SteveMart.in

I just can’t seem to test this out enough. I am writing this message from my Sprint Mogul cell phone. A really strange thing is happening. When I type, my text does not appear on screen but the curser moves along indicating that it really is typing. If I try to highlight the text to see if it is working, the text IS there. I just don’t get to see what I’m typing.

Tags: Sprint Mogul
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I have been using Windows Vista for about a year now. I was due for a new laptop for work and decided to take the plunge into Vista more for support reasons. If I was going to be supporting Vista users, I figured I had better know a thing or two about it.

So, what do I think? I like it. I don’t LOVE it, but it’s not a BAD operating system. I think Microsoft went the wrong direction in prettying up their OS without adding any new useful features. In fact, I actually turned off the Aero features because they weren’t helpful enough to justify any additional strain on my computer. I don’t care how pretty my OS is, I care how useful it is. I have run into only minimal back compatibility issues but still, I think Microsoft should have spent more time in this area. Overall though, it is a good OS.

Now, should a person upgrade their current OS to Vista? NO! Why would you? As I said, they didn’t really add any new useful features. So, if you are already running Windows XP or even Windows 2000, I don’t really see any reason to upgrade that OS to Vista. Then again, I have never really been a big supporter of upgrading an OS on any computer. Typically a computer has the hardware to run a certain OS. It is designed for that OS. It has the horsepower to run that OS. Use that computer with it’s intended OS until the hardware starts becoming obsolete. Perhaps upgrade RAM to keep it running speedy but don’t upgrade the OS. When you are finally ready for a new computer, go ahead and buy one with the latest OS. So, all you Windows XP users (probably most of you), don’t install Vista on your existing hardware. Just get Vista by default when you buy your next computer. Computers are designed to last anywhere from 3 to 5 years. If you get more time out of yours than that before things start falling apart, great, but you should probably be on the lookout for a new one.

With all the negative feedback on Vista, will Windows continue to be the dominant player in the OS market? Probably. Should you avoid Vista because of the negative feedback? No. It really isn’t that bad once you’ve played with it for a while and gotten used to it.

Tags: Aero, upgrade, Vista
Posted in Computer Networking | No Comments »

I am a long time VoIP user. I have been using Packet8 for almost 4 years now. It is inexpensive phone service that comes with all of the major features you generally pay extra for. I have a VoIP comparison of different providers at my business website Smart Technology if you want to check it out.

There is a new player in the VoIP market and it is called Magic Jack. I recently purchased one to test out and possibly use as my phone when I am at a client’s and don’t want to use up my cell phone minutes on a bunch of support calls. It can often take as much as a half hour or longer for a tech to finally get on the line to help troubleshoot a problem and then who knows how long after that. My cell phone bill ends up paying the price.

The device is about 3 inches by 1.25 inches by .25 inch in size. It plugs into any available USB port and has it’s own RJ11 phone jack on the back of it. You simply plug any standard phone into the RJ11 phone jack and start making phone calls. You buy the device for about $40 plus shipping which includes your first YEAR of unlimited calling within the US and Canada. Each year after that is currently priced at $20 per year. When you first plug in the device, you go through a quick setup which lets you pick a phone number for your device. You don’t have to pick a number in your current area code. You could pick a number in another state if you wanted to. Might make it easier and cheaper for grandma to call you if you pick a number in her area code.

The service only works if you have a high speed internet connection for the computer you plug the device into but high speed doesn’t have to be super fast, just faster than dial-up.

I tested it out yesterday as soon as mine arrived and must say that I was quite impressed with the sound quality. I had the device plugged into my laptop which is connected to my network via wireless and the calls sounded great. There were a couple of times that the call stuttered but other than that it was great. I don’t think I would replace my home phone with it or even my current Packet8 VoIP lines but for my purposes, I am glad I have it and am pretty sure it will come in quite handy at times. If nothing else, it provides you a great way to make super cheap long distance calls without having to watch the clock.

Tags: magicjack, VoIP
Posted in Computer Networking, VoIP | No Comments »

Welcome to my new blog. I want to give a big thanks to the people at WordPress as they are the amazing minds and talent behind the inter-workings of this blog and are the reason it is possible. If you want to download their software free of charge and upload it to your host so that you can have your own blog, click on the WordPress logo and you’ll be able to read all about it and get things started. If you don’t already have a host and don’t want to get one, you can go to WordPress.com and they can host a blog for you (also for free). Pretty nice people huh?

I first came across WordPress because my wife wanted to start a blog to record some of our family’s events and basically keep a journal of some of the crazy things that happen in our house. Instead of sending out a mass e-mail, she can update one spot and people can check it out at their leisure. Her blog is found at http://jennymart.in if you wanted to check it out.

For my blog, I plan on writing up articles concerning technology and possibly some how-to articles about some of the things I face on a daily basis. I am an IT guy and take care of small and medium sized businesses with their computer networks and other technology. I very much enjoy my job. My company is Smart Technology and I have been in business about 4 years.

So, check back from time to time for more information about my life as an IT guy. Feel free to ask questions and give feedback. I am always interested in ways that I can improve my site, my business and my life.

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