Hardware Upgrade Tip of the Day #43


----------------------------------------------

TipWorld - http://www.tipworld.com
The Internet's #1 Source for Computer Tips, News, and Gossip

Proudly presents:
Hardware Upgrade Tip of the Day

----------------------------------------------


*1. A NEW POINTING DEVICE--PART 1 OF 4          
  
Tired of cleaning the dirt and dust off the ball that drives your 
mouse? Even if you use a mouse pad (and keep your office clean), your 
mouse attracts debris like metal to a magnet. This debris usually 
causes freezes, hiccups, and frustration as you try to use your mouse 
during a normal work session. 

One solution is to buy an optical mouse. Optical mouse pointers use a 
sensor that tracks movement across a stationary surface--it doesn't 
have any moving parts to collect dirt. Among others Microsoft at 

http://www.microsoft.com  

and Apple Computer at 

http://www.apple.com 

currently offer optical mouse pointers.


*2. A NEW POINTING DEVICE--PART 2 OF 4          
  
Precision in a pointing device sometimes has less to do with the 
mechanics of the device itself and more to do with the human body. In 
general, humans make more-precise fine motor movements with the hand 
closed in a pen-style grip rather than the traditional mouse-style 
grip. Thus, artists and multimedia professionals often choose 
pen-and-tablet pointing devices over traditional mouse pointers or 
trackball devices. 

If you need very precise control over your cursor during a computing 
session, investigate tablet and pen devices. Many even feature 
pressure sensitivity that simulates traditional writing and drawing 
techniques while you're working with certain software packages.


*3. A NEW POINTING DEVICE--PART 3 OF 4          
  
You'll hear a lot of advice and marketing hype regarding pointing 
devices that alleviate repetitive stress injuries (RSI). The problem 
is that very few, if any, of these devices eliminate or even reduce 
the issues involving RSI. In part, it is the nature of 
RSI--specifically, it occurs because you have to repeat the same hand 
and wrist movements, no matter what the device, in order to position 
your cursor. 

What some people find more effective is to regularly change the hand 
that controls the pointing device--meaning that you switch from your 
right to your left hand or vice versa. This change reduces the amount 
of RSI suffered by one hand, giving your tendons and joints a little 
time to recover. This approach may sound crazy, but most people get 
used to it after the first 30 minutes or so of awkwardness. Remember 
to switch the mouse buttons (right to left and left to right) using 
the Control Panel software settings.


*4. A NEW POINTING DEVICE--PART 4 OF 4          
  
Hot-swappable pointing devices, like a USB trackball or mouse, let you 
quickly and easily change pointing devices if a different device is 
more appropriate for the current task. For example, you might enjoy 
using a traditional mouse most of the time during a normal computing 
session, but prefer a trackball or tablet-and-pen device for editing 
images in Photoshop.  

If all of your pointing devices use an interface such as USB, you can 
attach and detach them whenever you want without rebooting your 
machine. Older interfaces like serial and parallel ports do not offer 
this hot-swap capability.


*5. CABLE MODEMS--PART 1 OF 3          
  
You might think you could save money by installing your own cable 
splitter (to share your cable Internet access with another room in 
your house) instead of having your cable service company do it. Be 
careful. Cable modems are very sensitive to decreases in signal 
strength, and you will be decreasing the signal by splitting it. Cable 
technicians have special measuring equipment and can adjust the signal 
strength of the service in your house. Unless you have the experience 
and the equipment, it's best to let the experts handle extending your 
cable service to additional rooms.


*6. CABLE MODEMS--PART 2 OF 3          
  
Ethernet cards sometimes fail, and generally it's your responsibility 
to replace them, even if you lease your cable modem and service from 
your cable company (although some cable providers will service your 
networking card for a fee).  

If you do replace your own Ethernet card, you may have to reset your 
cable modem before the cable ISP will connect you again. Cable modems 
often store network address data for your Ethernet card. Thus, if you 
change cards, you'll need to reset the cable modem to resynchronize.


*7. CABLE MODEMS--PART 3 OF 3          
  
Some cable ISPs allow you to use your Ethernet card in a home-based 
LAN. The Ethernet card works in combination with your cable modem to 
connect to your ISP. However, the ISP might restrict the number of PCs 
you can attach to that LAN because of the capability it gives you to 
share the Internet connection across several PCs.  


Before you set up a home Ethernet LAN, make sure you check into the 
agreement you have with your cable ISP. Because it operates on an 
Ethernet connection to your home, it may be able to detect how many 
systems you have attached, and may shut off your service if it finds 
you breaking the rules.


*8. DSL--PART 1 OF 3          
  
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) high-speed Internet service is rolling 
out to more cities nationwide. However, you should be aware of some 
issues regarding DSL Internet service. 

First, you may be able to convert your existing phone line into a DSL 
line and keep the same number. However, you can't be certain until you 
contact your phone company. With DSL, you can make and receive voice 
telephone calls and use the DSL Internet connection simultaneously 
because the DSL data transmits at a higher frequency than humans can 
hear. Thus, keeping your same phone number is usually a good idea. 


*9. DSL--PART 2 OF 3          
  
Should you buy your own DSL modem or lease one from a DSL ISP? At this 
time, as with cable modems, leasing is generally the best choice. Not 
all DSL ISPs support all DSL modems. If fact, DSL technology varies 
somewhat by region. To make sure your DSL modem will operate with your 
local DSL provider, you're best off using the provider's modem. Also, 
leasing saves you from getting stuck with a modem you can't use if you 
move to another city.


*10. DSL--PART 3 OF 3          
  
If you went through the hassle of installing an ISDN line into your 
home, you should probably now think about converting to a DSL service 
(if it's available in your neighborhood). A monthly DSL Internet 
service costs roughly the same amount as your ISDN line or monthly 
service, but provides a much faster connection to the Internet. 
Fortunately, it's pretty easy for phone companies to convert an ISDN 
line to a DSL line.
