Hardware Upgrade Tip of the Day #40


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Hardware Upgrade Tip of the Day

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*1. SHARING A BROADBAND CONNECTION TO THE INTERNET--PART 1 OF 4          
  
Cable and DSL Internet connections are growing more and more popular 
with home users. However, these broadband connections to the Internet 
can throw a wrench into the works of many home networks. Most of the 
current home networking products do not support the Ethernet network 
adapter component these broadband solutions use. 

A set of new products--like Sohoware's Broadband Internet Gateway and 
Proxim's Symphony Cordless Ethernet Bridge--allows you to share a 
broadband Internet connection across several PCs. Over the next few 
days I'll pass along a short checklist to keep in mind as you shop for 
this type of product. 

First, make sure your solution will allow you to share your Internet 
connection without having to alert your ISP service provider--meaning 
you'll be sharing a single IP address. If you're required make special 
arrangements with your ISP, you'll likely find an increase in your 
monthly service bill, and that negates some of the savings you get 
from using these home networking products.


*2. SHARING A BROADBAND CONNECTION TO THE INTERNET--PART 2 OF 4          
  
Make sure you investigate the operating systems supported by your 
broadband Internet sharing solution. Some products only support 
Windows 98, while others support a range of Windows flavors. Of 
course, you'll want support for all the PCs in your house. If you own 
any iMacs, Macs, or any other Apple Computer product, you should 
prepare yourself for a long search for a cross-platform solution.


*3. SHARING A BROADBAND CONNECTION TO THE INTERNET--PART 4 OF 4          
  
As with any home network solution, make sure you study the product's 
specifications regarding the distance between PCs. With either a wired 
or wireless solution, you'll have to take into account a maximum 
distance spec, and you'll need this to figure out whether the products 
will work in your home.  

Before you go shopping, measure the distance between your PCs. Also 
note whether walls, floors, or ceilings separate the systems you're 
attaching to your home network. Take all this information with you and 
plot out the design of your home network with the salespeople before 
you buy the network gear.


*4. DIGITAL VIDEO NEWS--PART 1 OF 3          
  
The latest iMac DV computers are truly DV-ready. All of the DV 
versions come with enhanced iMovie 2 video editing software 
preinstalled. And each one features two FireWire ports you can use to 
transfer video back and forth between the iMac and a FireWire-ready 
digital video camera. Apple now offers three DV models with differing 
amounts of RAM and hard disk storage at various price points. 

http://www.apple.com


*5. DIGITAL VIDEO NEWS--PART 2 OF 3          
  
Normally, receiving TV broadcasts over your PC requires you to 
purchase and install a TV tuner add-in board. However, Samsung now 
offers two monitors, the 150MP and the 170MP, with TV tuners already 
installed. With their picture-in-picture capability, you can watch TV 
broadcasts while you browse the Web or work with your desktop 
applications. 

http://www.samsungmonitor.com


*6. DIGITAL VIDEO NEWS--PART 3 OF 3          
  
Microsoft's Windows ME operating system, which theoretically ships in 
September, is a boon for DV amateurs. It includes the ability to 
capture DV footage, and it features a video editing software package 
called Windows Movie Maker. The upgrade software will sell for $110.


*7. WHEN HARDWARE MAKERS GO OUT OF BUSINESS--PART 1 OF 4          
  
The recent demise of graphic board company Number Nine Visual 
Technology brings to mind an important subject: What do you do if the 
company that produces the hardware you own goes out of business? What 
does this mean in terms of use and support of your equipment?  

If you hear that a company whose products you own has filed for 
bankruptcy protection or is in financial turmoil, first find out all 
you can about its state of operation. Your best and easiest source 
will probably be the company's Web site. Most companies suffer through 
months of death throes, during which warranties and support remain in 
place, before they shut everything down.  

You'll find Number Nine at 

http://www.nine.com


*8. WHEN HARDWARE MAKERS GO OUT OF BUSINESS--PART 2 OF 4          
  
If you hear that the maker of your hardware is in financial trouble, 
you should address your software driver situation. If you haven't 
upgraded your video board or modem (or other hardware) to the latest 
available drivers, you should do so. If the hardware vendor goes 
completely out of business, the software drivers may no longer be 
available.  

You'll likely get longer use out of your hardware if you run with the 
latest drivers.


*9. WHEN HARDWARE MAKERS GO OUT OF BUSINESS--PART 3 OF 4          
  
Find out whether you can get continued technical support from any 
financially troubled hardware maker whose products you own. In the 
case of the recently closed graphic board maker Number Nine Visual 
Technology, you can still read support FAQs on its Web site at  

http://www.nine.com 

but phone support has ended.  

If you have any issues still open regarding your hardware, try to 
contact the company's phone support center while it is still in 
operation.


*10. WHEN HARDWARE MAKERS GO OUT OF BUSINESS--PART 4 OF 4          
  
Now for some good news: often, when a hardware maker goes out of 
business, another company comes along to continue supporting the 
defunct company's products. Of course, in order to make a profit, the 
new company will likely charge you for support, even if you had a free 
or paid-up support contract with the original hardware maker. 
Nonetheless, any support is better than none when it comes to hardware 
products. Look for news in the computer press reporting on new 
companies taking over the support of defunct hardware makers. 
