For most of the past year the Federal Communications Commission has discussed our country’s lagging online infrastructure. According to a 2009 broadband survey (the most recent data available to the FCC), the United States ranked ninth in broadband access out of the 29 member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation on a per capita basis. That same study showed that the US ranks 12th in terms of the pure percentage of households having broadband Internet access. This places us well behind the UK, South Korea, Iceland, and the Netherlands.
When you look closer you find that even those of us with high speed or broadband access have speeds that are very slow when compared to other countries. Olympia, Washington has our nation’s highest average download speeds of about 21 Mbps. I just checked my speed and find that right now my lap top on the kitchen table has about 4.5 Mbps. Paris and Berlin average about 35.8 Mbps. We have a long way to go.
High on the FCC’s priority list is wireless broadband access. Here again we trail other developed countries in wireless broadband adoption, ranking ninth, behind the likes of Ireland, Australia and Sweden. With many of us purchasing smart phones, iPads and other tablet computers, the wireless speed lag may get worse before it gets better.
Hard wired broadband access is admittedly more of a problem in a country the size of the United States. Unlike South Korea which would almost fit into the borders of Indiana, the US must span great distances with copper or fiber networks. A high rise apartment building in Seoul may well have more people than many small towns in the US. Delivering Internet floor by floor is easy compared to running circuits to homes spread out over several square miles.
The wireless challenge is even more difficult. Wireless internet beamed to your smart phone requires the use of radio waves and we are running out of space in the radio spectrum. These hand held devices can’t use just any old radio frequency. They must use frequencies that can penetrate walls of office buildings or be received in a moving car or train. Oh yes, we consumers don’t like to have those pesky little antennas protruding from our svelte iPhone. Can you hear me now?
The FCC is looking for frequencies that can be repurposed. One of the targets may be broadcast TV stations. The frequencies used by digital TV transmission use, for the most part, the UHF band. Discussion is taking place that may again change the over-the-air TV broadcast system in the US. This is only one option; there are a few others that might free up some spectrum space but as Scotty often responded to Captain Kirk, “I cannot change the laws of physics!”
Monday, May 30, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
The Internet Can Provide Rose Colored Glasses
For an increasing number of us, the Internet is becoming our window on the world. Gone are the days when the nightly TV news or the morning newspaper served as our source of what is happening around town or around the world. It is not only late breaking news events that beckon us to our computer screens, iPads and smart phones. We look for recipes for chicken, instructions on fixing a faucet and the current weather forecast for the weekend getaway. In short, the Internet and search engines like Google and Bing have become our trusted advisor, our news source, and in so doing have gathered more information about us than perhaps any person in our life.
For many of us who use online retailers like Amazon.com, having suggestions for items that we might like to buy when we sign on to the service is nothing new. When you are first presented with these suggestions it is kind of cool. It makes the online experience feel like talking to an old friend who knows your likes and dislikes, your interests and avocations. It is comfortable.
There has been much discussion of late about this phenomenon. In his recently published book "The Filter Bubble: What the Internet is Hiding From You," Eli Pariser, details what companies are doing online to personalize your Internet experience. For sure this personalization is helpful when looking for some music or a new book to read. It can have some negative impacts if it also filters what you see and hear as news.
In order to be an informed citizen and make good knowledgeable choices in the voting booth, it is necessary that we get all points of view. If our Internet experience is filtering what we see and hear based on our current political bent we can be come insular to what is really happening in the world. This can happen on both sides of the political spectrum. If we only log on to Fox.com our perception of the world will reflect that point of view. Those who only reference only MSNBC.com will be equally under-informed.
Pariser suggests that there is a simple test you can do that demonstrates how your search results may be filtered based on what the search engine “thinks” you want to see. Do a search on some news item or person. Search for Barack Obama or Osama Bin Laden. Take note of the results and the order that they are displayed on your Bing or Google search. Now ask a friend to do the same thing. Compare the results. You might be amazed at the difference.
For sure the Internet allows you to save time and effort when you are shopping by giving you selections for what you are most interested in based on what you have purchased before. A suggestion for a new restaurant based on where you have gone in the past can be very helpful. When it comes to keeping up on local or national news and issues, there may be things that you might not want to know but need to know. There may be things you are missing. According to Pariser, instead of doing what great media does, which is push us out of our comfort zone at times and show us things that we wouldn't expect to like or wouldn't expect to want to see, some online services are showing us a very narrowly constructed zone of what they think is most relevant to us.
For many of us who use online retailers like Amazon.com, having suggestions for items that we might like to buy when we sign on to the service is nothing new. When you are first presented with these suggestions it is kind of cool. It makes the online experience feel like talking to an old friend who knows your likes and dislikes, your interests and avocations. It is comfortable.
There has been much discussion of late about this phenomenon. In his recently published book "The Filter Bubble: What the Internet is Hiding From You," Eli Pariser, details what companies are doing online to personalize your Internet experience. For sure this personalization is helpful when looking for some music or a new book to read. It can have some negative impacts if it also filters what you see and hear as news.
In order to be an informed citizen and make good knowledgeable choices in the voting booth, it is necessary that we get all points of view. If our Internet experience is filtering what we see and hear based on our current political bent we can be come insular to what is really happening in the world. This can happen on both sides of the political spectrum. If we only log on to Fox.com our perception of the world will reflect that point of view. Those who only reference only MSNBC.com will be equally under-informed.
Pariser suggests that there is a simple test you can do that demonstrates how your search results may be filtered based on what the search engine “thinks” you want to see. Do a search on some news item or person. Search for Barack Obama or Osama Bin Laden. Take note of the results and the order that they are displayed on your Bing or Google search. Now ask a friend to do the same thing. Compare the results. You might be amazed at the difference.
For sure the Internet allows you to save time and effort when you are shopping by giving you selections for what you are most interested in based on what you have purchased before. A suggestion for a new restaurant based on where you have gone in the past can be very helpful. When it comes to keeping up on local or national news and issues, there may be things that you might not want to know but need to know. There may be things you are missing. According to Pariser, instead of doing what great media does, which is push us out of our comfort zone at times and show us things that we wouldn't expect to like or wouldn't expect to want to see, some online services are showing us a very narrowly constructed zone of what they think is most relevant to us.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Cheap Insurance
The tri-state monsoon season was the source of real anxiety for me. It was not only the incessant gray sky or the water levels in my front yard measured in feet that made me uneasy. I was really concerned that I could hear the two sump pumps in my basement cycling on almost every five or ten minutes. They were doing their job and our basement was as dry as the Sahara. My concern centered on the frequent power outages that we experience and how long would it take for the water level to rise if the pumps lost power. Since spring is also a time for storms and wind, I figured that it was only matter of time until Duke’s lines would fail.
Other than moving to Arizona, there are other solutions to my dilemma. There are battery powered sump pumps available. And there is always the bucket method of emptying the sump. The first is expensive and the second messy. I decided that I would solve the problem with the installation of a small back up generator. I had been thinking about this for years every time the lights fail, which if you have lived in my neighborhood you know is quite often. I remember in January that I found my self reading from my Kindle using a kerosene lamp. Abe Lincoln has nothing on me.
You can purchase large systems that will power your entire home in the event of a power outage. They cycle on automatically and can handle all of the appliances in your house including the furnace and AC. These must be installed by a qualified professional and are very expensive. I did not want to spend a lot of money; I wanted only to have enough power to handle the sump pumps, our fridge and some lights and perhaps TV.
I found a small gasoline generator at a local store. I placed it in a space outside under my deck away from all windows so that the sound of the engine or more important, the carbon monoxide, would not enter the house. Rather than wiring the generator into the existing wiring in my house which requires expensive switching gear, I ran some dedicated lines to specific areas of my house so I could easily plug in certain devices when the regular power failed. In essence I have a separate electrical system, albeit with much less capacity but enough for our needs.
In order to figure out what size generator you need, you must add up all the wattage required by the devices that will be connected to it. This is basic arithmetic. Be sure that you remember that devices with motors like sump pumps and refrigerators need extra wattage when they cycle on so you have to make sure that you factor that “surge” requirement into the required capacity. Generators usually have two ratings. One for continuous output and one for “surge” peaks. Once you come up with a number, add 15% to cover what you forgot or will add later.
This solution is not for everyone, but if you are handy and just want to have some lights, a cold drink and a dry basement when the power fails, you might want to consider it. It cost us about $300 for the entire installation. According to my wife, that is cheap insurance.
Other than moving to Arizona, there are other solutions to my dilemma. There are battery powered sump pumps available. And there is always the bucket method of emptying the sump. The first is expensive and the second messy. I decided that I would solve the problem with the installation of a small back up generator. I had been thinking about this for years every time the lights fail, which if you have lived in my neighborhood you know is quite often. I remember in January that I found my self reading from my Kindle using a kerosene lamp. Abe Lincoln has nothing on me.
You can purchase large systems that will power your entire home in the event of a power outage. They cycle on automatically and can handle all of the appliances in your house including the furnace and AC. These must be installed by a qualified professional and are very expensive. I did not want to spend a lot of money; I wanted only to have enough power to handle the sump pumps, our fridge and some lights and perhaps TV.
I found a small gasoline generator at a local store. I placed it in a space outside under my deck away from all windows so that the sound of the engine or more important, the carbon monoxide, would not enter the house. Rather than wiring the generator into the existing wiring in my house which requires expensive switching gear, I ran some dedicated lines to specific areas of my house so I could easily plug in certain devices when the regular power failed. In essence I have a separate electrical system, albeit with much less capacity but enough for our needs.
In order to figure out what size generator you need, you must add up all the wattage required by the devices that will be connected to it. This is basic arithmetic. Be sure that you remember that devices with motors like sump pumps and refrigerators need extra wattage when they cycle on so you have to make sure that you factor that “surge” requirement into the required capacity. Generators usually have two ratings. One for continuous output and one for “surge” peaks. Once you come up with a number, add 15% to cover what you forgot or will add later.
This solution is not for everyone, but if you are handy and just want to have some lights, a cold drink and a dry basement when the power fails, you might want to consider it. It cost us about $300 for the entire installation. According to my wife, that is cheap insurance.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Cutting Ma Bell's Apron Strings
As more and more of us are using our mobile phones not only for business and emergencies but for most all of our calling, many are questioning whether they also really need a land line from the phone company. Everyday, people are disconnecting the land lines to both save money and to simplify getting in touch with friends and family. After all, how many phone numbers and voice mail boxes do we really need?
If you are among those considering severing your tether to Ma Bell’s apron strings there are some great devices that will make it easier and convenient when you are at home or at the office.
Several companies offer devices that serve as a docking/charging station for your cell phone and allow all of the phones now connected to the regular phone company lines in your home to use the cell phone connection instead. When you come home for the evening you connect the cell phone to the docking station and when you receive a call or wish to place a call you use any of the hard wired or cordless phones already in your house. Your calls are routed through your cell phone telephone number.
There are several different versions offered by companies like Panasonic, Sony and AT&T. Some require an iPhone but most will accommodate any phone that has Bluetooth connectivity. They are priced from about $75 to as much as several hundred dollars.
Over and above convenience, there are other advantages to using the cell line for your regular line. Many mobile phone plans offer free long distance and special free “family” calling discounts. Also, I find that for long calls a standard telephone handset is more comfortable to use than the cigarette-size smartphone.
Most of these systems are not capable of sending or receiving faxes, so if you have a home office you may wish to keep a land line as well. Some of the devices, like models from Panasonic, allow you to have two lines connected: one cell phone line and one regular land line. You can choose what line to use.
Some more words of caution. If you decide to cut the cord, your calls to 911 may not allow the dispatcher to pin point your location so be sure to tell them the exact address when you call. Since you will be using your mobile phone more make certain you’re your mobile service plan allows for the extra minutes. Most plans offer “free evenings and weekends” and since that is when you are most likely to be home it shouldn’t be problem.
If you are among those considering severing your tether to Ma Bell’s apron strings there are some great devices that will make it easier and convenient when you are at home or at the office.
Several companies offer devices that serve as a docking/charging station for your cell phone and allow all of the phones now connected to the regular phone company lines in your home to use the cell phone connection instead. When you come home for the evening you connect the cell phone to the docking station and when you receive a call or wish to place a call you use any of the hard wired or cordless phones already in your house. Your calls are routed through your cell phone telephone number.
There are several different versions offered by companies like Panasonic, Sony and AT&T. Some require an iPhone but most will accommodate any phone that has Bluetooth connectivity. They are priced from about $75 to as much as several hundred dollars.
Over and above convenience, there are other advantages to using the cell line for your regular line. Many mobile phone plans offer free long distance and special free “family” calling discounts. Also, I find that for long calls a standard telephone handset is more comfortable to use than the cigarette-size smartphone.
Most of these systems are not capable of sending or receiving faxes, so if you have a home office you may wish to keep a land line as well. Some of the devices, like models from Panasonic, allow you to have two lines connected: one cell phone line and one regular land line. You can choose what line to use.
Some more words of caution. If you decide to cut the cord, your calls to 911 may not allow the dispatcher to pin point your location so be sure to tell them the exact address when you call. Since you will be using your mobile phone more make certain you’re your mobile service plan allows for the extra minutes. Most plans offer “free evenings and weekends” and since that is when you are most likely to be home it shouldn’t be problem.
Monday, May 2, 2011
George Jetson Would Be Proud
This spring season has been a real pain in the grass for many of us trying to keep our lawns from looking like ponds filled with swamp grass. Hardly two days pass without torrential downpours making cutting the grass almost impossible. The grass is green and tall and wet and defies our attempts at keeping it trimmed. So it was with more than passing interest I came across two new high tech offerings that could help address this challenge. In the name of full disclosure, I have to say that I have not tried either, and in light of the high price, most likely will not. Nevertheless, both have a high cool factor and used together would certainly identify the user as very high tech.
Following in the steps of the Roomba, the robotic home vacuum cleaner that is featured extensively on late night TV, the folks at Husqvarna USA are offering the Automower® solar Hybrid, a fully automatic lawn mower that is powered by the sun and rechargeable batteries. The mower finds its way around your yard unattended, cutting the grass as it travels.
According to company press releases, the product uses considerably less energy than any conventional mower. That's because, in addition to a charging station, it comes with a large integrated solar panel. When there is daylight available, the solar cells enable the mower to extend its cutting periods before it needs recharging. The company suggests that the mower is for lawns up to 1/2 acre.
Once you have the robotic mower you instruct it to get to work with the second product, an iPhone app that allows you to communicate with the mower. It can begin cutting your lawn even if you are away from home. So rather than speeding up I-74 from work to get the grass cut before the next downpour, you just send a text message to the mower. With any luck the text message to the mover will get better results than one sent to any teen who might be tasked with cutting your grass.
These digital marvels don’t come cheap. The mower will run you about $3000 and does require some set up so it can cut your grass and spare the shrubs and the flowers. Again, I have not used either of these products so I can’t vouch for how well they work, but you have to admit they do put you in mind of what George Jetson would have used if he didn’t live in the Skypad Apartments in Orbit City. Perhaps his super used one.
Following in the steps of the Roomba, the robotic home vacuum cleaner that is featured extensively on late night TV, the folks at Husqvarna USA are offering the Automower® solar Hybrid, a fully automatic lawn mower that is powered by the sun and rechargeable batteries. The mower finds its way around your yard unattended, cutting the grass as it travels.
According to company press releases, the product uses considerably less energy than any conventional mower. That's because, in addition to a charging station, it comes with a large integrated solar panel. When there is daylight available, the solar cells enable the mower to extend its cutting periods before it needs recharging. The company suggests that the mower is for lawns up to 1/2 acre.
Once you have the robotic mower you instruct it to get to work with the second product, an iPhone app that allows you to communicate with the mower. It can begin cutting your lawn even if you are away from home. So rather than speeding up I-74 from work to get the grass cut before the next downpour, you just send a text message to the mower. With any luck the text message to the mover will get better results than one sent to any teen who might be tasked with cutting your grass.
These digital marvels don’t come cheap. The mower will run you about $3000 and does require some set up so it can cut your grass and spare the shrubs and the flowers. Again, I have not used either of these products so I can’t vouch for how well they work, but you have to admit they do put you in mind of what George Jetson would have used if he didn’t live in the Skypad Apartments in Orbit City. Perhaps his super used one.
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