How To Get Your Laptop Battery To Last A Long Time

Are you ready to get your laptop battery to last for a while? Understanding what type of battery you have and how to care for it can go a long way toward that goal. Steps that will extend the life of one type of rechargeable battery will kill another type of battery. Being knowledgeable on the type of laptop battery you own can go a long way towards being able to use your laptop battery for a long time to come.

Know What Kind of Battery your Laptop Uses

The three most common rechargeable batteries on the market include lithium ion, nickel metal cadmium, and nickel metal hydride. Most laptop batteries today use either lithium ion batteries or lithium ion polymer batteries for a number of reasons. You can confirm this by pulling your laptop battery out from the bottom or back of your laptop and examining the tiny writing on it. Look for something that says either lithium ion, nickel cadmium, or nickel metal hydride.

Advantages of Lithium Ion Batteries

The most common battery in modern laptops uses lithium ion technology. This battery has a number of advantages over the other types of rechargeable batteries. I'll list them below:

Lithium Ion Batteries don't develop a battery memory. Both other types of rechargeable batteries can develop a 'memory' for shorter charges drastically shortening the amount of time your battery lasts between charges. Lithium Ion batteries though, don't suffer from memory problems.

Lithium Ion Batteries hold their charge for a long period of time. The other battery types will lose their charge if left to sit around even if they aren't being used. Lithium Ion batteries will hold their charge for a lot longer between charges even if the battery ends up sitting around for a while.

You get more battery life than the other rechargeable types. For the same size and weight, lithium ion batteries last longer between charges because more of the bulk of the battery is dedicated to capacity rather than just 'overhead'.

For information on the disadvantages of lithium ion batteries, check out printerinfosite.com.

Quick Way to Kill Your Lithium Ion Battery

Avoid the following list of things in order to get the maximum life out of your laptop battery. Some of the most common things to avoid include:

Do not subject your battery to extreme temperatures. Lithium ion batteries do not handle heat well. One of the quickest ways to kill your battery is to leave it in a hot car even for a short period of time. In fact, if you aren't going to use your battery for awhile, you are better off storing it in the refrigerator but NOT the freezer, that will kill it too.

Avoid completely discharging your battery where possible. While other types of rechargeables like nickel cadmium batteries need to be completely discharged, doing this with lithium ion batteries will kill it. As much as possible, recharge your battery when it has around 40% of its battery power left. Recharge often.

Lucila Duchesne is the webmaster of http://www.AskLaptop.com a site dedicated to laptop battery related information as well as other topics relevant to laptop owners. Reprint freely as long as you maintain the links in this resource box and this article.

Will New Batteries Make Laptops Truly Mobile?

Current laptops or notebook computers have one major obstacle to overcome: short battery life.

Despite their sleek style and ever increasing higher performance levels, laptops have never been truly mobile. With batteries averaging around 3 to 5 hours of usable power, most laptops are limited in the amount of time they can spent away from the warm electrical embrace of a wall plug-in.

As most laptop owners will attest, running out of power when you're sending that all important business email or watching your favorite movie has always registered high on the annoyance meter. In today's lingo --- it sucks big time!

Sure, things are improving, as new technology come on stream (dual-core processors, hyper-threading) users are getting longer battery life from their laptops. But even as laptops become smaller and more efficient, short battery life is still a limiting factor for most laptops.

Fully loaded power sapping gaming laptops have been hardest hit by this problem. Try playing a game or watching a movie on battery power at your favorite beach for any extended time and you will see why laptop batteries are in dire need of an overhaul.

Laptop manufacturers are no doubt aware of this issue and may be relieved help is on the way. Actually, the solution to the power-challenged laptop is already here.

Once more, new technology comes to the rescue.

Short battery life for laptops and for all handheld electronic devices will probably be solved by two new energy sources: micro fuel cells and printable solar cells.

Micro fuel cells can use such fuels as alcohol or methanol and offers ten times the power of conventional batteries using only 1/20th the weight. Perfectly suited for laptops or notebook computers. It actually burns fuel which can be quickly replenished by merely refilling its reservoir or replacing a fresh fuel cartridge. As everyone knows, recharging a conventional cell battery takes hours, this new battery will only take seconds to recharge or rather refuel.

One of the major leaders in this new technology is MTI with its Micro's Mobionร�ยฎ cord-free power pack which will probably replace lithium ion batteries. These use direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC). Expect these creatures to be in almost 22% of all of handheld devices by 2011. And if these new micro fuel cells are embraced by the buying public; you can kiss your lithium ion battery goodbye long before that date!

Read more info on Micro Fuel Cells here: www.mtimicrofuelcells.com

Even more promising is printable solar cells that folds out or can be wrapped around or built into a laptop, giving them a renewable energy source and power. One of the leaders in this new technology is Konarka. They produce a flexible lightweight photovoltaic plastic material that will give any device solar energy.

As sunlight is not always available, Konarka technology uses all types of light, including indoor light, to produce electrical energy. These inexpensive printable solar cells could have many applications, including a source of power for laptops. Cheap, renewable and plentiful.

Read more on Photovoltaic Solar Cells here: www.konarka.com

What we will probably see in the future is a hybrid of the two technologies, micro fuel cells and photovoltaic solar cells, working in tangent to give laptops an energy source that never runs out. Unlimited power available anywhere, anytime.

Micro fuel cells and printable solar cells will give laptops the freedom and power they need to be used anytime, anywhere. These new energy sources will finally make the laptop truly portable. It will also make the Internet truly wireless, mobile, and available everywhere.

Perish the thought!

The author has an unhealthy interest in all things laptop! Including laptop batteries. He also owns a modest website on Marketing Tools for eMarketers. Marketing Tools As part of that site he runs an Online Notebook Guide for Laptop Enthusiasts. Laptop Buyer's Guide Copyright ร�ยฉ 2006 Titus Hoskins. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

Essential Tips On Getting Palm Pilots For Cheap

Getting a real cheap PDA is not the easiest task in the world. There are quite a few pitfalls that await the ones who try. But it is still worth the effort. There are two reasons why cheap PDA's are now easier to get than ever:

1. This is because the fact that over 30 million PDA's were sold until the end of 2004, and, many of these PDA's are now being sold, or have been refurnished or rectified. This represents an opportunity for us to get a Palm One or ant other PDA, for dirt cheap, if you're will to go for a rectified device instead of a new one.

2. The dazzling speed in which new PDA's are released into the market makes today's new models out of date tomorrow. This is of course hogwash. Last year's Palm is still a great device. So if you're not keen on getting the newest model, you'll be finding many of yesterday's models at great discounts.

OK, so now we know that the opportunity exits. So what do we have to do in order to cease it?

Well, a good idea would be to define which PDA model, or models you are after, and what kind of PDA you want to get - a new one, a used one or a rectified one?

Some people would never touch a device that is not entirely new. If you're one of them, your option is the new one only. After you determine the range of models you consider, take a look online at places like Amazon, Palm One Store and the like. If you included some of the older model's in your range of options, you are very likely to get a great price for a new PDA.

If you're willing to go for a rectified or a used PDA, you are much more likely to find devices at bottom-low prices. Look at rectified PDA's first at the manufacturer's website. In many cases, they will offer some devices they can't sell as new ones for a reduced price. Getting rectified PDA directly from the manufacturer or a certified agent will get you a manufacturer's warranty which is very important as you're not buying a new device.

If the rectified PDA's prices don't suit you, you can look for a used Palm at ebay.com. Just be aware of the fact that you're taking a risk buying a used PDA from a private party. In any case, be sure you are clear on the warranty they give you, if any.

Ron Heller is the owner and operator of a website devoted to PDA, Palm Pilots for cheap, PDA accessories, PDA computers and more.

Excellence Miniaturized

iPod. Just that one word alone brings up memories of what has quickly become one of the worldรขโ�ฌโ�ขs largest fads. It seems as if everyone owns an iPod, and rightfully so. Appleรขโ�ฌโ�ขs line of iPodรขโ�ฌโ�ขs have continuously proven to be the most reliable, high end, sleek, technically advanced mp3 players available on the market. As one would expect, the iPod Nano is continuing this line of excellence.

The new iPod Nano may seem like nothing special to outsiders merely glancing in, and it may seem as if Apple is simply capitalizing on its iPodรขโ�ฌโ�ขs popularity to put out "new" iPodรขโ�ฌโ�ขs that really donรขโ�ฌโ�ขt offer anything new, but the Nano is actually a great piece of work. As its name sounds, the Nano is built from the ground up to be the smallest, sleekest iPod available.

The iPod Nano ranges in at 0.6 cm thick, 9 cm long and 4 cm wide. But donรขโ�ฌโ�ขt be fooled by its small size, the Nano comes equipped with a fairly large, extremely sharp color screen and a rather large memory capacity that comes in at either 2 GB (holds 500 songs) or 4 GB (1,000 songs), depending on your preference. Even more impressive is that these arenรขโ�ฌโ�ขt the standard hard drives of older iPods, this is the new solid state flash memory that allows this tiny package to offer large amounts of reliable memory.

So while you may knock on Apple assuming that they are putting out underachieving products, keep in mind that the Nano is truly an amazing mp3 player. It offers all the advantages of the other iPodรขโ�ฌโ�ขs except in a miniature size. Indeed, the iPod Nano is an mp3 player that all can enjoy.

http://www.ukmp3.co.uk provides free support and advice on all the latest mp3 players. We offer a free monthly newsletter, with prizes for all subscribers

Buying a Refurbished Dell Laptop

Dell offers a full line of refurbished laptops on their website, dell.com. Look for "Outlet Refurbished Laptops." There you will find a full range of popular models that run just as reliably as a new machine รขโ�ฌโ�� for hundreds of dollars less than you would pay for new versions. This is because Dell refurbished laptops are inspected for "good-as-new" quality. The only differences are the red label on the bottom of the unit and a lower price.

Dellรขโ�ฌโ�ขs most popular refurbished laptops are Latitude and Inspiron. The Latitude series of "notebook" computers is no longer manufactured, but is still a great buy for someone looking for an up-to-date machine. Latitude is an apt name for these models: they afford you great leeway in updating, expanding, or otherwise changing the internal workings of the computer. With its black chassis and clean lines, it is a rather "normal" looking computer. It is a middleweight unit, but sized to fit any standard laptop case, along with AC/DC adaptor, mouse, floppy and zip disks, and other accessories. The Dell Latitude C600, CPX, and L400 are the three most popular models in the line.

The Inspiron series of notebook computers is still manufactured today, with some modifications. Slightly older versions are still a great way to meet all your computer needs. Inspirons are not quite as expandable as Latitudes, but, with their jazzy black-and-silver chassis, have a distinctive look. Inspiron laptops are also a bit more affordable than Latitudes. Furthermore, Inspiron ranks among the highest performing laptops available, with famously long battery life The Dell Inspiron 1100 and 1150 are the two most common models in the line of refurbished laptops at Dell.

If you are looking to get the lowest price on a Dell laptop, look for one that uses a Celeron processor instead of an Intel. Celeron is less expensive, and also uses less battery juice, than Intel.

Refurbished Laptops Info provides detailed information on quality, cheap refurbished laptops by manufacturers like Dell, IBM, Toshiba, and HP, as well as refurbished laptop batteries and related products. Refurbished Laptops Info is the sister site of Rack Mount Computers Web.

Wireless Connectivity and You

As computer connectivity continues to evolve, there is a definite push towards wireless. The idea of wireless connectivity is not new. IrDA, or infrared wireless communication has been around for a while. IrDA uses pulsed infrared light waves to provide wireless connectivity to printers, cell phones, PDAs, laptops and other devices. IrDA is fairly limited in its usage parameters, requiring close proximity and direct line of sight between IrDA ports. These limitations have led to the marginalization of the standard as a feasible method for wireless communication.

In recent years, however, we have seen an explosion of wireless technologies. One of the most prevalent wireless technologies has been the 802.11 standard for local area computer networks. This standard uses low-level radio waves to transmit data across the network at reasonably high speeds (up to 54 mbps). The popularity of this wireless standard is the fact that it isnรขโ�ฌโ�ขt limited by line-of-sight rules. Internet and other network resources can be accessed through walls or other obstacles without the hassle of wires. This technology has found devoted followers among laptop users who dislike having to carry Ethernet cables to plug into networks wherever they travel.

Bluetooth is yet another wireless technology that has been created to cater to the desires of wire-haters everywhere. Bluetooth was created with the intention of giving computer and consumer electronics users a method of connecting peripherals and devices without the hassle of wires. The Bluetooth standard uses a secure wireless pairing protocol to establish a link between the two Bluetooth enabled devices, after which the two devices are allowed to converse freely via low-level radio waves. Bluetooth has been used in Macs (Apple was a primary advocate for the standard), wireless keyboards and mice, and more particularly in cell phones and hands-free headsets.

A fairly recent wireless technology allows VGA and PS/2 over radio waves. Wireless VGA essentially allows you to create a separate workstation up to 100 feet away from the source without having to run extension cables to the workstation. Other possible uses include running VGA signals to a ceiling-mounted projector or transmitting graphics to a wall mounted LCD or plasma advertising display. This wireless VGA technology is still in its infancy, however, and current implementation only allows for use in commercial, school, or government settings. Regardless of current limitations, this technology marks a major step towards eliminating cables from our everyday computer use. Imagine having a mainframe-type central computer in the home or office, with wireless screens and workstations spread throughout that could be relocated as easily as moving a picture on the wall or shifting a desk. Such are the possibilities.

Another developing and yet-to-be released technology that is looking to build upon the current push for wireless connectivity is the Wireless USB standard. Supported by companies like Intel, Microsoft, and NEC, this standard is intended to build upon the popularity of the current USB 2.0 standard, with a focus on ease and universality of connection using a completely wire-free platform. This technology is theoretically so flexible that it may find its way into ubiquitous use in the consumer electronics market. One particularly intriguing potential use is in the audio/visual sector. Wireless USB-enabled TVs, DVD players, stereo receivers and speakers could all be made to connect to each other wirelessly, giving you unrivalled flexibility in your audio/visual setup. This is a faster, more widespread and easier to use improvement on the wireless VGA technology. Obviously, wireless technology is still in its infant state, but as the technology continues to mature, the possibilities are endless.

Nathan Kartchner works in Product Development for Sewell Direct, an online distributor of computer connectivity products like the Wireless VGA Extender. Also, look for Wireless USB products on Sewell Directรขโ�ฌโ�ขs website as they become available.

Laptop Computer Security - How Safe Is Your Notebook?

Hundreds of thousands of laptop computers are stolen every year, yet only a tiny percentage of those laptops are ever recovered! Most notebooks are swiped when they are left unattended in offices, hotel conference rooms, taxi cabs, and public places such as airports and restaurants.

When your laptop is sold on the street, valuable data is lost with it. Sometimes the data, not the computer, is the real target. A devious thief with access to personal details stored on your laptop's hard drive such as, name, address, date of birth, bank details, and social security number, could wreak havoc with your personal finances and credit rating.

There have been many high profile victims of laptop theft. Recently a laptop computer was stolen from California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's press secretary, Margita Thompson. Access to confidential political data may have been the prominent motive behind the theft of this notebook.

Protecting your laptop computer

Recently IBM has created a fingerprint reader for select Thinkpad T42 models, that could well be the future of laptop security. The fingerprint reader creates a biometric layer of security almost impossible to breach, but what about the rest of us with older notebooks?

Below you'll find 4 useful ways to protect your laptop computer.

Laptop cable locks

Cable locks should deter the casual pilferer. Many laptops are equipped with a Universal Security Slot (USS) that allows the notebook to be attached to a cable lock. They can be purchased cheaply at office supply outlets and computer stores.

Engraving your laptop computer

Permanently engraving your precious notebook may seem like a drastic measure, but marking the outer case of the laptop with your phone number and address, may deter thieves and, if stolen, increase the chance of having the laptop returned to you.

Laptop motion detectors

Equipping your notebook with a motion detector alarm that sets of a loud noise if it is moved. Such an alarm might cause a thief to discard the laptop. An interesting variation is a small radio transmitter that triggers an alarm when a notebook moves more than 10-20 feet away from a receiver kept in your purse, wallet or pocket. Such an alarm would certainly alert the thousands of people a year who simply leave their laptops in taxis.

Laptop tracking

Stolen laptops can be electronically traced using a software tracking code installed inside the laptop's hard drive. Tracing programs, such as Cyberangel work when the laptop connects to the Internet and secretly reports the location of the laptop. Computrace Personal offers a similar service through a three year contract and agrees to pay up to $1000 if your notebook computer is not recovered in thirty days. Ztrace is a company offering an interesting twist to laptop tracking. They offer a facility to remotely delete or encrypt sensitive files on your laptop after it is stolen.

The portability of laptop computers is both a boon to busy executives and to laptop thieves. Learning to secure your notebook will thwart their efforts and keep your laptop and precious data safe!

Tom Fox writes for the The Laptops Weblog, a web site providing information and articles related to notebook computers.

How to Choose Cheap Computer Laptops?

Laptops are now handy and ultra portable, more powerful with 512 mb to 1 gb of memory. Laptops are thin, stylish and lightweight under 5 lbs. Some mobile people e.g. sales representatives and executives are opting out of desktop computers altogether and use a laptop for all their computer needs.

1. The basic rules applied when shopping for a laptop: (A) You can save a lot of money by getting a computer laptop which is not top of the line. New top of the line laptops can cost over hundreds dollars more. Do you really need the top of the line model for word processing and net surfing? (B) You can save a good chunk of money by getting computer parts at dirt cheap prices and assemble your own computer laptop... a clone computer laptop. This system is "cheap" in price but not in quality at all. You can choose the component parts from renowned components manufacturers such as Intel, AMD, Seagate, Viewsonic, Logitech. Buidling your own computer is fun. It does not need a rocket scientist to build it. (C) If building your own computer seems too much an effort for you, you can get a last year model. (D) Fourth, you can get a recertified computer systems from Dell, HP, IBM, etc.

2. Pick up the laptops at the store. Choose one that feels not too heavy, solid and sturdy.

3. Try the keyboard. Test it on a desk and on your lap. Make sure you're comfortable with its touch and responsiveness.

4. Test the pointing device, track pad or track ball, the laptop alternatives to a mouse. Make sure they are easy to handle. These built-in device should be handy when you're mobile.

5. The computer's bottom should not gets uncomfortably hot when it's running.

6. Pay attention to screen size and resolution. LCD screens on laptops measure from 12 to 17 inches diagonally. Screen resolution may be as low as 800 x 600 pixels or as high as 1600 x 1200. The more pixels, the crisper the screen image.

7. Choose a laptop with at least two USB connections. A FireWire (IEEE 1394) connection is also handy for high-speed peripherals such as CD burners.

8. Consider buying an internal wireless card and a Bluetooth adapter if you really plan to be mobile. A wireless network card (also called Wi-Fi or 802.11) will free you from having to be wired to your Internet connection Bluetooth capability will let you share information wirelessly with other Bluetooth-equipped devices, such as your cell phone or personal digital assistant.

9. Get an internal DVD player so you can watch movies on the road.

10. Get an antitheft device. Hundreds of thousands of laptops are stolen every year. Look for cables that secure the laptop to a desk. Install software that disables a stolen laptop, or better yet, reports the laptop's location when it connects to the Internet.

Key points:
Overall sturdiness
and solidness
Size
Weight
Keyboard
Pointing device
Temperature while in use
Screen size and resolution
USB, FireWire connections
Wireless networking
DVD player
Antitheft device

Click here for more Laptop and Notebook Tips

David Au a part-time webmaster and publisher on *Information Products, * Computer Hardware, * Software and *Ad Space for Google AdSense in my own websites Affiliate Marketing Guide and Best Buy Guide.

Thieves Want Your Laptop and Your Data

Thieves find laptops easy prey because they are small, light and easy to handle. Anyone who takes their eye off a laptop in public, even briefly, may never see it again.

While special theft protection devices are offered for mobile computers, experienced thieves often view this as little more than an annoyance. In the end, the loss of the hardware is only part of the problem. It's when sensitive data resides on the laptop that real problems begin.

Common thieves can be good at instantly taking advantage of a laptop owner's inattentiveness: The thief strikes while passing by, snapping up laptops in a airport food courts, desks in offices or unlocked automobiles. The hot laptops are then converted into cash easily by using an internet auction site.
"One in ten laptops gets stolen," according to Bill Schiering, of Camera Security Now, which sells security camera systems.

Businesses with laptops can be protected with an inexpensive internet based camera system, says Schiering.

"Security Camera systems are likely at best to scare off the common garden variety thieves," says PC expert Andrew Wendt from the Computer Service Now.

"More important than protecting the laptop is protecting sensitive company data," says Anthony Cipollone, Tech Travel Agent for Rentacomputer.com, a nationwide computer rental firm. The theft of databases hurts companies more than the loss of the laptop, especially since company laptops are often covered by insurance and databases are not.

If a thief gets control of company documents or sensitive access codes, these can lead to greater damages. Users must therefore take steps before a theft occurs. This includes encrypting data on the hard drive or by only accessing company data via Terminal Services or Citrix remote desktop operating systems," Cipollone says.

To prevent access to the laptop's data, users should also create additional Windows and BIOS passwords, Wendt says. Experienced hackers can get around these, however, warns PC expert Cipollone. An alternative for preventing unauthorized access is fingerprint scanners, says Wendt from Computer Service Now.

In the end, a combination of steps is the best, Wendt advises. The latest theft protection devices for laptops are now offered as PC expansion cards, containing a motion sensor and encryption software is a must.

Companies should record the laptop's serial number so that the police can make a positive identification in case of a theft recovery. Laptop owners can also make recovery of their laptops easier engraving the company name in the plastic case of the laptop.

There one more trick for keeping thieves at bay while traveling. Use a regular suitcase instead of a classic laptop bag for transporting the laptop. The surest way to keep a thief away from stealing your company laptop is to not make it obvious you have a laptop computer.

John Beagle is a writer for Xponex Web and Media Services. Telephone: 513-422-1907x222

Buying a New Laptop: Things to Consider

The benefits of laptop computers are immense. They are stylish, portable, business-friendly, and a good one can now do almost anything a desktop can do. How different laptop models compare, however, is something that you should explore before buying the first one you see.

When inspecting new laptops at a store, it is always a good idea to consider their size and weight, so as to discover which models are portable enough for your lifestyle. A constantly traveling mobile professional, for example, probably wouldnรขโ�ฌโ�ขt be interested in a machine that weighed 8 lbs.

Another thing to think about is the ergonomic design of your notebook of choice. You should try out the keyboard and touch pad before buying, to make sure you find it comfortable to work on.

As a rule, it is a good idea to find a machine that has at least two USB ports, as well as a FireWire connection if you plan to make use of high-speed peripherals like CD burners.

It is also important to think about the specific features you want in a laptop computer. If you frequently need to access the internet outside your home, for example, built-in Wi-Fi connectivity can be a real blessing. If you plan to use your computer for entertainment purposes, an integrated DVD player, coupled with a relatively large screen resolution is nice to have.

Overall, the process of buying a new laptop, or consumer electronics device of any kind, requires a great deal of thought. It is important to picture yourself using the device and think long and hard about what features you will want and need.

About the Author: Jeremy Maddock is a well-known technology blogger, and owner of http://www.laptopreviews.ca Laptop Reviews

PDAs and Handheld PCs

This day and age marketing and tools are changing rapidly. Society has become more dependant on technology as we continue to leap forward in time. Any real professional who works in any type of marketing industry needs to be up to date and mobile to be proficient.

For example, a Real Estate markets more than property. He or she markets themselves; therefore being updated and mobile has become a necessity. Mobility for any "self-employed" contractor could make the world their office. PDAs and Handheld PCs are becoming more popular for the "mobile" generation.

HP has made the iPaq line of Handheld PCs which are integrated with WiFi and Bluetooth technology for mobility. Now how does this help with mobility? With WiFi and Bluetooth you could print locally, print wirelessly: send documents, e-mail attachments, and photos from any hotspot.

Now youรขโ�ฌโ�ขre thinking, why do I need something else on my belt? I donรขโ�ฌโ�ขt want to carry my cell and a PDA. Well, you donรขโ�ฌโ�ขt. Instead, you can carry your Address Book, Audio Playback, Calculator, Calendar, Integrated MP3 Player, Mobile Phone, Note Pad, Scheduler, Spreadsheet, Video Playback, Voice Recording, Web Browser, and Word Processor all in the palm of your hand. Itรขโ�ฌโ�ขs time to make the world your office! Donรขโ�ฌโ�ขt you agree?

Tim Oรขโ�ฌโ�ขConnor
Jack of All Traits (JOAT)

Timothy O'Connor is writer and senior administrator for JoatElectronics.com, which has quality PDAs and Handheld PCs.

Remote Email Access

The advancement of wireless technology has brought the world together, with easy and convenient access to information, whenever we need and wherever we are. Remote Email Access is one example of the flexibility provided by the remote access technology. Remote Email Access gives the user the ability to access, receive and send emails wherever he or she is located.

There are two approaches to Remote Email Access, depending on how conveniently and frequently you can access the computer. In case you have a computer at your disposal than the POP approach best works, but if you are dependent on a cyber cafร�ยฉ, than you may prefer web access instead.

POP stands for post office protocol and is the way real email systems work. To access your mail using POP, you need to access a POP server that verifies your username and password before granting you access to your emails. Once the mail is downloaded on your system, it is deleted from the POP server. You can access these mails even when you are offline. To access your mails through POP, you would use email client software such as Eudora, Pegasus or Outlook, or the email component of a web browser suite such as Outlook Express or Netscape Messenger.

An alternative way to access mails is to use a web browser such as MS Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator or Opera to visit a web site, than you need to sign in with a user id and password, and then read your mail online. The biggest advantage of web access is that you can check your mails through any computer that has a web browser installed. The only disadvantage is that you have to be online all the time while checking, receiving or sending mails.

Thus, you can use either of the two options according to your convenience and access and exchange your mails with your boss, friends or relatives, wherever you are.

Remote Access provides detailed information about remote access, remote PC access, secure remote access, remote internet access and more. Remote Access is the sister site of FTP Site Hosting.

Push Email

There's a lot of hype at the moment about push email technology. New cell phone handsets are beginning to support the technology and it seems to be getting its head into other areas of the market too. This could be the next big thing in the telecommunications industry and the speculation is heating up about who are going to be the major players involved.

Right now there are at least five major operators in this market and surely this will be reduced in the near future. Most experts say that there are simply too many of them fighting over the same space.

Right now both Visto and Seven have been keen to show their commitment to this technology. These are following the lead set by Canadian firm RIM (Research In Motion) who brought the technology into the spotlight with their Blackberry device. While so far they have been concentrating on supplying hardware, they have stated that they will be moving into the supply of software instead in the near future.

The wave of consolidations has already begun. British vendor Comtag was acquired by Smartner who in turn was acquired by Seven; moving in parallel with this, Visto acquired Psion Software. It looks like the heat is turning up in the race to capture this market. Both Visto and Seven show no sign of flagging as they continue to increase the number of operators they can lay claim to, as well as increasing the number of handsets and other supported devices they are marketing. Seven has also added a useful security feature which allows you to send a special message to your device which will delete all the messages it currently has stored. This could be lifesaving if you left your handset in a public place.

Good Technology was somewhat shielded in its area by supporting Palm and Windows devices but now there is the new Windows Mobile based Treos to contend with.

So what is Microsoft's reaction to all of this? Well, they appear to be gearing up to enter the market. In his blog, Microsoft senior technology specialist, Harold Wong has reported that the company is getting ready to release its 'Community Technology Preview' build of Exchange Server 2003, Service pack 2. And this is not the only step the giant is taking. In June 2005, Intellisync announced a new service that would allow subscribers to receive push email on Windows Mobile, Palm OS and Symbian devices.

While, of the current estimated 4 million push email subscribers, most seem to be using RIM Blackberry devices, this assault will be difficult to bare much longer.

On the technical side, there are two basic technologies that can provide push email solutions:

• one technology is true push;
• the other has a push effect using synchronization.

While the user will not notice a significant difference when they log in to check their mail, the costs vary to a considerable extent with true push technologies offering a far cheaper monthly cost to the user. While Intellisync is currently using a SyncML or synchronization technology to serve its customers, RIM and Microsoft are using their own proprietary systems. The system that has found favour both with Vodafone, the world's largest network operator, and Rogers, the first operator to deploy Blackberry devices is the solution that Visto opted for also. This is best described as a Proprietary + RTP/RTSP system and Visto calls it ConstantSync. It effectively relies on a real time streaming protocol to deliver email over mobile networks.

Whatever the technicalities behind the networks, there is a lot to play for in this emerging market and we'll have to wait and see whose technology and handheld devices carry the most favour with customers. All have relative advantages and disadvantages both in terms of technology and market strategy and it all really is still to play for.

Linda Fowels shows you which email software to use for a successful email marketing campaign at http://www.emailmarketingsoftware.org - an email marketing software guide with tips on increasing your email list, building your newsletter and tracking your campaigns.

Wireless Networking - Laptop Labs for Schools

Purchasing laptops for mobile labs is often a daunting task for an educator. Mobile labs can be a great asset if the right equipment is purchased. Mobile labs have been shown to increase test scores and help students focus. If the wrong type of equipment is purchased the mobile laptop lab will become one giant paper weight.

Student laptops need to have the following qualities: They need to be "Light", a really light laptop is less than four pounds. A heavy laptop is over 8LBS. The problem is that a really light laptop costs over $2,000 and schools canรขโ�ฌโ�ขt afford that, so a laptop in the range of six pounds is good.

CD-ROMรขโ�ฌโ�ขs for school laptop labs are optional if not totally unnecessary. I say this because they are usually the first thing to break. Second your computer techs will install all necessary software via ghosting or over the network. Third not having CD-RWรขโ�ฌโ�ขs or DVD-ROMs remove the temptation of using the laptops for non-educational use.

Next the laptops need at least 512 mb of ram (Memory), most educational software is very graphic intensive and need a lot of memory. Anything less that 512mb of memory will cause the laptop to freeze off and on causing frustration for the students and teacher.

Hard drives only need to 30gigs. Installed software for a school laptop should max out at about 4 gigs. Students will not be downloading music or movies so a larger hard drive is not needed.

Next the actual profile of the laptop needs to be thin. Children have smaller hands and the thicker the laptop the more awkward it is for them to type.

Fourth the laptops need to have a integrated wireless 802.11g adapter. The Adapter must be integrated into the laptop. If you decide to use a PCMICA wireless adapter they will get bumped and bruised and broken with in the first month of use.

The laptops need to have a Pentium M processor or Centrino CPU. This extends the life of the battery to 3.5 hours verse 2 hours with out the Centrino technology. The usual rule with batteries is that you can expect to replace them every year. The replacement period for the laptop batteries can be extended by not letting the batteries completely drain. The monitor for the laptop should be 14" or 15". Anything smaller will be too small for the children to read, and anything larger will be too big and bulky.

Next, the laptops need to have Ethernet network adapters in case they need to plug directly into the network. Finally windows XP professional must be installed for the operating system.

A mobile cart to house the laptops is often the most over looked item for your mobile labs. Your cart will need a power strip to charge the laptops. Your cart will need some sort of lock to prevent theft. It also needs to be easily moved from class to class. If the cart is too large and bulky teachers will hesitate to use it. Next, your cart must be user friendly so students can take out the laptops and place them back in easily. I have seen schools make there own laptop carts and you can purchase them from various vendors. Just remember if the cart isnรขโ�ฌโ�ขt easy to use then your laptops wonรขโ�ฌโ�ขt be safe, teachers wonรขโ�ฌโ�ขt use them and they will get stolen or broken.

Finally, before you decide on a line of laptops check websites such as cnet.com and amazon.com and read the reviews. Also call your local districts and find out what sort of technology they are using for there mobile labs. A good rule in buying technology is you donรขโ�ฌโ�ขt want to be someone elseรขโ�ฌโ�ขs test case.

Eric R Meyer is an expert in wireless networking. You can view other articles like this at http://www.wirelessninja.com

How To Purchase A Quality Laptop Computers Case

So you finally have that new laptop you have been drooling over for the past 3 months, only there is one problem รขโ�ฌโ��- You donรขโ�ฌโ�ขt have a case for it. Youรขโ�ฌโ�ขve probably already laid down over a grand for the notebook and youรขโ�ฌโ�ขre telling yourself that you donรขโ�ฌโ�ขt want to spend another $70 for a case. Trust me, this isnรขโ�ฌโ�ขt the time to be cheap.

In this article I will go over the importance of getting a quality notebook bag, as well as what sort of features are found on quality laptop cases.

If you consider your laptop to be important or essential, then getting a good, solid case is a must. You may be wondering whyรขโ�ฌยฆ Here are just a few reasons:

- Expensive notebook should be protected properly
- Quality cases have way better outer and inner protection for your laptop
- More comfortable
- Better shoulder protection

If you still need some prodding in the direction of that super duty case maybe the next points will help. Letรขโ�ฌโ�ขs go over what distinguishes the good from the bad in notebook bags.

Comfort รขโ�ฌโ�� Quality bags have much better shoulder support than cheapies. Your notebook is going to be at least 6 pounds, probably more. Do you really want to break your shoulder just carrying the thing around? You have a lot more choice with quality aftermarket cases as well when it comes to carrying style. In the end you are going to be a lot more comfortable with something that wears well on you.

Protection รขโ�ฌโ�� Make sure you donรขโ�ฌโ�ขt drop that notebook case that came with your computer รขโ�ฌโ��- You may find your laptop in pieces. Quality laptop cases have great inner and outer protection. Things like reinforced corners on the outside, and air pockets on the insideรขโ�ฌยฆ It all adds up to piece of mind. If you want, you can even find cases with single or double combo locks.

Storage รขโ�ฌโ�� If you want to put extra files or folders into your notebook case you are going to need the space. Quite often, cheaper cases will have just enough room for a notebook and maybe a small folder if you are lucky. When buying an aftermarket case you have a lot more choice in size, and can find something that will hold everything you need it to.

Are you ready to spend a little more money and get that quality case now? Good, but before you do, letรขโ�ฌโ�ขs go over a couple more things that are very important.

First, you need to think about what you will be carrying most of the time -- Chances are it isnรขโ�ฌโ�ขt just your laptop. What you will be carrying will be a big part of what case you decide on. The more stuff you need to bring along in the bag, the bigger the bag needs to be.

Next, find out the dimensions of your notebook. You need to know this when buying a case. Not all laptops fit in every case, so you need to look for a case that will fit the size of your notebook. Whether you are buying a case locally or online, the main compartment size of the case should be easy enough to find.

Lastly, as you will soon find, there is more than one style of laptop case available. There are the standard cases, ones that look like actual luggage bags, and even backpack style cases. The last one has the added benefit that thieves wonรขโ�ฌโ�ขt think there is a notebook sitting inside.

Going over exactly what you need in a laptop case, and then purchasing a quality one wonรขโ�ฌโ�ขt just save your shoulders in time, but possibly your investment too.

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Cody Kahl is creator and writer of Toshiba Laptops Guide รขโ�ฌโ�� A site
dedicated to providing only the best toshiba laptop computers information.
Cody believes in quality, and this free resource proves it.
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A PDA Will Change The Way You Consume Data

PDA (personal digital assistant) devices are more useful than ever. What began as a convenient way to store contacts and calendars has evolved into a new conduit for information in the digital age. PDAs are now being used for many purposes beyond simple calendaring and phone number storage.

The latest wave of handheld personal computers blur the line between PDA and full fledged computer. This year saw the release of the OQO handheld computer. This small device is a little larger than a traditional PDA, but has a 60Gb hard drive and a 1Ghz processor, which gives it the power of a typical laptop computer. The OQO runs the Windows XP desktop operating system and features wireless connectivity though 802.11 (WiFi) and Bluetooth standards. This little handheld computer has the power to run your favorite desktop applications like Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, and others right from the palm of your hand. Devices like the OQO are changing the way people look at mobile computing.

Also released this year was a software package by Orb Networks that allows consumers to share their cable television connection with any internet capable broadband device. In simple terms, this means that you can watch the contents of your home DVR (such as TiVo or DirectTV) on any device that you own that can connect to the internet at broadband speeds. This means you can watch your TiVoรขโ�ฌโ�ขed programming on your 802.11b -enabled PDA at the local coffee shop or on your cell phone over the wireless broadband services that are being rolled out these past few years.

With the advent of completely wireless broadband, the PDA market will only continue to grow as people have the need and desire to have more and more information available at their fingertips at all times. As bandwidth increases and media becomes more rich and interactive, palmtop computing will become more and more viable as a vector for unlimited revenue potential through the content creation and advertising markets.

James Hunt has spent 15 years as a professional writer and researcher covering stories that cover a whole spectrum of interest. Read more at http://www.pda-guru.com

Free Christian Ringtones

Ringtones, which are an exclusive feature of cell phones, are custom and personalized ways for people to change the sounds they hear when their cell phones ring. Early on, cell phones only used a simple "ring, ring" tone to alert users of incoming calls. However, because the cell phone technology has improved over the years, the ability to add different kinds of ringtones was added as a standard feature on most phones, and many other different ringtones were invented. One of those many ringtones was the Christian ringtone.

Christian ringtones are popular all over the world. Moreover, there are numerous individuals that are ready to download these Christian ringtones and make them a part of their cell phone. The best part of these ringtones is that many of them are completely free. The free Christian ringtones give the user the ability to hear his favorite Christian music or song in the form of a ringtone. It is not essential for someone who downloads these free Christian ringtones to be Christian. Anybody and everybody all over the world can use them, if they are so inclined.

The free Christian ringtones are an easy way for people to spread the goodness of Christian music and songs. It is a delight to have one of these free Christian ringtones on your cell phone. Free Christian ringtones can be found in polyphonic as well monophonic types. Religious songs, hymn songs and music about Christ are the major types of free Christian ringtones. There are other free Christian ringtones by Christian musicians and bands like Joy Williams, Planet Shakers, the Parachute Band and Justin Michael that the user can download.

These free Christian ringtones that do not carry any hidden cost, can be downloaded by contacting the cell phone service provider, or by simply logging onto free ringtone Web sites. Moreover, if you are good at composing basic music notes, you can compose your own Christian ringtone using either your phone, or a Web-based application that allows people to create their own ringtones.

FreeRingtonesNow.net is a website that offers visitors the ability to find free ringtones and specific information on free christian ringtones.

Laptop Essentials! Five Basic Accessories to Think About

Everybody, it looks like, has a laptop today, and if you don't have one, you most likely are thinking of buying one. As if it's not difficult enough to choose from the many types and brands of laptops out there, you are also confronted with the many accessories that are available for one to. Of the overwhelmingly large amount of accessories out there, it can be certainly overwhelming to figure out what you really need for your laptop. Clearly, it is completely dependant upon your needs and plans with your computer, but there are five essentials you may want to consider to start with first.

Laptop Essential 1: If you are planning to use your laptop at home with any kind of regularity, you will want to consider getting an external keyboard and pointing device (mouse). Why? Well, believe me, if you have ever tried typing on a laptop for any more than an hour, then without a doubt you know that your neck, shoulders, and wrists can start to feel wiped out, to say the least. Well, the solution is to buy an external keyboard, which you can plug into the back of your laptop, as well as a mouse. And if you use your laptop in the office you can raise the screen up with books or risers of some sort to make looking at the screen a little more ergonomic. Of course you can also purchase accessory swivel stands for your laptop as well if you want them.

Laptop Essential 2: When your home you will most likely want to connect other peripheral devices to your laptop, like a printer, maybe a DVD player, or even a CD burner. This can create a lot of clutter with all the wires you need to plug in and unplug if you want to take your laptop out of the house or move room to room or even take it to the office. So to resolve this problem, you will absolutely love a docking station.

Now a docking station basically turns your laptop into a desktop computer when you're home and when you're ready to take it away, you simply slip it out of the station and off you go.

Another alternative along the same lines is a port replicator, which has computer ports. You connect your external devices to the replicator and then to your laptop. When you want to move your laptop, you simply detach the one port replicator, rather than each external device.

Laptop Essential 3: Now this isn't as exciting as some of the other accessories, but I assure you, you will be thankful you have it, and that is an external hard drive. It's certainly not going to make your day, and it certainly won't throw any excitement in your life, but the morning you wake up and your laptop won't start will be the day you are overjoyed that you decided to get that external hard drive.

Here's a little tip to go along with your new external hard drive: never pack your backup drive and your laptop in the same case when going on a trip, keep them separated. If you happen to lose your bag with both the backup drive and the laptop in it, you're going to have a really bad day!

Laptop Essential 4: This little device will allow you to hook up everything you need. So make sure you go out and get yourself an external USB hub. Desktop computers sometimes come with several USB ports, some with as many as 8 or 9. But, laptops since they are smaller, often only have a couple of USB ports. USB hubs will usually have four or more ports that will connect through one of your laptop's USB port making them very easy to use to hook up multiple USB devices.

Laptop Essential 5: You need to think about the worst thing that can happen with your laptop. Now you probably bought your laptop so you can work out of the office, or your home, or wherever you need to, right? Well, since you will be out and about, you will definitely want to think about insurance for your laptop. The manufacturer's warranty usually doesn't cover anything beyond parts, and an extended warranty will certainly not cover theft, though it may cover you for breakage or fire.

Finally, there are literally thousands of different accessories available for your computer. Of course some you might need and others you won't. It really depends on what your plans are for your laptop as well as where you plan on using it. Nevertheless, these five things are indispensable to making your laptop as functional to you as possible. While there may be some variation to what you need, most of these items will be valuable to anyone who owns a laptop, no matter how you expect to use your portable computer.

Garry Allen is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Best-Rated-Laptops-and-Computers.info. Providing you with more information on computer technology and answering the question what's the best rated laptop that you can research in your bathrobe on his website.

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Refurbished Laptops Hitting Record Sales

Just when you thought a new computer was too expensive something exciting happens. Something called "refurbished". Computer equipment is getting better everyday. Technology is far exceeding everyone's expectations and the durability and reliability is ever increasing. For this reason refurbished laptops are selling faster today than ever before! People are starting to realize they can save up to 60% off the retail value and still get an awesome laptop computer.

Why are refurbished laptop sales on the rise? Companies are getting overloaded with equipment that is used, but not very old. Individuals that have extra money to burn and simply must have the newest of everything are trading in their old computers for new ones. Instead of just throwing it away, corporations are refurbished them to make available to the more savvy person. All the same great replacement parts go into a refurbished notebook computer, but the savings are tremendous.

This word of reconditioning computer equipment is spreading like wildfire. Many refurbished dealers are finding it increasingly difficult to keep products in stock because people are simply buying them so fast. These hot items are in serious demand.

Refurbished laptops are not the only thing selling like hotcakes right now either. There are several different products that are flying off the shelves like crazy. For instance, refurbished palm pilots, MP3 players, desktops, and printers are just a few. Technology all around is getting better. Top companies are producing the highest quality merchandise and they are also reconditioning products to last longer and perform better.

Some of the best computer companies in the world like IBM, Dell, HP, Gateway are all refurbishing computer equipment with highly skilled technicians with the most sophisticated equipment. Now when you buy refurbished notebooks the quality is brought up to the same high standards of a new one, without the high cost.

For the most part, many of us will never use all the capabilities a new laptop has anyway. Refurbished laptops are very comparable in performance and features, so why would anyone bother paying the large sticker price of a new notebook computer? It's hard to say. Refurbished laptops come with Windows OS, have blazing processor speeds, ample memory, and the list goes on and on. Of course the refurbished laptop computer has been used, but most of the time it is really hard to tell.

Being able to justify reasons to buy new over reconditioned is getting more difficult to do. Refurbished laptops offer the same features and reliability a new one does, but one major difference- the price! Buying, or updating your old computer equipment just got much more affordable thanks to new and improved technology and better refurbishing techniques. It's hard to keep up with our ever changing world, but it doesn't have to be expensive.

Online Crazy Deals offers factory reconditioned computer equipment ranging from desktop computers to laptops and palm pilots. Savings are spectacular when compared to new products. OCD has quickly become one of the most trusted refurbished dealers in the world due to only offering the best reconditioned equipment possible.

iPod Battery Capacity

In my last article about the 24 Hour iPod Battery we discussed the true capability of such an iPod battery. Now however, I wanted to speak directly about the primary limitations of current battery technology that makes it difficult to truly get an iPod battery to last 24 hours given the multifaceted demands of consumers. Question: can an iPod battery power your iPod with 24 hours of music playback, a bright screen, cycling through your music files while all the while you are connecting external devices to your iPod? I do not believe so and the testimonies of thousands of iPod users support my belief. Now we must question why?

The reason why an ipod battery may not perform as specified when your average consumer is using thier iPod is due to the limitations of the iPod batteries themselves, specifically the limitation of capacity. All iPod batteries including the (iPod 3rd Gen Battery, iPod Mini Battery, iPod Nano, Battery, iPod Video Battery, iPod Photo Battery, iPod 4th Gen Battery, iPod Shuffle, and iPod Classic Battery) have all been specifically designed for a battery rating that will perform a single function รขโ�ฌโ�� to power their intended iPod Player. Battery Ratings will look very similar to:

IPOD MINI BATTERY
PART # EC003
3.7 VOLTS
550 mAh

The battery rating number that defines battery capacity in the example above is the 550 mAh (milli Amp hours). To understand, battery capacities, then we need to follow some basic electronic formulas. First however letรขโ�ฌโ�ขs define battery capacity as a reference to the total amount of energy stored within a battery. As I alluded to above battery capacity is rated in Ampere-hours (Ah).

Amp hours - or Ah - measures capacity. That is what we want to know about iPod Batteries - how long can it deliver a certain amount of charge before it runs out. As with all metric measurements, Amps can be divided into smaller (or larger) units by adding a prefix.

In the case of our example above a milliAmp hour (mAh) is most commonly used on iPod battery specs. Note that 1000 mAh is the same a 1 Ah. (Just as 1000mm equals 1 meter.) iPod batteries with a 1 Amp hour rating could deliver ร�ยฝ Amp of current for 2 hours, or they could provide 2 Amps of current for ร�ยฝ hour.

Ampere-hours (Ah) are the product of: Ah= Current X Hours to Total Discharge

The capacity is normally tested or compared with a time of 20 hours and at a temperature of 68F (20C).

Five Factors that Govern iPod Battery Capacity

Physical Size - the amount of capacity that can be stored in the casing of any battery depends on the volume and plate area of the actual battery. The more volume and plate area the more capacity you can actually store in a battery.

Temperature - capacity, energy store decreases as a battery gets colder. High temperatures also have an effect on all other aspects of your battery.

Cut off Voltage - To prevent damage to the battery and the device batteries have an internal mechanism that stops voltage called the cut-off voltage, which is tpically limited to 1.67V or 10V for a 12 Volt battery. Letting a battery self-discharge to zero destroys the battery.

Discharge rate - The rate of discharge, the rate at which a battery goes from a full charge to the cut off voltage measured in amperes. As the rate goes up, the capacity goes down.

Battery History - Deep discharging, excessive cycling, age, over charging, under charging, all reduce capacity. Note charging your battery 1 time will reduce capacity as much as 15%-20% depending on your battery's chemistry.

ร�ยฉ Dan Hagopian. You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included with link. Dan Hagopian of www.batteryship.com is a known electronics author that specializes in portable power gadgets. His work can be found on the BatteryShip blog at www.batteryeducation.com. He frequently writes about pda batteries, ipod batteries, general battery technology for our mobile world, new fuel cell technology and interesting power related inventions. For further information please visit www.batteryship.com where you can also find PDA Battery Replacement Kits, iPod battery, iPAQ battery, Clie battery, Palm Battery, Axim battery, Treos, and Blackberries.