My WiFi Adventure

A long time ago - we're talking pre-Internet times - if you had a home computer, you probably had a modem in it.  A modem allowed your computer to communicate over phone lines with other computers.  You could, theoretically, transfer files to another modem-equipped computer, after making sure both were online and using complementary protocols.  More often, you could log on to "bulletin boards" and download shareware programs - games, utilities, etc. that you could try first, then pay for. 

Now, of course, virtually every computer is connected to the Internet.  Early on, most computers connected with a modem and phone line.  Later, wired broadband connections were the standard.  Today, your Internet connection is most likely delivered to your home via DSL or Cable, then made available to various devices (computers, printers, tablets, smart phones, video receivers, etc.) over a wireless network.

Modern devices search for wireless access, and automatically connect to known networks, assuming you've got your device set up to do so.  The whole thing works very well, and makes smart phones, tablets, and laptops truly portable.  Wifi networks are readily available - most restaurants have them - so you can be connected almost anywhere.

Most wireless networks are stable and secure.  Networks at public venues may not have security installed, so you may be slightly more susceptible to hackers - do your banking in secure locations.  My problem came with our home network.

We moved a few months ago.  In our old home, our router was located in my office in the basement.  Our main TV was also in the basement, where the Wii was connected - important because we needed the wireless for online gaming or movies using this gaming system.  The only connectivity issue we had was with a net book computer we used in the kitchen - the signal strength was weak, causing slow connection speeds.  Overall, that was a minor issue, since we weren't doing anything important on the small computer anyway.

In our new home, our main TV is on the main floor.  In addition to the Wii, we now have a Roku, with which we watch many old movies on Netflix or Hulu.  We've also both got iPads, so our data needs are increased significantly.  Since our router is located downstairs, in the corner of the basement opposite the living room, the weakest signal in our network was the room where most of our needs were.  As a result, we were experiencing a number of "drops" where we'd lose the network in the middle of whatever we were doing (most often watching a movie or TV show).  Clearly, a change was needed.

My first reaction was to buy a new router.  Our old one was a mid-level router, designed for average users.  I bought a higher end router - still not top-of-the-line, but better - designed for "medium to large homes with higher data needs".  This worked better, but after some time, we began experiencing the same issues as before.  Figuring we just didn't have enough signal strength, I bought a new, higher-end router, and  a range extender.  This would do it for sure, right?

I set up the new, hot shot, dual band, extended range router downstairs, then placed the range extender upstairs in our spare room, directly above the router.  After some fiddling around with the settings, I got connected, and everything looked great.  Then I walked into the living room!  My powerful signal from the bedroom was only marginally better than the downstairs signal, still weaker than what I needed.  I grabbed the extender and moved it out to the living room.  Now, I had it!  I was able to connect to the router, and the signal to my video devices was perfect.  The only issue was that the extender was sitting in the middle of the living room - not coordinating well with Theresa's decorating.

This was an easy problem to solve, right?  I just moved the extender a few feet over so it was sitting by the TV - hidden from casual view like all the other components.  Finally, we were ready to relax and enjoy a movie - and we did, for about 3 minutes.  At that point, the movie stopped to reload, running for a couple of minutes each time before pausing again.  What happened?

It turns out that moving the range extender just a few feet had put it on the edge of our network's range, causing a very slow connection.  It was confusing, because our Roku said the signal strength was "Excellent".  Engaging my brain - something to which I'm unaccustomed - led me to realize that the signal FROM the booster was strong, but the signal TO the booster was marginal.  This was like using a bucket to move a teaspoon of water - it works OK, but you don't really get anything accomplished.

Clearly, a new approach was needed.  I debated the purchase of another new router, this time going for a super high-end unit.  I suspect that would work - after all, many restaurants have a strong signal that will reach even into the parking lot.  After some thought, I decided to just run a network cable up behind the TV, and install a router there.  This wouldn't be difficult, since our basement isn't finished, and it would have the added advantage of allowing for a wired connection to devices, should that prove necessary.

Since I had our old router sitting around doing nothing, I decided to leave the new one in place, and add the old one upstairs.  We'd now have three wireless networks on our system - the original, now relocated upstairs, and two emanating from the dual band router in the basement.  I could have just moved the router up, but, since I've got a computer and printer downstairs, I figured it would be handy to have network access down there.

After the requisite false starts and screw-ups - during which I lost ALL connectivity throughout the house - the system was ready to go.  With relatively little trouble, I was able to connect all the devices upstairs to the network, and give it a try.

So far, everything seems to be working fine.  The wireless network is a bit slower than wired, but it's certainly within acceptable limits.  Watching TV and movies is easy - there are no objectionable delays.  My Wii has an Ethernet connection port, so I may experiment with a hard-wired connection there, to see if there is a big improvement in performance.  The Roku is wireless only, but similar devices are available with Ethernet connections, so if it looks like it's worth it, I can switch that out, as well.

I suspect wireless technology will continue to improve, so that Ethernet cable will be unnecessary in the future.  Indeed, I'm sure we'll one day have universal coverage, so that every device will be connected at all times.  Until then, we'll have to keep patching and improving our home networks to keep up with our ever-growing data needs.

Blogsy test

This is a test post using Blogsy, a new blogging tool I'm trying for the iPad. If it works well enough for me to use it, I'll review it in a future post. For now, I'll just try some basic formatting, as well as some other features

You should be able to add links http://garthright.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-powerful-anecdote.html?showComment=1358655038091&m=1, but I don't know how to do it yet.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Pandora, or Why They Don't Make Transistor Radios Anymore

When I was a kid, way back in the 60's, I had a transistor radio.  This was an amazing little gadget that would play music without being plugged into an electrical outlet.  In addition, it was also small enough (about the size of a wallet) that you could put it in your pocket - imagine, being able to listen to music while you were out walking around!  Heck, if you had an earphone (just one in those days - this wasn't some fancy stereo radio), you could even listen with other people around.

Radios got smaller in the 70's, and in the 80's we got portable cassette players - bulky, but you could now decide what you wanted to listen to.  Soon, the Disc man was around, giving you more options.  In the 21st century, we've seen the digital explosion, and mp3 players are cheap and stuffed with features that would have been impossible just a few years earlier.  It's hard to imagine how it could get better than that, right?

Actually, we've already moved on.  As nice as it is to listen to your music on a tiny device that holds more music than you could listen to in a month, there are some drawbacks;  The biggest problem is you have to buy music, and you're limited to what you've purchased.  If you're out and about, you can't decide, for example, to switch from classic rock to holiday music, unless you've had the foresight to load a bunch of different tunes.

OK, so if you want all that control, what's the answer?  If you have a smart phone and a data plan - and who doesn't, these days? - you can listen to just about anything you want, for free, on Pandora!  Think of Pandora as a programmable Internet radio station - you can supply the name of an artist or song, and it will try to pick out similar music for you.  As it plays, you can tell it which songs you like, and which you don't.  By rating the songs, the system eventually learns your preferences.  You can set up multiple "stations", and even "shuffle" between them, to get a better mix.  I even have several comedy stations (Political Comedy, Comedy Icons, George Carlin Radio) set up, in case I just want to laugh.

I've been using Pandora for 7 or 8 years - first at my desktop computer, and later with my smart phone.  It works well, and it's free.  You can also use it everywhere you've got data service, which is almost everywhere these days. I often listen to comedy routines when I'm driving, or I'll run it in the background when I'm working in my office.

As I said, Pandora is free, but it's not perfect.  The free version has ads (although I don't seem to get the ads on my Android phone), and you're limited in the number of times you're allowed to "skip" songs, both per hour and per day.  You'll also need to interact with your computer occasionally, so the system knows you're still there.  Fortunately, most of these limitations are minimized or eliminated by upgrading to Pandora One for $36 per year.  The upgrade eliminates the ads, improves the sound quality, and removes the limit on how much you can listen.  If you use it a lot, it's definitely worth it. If all you want is to occasionally listen on your computer or phone, the free service is fine.

I can still remember my first transistor radio.  By today's standards, it was big, heavy, and a poor performer.  The batteries didn't last long, and the sound quality was horrible. As bad as it really was, I loved the idea of being able to take it with me.  I still do - only now I take just about every song ever recorded with me, with no static and near perfect sound.  Amazing!

The New iPad - Review

There was a time when I was reasonably up to date on the latest tech gadgets.  Those days, unfortunately, are long gone.  I do have a smart phone, and I can still make my computer work (usually), but I no longer lust after all things electronic.

In my job as a realtor, I have a need to access data in a more or less real-time manner.  While my Android smart phone is great, it has limitations, particularly when it comes to displaying data.  After much thought, I decided it was time for a tablet.

Theresa has been wanting an iPad for some time now.  I'd been dragging my feet, mainly because I couldn't decide exactly what I needed (an iPad, or an Android Tablet?; 3G data access or wifi only?; how much storage?;  and so on).  I also wasn't sure I wanted to spend all that money for something that could turn out to be just a toy.

After having a great sales month, I decided it was probably time to do something - especially since Theresa was saying she wanted to just go get one.  Rather than do that, I decided to go ahead and pick one out for each of us.  Now all I had to do was decide exactly what to get!

I quickly determined we should get a "real" iPad, instead of one of the cheaper alternatives.  I had a small (about half size) tablet that ran the Android system.  Although it worked OK, I knew from experience that the operating system wasn't as stable as I would like (my phone acts up with disturbing regularity).  I'd been told by iPad users that their tablets were very stable, and, when it comes to computers, stability is good.

The iPad comes in various combinations of storage capacity and data access.  You can get 16, 32, or 64 gigabytes of storage - an obscene amount compared to the limitations of the original personal computers.  Each of these models was available in both 4G and wifi, or wifi only versions.  In addition, if you choose a 4G unit, you could choose between Verizon or AT&T as your data carrier.  That's too many options, especially when you don't even know how you're going to use the tablet!

I knew I'd use the broader data access of the 4G unit, since I planned to use it when I was away from common wifi access points.  Since the data plans don't require a contract, the only downside to choosing this feature is the initial price - about $130 extra.  Since Theresa and I could share a data connection, the extra cost was easily justified for both units.

I really wasn't sure how much storage we'd need.  I didn't think I'd download a bunch of movies or other media - the most common way to fill up your machine - but I wasn't sure.  Theresa would probably do a little more of that, but I didn't really think she'd get carried away, either.  The iPad isn't upgradeable, but online (iCloud) storage is available.  Although I suspect 16 gig would be plenty for either of us, I decided to drop the extra $100 to upgrade to 32 gigabytes, "just in case". 

I also quickly decided to resist the temptation to purchase the older "iPad 2" at a discount, and get the current model.  All of this meant each of my two iPads would cost roughly $730 each, instead of closer to $500.  After buying a couple of covers and a few apps, my total expense was around $1,600 for two iPads.  Our data plan, giving us 4 gigabytes of data when we're out of wifi range, will end up costing between $40 and $50 per month.

So, now that I have one of these things, what do I think?  The iPad is most often used for two tasks - media and communication - and it does both of those tasks extremely well.  After downloading the free Netflix app (there are also free apps for Pandora, Hulu, Crackle, etc), I could watch any number of movies or TV shows, as well as listen to music, comedy, or whatever else I was looking for.  With the data access, you could also access YouTube almost anywhere.  The iPad screen is large enough, when it's sitting on your lap, to comfortably watch and enjoy without the need to find your reading glasses.  The sound, although nothing spectacular with the built-in speakers, is adequate.  If you want really good sound, you'll probably want a set of ear buds (or play it through your car's radio or home speaker system).  In the unlikely event you still read actual books, the iPad makes a fine e-reader (of course, it also can play audible books).

The iPad really excels at communication.  You are always just one click away from your email, and you can use "Face Time" to video chat with friends who have an iPad, iPod, or iPhone.  Skype is available if you still associate with the poor unfortunates in the PC world.  I've discovered that, although my email works fine on my smart phone, the iPad is far superior if you need to respond, check a link, or view an attachment.

How about other tasks?  Since I got this primarily as a business tool, how does it do in that field?  Is it a toy, or a tool?  As a business tool, tablets have their place.  They're not ready to replace your desktop for serious work - you wouldn't want to type a lengthy document, or create a presentation on one of these things, although is could conceivably be done.  That's not what they're designed to do.  You could, however, easily review a document of almost any length, and make modifications, if necessary.  You can find apps to do almost anything you need, many of which are either free or nearly so.  The iPad, while not quite the same as a laptop, is probably all you need to stay in touch or keep up with the office while you're traveling.

I'm still getting set up to use the iPad in real estate, but it looks like it has some possibilities there, too.  I've located apps that will let me load contracts, edit them, and get signatures - all without resorting to paper and ink.  I could, with a little fumbling, write an entire contract, get it signed, and email it to another agent, all from my iPad.  I suspect that will be rare, but I'll frequently get final signatures or complete an addendum or counter-offer using just the tablet.  The iPad will also work quite well for sales presentations, supplementing - rather than replacing - my printed materials.

If you stay home all day, sitting at your desk staring at your desk top computer, don't buy an iPad - it would be a poor substitute for a "real computer".  If, however, you are frequently out and about and need (or want) to maintain your online presence at all times, you'll want to check it out.  If your job takes you out of the office, it might be for you.  If you travel, and want a small device for entertainment and/or business, it's an option.  If you just like to try new gadgets, you shouldn't be reading this - you're already on your third iPad!

My Phone

I can't say I didn't have plenty of warning.  My phone had been acting up for over a year - locking up, shutting down, and, most puzzling, rebooting every time I tried to bring up the "Memo" app.  I can't say I wasn't warned.

I got it about 4 years ago - my first smart phone.  I decided to get it because I needed a method of opening the electronic lock boxes used by realtors in town.  The lock boxes had an infared port, and to open them, you needed a special "EKey", a Palm Pilot, or the appropriate smart phone.  I had been using a Palm Pilot to open the boxes, but found it unhandy to have to carry that, as well as my phone.  In addition, I had to manually sync the Palm every day in order to open the lock boxes - a process that required me to go to the office and fire up my computer.  The smart phone not only gave me lock box capability, it also allowed me to have mobile access to email, property listing information, the internet, my calendar, and contacts.  I looked around, and chose the "Centro", a handy little phone running the Palm operating system.

My Centro worked great for several years.  I quickly became dependent on the functionality, and I could even watch YouTube or browse the internet on the tiny screen.  Of course, it was no substitute for a laptop, but you could actually get something done in a pinch.  I can't tell you how many times I was able to Google something to get a phone number or directions.

When my phone started to act up, I decided I'd be proactive and go ahead and get a replacement.  Unfortunately, I discovered that the new models didn't have the infared port, requiring the use of a separate small device to open the lock boxes.  That seemed to me to be a step backward, so I decided to hold out as long as I could.  My strategy seemed genius when I found out that the next generation of lock boxes would not require infared, using Bluetooth technology to communicate with the phone.  Of course, the introduction of the new boxes was delayed, so I just kept on limping along with my old Centro.

I continued to delay, even once the new boxes were introduced - reasoning that it would be smart to wait until I was sure all the old ones were gone.  After a couple of months, it was clear it was time - except by then, there was a special demo day scheduled at work, where Sprint would have a bunch of products and people around to explain them.  It seemed like the perfect time to make the move.

Unfortunately, the day before the demo, my phone died completely.  Since I don't have a land line - at home or at the office - I was in a bind.  I also didn't have a PIN number to access my voice mail, so I needed to do something, and quickly.  Since I'd been happy with Sprint, I decided to just stop in and pick one out.

Unfortunately, the first Sprint store I stopped in wasn't helpful.  The young woman I talked to didn't even know as much as I did about which phones were capable of operating the EKey program, and she didn't seem to be too interested in helping me decide on a phone.  In frustration, I left and headed to a different Sprint store.

The second store was a bit better.  The salesperson I had was helpful, although it frustrated me that neither store knew anything about the planned demo at work, and couldn't give me any info about what kinds of discounts I could expect there.  Since I was in a hurry, and desperate, I decided to swallow my frustration and just pick out a phone.

It seems my available options boiled down to three major operating systems - the Android, Blackberry, and the iPhone.  I didn't know too much about any of them, but the phones running the Blackberry system didn't appeal to me - plus, my wife has a Blackberry phone, and I wasn't too impressed with it.

The iPhone is, by all accounts, great, but it needed an extra piece of hardware to communicate with the lock boxes.  In addition, although there are a lot of apps out there for that phone, the Android has more free apps.  I had played around a little with a couple of other Android phones, and was impressed, so I decided to go with that system.

I ended up buying a Samsung Epic phone.  It has a ton of features, and a big, bright screen that's easy to see in all light conditions.  Of course, everything works differently than on my old phone, so I was facing a steep learning curve.  I soon discovered that it was going to take a little time to teach this old dog some new tricks.

I very quickly learned how to turn the phone on (yeah!), but my first problem came when I tried to answer the first call.  The Epic is a touch screen, with virtually no buttons.  All input is accomplished by touching or wiping the screen with a fingertip.  I knew this, but no amount of touching the phone icon would answer when it rang!  Since I knew how to dial, I just waited until the caller hung up, then called them back.  Eventually I learned that, to answer the phone, you had to "wipe" the button across the screen.  Problem solved!

Next, I spent an hour or so on the phone with our tech support guy Brian, installing software and getting the phone synced with my email system, so I could open lock boxes and have access to my email and calendar.  That went well, except of course for my giving Brian a nervous breakdown.  How he can spend all day beating his head against the brick walls that make up Realtors brains is beyond me, but I'm glad he does.

Now that I am up and running, my challenge is to learn to put the phone to work.  I've spent the past couple of days learning the basics - how to move around menus, open and close apps, etc.  Yesterday, I discovered that not all my calendar events were syncing to my desktop - this phone has the capability of syncing with a number of calendars, and I'd been putting appointments in my GMail Calendar, instead of the Outlook Calendar.  Never mind the fact that I've never so much as opened up a calendar in GMail! 

The biggest thing this phone fiasco has taught me is that I am remarkably less flexible and adaptable than I was when I was younger.  I used to love getting new gadgets - playing with them and figuring them out was part (most) of the fun.  Now, I just want everything to work!  My old phone, ancient and cranky as it was, was familiar, and I knew just about every thing there was to know about operating it. 

The moral of this story, if there is one, is that the transition to new technology is far easier if you upgrade before you're forced to.  Trying to learn something new - at any age - is much more difficult when you're under pressure.  Of course, I doubt very much if I actually learned anything from all this.  I'm quite certain that, a few years from now, I'll once again be scrambling as I try to learn the latest, greatest, phone.