downloads can be put on a USB stick or CD so that you can take it to the computer that is having the problem.
Cool Gadget: Don't Sleep Earpiece: From our friends at BimBamBanana comes the Don't Sleep Earpiece. If you are prone to falling asleep while driving or watching TV or reading, then just put this little earpiece on. It acts like a level. When you start to nod, it starts to "hoot" as they say on the site. This wakes you back up. It costs about $60, but might be worth it if you tend to nod off behind the wheel.
It's All "Geek" To Me: UPS: This week's term is UPS. Mostly when we think of this term, we think of the delivery company. But UPS also stands for Uninterruptible Power Supply. It is basically a surge protector with a battery connected to it so that in the event of a power outage, the computer doesn't go off as unceremoniously as the lights did. The battery power may only last 15 minutes or so, but that should give you enough time to save your stuff and shut down until the lights come back on.
