Tech Time: Holiday Gifts Suggestions (Under US$50)

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Tech Time: Facebook News and Tips

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Tech Time: Electronic Personal Assistant

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Tech Time: Email Etiquette

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Tech Time: Extend Mobile Battery Life

Mobile phones are very useful tools, if they have power. With all the battery draining tasks our phones perform, it is no wonder we may find them drained when we most need them to perform. Here are a few simple tips to extend the life of a battery for maximum performance.

1. Switch off the vibrate feature. Unless it is absolutely necessary, ditch this feature and opt for the ringer instead. But, keep the ringer low and turn off keypad tones to squeeze every bit of juice your battery has to offer.
2. Adjust backlight settings. By default, your phone’s backlight will burn bright for a period of time after you are finished using it. Tweak your settings to reduce brightness and on time for a converse increase in battery life.
3. Avoid power-hogging features. Taking pictures with flash and internet browsing suck power without mercy from your phones battery pack, wait for the recharge before performing these functions.
4. Quit multitasking. The more the phone does, the more it eats the charge; close apps that may be running in the background to keep power available for your primary tasks.
5. Turn off wireless features. It may seem counter productive to have a mobile phone without wireless, but Bluetooth® and WiFi features are not necessary for making calls and therefore can be sacrificed to extend overall battery life. This also applies to data services over EDGE and 3G, stick to the bare bones GSM for power performance.
6. Charge phones regularly. It is no longer necessary to “condition” the battery or wait for the battery to be completely drained to recharge. Grab a charge when you can to keep your battery ready to perform.
7. Keep phone and battery cool. Keeping both the phone and battery within optimal temperatures, even while charging, will help the battery to last longer.
8. Replace your battery. This should be done every two to three years, because after this time even with the best care a standard battery will have issues keeping a charge.

If you find that even after following all of these tips, your phone battery dies within minutes after a full charge, contact a professional to seek out other hidden problems (and solutions).

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Tech Time: PC Back Up and Storage

With regular long term use, the performance of our PC’s tend to be adversely affected by “weight”, the “weight” of malware, adware, needless programmes, excessive files and other efficiency stealers. Yet, if we were to loose our PC data, it could be catastrophic. Here are some tips to clean up, maintain and backup on PC data.

Maintenance

1. Run Windows Update regularly. Better yet, set it to run automatically; for the casual user, this is the best ways to protect your PC from threats to loopholes in the OS
2. Run Disk Cleanup regularly. This handy tool will help to eliminate temporary files, unneeded cookies, recycle bin files and other non-critical computer files
3. Uninstall unused applications. There may be several programmes which you downloaded and installed to test, or stop using in favour of other programmes. Dump anything that you are not using and never will use again
4. Organise documents. The Download folder is a catch all for a lot of files that are no longer necessary or relevant. Further , their may be duplicates on your Desktop or in your My Documents folder. Take a moment to do a thorough cleaning
5. Remove malware, adware and spyware. These unwanted predators sap the speed from your PC and leave it vulnerable to attack
6. Run an anti-virus programme regularly. Even the most vigilant PC user may be infected with a virus, so a regular anti-virus regimen is crucial to PC health

In addition to the standard Windows utilities mentioned above, there are a number of programmes to assist with PC maintenance, including:

• CCleaner
• Microsoft Security Essentials
• Bitdefender
• AVG
• avast!
• McAfee
• Kapersky
• Norton

Be on the look out for fake anti-virus that look that the real thing, but are really malware in disguise. Only use trusted, high-rated anti-virus programmes.

Backup

Finally, once all your files are in order, it is time to set a restore point and run a backup. Windows has onboard facilities to accomplish these tasks. Just a few points to note:

1. Always make two backups on an external drive. The primary and secondary backup should not be at the same location and at least one must be offsite for maximum protection
2. Consider the level of backup you will need and choose the appropriate method; backing up just your data may be advisable if time and cost are a factor as opposed to a full system backup
3. The cloud now offers backup facilities

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Tech Time: Windows Phone 7

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Tech Time: Blackberry Tips

Blackberry tips from C|Net: http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-20018161-85.html?tag=mncol;title

If you've noticed that your BlackBerry takes a long time to do simple tasks like sending a text message or opening a Web page, have no fear: there are some things you can do to speed things up.

Since BlackBerrys have little memory to run apps, you'll need to make sure you optimize what's available.

Use the following settings to free up some memory. These new settings will make your general interface, Web browsing, and text messaging much faster.

Clear your event log: Press Alt-LGLG. Open the menu and select Clear Log.

Exit open applications: Press Alt-Escape. Select an app, open its menu, and select Exit.

Enable memory cleaning: Go to Settings>Options>Security Options>Memory Cleaning. It's disabled by default, so select Enable.

Tweak browser settings: In the browser menu, select Browser Configuration. Deselect JavaScript, HTML tables, and Use Background Images. Also, confirm that your browser ID is set to BlackBerry. Back in the browser menu, select General Properties. Change image quality to Low, Repeat Animations to 10, and Default View to Column. If you're browsing and would like to see a Web site in a desktop view, click Z.

Dispose of text messages: In the messaging screen, open the menu and select General Options. Change Keep Messages to 15 days.

Pull out the battery: Here's a trick that many BlackBerry users swear by. While your phone is on, take out the battery. Leave it out for 30 seconds, replace it, and power up your phone.

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Tech Time: Google Voice

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Tech Time: Virtual Mall Jamaica

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Tech Time: Blackberry Playbook

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Tech Time: 3D TV

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Tech Time: Bluetooth

Tech Time: WiMAX

In simple terms, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access or WiMAX, means wireless broadband. Imagine if you will, a giant hotspot right across the island with high-speed Internet access. That’s WiMAX.

WiMAX offers speeds comparable to DSL and cable with download speeds of up to 10 Mbps. It also offers comparable reliability and accessibility. But, that is where the similarities end.

Notably, WiMAX is consumer installed. Pick up a WiMAX modem from the local mobile or computer store, plug it in and it is installed. No CDs, software drivers or technicians necessary to get the service up and running in minutes.

Because WiMAX by definition is wireless, no landlines or hardwire installations are needed. That means, no wait times, no need to have strangers visit your home and no ugly cables running all over the house.

Thousands of towers have been upgraded to facilitate island wide wireless broadband making the service readily accessible to most Jamaicans living in populated areas. The wireless 4G signal is available in many locations where cable and DSL are not available.

WiMAX really sets itself apart from hardwire Internet options with its mobility. With a USB dongle, WiMAX users can take the high-speed Internet on the road.

Of course, WiMAX wouldn’t be a practical option if not comparable on cost, which it is. Both pre and post-paid plans offer unlimited data transfer with competitive fees.

All in all, WiMAX is fast, reliable, mobile, easy and cheap, like the Internet should be.

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Tech Time: Blackberry OS 6.0

With the increasing popularity of innovative smart phone platforms like iPhone, Android and Windows Mobile, Research In Motion (RIM) have had to step up their game to remain competitive, and they do this with the soon to be released Blackberry OS 6.0.

The very first thing that users will notice is the redesigned home page which is highly customisable. Long overdue feature like an updated media player, universal search and powerful browser bring the new OS inline with features already available on iPhone and Android devices.

Blackberry uses OD 6.0 to improve some features for which BB already has the lead, making a great user experience even better. The new embedded image feature will boost the robust Blackberry email while the wildly popular Blackberry Messenger (BBM) gets s sexy new look and easier interface.

Smart phones have revolutionaries the way we communicate; mobile social networking is critical to the success of any handset. Blackberry recognising this truism, has integrated social networking into the OS has offers simultaneous posting to multiple social networking platforms.

The official announcement is expected later today with a roll out perhaps as soon as later this month. RIM is also expected to announce the launch of the Blackberry Bold 9800 also called the Torch, RIM’s first slide phone set to rival the iPhone 4.

Windows 7 Tip: Click on the Options tab in the Windows 7 calculator of a range of different calculators. This offers many different unit conversions (length, weight, volume and more), date calculations (how many days between two dates?), and spreadsheet-type templates to help you calculate vehicle mileage, mortgage rates and more. Source: Tech Radar

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Tech Time: Location Based Social Networking

Tech Time: HP Touchsmart

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Tech Time: Protecting Your Phone

If you are prone to losing your Blackberry, RIM has found a solution for you; of course, iPhone found it first.

Later this year, you will be able to install Blackberry Protect and app which will help you “wipe, lock or locate” a lost device with the help of your PC (sorry Mac users). To make it work, you’ll be required to download and install the Blackberry protect app to your handset and your PC.

You can use the programme to help you locate a lost phone in a couple of ways. First, you can view the location of the phone on a map or your can activate the “loud ring” feature which will override any prior audio setting which might have been on the phone. If someone else has found the phone, you can send them a message – a custom message you compose can appear on the phone’s screen, even if the phone is locked.

Speaking of locked, if you forgot to lock you phone before losing it, use Blackberry Protect to lock it remotely or, for an extra level of protection, wipe all the data on the phone. Wiping all your data on the phone itself does not mean that you have lost all your data. Blackberry Connect allows you to back up you contacts, calendar, tasks, browser bookmarks and text messages over WiFi or 3G to the cloud, making the information instantly accessible if you wish to migrate the data to a new device.

These features are all similar to Find My iPhone successfully introduced by Apple earlier this year. Though the Find My iPhone app is free from the iTunes store, it only works with a US$99 Mobile Me subscription. Regardless of platform, these “wipe, lock and locate” features only work if the phone is on AND connected via WiFi or 3G. BES (Blackberry Enterprise Server) users, iPhone users and adventurous third-party software adopter already have access to these features, but the introduction of Blackberry Protector in the fourth quarter will provide a sense of security for the causal BB user – that is, if they don’t mind all their data being stored in the cloud.

Windows 7 Tip: Win+M minimizes everything

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Tech Time: Motorola Milestone Review

Jamaicans hungering for an Android based smart phone will find, this is their summer. The quad band GSM Motorola Milestone launches in just a few short weeks.

The much hyped Motorola Milestone has several really cool, yet practical features:

1. The Android 2.1 OS is the latest, fastest and most efficient version of Android, offering seamless integration with Google products including email and an advanced search feature that looks through contacts, content and the web simultaneously to help you find what you are looking for
2. The brilliant 3.7’ touch screen supports multiple gestures including double tap and pinch for zoom with an intuitive haptic feedback feature and an ambient light aware display
3. Two keyboards allow users to switch between a virtual on-screen keyboard and physical QWERTY keyboard revealed under a slim-line slider
4. Dedicated keys for the most common functions including HOME, MENU, BACK, SEARCH, VOLUME and CAMERA
5. A 5 MP camera with dual LED flash, built-in 4X digital zoom, auto-focus and 720x480 DVD quality video recording which you can upload straight to YouTube
6. Multiple wireless connectivity options including 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth® and GPS

Many refer to the Milestone as an iPhone killer, and what of Blackberry? The Milestone’s metal casing gives the phone a sturdy, but heavy feel tipping the scales at 6 oz as compared to less than 5 oz for most Blackberry and iPhone models. The Android Market is expanding like none other leaving the Blackberry Appworld in the dust and providing serious competition to the leading iTunes Store.

Like the iPhone, the Milestone can download and play customised ringtones in multiple formats including, most significantly, iTunes AAC files. Both phones have accelerometers.

Unlike the iPhone, Milestones haptic response and micro SD expansion slot (supporting up to 32 GB) make the device user friendly even if you need to keep your charger close to use it.

As the tagline suggests, Motorola Milestone offers little compromise. BBM may force me to hold on to my Blackberry, but my iPhone may get dusty if I hit this Milestone.

Windows 7 Tip: Windows 7 now provides a standard way to switch your display from one monitor to another, or a projector - just press Win+P and choose your preferred display. (This will have no effect if you've only one display connected.) Get more tips.

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Tech Time: Software - Browsers

Regardless of the platform you are working on, PC, Mac or Linux, your browser is your “window to the internet”. Browsers have come a long way from the popular Netscape, which ushered in a new era of graphical Internet interfacing. Today’s browsers are used for more than just research; shopping, banking, communication, entertainment and more recently productivity are all now core functions of the browser.

There are a lot of browser options out there, and best of all, their FREE! Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer (IE), Opera and Safari dominate the field with now common features like tabbed browsing, thumb nail previews, RSS feeds, customisable skins, widgets and add-ons.

Generally, browsers are easy to use and have built in search engine capabilities. This means, all you really need to do, is enter a keyword in the address bar and the browser will figure out the exact address, the site you visited previously or bring up several options for you choose from based on the keyword entered.

Private browsing and cookie management are critical for modern browsers, giving users the power to control how much personal information about them is available online.

Though many Browsers boast similar features, they occasionally display pages differently and provide different levels of security. Like your anti-virus software, your browser should always be up-to-date with the latest version to prevent pop-ups, viruses, spy ware and phishing threats that may result from security holes.

Windows 7 Tip: Right-click an empty part of the desktop, select Personalise > Desktop Background, then hold down Ctrl as you click on the images you like. Choose how often you'd like the images to be changed (anything from daily to once every 10 seconds), select Shuffle if you'd like the backgrounds to appear in a random order, then click Save Changes and enjoy the show.

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Tech Time: Software - Mobile Apps

The mobile app explosion has birthed a whole new glut of software for our favourite mobile device, popularly (yet inaccurately) referred to as phones. Though Blackberry, iPhone, Windows Mobile and promising upstart Android claim the heap as the most prolific mobile phone platforms, there are several other good platforms, which we can’t explore due to space and time limitations.

For Crackberry addicts an exploration into apps starts with Blackberry Appworld, for iPhone fanboys, the search for apps starts with iTunes.

That said, all mobile phone users may want to consider adding the Opera browser to their device. Apps for Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, document viewers, music streaming apps such as Pandora, Slacker Radio and Last.fm are popular across all platforms and really, can be considered a requirement for the truly mobile savvy. Other cool, multi-platform apps include World Mate Live, Dictionay.com, UberTwitter and Tweetdeck.

Android devices have an ever increasing pool of apps to choose from, including Voice Recorder, Twidroi, Shazam and Sound Hound, all of which top the cool meter.

iPhone is becoming a serious handheld game console, rivaling the dominance of the Nintendo DS series and PSP incarnations thanks to the introduction of hot titles like Guitar Hero, Angry Birds, Call of Duty, ESPN 2010 FIFA, Tetris and Sims 3.

Windows Mobile stands out by being one of the few platforms that support Skype, with new phones on the market making use of Windows Mobile, we can expect to have more apps from which to choose.

Windows 7 Tip: Press and hold the Windows key and the space bar to make every active window transparent and reveal your desktop. Release the Windows key to return to the previous view.

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Tech Time: Software – Personal Finance

Great personal finance software can transform our lives! Hmm, ok may, maybe that is an overstatement, but personal finance software can help us track our income, spending, savings and debts providing insights to help us make smart decisions about our money.

Above all, personal finance software should be user friendly with intuitive features. Software should also have built-in calculators and tools to help plan retirement, large purchases, taxes and debt management. Reports, charts and graphs features provide powerful analysis tools for informed decision making.

Unfortunately, the best available commercially available doesn’t offer Jamaicans some of the greatest advantages such as integrated online banking and tax preparation – thankfully they are still robust enough to be practical. Quicken is by far, considered to be the best personal management software available. It costs roughly US$40.00. In a perfect world, in addition to tracking income and expenses, Quicken syncs seamlessly with your bank accounts for electronic bill payments and account reconciliation and has the most up-to-date tax information to facilitate the preparation of tax returns.

Using the cloud, Quicken allows you to move from your PC to your mobile phone without missing a beat. Quicken has a dedicated iPhone app, sorry Blackberry and Android users.

If the US$40 price tag is too much, Mint.com offers a free option. Mint is completely cloud based and is available for Android in addition to iPhone, but for Jamaicans, features the same non-bank/tax integration.

Blackberry users hell bent on mobile personal finance can check out Ascendo Money and Splash Money with desktop support for about US$40.00 each.

Windows 7 Tip: Jump lists are a new feature that give you the option to view a list recently accessed files by applications, even when the application isn’t open, by right-clicking on the application’s icon in the task bar.

Please be safe and dry this hurricane season.

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Tech Time: Mobile Productivity

Summertime is the time to get outdoors and move about. But there is no need to sacrifice productivity for mobility – netbooks, tablets and laptops keep up industrious while on the go. Picking the tool best for your needs is easy when you know the benefits and pitfalls of each.

Netbooks

“Internet notebook computers” or net books are the cheapest, most portable option for portable computing, but they are also the least powerful. The ultra compact devices are generally less powerful that their laptop counterparts limiting the scale and number for applications that can run simultaneously. On the plus side, many netbooks are 3G enabled and preconfigured for internet access over mobile networks. With subsidies and other incentives, a netbook may set you back about US$200.00.

Tablets

The introduction of the Apple iPad has shone a spotlight on tablet computing. Tablets are not new, but early tablet computers featured rotating screens to move the device from the traditional clam shell design to the flat tablet with a built intouch screen. Further, first generation tablet required a stylus to interact effectively with the screen, the iPad tosses the tablet for fingers, like the iPhone/iTouch predecessor.

Having now revolutionised the concept of tablet computing, iPad can expect a number of copycat devices. That said, tablets are compact, easy to use and VERY stylish. With up to 10 hours of battery life and both wifi and 3G internet accessibility, a fully kited iPad costs less than US$900.00

Laptops

Laptops are the most common mobile workhorses. With all the power to rival a desktop PC, the laptop keeps you working away from the office. With a 3 hour battery life on average, laptops are not long treaks in the field; and many can be downright delicate. But, as desktop replacements, they are indeed the most powerful.

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Tech Time: Mobile Printing

Technology is even better when it's portable or mobile. Though phones and computers have successfully made the transition from office to road, printers seem to practically anchor the workplace rather than sail with it. But, mobile printers are available, and more importantly, are practical.

When looking for a mobile printer, there are some features that are critically important.

Lightweight – if you have to be carrying this device around – in additional to all the other gadgets in your mobile arsenal – weight becomes a major issue. Sub 5 lbs is the goal.

Resolution – the printer may be small, but it must compete effectively with its desktop counterpart. Today’s mobile printers offer great photo quality colour printing with print specs of 9,600 x 2,400 dpi not unheard of.

Speed – well, here is an area where I must admit, I am always disappointed, for both traditional and mobile printers. Don’t expect printers to spit out full colour, letter size pages any faster than 14 ppm (pages per minute).

Portability – moving around is important, but working without being tethered by wires is just priceless. Look for battery and Bluethoot® and WiFi options for wireless power and communication to truly enhance the mobile experience.

Cost – though models are available for as little as US$150.00, US$300 is needed to get a printer with all the best features, add another $100.00 for even more bells and whistles.

Brand – HP and Epson are making a play to topple the dominance of Canon for this marketing, with impressive options

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Tech Time: Social Networking

Social Networking has been a hot topic for years. It has moved from an obscure concept to a revolution in Internet usage for both private individuals and major companies across the globe.

At it’s most basic, social networking is interacting with people over the Internet; but it’s more than use email. Social networking sites integrate the user experience with the lifestyle experience. Users share thoughts, images, video, games, contacts and much more. Hi5, Bebo, MySpace and Facebook started and/or sustained major social networking trends. Even dedicated image and video sharing sites have contributed to the social networking juggernaut, sites like Flickr, Photo Bucket, YouTube and Vimeo gave the world a window into our lives. Twitter, FourSquare, Ning and others have since emerged to push the social networking wave even further.

Through social networking, we have been able to connect with old friends and long lost relatives, find a job, build a business and if not used appropriately exposed our vulnerabilities to anyone who cares to see.

Fulfilling the maxim, too much of a good thing is bad, social networking is both good and bad. So let’s take a moment to look and the bad and protect ourselves.

Three simple words – private is public. By posting information to the Internet, we are in effect giving that information away. Various privacy and security protocols and controls simply limit the possibility of persons getting access. So, simple rule of thumb, do NOT post anything that you would not want to get into the wrong hands.

Hackers aside, there are other persons who could, intentionally or unintentionally, cause you harm. Even your “friends” may download, re-post or share images, video and information you intended just for them with third parties you wished never existed. There are very few controls in place that can prevent persons, to which you have given access, from doing you harm.

Then, there are the applications. Often we don’t think twice about allowing third party applications and other programmes to access our social networking accounts. If you wouldn’t just let anyone in your house, why would you let all sorts of apps access your account. Malicious third party applications can seize control of our contact list, send out spam messages, capture our private information and generally ruin our lives. OK, maybe that is a little over the top. But the message remains, be aware and take care as you build your social networks.

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Tech Time: Online Gaming

Whether you are a casual gamer stealing a few precious minutes at work, or a serious gamer locked to your computer for hours, the online gaming phenomenon has probably touched your life.

Online games, games played over a computer network usually associated with the Internet, are available in a number of formats and over a number of platforms.

Using nothing more than a Flash or JAVA enhanced browser and an Internet connection, players can access a wide variety of games including arcade, card, board, puzzle and word games. Gamers can play against the system or get interactive with other gamers across the room, the island or the world.

Taking it up a notch, sophisticated strategy and first person games are also widely available online, though many such games charge a fee for access. They may also require you to download software to truly access the game experience.

For many hard core gamers, taking their gaming console online enhances their game play experience. All the major consoles have built in Internet access, customised software and elaborate portals to complete the multi-player experience. At this level, game play is rarely free.

Ready to take the plunge? Start of simple, start local, with PlayJamaica.com. Dabble with online gaming by playing adapted versions of Pong, Tetris, Gem Swap, Solitaire and Space Invaders. Make your idle time more productive and profitable with tournament gaming for a chance to win cool prizes (or more credit to play more games).

Got a game console and ready to pit your skills against like-minded games half a world away? Power up and log on to Xbox Live, Playstation Network or Wii Online.

The Xbox Live experience will set you back a few bucks a month while its competitors PSN and Wii allow games to access the online enhancements for free.

Gaming has blossomed beyond being just a pastime for young boys into a world-wide phenomenon for all.

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Tech Time: Online Shopping

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Tech Time: Internet Banking

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Tech Time: VoIP Me

In this economy, everyone is looking for ways to save money.  One answer is VoIP technology.  Voice over Internet Protocol allows us to bypass the traditional PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) in favour of using the Internet for our voice calls.  In simple terms, VoIP converts our analogue voice signals into digital data, compresses it and reverses the process on the other end.


I know you have heard of Internet calling before.  You may have even tried it and been turned off by the ridiculously long delays and poor quality connections.  Discard that impression and welcome to yourself to 2010.  Blazing (every pun intended) fast Internet makes VoIP calling practical.  Depending on your service provider, today’s VoIP calls are clean and clear.


Living on an island with as many nationals off the rock as on it means that as a nation we make lots of international calls. For us, VoIP calling is especially practical.  In addition to the cost savings and clarity, VoIP calls can offer many of the customary phone features we have gotten used to – caller ID, call waiting, call transfer, repeat dialling and conference calling are all available on VoIP calls.  Your VoIP provider may even offer online access to voice mail messages and the ability to attach the voice mail messages as an audio file to your email messages.


We can dial in or log on to VoIP in three different ways.  We can hook up a hardwire-dedicated device to our Internet connection and plug our phone into that device which is called an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adapter).  This is reliable, but generally, it is fixed.  You will be locked into a provider and the account you established with them.


Alternately, you can purchase and install an IP phone.  This special phone plugs directly into the Internet and can be configured to make calls online.  You’ll have to have an internet connection everywhere you want a phone extension, as these phones generally won’t work on the PSTN lines.


Skip the specialised equipment by using a ‘soft phone’.  Using software installed on your PC/Mac, your can ‘convert’ your computer into a phone using the built-in sound card and modem and with a headset as the only peripheral.  


Now, here comes the really exciting part.  VoIP is now available on select mobile phones.  Imaging, using a cell phone to make calls on the Internet!  So far, VoIP is only available for select smart phones like iPhone and Blackberry.  And even then, only in some markets … and Jamaica is not one of them sadly.  When we get access to the service, callers with 3G, WiMax or Wifi access will be able to route their calls through either the mobile network or the internet for the clearest, cheapest calls imaginable.


Of course, nothing is perfect.  VoIP does require a high-speed connection and electricity to even be considered.  With our frequent power outages, you may be left without any calling capability if you rely solely on VoIP phones.  Faxing is possible, but not yet practical and calls are hackable.  Oh well.


Disadvantages aside, VoIP is an exciting and cost effective option to keep us talking.
  

Interface with us:
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On email: famefm@rjrgroup.com
On SMS: 876-878-FAME (18768783263)

Tech Time: Favourite iPhone Apps

I am not afraid to say it … even though I have a Blackberry for everyday use, I think the iPhone is the “coolest” smart phone on the market. Yes, there are other smart phones out there, like the Palm Pre (I used to love my Palm Tungsten), the Droid and the ever-reliable Nokia. But the productive Research In Motion (RIM) Blackberry and playful Apple iPhone continue to rule as the smartest of the smart phones.

The iPhone leads the Blackberry in several respects, most notably apps (small applications designed to run on computers with limited powers, i.e. smart phones). Before you hurl your criticism – yes, the Apple Apps Store is not perfect, but it puts the Blackberry App World to shame with the shear number and range of apps it can boast. With absolutely no scientific backing, I offer my personal list of favourite apps starting with recreational apps.

I am a simple girl, with simple tastes. So my game list includes Brain Challenge, Simon Classic, Tetris and my personal favourite, Monopoly. Sure I’ve got SIMS installed on my iPhone, but real life is hard enough, I haven’t got time to lead two lives at once.

I love music and books, so my iPhone has single handedly replaced my CD player and my bookshelf. The ability to search, browse, chose, download and experience tones and text in real time while moving is nothing short of remarkable. The iPhone makes this happen with iTunes, iPod and Kindle. Mad!

I can share my excitement with my friends using IM+, Facebook and Tweetdeck, or I can get serious and catch up on news with USA Today. And it’s all FREE! With all these apps, 4,000 songs and pictures of my nieces and nephews, I barely have space for more. So cool apps like Virtuoso Piano, DrumKit Lite and My Guitar (so I can have my own personal band), CNN, WebMD and the official Delly Ranks App will have to wait.

For me, this is one of the biggest drawbacks of the iPhone, form over function. The iPhone doesn’t have expandable memory, a replaceable battery or a “relatively” durable screen. The first time you drop your iPhone, and the screen breaks, so too does your heart.

Try as I might, I have not gotten the hang of email on my iPhone. To me, Blackberry is a superior mail reader. But BB forces me to think ahead … to add a password to my phone from now, in case I lose it later. iPhone allows me to remotely find, or wipe, the information from my phone if it's lost or stolen. Yet another reason why the iPhone is “cool”.

My iPhone replaced my CD player, my books, my handheld game console, my electronic organiser, my photo album and my newspaper. But in truth, it hasn’t replaced my Blackberry. It might as well be a Touch iPod, because when I need to actually make a call, I reach for my Blackberry.

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On email: famefm@rjrgroup.com

On SMS: 876-878-FAME (18768783263)

Tech Time: Blackberry Tips

There are a lot of smart phones out there, but in Jamaica, Blackberry reigns supreme as the most popular smart phone. Here are some quick, general tips to help you get the most from your BB.

General Tips

1. Insert an @ sign or period in the email field simply be pressing space. Pressing space twice in most other fields inserts a period

2. Insert a special character by holding down the corresponding letter key and scrolling with the trackpad/trackball

3. Capitalise a letter by holding the corresponding letter key down, this is often easier that than simultaneously hold down the ‘shirt’ key and letter key

4. Move to an item in the menu by pressing the corresponding first letter

5. Select a line of text by holding the ‘Shift’ key and rolling the trackpad/trackball

6. Move up or down a screen by pressing ‘Space’ or ‘Shift’ and ‘Space’

7. Dial a number with letters (such as 876.878.FAME) by holding the ‘ALT’ key and corresponding letter

8. Send your PIN easily my typing ‘MYPIN’ in an email or text field, your PIN will automatically appear

Crackberry addicts can bear the thought of having their smart phone battery die. Consider the following tips for preserving battery life.

1. Charge your phone with a wall charger as much as possible until fully charged

2. Reduce the speaker volume on the phone, use headsets where possible and disable EQ settings

3. Close your browser and applications completely when not being used, not just running in the background

4. Reduce the backlight timeout and brightness settings

5. Set audible roll and keytones to mute

6. Turn off unused connections such as WiFi and Bluetooth ® when not in use

7. Disable your camera flash

All the above tips work on all Blackberry models, but if you are inclined to upgrade, consider the new Blackberry Bold 9700. The new Bold is sleeker, sexier and more durable than previous BBs. The handset features all now traditional features like the high resolution screen that displays 65,000 colours, but “one-ups” old BBs by adding a light sensing display. The once revolutionary trackball has been replaced by the innovative trackpad. Expandable memory and easy to navigate multimedia options take full advantage of the long battery life. Forget pictures; shoot video with the on board 3.2 MP camera with auto focus, digital zoom and image stabilization. Then, upload your footage instantly to the internet using 3G or WiFi.

Interface with us:

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On email: famefm@rjrgroup.com

On SMS: 876-878-FAME (18768783263)

Tech Time: How To Be a DJ

At every FAME Road Party, I see the FAME DJ’s on the 1’s and 2’s blazin’ it up … and think to myself, I can do that!

Being a professional DJ takes a significant investment and talent. Wired Magazine posted a great article by US based DJ Ron Swift that spells it out perfectly. On the investment side, turntablists spend a lot on equipment. Speakers, headphones, needles, records, software, a mixer and yes turntables are all necessary to make partygoers dance. Professional DJ’s then master the arts of mixing, scratching and juggling. And this takes talent.

For us laymen, such an investment in gear and time may be too much, but we can still pretend to be DJ’s at home with great software and a PC.

Available software differs greatly in price and features. Popular software options include: Sertao Scratch Live, Tracktor Scratch, Virtual DJ and MixMeister. The first thing to consider when purchasing DJ software is price. Non-professional options can cost as much as US$300, but cheaper options are available.

Next up, let’s look at features such as input/output, performance and support. Great DJ software can read a variety of file formats, not just MP3; it can also output in a number of ways, like making a mix CD for your favourite girl or church party. Advanced software can also import a variety of music files, process and improve the quality of the tracks. The only scratch on a track should be intentional.

Speaking of scratches, dropouts, freezing, kinks and any kind of pause can upset your flow and ruin your set. So use a programme that has superior performance and is well suited for your PC processing power to ensure seamless transitions for tracks.

Many software programmes offer online support, or even real life technical support, but I have found the best support is other users. Using a popular option means that you can probably find a friend to turn to for guidance, verses using an obscure programme. Start by downloading some free to try software and test your talent.

Home DJ’s can forgo the expensive turntables, mixers and other equipment that the professionals use, by mixing and scratching on screen. You can step it up with semi-professional equipment as your skills improve. When you are ready, perhaps pit your skills against others in competitions like the Heineken Green Synergy. Rise to the top and maybe one day, you too can play at a FAME Road Party event.

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Tech Time: Solar Energy

We begin a four part series on technology in the home; we will be exploring cleaning systems, living room comforts, kitchen appliances and bedroom tech. But we begin, with solar energy.

Tourists flock to Jamaica for our sun, while we import oil for our lights. We can save money (oh yeah, and the environment too) if we harness our greatest renewable energy source, the sun. Thanks to technological progress, photovoltaic panels have become both cost effective and the best legal way to reduce your JPS bill.

Don’t think this is a far-fetched concept for only first world applications. Locally, it’s been done. Retired chef Hans Schenk runs 95% of his Spring Farm, St. James home off the national eclectic grid after installing solar panels on the roof of his home … and, he’s not the only one.

Solar energy can be used to provide indoor and outdoor lighting, power batteries and chargers, heat and pump water and provide power to most of your home. Solar power is such a great option to JPS that the government provides loans and other incentives to switch to renewable energy, in the form of a water heater loan offered through the National Housing Trust (NHT). Qualified NHT individual and business contributors can access up to JMD $250,000.00.

Solar water heaters are the most common application of solar energy locally. They can store and heat 40 to 240 gallons of water up to 140 degrees depending on model. The price tag starting at roughly $180,000.00 does NOT attract GCT.

I need an electrician to set up my solar panels, my regulator to charge my cycle battery, my connectors and inverter to bring solar power into my apartment. I need an electrician cause I know nothing of amps and volts and watts, all of which are important concepts. Visit How Stuff Works for a detailed explanation of the technical aspects of solar power.

Yes, there are three important factors to consider with solar energy – cost, location and weather. But none of these is a major deterrent. If a full-scale solar energy powered home is not practical, then consider integrating some solar devices. By all means, get a solar water heater loan from the NHT and start saving. Then get some small portable chargers to power devises like your phone. Step in gradually, and in time you can turn the tables, by selling power to the national grid.

Interface with us:

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On email: famefm@rjrgroup.com

On SMS: 876-878-FAME (18768783263)

Tech Time: Superbowl Tech

The Super Bowl is the largest, single day sporting event in the world, tens of thousands in attendance and over 100 million watching from around the globe. Staging an event this large requires insight, coordination, commitment and technology. Let’s take a look at Super Bowl Tech.

Cameras
More than 50 cameras including handheld, robotic and a cable camera (suspended above the gridiron) are employed to capture every moment in HD and super HD. Yes, super HD. Six high speed, high definition camera shoot at a mind boggling 300-400 frames per second (fps) to facilitate replays of fumbles and receptions from multiple angles. (The usual fps rate is 60). Speaking of playback, over two dozen video replay systems and eight digital postproduction suites develop high end, carefully calibrated, exceedingly accurate graphics while processing images from the cameras, nearly 100 microphones and miles of cable for your viewing pleasure.

Security
Game officials have to deal with everything from threats on US national security to pickpockets and other petty thieves. But hey are prepared for it all. Advanced metal detectors and scanner cameras screen all persons and packages entering the stadium, even the celebrities. Bomb removal robots are on hand in case any suspicious items are found.

Vehicle tracking on steroids is the best way to describe the sophisticated vehicle tracking systems used for the sporting event. Used on ambulances and other vehicles, the organizers have real time tracking with updates every three seconds.

Communications
Game participants utilize a wide range of communication technologies from headsets for the coaches and coaching staff to advanced computers to calculate real time stats before, during and after game play.

For thousands of spectators in the stands, previous frustrations of poor mobile service were addressed with installation of an additional three cell towers by AT&T, I Phone users were free to make calls, send text and pictures from the game without encumbrance.

Speaking of iPhone and other smart phones, American football lovers need to install ScoreMobile, a free app. Score Mobile has up to the minute stats, scores, betting odds, previews, recaps, top stories and league standings right in the palm of your hand.

Die-hard football fans can get a wealth of knowledge from the website (very traditional) or by following the NFL twitter feed/becoming a fan on Facebook (very modern).

Commercials
For football fans and non-football fans alike, the commercials are a major attraction. They tend to be as elaborate and expensive, as they are funny and memorable. This year, several technology companies used the captive audience to pedal their wares including: Google, Go Daddy, Motorola, Monster, Vizio and my personal favourite E*Trade. If you missed them last Sunday, watch them all on YouTube.





Interface with us:
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On email: famefm@rjrgroup.com
On SMS: 876-878-FAME (18768783263)

Tech Time: Wireless Printers

We are living in a wireless world, so much so, we take wireless for granted. I am old enough to remember when TV remotes were wired. Even so, I think printers were slow to join the wireless revolution. The wait is over.

Previous wireless printing protocols were very limiting. Printers employed infrared and bluetooth technology to allow wireless access. Both methods limited the user to a range of three to fifteen feet at best. Helpful, but not good enough.

New wifi enabled printers are functional, practical and above all, cheap. ALl the major manufacturersnow offer wifi enabled wireless dedicated and multi-function printers at a variety of price points for home and office. And, new wireless printers both work with PC and Mac.

These printers offer significant advantages over their wired predecessors. For one, they are cable and cutter free. With each new peripheral, we add a cable that contributes to the mess in our home or office.

Wireless printers offer a neater alternative.Further, fewer cables means less cost to acquire, maintain and replace.

Being able to remotely operate your printer from across the room, your house or even your neighbourhood truly liberates your laptop; after all, your laptop was meant to roam and not be tethered down.

Another notable advantage is that of multiple users. traditionally,a printer was attached to one machine, even on a network the host machine needed to be on. wireless printers are available from Hp, Brother, Lexmark,Canon and other major manufacturers for as little as US$99.00. Depending on the functions needed, look to spend US$!1150-US$250.00

Interface with us:

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On email: famefm@rjrgroup.com

On SMS: 876-878-FAME(18768783263)

Tech Time: Jazz Tech

JAMAICA Jazz and Blues Festival is considered by some to be the premiere music festival in the Caribbean. The multi-day, large scale event employs cutting edge technology form start to finish to ensure a flawless presentation for artistes, sponsors and patrons.

Communication

The Jazz Fest team is geographically disbursed across the western hemisphere, so to keep in touch, the team uses VoIP and video conferencing tools such as Vonage and Skype.

Calls are reinforced in black and white; almost all senior team members boast smart phones (like the iPhone) for on the email and document management. For quick messages, most team members relay on Blackberry Messenger (BBM) and SMS.

Externally, the website was an invaluable tool used to communicate with patrons. Jazz fans logged on to find out everything about ticket prices and outlets, performers, venues, ground transport, accommodation recommendations and more. They also logged into Facebook and similar social networking sites hosted by the Festival organizers for information. Especially for visitors, they turned to website to buy their tickets online and avoid having to stop at the gate.

Venue

Greenfield Stadium, the new home of the Jazz Festival, maintains the ambience of the previous venue while utilizing several innovations designed earlier in the history of the Festival. Each Jazz ticket or arm band boasts a unique bar code which is scanned upon entry at the venue; duplicate tickets are automatically detected and fraudulent ticket holders ejected. The TurnKey developed bar code system can provide the Festival producers with rich data for trend analysis in addition to superior security controls.

Engineers and other experts were consulted to determine the best layout of the venue on the stadium field. Using appealing 3D rendering, doubters can take a virtual tour of the Festival facilities from the website. Switch from birds eye view to a walk through to get a sense of where the stage, skyboxes, bar and bathrooms will be located on the grounds.

In addition to watching the stage directly, you can see the stage from just about anywhere, including inside booths. Stage images are streamed to multiple screens all over the venue.

Finally, if you are an information junkie, pull out your Wifi enabled phone or your portable FM radio to surf the internet or listen to live outside broadcasts from FAME FM while on site.

Talent

Technology had a profound impact on how the international performers were chosen for the talent stage. Many of the acts that aspire to be on the main stage first thrill patrons on the talent stage located near the food court. Technology made the audition process smoother because acts submitted their material over the internet from all over North America. The panel narrowed their selections before hosting live auditions in New York and Miami. Less travel, less expense for all.

Production

The use of technology in staging the Festival is most obvious in the production of the concert itself. Phenomenally crisp audio and eye catching stage set and lighting designs are hallmarks of Turnkey Productions. Without going into the technical details, TurnKey helped pioneer the use of digital consoles across the region. Further, TurnKey uses cutting edge wireless systems (for microphones, ear pieces and more) provided by Shure and eye catching intelligent lighting to compliment the stage performers.



Interface with us:
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On email: famefm@rjrgroup.com
On SMS: 876-878-FAME (18768783263)

Tech Time: Streaming Media

In its basic form, streaming media is technology which enables real-time or on-demand access to audio, video and multimedia content via the internet (or an intranet). But in practical terms, streaming media will represent a lifestyle shift in entertainment consumption.

Streaming media is not new, we’ve been able to watch video and listen to music from files stored remotely on our computers for years. The success of streaming was limited by bandwidth concerns and universal standards, both of which have been largely resolved. And the phenomenal success of streaming media sites such as YouTube and Hulu have pushed the demand for both user generated and broadcast quality content.

To enjoy streaming media, you’ll need software or hardware (or both). Popular players include VLC, Quicktime and Windows Media Player; most streaming media software is free. But to migrate content from your computer to your TV using hardware devices such as Apple TV and Xbox or similar devises from Lynksys, Logitech and Netgear. Generally, these gadgets cost between US$150 and US$300.

Or, you may have both the best of both with Boxee. Watch broadcast TV, sports, movies, music videos, user content and a variety of user content thanks to free open source software on your PC or Mac. Listen to radio, podcasts or music. Bounce the content from your computer to your TV with the appropriate cables. Comment and share content with friends over the internet. Take the best of online from your desk and combine it with the best of your home theatre in the comfort of your living room.

You can eliminate the personal computer altogether with the evolution of the Boxee Box, which will compete directly with productions like Apple TV and other media streamers. But if you are inclined to wait, Boxee (and Boxee type media streamers) will come built into new TV’s, converging multiple content sources into the most popular of entertainment devices.

Tech Service ...

(Doing good with technology)

Techies have made history with their massive donations towards Haiti relief through text donations. Locally and internationally, charities have been able to raise millions of dollars in aid through mobile phone technology. Beware of bogus charities.

For Digicel customers, call or text ‘help’ to 162 and $25 is contributed to the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund.

For LIME customers, text ‘haiti’ to 444-HELP or 444-4357

In Tech News ...

(What’s hot, next, big)

Apple has invited media to an announcement event on January 27 and techies are betting that the fabled Mac tablet computer will finally be revealed.

Interface with us:

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On email: famefm@rjrgroup.com

On SMS: 876-878-FAME (18768783263)

Tech Time: Working Windows

There is no doubt that release of Windows 7 in the fall of 2009 was a big news story. The previous version of Windows, Vista, was widely panned. Countless problems, compatibility issues and system messages drove Windows users crazy, while security gaps left them vulnerable. Users were ready, not for something new, but something that worked. 7 is stable, smooth and sleek and has become Windows' saviour.

Looks aren’t everything, but they help. So let’s start there. The new task bar does away with the Quick Launch feature and obliterates clutter by pinning programmes using icons that are easy to see and multifunctional. The Show Desktop feature is innovatively integrated into the Task Bar while hover and click features to make windows invisible or minimized as necessary. The programme specific Jump Lists provide control without ever leaving the window you are focused on and the best new feature is the truncated system tray with controlled notifications.

Functionality has been improved in a lot of ways as well. Improved indexing makes for super speedy searches right from the upgraded Windows icon which replaced the traditional Start button. 7 centralizes access to devices and printers into one graphically rich, easy to navigate window. Vista forced users to scramble for updated drivers, 7 forces users to enjoy working peripherals with no headaches or fuss. That ‘it just works’ mantra that Mac users are already familiar with extends to 7’s ability to stream content from the upgraded Windows Media Player using the Play To option to components listed in HomeGroup (such as another PC, remote speaker or specific game consoles).

Speaking of integrated applications like Windows Media Player (which now can play unprotected iTunes files), 7 users may, or may not, miss Windows Mail, Windows Movie Maker and Windows Photo Gallery. If you do miss these applications, download them free at Windows Live.

The coolest new feature is native touch screen support, but such software is nothing without complimentary hardware.

Improvements have extended to security features as well. The dreaded User Account Control (UAC) can now be tweaked with notifications limited to a docked location on the Task Bar rather than with multiple annoying bubbles. Removal of the Auto Play for external drives reduces the likelihood of malware and improved backup and restore features allow for backing up across network drives in some incarnations of 7.

There are six versions of Windows 7 including the most popular Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate. Starter is reserved for netbooks. To run 7 on a 32 bit system, minimum requirements include a 1 GHz processor, 1 GB Ram, 16 GB of hard drive space and DirectX 9.0 compatible graphics card. This means that most PCs currently running Vista can run 7 and all for less than US$200.00.

Other points to note, that are just outside of the scope of this review, are:

· XP Mode option if specialized hardware is available

· Absence of built in Bluetooth

· Improved power management for laptops

To say 7 is less buggy than Vista doesn’t say a lot. 7 is what Vista should have been and a viable alternative to OS X or Linux. The early adopters have had their fun, now it’s time for you to get lucky with Windows 7.

Interface with us:

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On email: famefm@rjrgroup.com

On SMS: 876-878-FAME (18768783263)