Wireless Consulting and Solution Providers have always been important to african american small businesses and now after several years of having the most technologically advanced homes in our neighborhood, we are beginning to realize that our neighbors could benefit from the same technology in educating our children. With the future our african american children are facing being dependent on computers and broadband access it is critical to have the proper tools for our children to have the confidence necessary to face the future.

Psyche. There is a very good friend that is a Wireless Solution Provider in Chicago, whose wife "suggested" that he share his expertise with a neighbor who had been visiting his family's computer homeschool. Well after one thing led to another he finally enabled about 18 african american computer homeschools in the Chicago area, thus becoming a african american homeschool resource for wireless.

This little story is related because while I myself was working in Chicago for 4 years, he came to me for assistance in selecting a networked computer system that would be affordable for his clients. I had success with using thin client computers before with African American owned small businesses, networking them through a small server and then upgrade them to an additional firewall for full strength protection. He tried this with one family and for around $1700 they received 2 thin pc's and a server, they were excited to say the least. The thin pc benefits kept working for him and his clients over and over again when creating a computer homeschool.

Now I begin to work in North Texas and my sister "suggests" to me that I consult for a African American single mom in Dallas. *Side note... for those who perhaps may be uninformed about my use of the word "suggest" let me share with you how an African American woman "suggests" anything to men. First she will begin by asking you to handle a certain situation and if you don't respond correctly (never have, never will, women are smarter) the next level of the speech will be at a volume that will make the suggestion clear.

Back to the benefits of thin client and how they make an excellent option.

Thin clients have no CD drive, floppy drive, and don't look for a hard drive because it's on the server the actual workhorse of the network. The point is that it is 'thin' and most of the really hard work is done by another computer with all the bells and whistles as it needs them to 'manage' the thin pc's. That alone saves you money, and when it comes time to upgrade (and you know it's coming), all your processing power is actually in the server that manages your network.

Even if you do have to replace one of your thin pc's, it costs $500 or less and a full blown fat desktop starts at $900 on up. Installing thin client networks are a breeze, setup the server and load it with the software you need to use, plug in the wireless thin client pc's and go for it! Lower upfront costs, easy to upgrade and install makes this a better option for today's computing homeschool.

Laptops are lovely. They are convenient, mobile, powerful and prestigious.

They are also thief magnets. Over 400,000 laptops disappear each year, leaving their owners wondering where they went, what is happening with their data and what to do next.

Some of the laptops are just lost – left in cabs, at hotels, restaurants and at conferences and events. Many of these laptops (but not all) find their way back to their lucky owners.

Some are stolen by people – many of them co-workers, service staff or people taking advantage of a “moment of opportunity” – who just want to have a laptop.

Some are stolen by professional “Laptop Lifters” who may work in teams to steal the laptops for resale.

And others are stolen, not for the laptop itself, which may be a bonus, but for the data on the laptop’s hard drive – financial or identity data or business plans or data.

For example:

* QualComm’s CEO had his laptop stolen while he was conducting a Press Conference. Reportedly, some of QualComm’s most valuable secrets were on that laptop, unencrypted and only protected by an easily bypassed password.
* A Department of State laptop containing high level information on nuclear proliferation was stolen right from State’s headquarters. Two administrators were fired and other personnel were reprimanded.

Think about it – What other piece of equipment or personal possession do we routinely carry around that is worth over a thousand dollars, by itself, and may be worth thousands more in data? Why wouldn’t that be attractive to thieves?

A large part of the problem is less on the hardware or software end of things, it’s in the HUMAN side of things. By raising our awareness many of the vulnerabilities can be greatly lessened.

There are 3 areas of vulnerability: 1) Securing the actual laptop, 2) Securing the Data, 3) Getting the laptop back.

1) Securing the actual laptop

There are many ways to control the physical security of a laptop.

There are cable locks that can be attached to an immovable object to make it more difficult to just pick up the laptop and walk away. Although these cables can be cut with a bolt cutter, some of them are combined with an alarm that will sound if the cable is cut.

Alarms or motion detectors are also available without the cable locks. They can be set to activate whenever the laptop is moved or when the laptop is moved a certain distance away from a pocket receiver that the owner has, which also alerts the owner. www.anchorpad.com, www.kensington.com, www.computersecurity.com, www.pcguardian.com, www.trackitcorp.com, www.minatronics.com

Use a laptop carrying bag that does not look like a laptop case. Having a laptop case that says IBM or Sony is advertising that you are carrying a highly valuable commodity. Consider using a backpack with your laptop in it in a padded sleeve. One of the prime places for laptop theft is the men’s bathroom in airports and convention centers. Another prime place that laptops are stolen is at pay phones in a busy area.

Just as there are pickpocket teams, one of whom distracts you by “accidentally” bumping into you while the other steals your wallet, there are “Laptop Lifters” one of whom will accidentally spill something on you while the other walks off with your laptop. A good rule to follow is: any time there is a diversion near you, put your hand on your laptop.

People usually feel comfortable at conferences and conventions. After all, you are usually surrounded by your peers, and there are often convention staff around to provide security. Often the theft will take place on the second or third day, when IDs for entry are not being checked as stringently, and many of the attendees are NOT wearing their badges. Many times people will leave laptops unguarded on or under conference tables during breaks.

Even if it is not your laptop that is stolen, your PCMIA cards – modem or wireless connectors – can be stolen in an instant. Not only is this a loss of value, it’s also a real inconvenience.

It’s a good idea to engrave your company information prominently on the outside of the laptop and on its carrying case. It makes it less attractive to the thief, because it makes it easy to identify and makes it harder to sell. Having a large or conspicuously colored luggage tag securely affixed makes it less attractive because thieves like to be “invisible.”

You also should be sure to send in that little registration card that came with your laptop. Sometimes a stolen laptop will be sent back to the manufacturer for repair by the person who had innocently bought it from the thief. You may get your laptop back this way.

Don’t leave your laptop in your car. If it is visible, you may lose your laptop AND have to pay for the damage to your car. Rental cars are often the special target of thieves, especially at popular restaurants or shopping malls. Plus, the extremes of temperature (both hot AND cold), can either fry your laptop or freeze the LCD screen.

2) Data Security

Losing your laptop may mean you’ll have to shell out $1,000 - $3,000 for a new one. Losing your data can be MUCH more serious. Many people ONLY have a laptop, so ALL of their data is on it. Plus, most people don’t back up their data as often as they should.

Replacing the data can be a pain. But losing your PERSONAL data, including perhaps your Social Security number, PIN numbers, credit card info, etc can be a form of personal hell.

Here are the steps you should take:

Set a BIOS password. BIOS is the first program to load when you turn on your computer. Your laptop will not boot at all until that password is entered. Although there are ways to bypass this, (there’s all kinds of info on the ‘Net), it’s the first in several layers of security you can institute. (See http://www.lockdown.co.uk/?pg=biospsw&s=articles to see how to set a BIOS password).

Use the NTFS file system (assuming you are using XP). NTFS has strong encryption capabilities not available in FAT or FAT32. Here are a couple of articles that might help you decide: http://windows.about.com/od/filesfoldersdisks/l/aa001231b.htm http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/convertfat.mspx

Prevent data loss through your Infrared port. Do you actually use your infrared port? Do you even know if you have one? If you do have one, your computer can be hacked into all the way across the room! A simple way to disable it is to put a piece of black electrical tape across it. (It’s a little dark window, generally on the back of your laptop). Alternatively you can disable the infrared port completely. Because each laptop manufacturer has different steps, search on Google or Yahoo for “Disable Infrared Port” and add your laptop manufacturer’s name to the search terms.

Back up your data before you leave your office. That way, if your laptop is lost or stolen, you have not lost your files.

Consider keeping sensitive files off your laptop hard drive. A DVD can hold multiple gigabytes of data and can be carried in your pocket. A USB storage device is also quite handy.

If you are running XP Pro, your can encrypt your data using EFS (Encrypting File System), so it will be totally unreadable without the decryption key. If you don’t have the Pro version, you can purchase third party encryption software.|

3) Getting your laptop back.

So the worst has happened and your laptop has disappeared. Hopefully, you have your name and phone number on it somewhere, so it can be returned to you if it was just left in a cab.

If you’ve taken the right steps before it disappeared, there’s a fair chance you will get it back.

Here’s what you can do to increase the chance of getting it back:

There are software solutions that allow you to trace your laptop if it ever connects to the Internet. For instance, www.computrace.com/ will give you the IP address wherever your laptop logs on. The cost is under $50. Getting the police to go and recover your laptop is another story, however.

According to some reports, when the police cooperate, recovery is up to 90%!
All in all, the most effective preventative is user awareness. Reportedly, Arthur Andersen CPA firm not only has classes and posters on laptop (and other) security, but they also have roving security personnel who take unattended laptops, cell phones, purses and PDAs off of desks and other unsecure locations, leaving a note behind telling the hapless “victim” where to get their property back. Quite an education, and probably pretty effective in raising awareness!

When Irwin Jacobs, chief executive and founder of Qualcomm Inc. had his laptop stolen from a journalism conference in September 2000, it shed light on a growing problem.

Other recent events have focused national attention on the laptop security issue, consider the following:

• In July 2001 the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that 184 laptops had been stolen or lost. At least one and possibly as many as four contained classified information.

• In April 2001 the British Defense Ministry reported 205 laptops missing since 1997, most of which contained classified materials.

• In February 2000 a laptop computer with “highly classified” information disappeared from the U.S. State Department. Then, in May 2000 two more laptops were reported missing from the U.S. State Department.

While technology has made laptops smaller, easier to store and transport, it has also made them easier to conceal and steal. It’s the convenience that has made the laptop computer so popular and the information vehicle of choice for business people throughout the world.

.The computer itself is a valuable asset and one that should be protected, but it can be replaced, however, the information stored on it in many cases is not replaceable and of greater value to competitors if compromised. A thief can get a few thousand dollars for a top of the line laptop, but he can get a whole lot more for a company’s marketing plans.

High Risk Locations

A high percentage of laptops are stolen from the office. FBI officials estimate as much as 75 percent of laptop thefts are committed by insiders, individuals who are expected to be on the premises. For example, employees, delivery people and janitors all have access to the grounds and buildings and have opportunities to steal unprotected laptops.

In one case, Canadian authorities apprehended a man believed to have stolen 20 to 30 laptops from an office building over a span of a few weeks. The suspect would enter the building dressed as a maintenance employee, load computers onto a dolly and exit the building. He performed this routine so often, that building employees believed he was actually a member of the maintenance staff.

According to a USA Today article, heightened airport security as a result of the September 11 terrorist attack has caused an increase in the number of lost laptops at airport checkpoints. . The problems stem from new procedures that require passengers to remove their laptops from their cases and put them through x-ray machines. They either forget to pick them up or grab a stranger’s laptop by accident. It becomes more problematic for travelers who are singled out for magnetic wand searches and may be separated from their valuables on the conveyor belt for extended periods of time.

Business travelers should also pay close attention to their laptops when at the following locations:

*Hotels

*Train Stations

*Bus terminals

*Car rental agencies

*Conference Centers

*Restaurants

*Restrooms

*Payphones

Always remember, laptop theft can happen anyplace, at any time.

Laptop Theft Prevention Tips

Employees

• Disguise your laptop. By carrying your laptop in a case designed for computers, you alert the thieves you have a laptop. Carry your laptop in an ordinary piece of luggage, satchel or other inconspicuous bag.

• Record the laptop serial number, make and model information. Keep this information in your purse or wallet so if your computer is stolen, the information will be readily available when you file a police report.

• Never leave your laptop unattended in a public place.

• Use computer-locking cables to secure the computer to a desk or table

• Never place a computer in checked luggage.

• If a laptop must be left in the car, store it in the trunk of the vehicle prior to arriving at the final destination.

• Identify your carrying case in some unusual way to make it stand out from all other bags. An unusual color, colored tape or yarn or exceptionally large or brightly colored tags attached to the bag will help you immediately locate the bag and give police probable cause to stop and question the carrier.

• Also consider taping colored paper or placing a large tag on the front of you laptop to avoid accidental mix-ups at the x-ray machine.

• Regularly back up information and store it separately in case your computer is stolen.

Employers

• All laptops should be permanently marked or engraved with inventory or serial numbers so they can aid in recovery if found by the police. Check with the manufacturer regarding appropriate marking locations and warranty criteria prior to marking.

• Conduct scheduled inventories of laptops periodically.

• Proper documentation should be maintained for all laptops. Records could include the type of equipment identifiers such as make, model and inventory or serial numbers, an equipment assignment date, and the employee responsible for the laptop.

• Some companies utilize electronic asset tracking technology. Employers can tag laptops with a small electronic transponder. If an employee attempts to leave the building with the computer, the system records the time, date and exit used. Some systems can also give security the ID of the employee taking the equipment.

• Access to the area where laptops are stored when not assigned should be limited to a select few individuals.

• The limited access storage area should be situated away from high traffic areas.

• Access should be controlled to areas such as offices where employees utilize laptops. This can also be accomplished through the use of ID card systems.

• Some companies have established policies making employees responsible for the loss of a laptop if they do not follow company policy for safeguarding it. Communicate the policy in writing and get a signed statement of acknowledgement.

• Employers have also been known to require employees to purchase their laptops, reasoning that employees will better care for them.

• Provide employees with loss prevention and security awareness training. E-mails, brown bag luncheons, new hire orientations security awareness literature/posters and video presentations are all excellent vehicles for getting the word out.

• Provide employees with adequate secure storage areas for their laptops such as locked security closets, cabinets and lockdown devices at desks and workstations.

The following is a list of tips to help safeguard your laptop while traveling or conducting business.

1. Never leave your laptop unattended. Keep your laptop in your physical possession at all times and pay particular attention at the following locations: airports, hotels, car rental agencies, offices, restaurants, college campuses, restrooms, payphones, libraries, bars, hospitals, conferences centers, train stations and bus terminals.

2. Record your laptop’s serial number, make and model information in your purse or wallet so if your computer is stolen, the information will be readily available when you file a police report.

3. Disguise your carrying case. By carrying your laptop in a case designed specifically for computers, you alert thieves to the fact that you are carrying something valuable. Instead, consider carrying your laptop in an ordinary piece of luggage, satchel, briefcase or other inconspicuous bag.

4. Lock it up! Use computer- locking cables to secure your laptop to a desk or table.

5. Etch, engrave or permanently mark your computer with your name and phone number. You might also consider placing several of your business cards inside carrying case pockets.

6. Never place a computer in checked luggage.

7. Identify your carrying case in some unusual way. Brightly colored tape, yarn or tags will help you to locate your bag in the event it comes up missing. When traveling, you might also consider affixing something brightly colored to your actual laptop ( in light of new security measures at airports, travelers are required to remove their laptops from their cases at security checkpoints).

8. If your laptop must be left in your car, store it in the trunk of the vehicle prior to arriving at the final destination.

9. Regularly back up information. Make sure you store this information separately in case your computer is stolen.

10. Report it stolen as soon as possible. In the event that your laptop is lost or stolen, make sure you report it missing to your employer and local authorities as soon as possible. This will help to speed up the recovery process.

It's a fact. Notebook computers have leapt into the global sales arena with the force and flexibility of Bruce Lee, effortlessly dispatching their desktop competitors with nothing more than a dynamic one-inch sonoma punch.

With wi-fi technology blossoming around us, the demand for laptops is only set to increase. The ability to play games, or casually surf the internet in wireless coffee shops and airports, will ensure that notebook computers remain incredibly popular.

Laptops, though, aren't just utilized for leisure. Mobile technology is also beginning to dictate what happens in the classroom. This is especially true as notebooks are entering the educational arena in ever-increasing numbers. Indeed, schools such as Framingham State College, and the Myron B. Thompson Academy have both decided to use laptops as teaching tools in class.

Thanks to the adaptability and portability of laptop computers, retailers enjoyed a bountiful sales year in 2004. Consequently, everyone's using notebooks these days, from sprightly seventh graders to zimmer-wielding septegenarians.

But can this popularity and the incredible global sales figures be sustained?

Yes they can. Once you couldn't find a notebook for under a thousand dollars, but now there are entry level selling for seven hundred dollars, and even lower with coupons and rebates. Recently, Wal-Mart began to offer laptops with a linux operating systems, and 30GB hard drives for under 500 dollars.

So just how low can laptop prices go?

Can you say a hundred dollars?

If Nicholas Negroponte, founder of MIT's Media Lab gets his wish, wireless laptops for third world countries will soon be available for around 100 dollars.

It's easy to be intimidated by all the laptop models on the market today. There are literally dozens and dozens in every price range.

The key to finding the right one for you is to step back and consider exactly how you plan to use your laptop. When you define what you need before you go shopping, buying the right machine becomes much easier.

Here are 5 basic factors to consider:

1. SIZE

In the world of mobile computing, size definitely matters. The size of a laptop affects two key areas: portability and display size.

If you're always on the go and will be using your computer only in short bursts, a so-called ultralight will save you some shoulder strain.

On the other hand, if you're going to spend hours in front of your laptop, a larger display may be in order.

Today, some laptop displays exceed 17 inches, rivaling the display size of many desktop systems. The down side is that these monsters can easily weigh three times as much as an ultralight.

2. HARD DRIVE

Speaking of size, what about the size of the hard drive? One way to approach this issue is to ask yourself the following question:

Will this be my primary computer, or will it supplement my desktop system?

If the former, you should look for a bigger hard drive - 60 GB or more.

If the latter, you may be able to make it with a 20-30 GB hard drive.

But even this isn't absolute.

If, for example, you plan to copy a huge MP3 library from your desktop system to your laptop to make your music library portable, you'd be well advised to err on the side of too big.

3. MEMORY

In determining the right amount of system memory, or RAM, take a look at the ways in which you intend to use your laptop:

If your needs are somewhat mundane - email, spreadsheets, word processing, etc. - 256 MB of RAM should be plenty. This is a common configuration for many laptops, so it means you probably won't need to spend extra for more RAM.

On the flip side, if you're an aspiring mobile digital photographer or videographer, you should stuff your laptop with as much RAM as it can hold.

In fact, exactly how much RAM your laptop can hold may in part drive your purchase decision. Applications for editing and manipulating multimedia content are notorious resource hogs.

4. NETWORK CONNECTIONS

Thanks in no small part to the Internet, computing in the 21st century relies heavily on being connected:

Connected to the Internet, connected to a corporate network, connected to a wireless network, connected to a home network, connected to an online service.

Your life will be easier if you buy a laptop that includes built-in means to connect to them all.

5. PRICE

If you're considering a laptop, you're probably wondering how much money you'll need to spend.

A few years ago, you'd be hard-pressed to find one for under $2,000. Today, there are plenty of laptops to be had for under $1,000.

What's more, most of the major manufacturers offer a variety of financing options.

Laptop prices have come down, to be sure. However, a laptop still represents a fairly major purchase for most people.

If you take the time to search for a laptop that meets your specific needs, you should get many years of use and enjoyment from this important investment.

If you're a bargain shopper looking to get the most bang for your buck, you'll find no shortage of deals on the Internet.

And that's particularly true in the fast-changing world of laptop computers, where you'll find three bargain sources right at your fingertips:

1. Clearance Sales

Just like many brick-and-mortar retail stores, many computer manufacturer websites have clearance sections. On these web pages, you can find great deals on last year's leftovers.

These are all new products (unless otherwise stated) and carry their original warranties. The only difference is that the price has been reduced.

Of course the manufacturers aren't the only ones with clearance merchandise.

Major electronics and office supply retailers also include clearance sections on their websites, where you may be able to find the laptop bargain of your dreams.

2. Refurbished Laptops

Factory refurbs represent another great bargain opportunity. It works something like this:

• Joe Blow buys a new laptop, but decides a week later he doesn't like the color.
• He takes it back to the store within the store's stated return period, so the store is stuck with it.
• Since they can't sell the laptop as new, the store sends it back to the manufacturer to be "refurbished."
• The factory inspects that laptop to make sure everything works right, and then ships it out to a retailer that deals in refurbs.
• The refurb retailer then sells it to you at a great discount off the original price.

Buying a refurb can literally save you hundreds.

3. Online Auctions

You can always logon to an auction website and find a great deal on a used laptop. However, beware!

Buying anything used carries with it some risk. Buying a used laptop carries more risk than most people should be willing to take.

When you buy a used laptop from a private party, you don't get any sort of warranty beyond DOA.

DOA stands for "dead on arrival", a common auction term that means the seller guarantees the item will work when it arrives at your house.

But what happens if your laptop dies two weeks after it arrives? You're out of luck, that's what.

There are enough bargains available on warrantied laptops that all but the most meager budgets should be able to avoid buying used.

You've laid out good money for your laptop computer, but you're not done spending just yet.

There are a few more laptop accessories you may want to consider to make the package complete.

1: Laptop Case / Bag

As the newest member of the mobile computing force, you're required to take an oath of safe computing.

And that starts with investing in the most important of laptop accessories - a laptop bag. You can't very well go traipsing around the world with your laptop exposed to the elements.

When it comes to laptop bags, you can spend $25 for a small case made from less expensive materials on up to several hundred dollars for one made of top-grain cowhide.

However, in the end, the most important consideration is whether your case can hold your laptop, plus all the other goodies that go with it (like the ones described here).

2: Software

Did your laptop come with software? If so, did it come with the right software - the software you actually need to perform whatever tasks you need to perform?

Don't just assume you have everything you need. You'll probably need to add some software, as well as go online to update the software that was included.

3: A Real USB Mouse

Trackpads and eraser nubs that fill an obvious need. However, given the option, most people would rather user a real mouse.

If you stop and think for a moment, you're likely to realize that many places where you'll be computing actually are suitable for a real mouse.

So one of the most useful laptop accessories you can buy is a USB mouse, keep it in your bag, and use it whenever you're able.

4: A Cat5 Ethernet Cable

Your built-in Ethernet port won't do you much good if you get to your hotel room, discover an Ethernet connection, and don't have a cable. Some hotels provide them; others don't. Always come prepared with the right cable.

5: A Standard Telephone Cable

The same holds true for your modem connection. If you don't have a cable to get you from your computer to the phone jack, you're not going anywhere in cyberspace.

6: Disposable Cleansing Cloths

Over time, the display on your laptop is going to get dusty, or even smudgy. You're playing Russian roulette with your laptop if you attempt to clean your display with paper towels and spray cleaners.

Instead, use disposable cleansing cloths. These essential laptop accessories are designed specifically to clean laptop displays. Always have a stash on hand.

7: USB Drive

A USB drive is a storage device about the size of your thumb that plugs directly into a USB port.

Capacity-wise, they're relatively small - usually well under 100 MB. However, they're very useful for moving files quickly and easily from one computer to another, e.g., moving a PowerPoint presentation from your laptop to your business associate's laptop.

A USB drive also makes a great temporary backup medium for the really important files you create on the road.

8: Blank CD-R Discs

You've just finished your big sales presentation. Someone from the audience approaches you afterward and asks for a copy of the presentation.

You'll make a better impression if you:

a) ask the person for their email address and tell them you'll email the presentation later

b) ask for their physical address and tell them you'll mail a CD later

c) burn them a CD of the presentation on the spot.

In case you didn't figure it out, the answer is c. Always be prepared with these inexpensive laptop accessories.

9: Stereo Headset

It's great to be able to watch DVD movies no matter where you are. Imagine watching your favorite flick at 30,000 feet.

There's just one problem.

The family in the row behind you has absolutely no interest in hearing the dialog from Pulp Fiction.

Do yourself and everyone around you a favor. When you're watching movies or listening to music in public, use your headphones.

10: Security Device

Laptop security devices come in many shapes and sizes.

For example, most laptops include a security dock that allows you to attach your laptop to some immovable object via cable, much like you'd lock up your bicycle outside the grocery store.

Looking for a real bargain on laptop batteries? How do I know the batteries are running good as advertised? Which merchants are offering quality rechargeable cells? Where can I get the bargain? Where to buy?

Many of you have some of these questions? Certainly!!. We surely want to saving our hard to earn $$ and only buy quality cells.

Here are the simple 7 ways to to locate the real bargain.

1. Shop online Why?

Most of suppliers/distributors are now targetting retail consumers themselves. The online store overheads are much less than retail stores. No store leasing, No utitlity bills and much less employee payrolls. With all these, they can pass the big savings to customers. Importantly, they have the same guarantee and warranty as retail stores..plus...it's convenient!!! Quailty merchants offer FREE shipping!!

2. Find the saving coupons

This is the beauty!!...."saving coupons"....Online marketting is highly competitive. They are million of stores out there. Merchants want to get noticed, they want sales...they issue saving coupons for marketting.......buying your laptop batteries using "online saving coupon" is double savings.

how to find?...here we go....

go to your favorite search engines "laptop battery coupon" as an example. you will find many coupons from many merchants.....now what...which one to buy?? ....let move to the next step.

3. Find the quality merchants (ONLY)

Now we found many merchants selling online and offering saving coupons. Let buy...?? Nope...not yet.....please make no mistake - buy from the cheapest possible stores is NOT a real bargain. We also want quality. laptop batteries need to meet or exceed the original battery specification. Merchants need to own the following qualities...

• Free shipping
• Free handling
• Free customer support
• Well established in battery industry
• 30 days return policy
• Full manufacturer warranty
• Guarantee to meet or exceed the original specification
• 100% fully compatible with your laptops
• Online FAQs for yor battery inquiries
• Optional express shipping How do we know?.....Let brainstorm!!!!...Let hear from others!!!....Review customer comments....Most quality merchants are listing their customer testimonials, customer ratings from 3rd party rating system such as BizRate, epinion,Pricegrabber or Dealtime.

You can normally locate the Bizrate reviews at the merchants' homepages. Simply click on the links they provide to review previous customers' comments.

A laptop computer certainly provides you with an unprecedented level of freedom and mobility away from the office. However there are a few extras you might want to bring along on your laptop travels:

Extra 1: portable printer

If you travel a lot, you never know when you might need to commit one of your digital documents to paper.

Sure, you can probably find a Kinko's, or even the business center at your hotel, but the experienced business traveler knows you're much better off when you're not at someone else's mercy.

Extra 2: USB hub

If you need to connect to several external devices simultaneously, the one or two USB ports on your laptop may or may not be sufficient. If not, keep an inexpensive four- port USB hub in your laptop case.

Extra 3: PC card token ring adapter

Ethernet is the industry standard for computer networking, however back in the 1970s IBM introduced a competing technology called Token Ring.

While Token Ring has all but faded from the mainstream, some hardcore IBM'ers still use it.

If you're going to be working in such an environment, you'll need a PC Card to connect to the network.

Extra 4: Foreign power kit

If you travel abroad, you're bound to run into a wide variety of power schemes - power schemes that aren't compatible with your laptop.

Heading off on vacation soon?

Then perhaps you're tempted to take your trusty laptop along for the trip.

After all, you bought it for its mobility, and it's nice to stay in touch via email with your family and friends back home.

However, just before you start packing, its pays to consider the downside of traveling with a laptop, particularly if you're planning to go abroad:

1. Weight

A laptop (plus accessories) starts to feel heavy very quickly. And who really needs MORE luggage to carry around?

2. Security risk

To you, it's a laptop computer. To a thief, it's a bag of easy money. (About $1000). And that bag is something you have to guard every second of your vacation.

3. Power supply problems

You'll need a different power adaptor plug for each country you visit. And depending on your laptop power supply cable, you may also need a step-up / step-down voltage transformer.

4. Connection complications

You'll need to find a way of connecting to the Internet. If your laptop is suitably equipped and you can find a local hotspot, you can take advantage of wireless Internet access.

Otherwise you're stuck with dial-up modem access, which means a choice between:

- using your existing ISP's local call number in the country you're visiting (provided your ISP has a local number! AOL and Compuserve generally do.)

- making a long-distance telephone call to your regular dial-up number back home

- signing up with a local ISP (rarely practical in the short-term)

5. Telephone socket trouble

Different countries have different types of telephone socket. If you're planning on connecting via dial-up access, you'll have to bring a suitable telephone adaptor plug.

You'll also need a digital signal tester to test for higher- voltage digital telephones lines. Otherwise you could end up frying your modem and possibly the motherboard too.

6. Extra insurance cover

It's highly unlikely your travel insurance policy extends to laptop computers. You'll therefore need to arrange separate specialist insurance cover, which isn't cheap.

7. You're on holiday!

Do you really want your office with you on vacation? Aren't you supposed to be getting away from it all?

If you're beginning to think that traveling with a laptop computer is a major logistical exercise, then you're right. (Just ask any "road warrior"!)

However, there IS an alternative:

An Internet Cafe.

Almost every city and large town now has several Internet cafes. To locate one when you're abroad, just ask your hotel receptionist or a friendly taxi driver.

You'll also find Internet cafes in airports, railway stations, major hotels, business centers, public libraries, and even onboard cruise ships.

As the proud owner of a laptop computer, you'll want to keep your machine in the best possible condition.

Aside from cleaning your screen and dusting the keyboard, however, you'll need to take a few extra steps to maintain your laptop's health:

-- Play it cool

A laptop computer generates a lot of heat, especially when running the latest high-powered software. Too much heat and you risk damaging the internal circuitry.

Always try to keep your laptop in a well-ventilated, cool environment. And ensure you don't block the fan grills on the sides, back, or bottom of the machine at any time.

-- Handle the screen carefully

Avoid touching or playing with your LCD screen.

Yes, it might be fun to watch the waves generated by your finger against the screen, but LCD displays are fragile devices that must be cared for.

Take care when cleaning the screen too, and use only approved cleaning materials.

You won't want to pay the money for screen repairs or, even worse - a new machine entirely.

-- Don't drop it

Whatever you do, don't drop your laptop computer! Keep it safe inside of a carrying case when moving around or traveling.

Don't leave it on the edge of a table or on an unstable support of some kind. One ill fated drop to the floor could spell death for your mobile office.

Try to make sure the rubber feet underneath are in good condition and are still attached. This will prevent the device from sliding around accidentally.

-- Be careful with those drinks...

If you need to have a drink while working or playing, be careful not to spill it.

Your laptop computer could suffer the consequences from just a few drops of liquid poured in the right places.

While you probably do eat and drink around it regardless, you will want to occasionally wipe down the edges, the keyboard, the touchpad, and maybe even wipe down the screen to keep any dirt from accumulating.

-- Just say no to viruses

Security wise, make sure you obtain an anti-virus program.

Secondly, keep it updated!

Buying an anti-virus one month and not updating it for the next six really negates it purpose. Your laptop computer could be exposed to hundreds and thousands of new viruses every month if you don't update your virus definitions.

Most anti-virus programs have automatic update methods, eliminating the need for you to have to remember to do it manually.

-- Avoid Popups

Pop-ups are particularly annoying on a laptop computer. Trying to close a bunch of windows without a regular mouse can be a nuisance.

You'll want a pop-up blocker, such as the Google Toolbar (located at http://tools.google.com), to prevent these pop- up ads.

Many intrusive forms of advertising, and even some viruses, can install software on your machine by using various forms of pop-ups. It's best to get yourself a blocker and avoid the situation entirely.

-- Use a firewall

Always utilize a firewall on your Internet or network- enabled laptop computer. Even if you use Windows XP's built- in firewall (or purchase one from such companies as Norton), your security will greatly benefit from it.

Blocking out all the unnecessary ports and closing all the loopholes will prevent a hacker or virus from freely entering your hard drive.

Small Can Be Beautiful

When purchasing a new computer, you may be better served by a laptop than a traditional desktop computer. Recently, laptops with capabilities similar to desktops can be purchased for a comparable price. Laptops are convenient because of their small size and ability to run from a battery. Except for the power cable to recharge it, a laptop doesn’t have any external wires, so it won’t be contributing to a cable mess.

When looking at laptops, consider how often you will travel with it. If you plan to travel only infrequently, get a model with a larger screen and lower price. If you are a digital nomad, you should be concerned mainly with the laptop size, weight, and battery life. For maximum portability, get a laptop that weighs less than 3.5 pounds, has a 12” or smaller display, and a minumum 4-hour battery life.

Unlike desktops, laptop computers can be difficult and expensive to upgrade. When you purchase a laptop, consider that any internal features such as CD-ROM or hard drive may be difficult to replace. Laptops can be upgraded externally with USB, FireWire, and the PC Card slot. Because each of these methods is external, however your laptop will become less portable if you need to carry around the external devices.

Take One Tablet...

A Tablet PC is a custom laptop that allows you to write on the screen to save notes and work with programs. Tablet PCs are typically smaller than laptops and feature a specialized processor that is extremely battery-efficient. Some Tablet PCs do not have a built-in keyboard, but can connect to an external keyboard. These are ideal for people who use the Tablet PC mode most of the time and need to use the keyboard occasionally.

If you have little need for a portable computer, a "desktop replacement" may be for you. A desktop replacement looks like a laptop, but is much larger and priced competitively with desktops. Whatever kind of laptop fits your lifestyle, gone are the days when laptops were expensive and less capable than traditional desktop computers.

I don't know about you, but I see more people with PDAs on trains reading things on there instead of reading paperbacks, or newspapers.

Is this the future we are looking at?

Will newspapers of a morning be unobtainable anymore?

Will we get our daily news via the PDA?

Perhaps connected to a "Smartphone" for downloading the newspaper to the PDA?

Or will "Smartphones" take over the task of the PDA?

Will newsprint not be available in a few years time, also magazines at the bookstall?

Will public libraries not be a place you will go to and sit down and read? Or will they be a network hub with servers all over the place for people to instantly download, not only the daily newspaper, but any textbook, manual or book, straight onto their "Smartphone" and read things on the move?

The saving on paper and ink would be enormous, as would the manpower, distribution resources, bookbinding for we could all read digitally, future generations will not know what a paperback is or a newspaper, unless they get saved in museums.

The race has been on for some time to preserve our modern culture in digital form, all the classic story tellers who are now in the 'public domain' are being transposed into digital ebooks so future generations will be still able to read them. So many books have been 'pulped' in the paper mill it is still unknown how many authors works have been destroyed right to the last copy.

The race is on too, for the thousands of collectors of 'first editions' by popular authors, who scan every shelf at the second hand bookstore or market stall and even it seems, at the local Oxfam charity shops! The word is that the Oxfam charity in the UK took over thirteen million pounds sterling in the year 2003 just in old books donated to their stores. I find this totally incredible, but their figures don't lie.