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Communications

Bill Emmerling

2012-11-09 08:19:22

Q- With all the new mobile devices on the market, how do I decide which one is the best for me?

A- Choosing a mobile device today can be a challenging decision, with the numerous brands, operating systems, and features. Before you begin, you should determine your needs, expectations and budget. Do you require specific software? Will you be primarily producing documents and content? Or will you primarily be accessing content produced by others? Is it important to connect to keyboards, monitors, etc. using standard computer connections? Will it be important to integrate this device with an existing office environment? With many ‘flavors’ of laptops, tablets and smart-phones available and rapidly changing options, this can be a difficult decision. Often this decision comes to personal preference. Because Windows has 80+% of the PC market, I have chosen to use the Windows-based Fujitsu Stylistic Slate Tablet PC. This allows me to work and be compatible with the majority of the people and businesses with whom I work. Further, my tablet comes with USB, VGA (monitor) ports, network jack, SD slot, as well as media jacks. With a large battery, I can get up to 7 hours of productive operating time (longer if I swap batteries). Fujitsu tablets are built to military test specifications. In the office, I dock my tablet at my desk with a keyboard, trackball, and a second monitor and use it as a high production workstation. In all, I have been highly satisfied with this product. I have seen other Windows-based products, as well as Android and Apple products work with success as well. Each brand offers unique features and limitations, so take time in the choosing and enjoy your purchase once you make your decision.

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Communications

Zach Adams

2011-11-21 13:11:26

Q: What is cloud computing? I hear about it frequently but can’t seem to get a real grasp of what it is or its purpose.

A: You are not alone in wondering! That’s because cloud computing and the term, have not been around very long and has had a difficult time connecting a very specific definition to it. While some define it in a narrow way and others very broad, we only have room to address it in a basic way. Cloud computing is a general term for anything that involves delivering hosted services over the internet. These services are broadly divided into three categories: Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). A cloud service has three characteristics that make it different from traditional hosting. • It is sold on demand usually by the minute or the hour. • It is “elastic” meaning a user can have as much or as little of a service as they want at any time. • The service is fully managed by the provider, meaning the consumer needs nothing more than a personal computer and internet access for it to work. A cloud can be private or public. A public cloud sells services to anyone on the Internet. A private cloud is a proprietary network or a data center that supplies hosted services to a limited number of people. Whether it is public or private, the goal of cloud computing is to provide easy access to computing resources and Internet Technology services. Next month, we will discuss the three categories of Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).

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Communications

Zach Adams

2011-10-20 10:36:20

Q: I heard that October is National Cooperative Month. What exactly is a cooperative?

A: By the time you read this we may be through October, but you are correct, October is known as National Cooperative Month. A cooperative is a business organization that is owned and operated by its members who mutually benefit from the operations of the organization. This form of business organization grew and expanded in the United States during the Great Depression as part of the “New Deal”, particularly in utility cooperatives. Rural utility cooperatives were the main force that provided rural areas with electricity and telephone service, and continue to provide services to millions of members across the country. A unique aspect of cooperatives is the return on investment to owners, commonly called members. A member purchases services from their cooperative, directly contributing to the profits of the cooperative, which in turn, the cooperative allocates to be paid back as Capital Credits to the member. Thus, the member receives lower cost services over time, proportionate to how much they utilize the services. Allocations are usually a percentage of total services consumed. So if a 10% allocation is made by the cooperative, members who spend more with the cooperative receive a larger refund. Cooperatives are very concerned with providing high quality services to all members as opposed to strictly looking at the bottom line. Cooperatives are governed by a board of directors which are nominated and elected by the cooperative’s members, as well as being members themselves. Nearly everyone involved in a cooperative is also a member who has something to gain with the success of the cooperative. Many of the high tech services available to rural America are only there because of a cooperative. Although this is not the most widespread form of business organization, it has been instrumental in building the infrastructure that has facilitated the exponential growth of the internet.

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Communications

Zach Adams

2011-09-29 10:52:38

Q: I have been seeing small boxes, which look almost like the fuzz on a broken TV set, printed in different places. What are they, and what are they used for?

A: What you are seeing are referred to as QR bar codes. QR stands for Quick Response. Commonly referred to as QR codes or just QR’s, these are a newer type of bar code technology that can have information embedded into it. What makes QR codes interesting is the fact that a relatively large amount of information can be coded into a small space, QR codes are quickly readable, and free smart phone applications used to read QR codes are readily available. If you see something with a QR code on it and scan it, it may do something completely different than the last code you scanned. There are many different uses for QR Codes, and new ones are being developed daily. Here is a list of existing types of data that can currently be embedded into a QR: • Plain Text • Website URL • Telephone Number • SMS Message • Email Message • Contact Details • Google Map • Paypal Buy Now Link • Social Media – Twitter, Facebook, etc. • YouTube Video To scan a QR code you will need a scanner like QR Droid for Android or QR Reader for iPhone. Grab one, install it, and start scanning codes today! You may get a great deal, something for free, or just make life a little easier for yourself!

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Communications

Zach Adams

2011-07-01 10:51:00

Question: I’ve heard the term “cyberbullying” in the news recently. I have a high speed Internet connection that is always on, how can I protect my children online?

Answer: Cyberbullying is the use of technology to support hostile behavior toward individuals online. In short, the schoolyard bully now has the power of the Internet at his or her fingertips. There are several ways you can help protect your children online. One of the easiest ways is to be involved in their online activity. Ask them what they did online today; they may be more forthright than you think. It is also a good idea to keep the computer they use in a common area of the house. This will allow you to better monitor their online activity while helping you stay engaged at the same time. Social media has become very popular and children are quick to pick up on all the latest and greatest trends. Facebook currently holds the crown of all social media and if you don’t already have an account, your child may. One thing many parents may not be aware of is because of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) it is actually against the law for Facebook (and similar sites) to collect personal information about any child under the age of 13. That means if your child is under the age of 13 and has an account; it could be flagged and deleted. This should be taken as serious as any other activity that comes with an age restriction. Facebook also has a ton of privacy settings. By default, many of these are not set with privacy in mind. Giving away seemingly harmless information like birth dates can lead to identify theft, potentially ruining your child’s future credit and even making it difficult to get accepted to certain colleges. Don’t forget to check over all available account setting and/or options for all software and web applications. For instance, when your child searches for something on Google not every result returned is going to be age appropriate. Under the options you’ll find search settings and Google’s SafeSearch filtering. This can be used to block web pages that contain explicit sexual content from appearing in search results. There are several options available to monitor your child’s online safety. However, filters and monitors can often give parents a false sense of security. In the end, the parent is the best line of defense.

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Communications

Zach Adams

2011-06-01 12:22:00

Question: I was wondering, what exactly is “Multi-Media?” Is there a strict definition?

Answer: There are many definitions of multimedia and as more and varied forms of technology are created, the definition changes. Some of us can remember when multimedia meant using a slide-tape program, where a beep signified the display of the next 35mm slide or even presentations that utilized flannel boards or 8-track tapes! Things have certainly advanced, haven’t they? Broadly speaking, multimedia is the integration of text, graphics, animation, sound, and/or video to form one complete experience. An example of multimedia might be a web page on the topic of The Beatles that has text regarding the iconic group along with an audio file of some of their music. It might even include a video of TV clips of their performances or interviews. Even further, today a multimedia experience may be watching a television program while interfacing with other watchers through social media and viewing the show’s outtakes or special features. It is no wonder why multimedia has become a huge force in American culture, industry and education. Practically, every aspect of how we receive information is delivered in a multimedia format today and is a huge force in both informing the American public and entertaining us. As the technology continues to progress, there will doubtless be many more things we will implement in our multimedia experience.

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Communications

Zach Adams

2011-04-01 13:55:00

Question: What are the biggest threats to my computer and security?

Answer: The more time we spend online shopping, paying bills, playing games, social networking or surfing web, the more our computers and personal information are exposed to the threat of malicious software. For a time, our biggest worry was our computer becoming infected with a virus. Today there are many new types of malicious programs including spyware, scareware, malware, homepage hijackers, trojans and adware that can cause users all sorts of problems. The list continues to grow each day. So what are the biggest threats? Some of these programs are a simple annoyance while others can lead to stolen identity and monetary loss. I will list and explain what I consider the more serious threats to you and your computer. 1. Spyware or Trojan viruses are significant problems as they install unwanted software on your personal computer (PC) that secretly monitors your activity by tracking your keystrokes, scans for private information or gives outsiders control of your PC. They are quickly and easily distributed through free downloads of innocent and legitimate looking programs. 2. Scareware are fake security warnings that look as if they are legitimate warnings from known software. Antivirus and firewalls can not protect your computer when, if you click on the warning, give permission for the fraudulent program to run. 3. Surprisingly to most people, the biggest threat to their computer security is the user themselves. Perhaps our increased comfort with technology has caused us to become a little lax. Very frequently our internet security is jeopardized by clicking on unfamiliar sites & links, opening attachments from unknown senders, or falling prey to a “phishing” scam. The best bet is to become familiar with the threats and the best practices to protect your computer and your identity.

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Communications

Zach Adams

2011-03-01 10:26:00

Question: We recently moved to the area and my husband set up our phone, internet and cable service. I thought perhaps a bill was late and called wanting information but found that my husband set up a password so I could not proceed. Can you please explain why on earth one would need a password to get billing information?

Answer: Title VII of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 established the duty of telecommunication service providers to protect consumer privacy in respect to a customer’s individually identifiable information obtained in the course of providing service, such as where you call and for how long. CPNI stands for Customer Proprietary Network Information. The FCC implemented rules to protect the privacy of your information contained in your account. The rules allow telecommunication providers to discuss account information only with the person(s) listed on the account. Additionally, we must be able to authenticate authorized individuals by asking for a password or by asking a specific question. Anyone not authorized on the account cannot gain access, whether they are a spouse or relative. Your CPNI information includes such things as: • Telephone line type and its technical characteristics • Service class • Existing phone charges • Local and long distance service billing records • Directory assistant charges • Usage data • Calling patterns • All optional services to which the customer has subscribed CPNI information does not include the customer’s personal information, such as their name, address and phone number. This information remains available only to the customer and the service provider. However that privilege is suspended when service is discontinued and cannot be used, for example, as a call list to win customers back. CPNI information can be gathered to create aggregate customer information in order to improve services according to customer needs. While it seems like an inconvenience, the practice is in place to protect your privacy.

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Communications

Zach Adams

2011-02-01 14:24:00

Question: My elderly mother is recovering from a broken hip, and has mostly regained her mobility. She desperately wants to stay in her own home but I am worried that something could happen when no one is around. How would a medical alert system help reduce the risks of my mother being home alone? Please help...

Answer: Medical alert phone systems provide the ability to dial a list of predetermined emergency numbers from anywhere in the home with the push of a button on a special bracelet or pendant. The pendants and bracelets are waterproof and can even be used while bathing. In the event of an emergency, when the button is pushed, the pendent or bracelet wirelessly communicates directly with the base station unit which initiates calls automatically. If the first number does not answer, the base station automatically moves to, and dials, the next number in the list. For example, if your mother falls and presses her help button, her base station unit could be programmed to call a family members’ home phone line. If this call is not answered after a predetermined number of rings, the unit would then dial that relative’s cell phone number. As a final precaution, the unit could be programmed to dial 911. Some base station units also have smoke, heat or carbon monoxide sensors that could be set to dial emergency numbers if another dangerous situation were to arise. A medical alert system can help give you and your mother piece of mind. Knowing that she will be able to maintain her independence without the additional risk of not being able to contact her in an emergency should help you both breathe a little easier.

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Communications

Zach Adams

2010-12-01 13:07:00

Question: I own a business with around 40 employees. It is time for a phone system upgrade. With technology moving so quickly, I know that there must be features of which I am not aware. What should I look for in an effective an up-to-date system?

Answer: Until very recently, full featured and sophisticated phone systems were out of reach to most small and medium businesses. Not only were they not affordable, scaled down versions of corporate phone systems just did not fit the purposes of small and medium businesses and were cumbersome. This made it very difficult for the small and medium businesses to make the leap in growth and compete with the larger companies. Fortunately, today even small companies have telecommunication options that allow them to function effectively and competitively. Technological advances have made it possible to employ comprehensive features on smaller systems, affordably. Every business, no matter the size, should have a phone system with the basic features that can properly support a business. Consider systems that have these options: •Voice over internet (VoIP, or IP telephony) options •Email, pager and fax message integration •Auto attendant to answer off hours calls or to capture calls when other lines are busy •Live call recording that allows you to record and archive important conversations. •Live call screening that allows you to see name and number of caller, as well as listen to any message they leave, live •Remote access to messages •Inter office voicemail options •Expandable and able to grow as the company grows An effective phone system is the key to success in any business. An effective phone system does not need to be complex. In fact, one that is overly complex can actually hinder the productivity of a company. A well-configured system will be able to meet your current needs efficiently and be able to expand as your needs increase.

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Communications

Zach Adams

2010-11-01 13:31:00

Question: My brother and I are opening a business soon. We secured a modest loan to get it started and now we are hashing out the real necessities on a barebones budget. Right now, we are stuck on security systems. Is this something we can do without until the business is established?

Answer: You did not mention what kind of business you and your brother are starting, but I can give you an answer that I think will help. There are several reasons why security cameras are a good idea to have no matter what type of business. If you have a large or expensive product inventory, you will want to protect it. Even if that inventory is insured, loss or damage can set you back several days in a time when many businesses survive on a very small profit margin. Additionally, many insurance companies have reduced rates for those who utilize security systems, which offsets the cost of the system. Another good reason to have some form of security system is that visible systems are known to deter crime on site and the general area. While we may not have to worry as much about that here, as in more populated areas, it is still something to consider. For example, outdoor security cameras are known to reduce loitering which in turn reduces the incidence of crime. Protection against litigation is another reason to consider keeping a security system on your list. One false claim against a small business can send it under in a hurry. Unfortunately, there are those willing to make a false injury claims against businesses, seeing it as a “victimless” crime. Placing cameras both indoors and outdoors serve as a huge deterrent against such crimes. Security cameras also provide your clients or customers with a sense of protection. This may not seem like a huge benefit, but understanding that the ambiance you create has much to do with how secure they feel which enables them concentrate on your products or services. Over all, I would say since security systems are so affordable, and what you risk is far greater, opting out of a security system is not a good bet.

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Communications

Zach Adams

2010-10-01 11:45:00

Question: I keep hearing about IPTV and it sounds interesting. Can you tell me what it is exactly?

Answer: IPTV stands for Internet Protocol Television. IPTV is a relatively new and still evolving technology in which television programming is delivered through a broadband connection (over telephone lines and), using internet protocols instead of over the broadcast waves. Like cable or satellite technologies, IPTV requires a subscription and an IPTV set-top box in order to be viewed. Once people understand that it is delivery system for television and cable programming, the next question is how is it different or better than existing technologies. For families, the most important advantage of IPTV is the ability for digital video recorders (DVRs) to record multiple broadcasts at once so everyone can record their favorite program and view later if necessary. Another popular aspect of the technology is that IPTV viewers have full control over functionality such as rewind, fast-forward and pause from wherever they are using mobile devices. For example, a subscriber can program using a cell phone or PDA. If a subscriber is returning home later than expected, they can call home and remotely set the IPTV box to record it. IPTV essentially becomes part of a home network. Not only is your TV set hooked up to the internet, but all other computers in your home are hooked up to the same network, allowing you to use your TV to play media files that are stored on other computers. This may include digital photos, videos, surf the web or play music. Additionally, many monitors have TV tuners built in or can accommodate TV tuners making your computer monitor an additional TV set in the home. If you choose, this technology also allows you to receive web service notifications while watching IPTV for things such as incoming email and instant messages. If you IPTV is packaged with digital phone, Caller ID might pop up on screen as your telephone rings, allowing you to stay productive even while enjoying some time of relaxation. Most analysts agree that IPTV is a strong trend which will become increasingly integrated into regular use. In fact, expect to see broadband operators, telephone companies and cable companies which already pipe in broadband internet to homes to add this service soon, if they have not already.

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Communications

Zach Adams

2010-09-01 10:21:00

Question: What is Fiber to the Home? I’ve heard of dial-up, cable, Internet…and now this? Is it all the same thing?

Answer: In a nutshell, FTTH (Fiber To The Home) is the idea of bringing high-speed networking, digital television and telephone service to residences using fiber optic communication across fiber optic cables. Fiber optic communication is a method of transmitting information by sending pulses of light across an optical fiber. Simply put, an optical fiber is a thin strand of glass. Although we think of cable modem and DSL services as "high speed" today, they are too slow to support networking of applications envisaged for the future such as high-definition IPTV. Fiber optic cables last a long time when buried in the ground but can also be deployed in the air on utility poles. Telecommunications companies developing FTTH technology plan to support 100+ Mbps bandwidth per home. They view fiber optic cabling as the best technology for high-speed, high-quality residential wide area networking, eventually replacing both telephone and cable TV lines. The costs to get FTTH services off the ground are high, but fiber to the home installations are steadily increasing around the world.

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Communications

Michael Wayne Strom

2005-08-01 08:54:00

: What exactly is "multimedia"?

ANSWER:      If you check Webster,’s  Dictionary, Multimedia is the art of: using, involving, or encompassing several media <photo, video, and audio>: using or composed of more than one form of communication or expression <a multimedia exhibit of photographs, films, and music>.In today's world of modern electronics and computers, we are seeing an increased interest and use of still and motion camera picture and video taping, as well as sound recording. Times have changed since Grandma would pull out the old Kodak Brownie photographic camera or Grandpa with his filming home movies and travels on little 3 & 1/2 minute movie reels.Today, it seems as though most everyone owns a camera of one sort or another, whether it still be of film or one of the new digital types that have become very affordable and popular. And, today you don't need to haul that bulky old phonograph and all of your record collection over to your friends' house to listen to music. Instead, you can carry most of the music you want on just a few compact discs (CDs) in a convenient little carry-all because more than likely, your friend will have their own CD player.Yes, times have changed since the days of pulling out that old movie projector with all of its noise and clunkiness, the broken film leads and chewed out sprocket holes. Not to mention buying a replacement bulb for one of those old units. Some of those bulbs, which only last a few hours anyway, can cost anywhere from $35 to $75, if you can find them. And how about that screen you always had a hard time finding a spot to set-up so that everyone could see clearly? For most people, the answer to all of their multimedia problems is in... transfers. Gather up all of those precious pictures, movie reels, records and audio tape, and have them digitally restored and mastered on to DVD or CD. You can either do this yourself or have it done by an expert. Either way, you can get all of that bulk neatly compressed on to one of these affordable discs and be able to not only enjoy them on your computer or player, but make copies of them to share with friends or family. Time was, when only one person was "keeper of the flame", and Heaven forbid something should happen to those priceless memories. Now everyone can have their own set of memories, beautifully restored and preserved, and the ability to pass them on to the next generation. If something should happen to one set, simply make another set of copies and voila!  For more exciting multimedia projects and ideas watch for next month's informative article.

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Communications

Todd Crandell

2003-04-01 05:59:00

:  I just heard about how an old technology (RCF) that has been re-developed that allows for the tracking of information from callers and a whole lot of other stuff.  What's it all about?

ANSWER: The old technology of Remote Call Forwarding or RCF allowed you to establish a local phone number in another city, and have all calls to that number automatically forwarded to a different number. The calls that are forwarded from the remote location will ring on your phone just like any other call.  It used to be that each call had to be 'looped' through a maze of equipment outside of the market (as far away as Canada) in order to accomplish the mission.  Recently, this technology has been re-developed so it does not have to leave the market, consequently it is much more efficient affordable.  With this new affordability comes a lot of other uses.  This 're-development' actually occurred within the last few months and was 're-fitted' for the Yellow Pages industry.  There are only a handful of companies that have this new 're-developed' technology.  Here's how it works:A 'virgin' number (one that has never been used in a given market) is placed in a Yellow Pages ad.  This number terminates to the advertiser's regular phone number.  Any call coming in to the 'virgin' number is tracked.  Information such as caller ID, the caller's address, phone number, time of call, length of call, how many rings occurred before the call was answered, whether the call came from a business or a residence, and how far the caller was from the advertiser. One of these companies has taken this new 're-developed' technology to new heights with 'geo tracking' and providing up to 2,000 data points of qualitative information about the caller.  'Geo tracking' is not only reporting how far the caller is from an advertiser, but also plotting the caller on a map of the trade area.  The qualitative information they make available to the advertiser about the callers of an ad is 'jaw dropping'.  Much of this information is gathered in 'real time', meaning simultaneous or within a few seconds of the time of the call.  The rest of the information is reported minutes or even as long as a couple of days later.  This new 're-developed' technology is now available to advertisers to use in media other than the Yellow Pages (i.e. TV, Radio, Outdoor, Direct Mail, Newspaper, Magazine, Specialty Advertising, etc.).  Advertisers now  have the ability to place a special 'virgin' number on an advertising campaign (one that may incorporate all types of media) to check the effectiveness and efficiency of it as compared to other campaigns, OR place a special 'virgin' number in each media, to find which media is most effective and efficient.Automatic customer satisfaction surveys and other special features are all part of the best of this new 're-developed' technology.If a business buys a piece of equipment, it is guaranteed to work by the vendor.  Advertising may well be moving in that direction.

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Communications

Scott Petre

2002-04-01 12:14:00

Question:  We need a website for our business.  How do we get started and what are the costs?

Answer:  The process isn't as difficult as you might think, assuming of course that you don't anticipate millions of hits per day, at least initially.  The first step is to understand the concept of "web site hosting".  Web hosting is the business of housing, serving and maintaining files for one or more web sites.  You can choose to either buy your own servers or contract with a web hosting provider, who will provide all of the server equipment and high speed Internet connection. If you were to host your own site, it would be fairly expensive.  So, using a hosting service lets many companies share the cost of a fast Internet connection for serving files. Shared web hosting is also called virtual web hosting because the services are basically transparent to the visitor.  The fact of the matter is, your website does not need to be tied to a specific geographic location for people to find it.  It is, in fact, simply a "presence" on the web, located somewhere in cyberspace.Next, you'll need to select and register a unique domain name for your business, which will be your web site address.  There are a number of web sites you can visit to determine whether or not "yourbusinessname.com" is available, such as http://www.networksolutions.com/ or http://www.register.com/.  Once you've decided on your name, you'll need to officially reserve it with a check for about $70, which is good for two years.  Then, unless you're a fairly creative person, you'll probably want to contract a web designer to design a site that will showcase your product or service.  Although there are many web designers listed in the Yellow Pages, it would be advisable to obtain a referral from a colleague.  Should you want to give it a try yourself, there are several basic software packages available.  One of the most well-known ones is FrontPage, by Microsoft.  Since your first web presence will probably consist of only a few pages, you should expect to pay between $400 and $1,000 for a web design contractor to provide this creative service.  Once this work is complete, you'll need to find someone to host your web site as described earlier. While the computer space that is provided for web site files is important, having a service that has a fast connection to the Internet and a state-of-the-art network will ensure fast web page delivery and ultimately happier visitors. You also want to make sure your web hosting service has adequate security measures in place to safeguard against unauthorized access to your data and communications, as well as 24x7 customer support.  Basic web hosting plans are fairly inexpensive, starting at about $25 per month plus a small installation fee.

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Communications

Scott Petre

2002-02-01 15:35:00

:  Explain the terms "Broadband" and "Narrowband" as they relate to the Internet and a Telecommunications network.

Question:  Explain the terms "Broadband" and "Narrowband" as they relate to the Internet and a Telecommunications network.Answer:  To understand the term broadband and narrowband, one can think of it as lanes of a highway.  The wider a highway is, the more vehicles there are that can travel on it.  In a telecommunications network, information is carried on frequencies (vehicles carrying information) and because a wide band of frequencies can be available, information can be carried on many different frequencies or channels. A broadband network will allow many frequencies (vehicles) to be carried simultaneously, in a given amount of time. These types of networks are usually based on fiber optics and coaxial cable and are capable of carrying hundreds of frequencies to an end user, simultaneously. Talking on the phone while channel surfing on the TV and surfing the Internet at high speeds, all at the same time, over the same network, is one of the feats accomplished by broadband technology. Conversely, a narrowband system is more limited in the amount of information that can be transmitted as it can use only a very narrow band of frequencies.  In other words narrowband is like a one-lane information highway vs. the superhighway of broadband.       By these definitions, you have probably figured out by now that not all Internet  providers are capable of offering  Internet service via a broadband network.  A typical dial-up service is considered to be narrowband because it uses twisted pair (phone line) which was originally designed to carry only audio signals (telephone voice) and it has a limited ability to carry many more frequency channels than that.  As a result, the Internet download speeds on a dial-up connection will be slower as they are limited to speeds of up to 56K, or 56,000 bits per second.  By contrast, a typical broadband Internet connection allows users to download at speeds of 1.5 Mbps, or 1,500,000 bits per second and higher.

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Communications

Scott Petre

2002-01-01 14:20:00

Question:  We are looking for an affordable solution to provide data and Internet connectivity between our corporate and branch offices.  We have our corporate office in Wichita and branch offices in Dodge City, Pittsburg and Topeka .  I've heard about Virtual Private Networks (VPN) but don't know if they will work for us.  Would VPN technology be the best way to connect these sites together?  How does it work and is it expensive?"

Answer:  A VPN is an excellent way to provide a company's remote sites with a high-speed broadband connection secured by an encrypted tunnel to the corporate network.  In addition, the user can also have access to high-speed Internet over the same connection.  A VPN is a fast, secure, flexible and affordable way to boost productivity for remote users connecting to your main office network, deploying Intranets or connecting your business to suppliers, business partners and customers.  A Virtual Private Network would also enable your company to employ talented people who prefer to work from home or who are simply located in a different city, which in turn can reduce overhead costs.  According to the International Telework Association and Council, telecommuting reduces turnover by 20% on average, increases productivity by up to 22% and trims absenteeism by 60%.Basically, a VPN is a private data network that makes use of any IP network connection, maintaining privacy through the use of a tunneling protocol and security procedures.  Traditional "Point-to-Point" network configurations require very expensive dedicated circuit connections compared to a VPN, which offers comparable connectivity for a much lower cost. To give you an example of costs, VPN connections start at around $100/month per remote site, including equipment and the high-speed Internet connection, compared to dedicated circuits which are generally much higher in cost.VPN pricing and technological capabilities can vary greatly from provider to provider.  Availability can be a big issue so you first need to inquire if a provider can service all your locations.   Then be sure and ask if the cost quoted includes equipment, installation, what the bandwidth allocation will be, and whether or not the service includes high-speed Internet access.  The important thing is to explore a variety of options to find the solution that best meets your company's needs.

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Communications

Jason Baig

2002-01-01 12:33:00

Question:  A couple of years ago there was much talk about brain cancer and cellular phones. I haven't heard anything for quite some time. Has it been decided there is no longer any danger?

Answer:  Reviews of the science by expert groups, governments, and standard-setting bodies have all concluded that current data does not indicate that there are adverse health effects associated with wireless phones or antenna sites and current exposure standards protect public health. Recent reviews by the Royal Society of Canada, the Stewart Commission (UK), and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (Japan) found no evidence of adverse health effects at current exposure limits, but indicated more research is needed. National and international research activities ensure that the safety of wireless phones is under active independent scientific investigation. Research is being conducted by a number of national and international public health organizations. Nationally, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) to continue research on the safety of wireless telephones. Internationally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has assembled a database of over 450 studies relevant to evaluation of the health effects of exposure to radio signals. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is coordinating a large epidemiology study in over 10 countries to identify whether phone use is associated with the occurrence of head and neck cancers. Two major epidemiology studies recently published by the American Health Foundation and the National Cancer Institute found no association between wireless phone use and brain tumors. For more information, you can go to www.nejm.org/content/inskip/1asp; or www.jama.amaassn.org/issues/current/rfull/joc00222.html

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Communications

Jason Baig

2001-10-01 09:51:00

Question:  Call me a confused consumer but what is the real difference between wireless companies? Why are some digital, others analog and then we hear something about third generation technology. What is this all about?

Answer:  In our wireless world, first generation (1-G) technology refers to analog wireless phone networks. These voice-only networks are not designed to address customers with data needs.  Second generation (2-G) technology ushered in today's era of digital wireless communications. Digital wireless phones working on digital networks, can receive short e-mails*. And many of these phones, can send e-mail messages and accept downloadable ring tones and graphics from the internet.  The future of wireless is Third Generation (3-G) technology.  3-G technology is the next generation of advanced wireless service that will enable high-speed mobile access to an unprecedented world of information. It will bring new functionality - streaming video, downloadable music, graphic presentations of data, video e-mail and high speed access to the Internet -- to wireless devices. Imagine that almost anything you want will be accessible anytime, anywhere, using a wireless device. I would look for the next generation of wireless technology to start coming to our area in the second half of 2002.

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Communications

Zach Adams

1969-12-31 18:00:00

Question: My family is moving to a new area where the cellular coverage with our existing carrier is not as good as our current location. Is there any way we can keep our existing cell phone number but change to a new provider?

Answer: Absolutely! A system known as local number portability was mandated by the Federal Communications Commission that allows consumers to take their mobile number with them in the event that they change carriers. This system was implemented in an effort to increase competition between mobile providers, as it was difficult and cumbersome for customers to change to a new number. Once you have researched and made the decision on which wireless carrier, you are going to sign a new service agreement, you will need to make sure you have your most recent statement available from your current carrier and any passwords you may have set up with them. Your new carrier will need this account information in order to request to “port in” your old number. As long as you have the proper information, your new carrier can most likely have you leaving with a new phone all set up with your existing number. It is also very important to check with your current provider to make sure that you will not incur any early termination fees for leaving before a service agreement has expired. This could cost you from $100 to $350 per line. Finally, do NOT cancel your existing service before signing up with your new provider. If you do this, your number will go back to the original owner, and you will not be able to port it to your new provider. They will automatically disconnect your account when they receive the port request.