Fujitsu ST5011D Slate

I was quite pleased with how easy it was to use the Stylistic ST5011D slate-style Tablet PC. It was lightweight and I liked the fact that the slate automatically adjusted orientation when I changed the position of the Tablet PC. Using this Tablet PC outdoors was a great benefit. Mobile workers don't always have the choice to work indoors and quite often using a Tablet PC or laptop outdoors is frustrating. Having a display that was viewable in any circumstance is a great feature of this slate.

The review unit I received had a 60 GB hard drive and 512 MB RAM. Also included were a wireless keyboard, executive portfolio and Tablet dock.

I had wondered just how well a slate-style Tablet PC would compare to a convertible-style Tablet PC; without a keyboard always available would it be more difficult to enter information? The Stylistic ST5011D proved to me that you don't always need a keyboard. I was pleased with the stylus input methods available - keyboard entry or handwriting recognition. I found very few errors with the handwriting recognition even when my writing (cursive) reverted to a scrawl. When printing I had no errors. It was like working with pen and paper except no waste of paper. Which was very handy for quick notes.

What I liked most with the slate-style Stylistic was it wasn't difficult or awkward for me a lefty to use as the keyboard entry screen can be placed anywhere on the display that's comfortable for the user.

Having a range of connection options is another benefit to this slate-style Tablet PC. No matter what location I happened to work from, I was able to connect to an in-house network or the Internet.

The battery life was quite impressive, I was able to work for just shy of 5 hours before recharging the battery.

I can see it proving to be a very beneficial tool for workers in sales, Insurance, Real Estate and Law Enforcement. Used with a portable printer, it would make completion of forms quick and easy.

source from about.com

Wi-Fi Definition

Definition:

"Wi-Fi" is a type of wireless networking protocol that allows devices to communicate without cords or cables. Wi-Fi is technically an industry term that represents a type of wireless local area network (LAN) protocol based on the 802.11 IEEE network standard. It's the most popular means of communicating data wirelessly, within a fixed location, today.

"Wi-Fi" is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance, an international association of companies involved with wireless LAN technologies and products.

Wi-fi is commonly mistaken as an acronymn for "wireless fidelity" and often you may also see it spelled without the hyphen (wifi).

source from about.com

Wireless Definition

Definition:

The term "wireless" refers, in the most basic and obvious sense, to communications sent without wires or cables. It is a broad term that encompasses all sorts of wireless technologies and devices, including cellular communications, networking between computers with wireless adapters, and wireless computer accessories. Wireless communications travel over the air via electromagnetic waves (radio frequencies, infrared, satellite, etc).

"Wireless" on its own is typically used to refer to products and services from the cellular telecommunications industry; CTIA, "the Wireless Association", for example, is composed of wireless carriers, cell phone manufacturers, and others in the mobile phone market. Different cellular protocols and standards include CDMA, GSM, EV-DO, 3G, and 4G. The term "wireless Internet" will most often be referring to cellular data, though the phrase can also refer to data access via satellite.

Networking technologies that connect multiple computers and devices together without wires -- i.e., in a wireless local area network or WLAN -- also fall under the wireless umbrella. Often, instead of referring to just "wireless" for these technologies, the term "wi-fi" or "wifi" will be used. Wi-fi covers technologies that incorporate 802.11 standards, such as 802.11g network cards and wireless routers.

More: Find out more about the differences between cellular wireless data and using wi-fi for Internet-on-the-go

source from about.com

Wireless Network Upgrade

If you have really fast home Internet speeds but a slower or outdated wireless router, you might not be taking full advantage of that high-speed connection. Upgrading your wireless router and wireless adapters to newer wireless-n can increase your network's speed, range, and security and also minimize dropped connections. Here's what you need to know about upgrading to wireless-n.

Wireless-n (a.k.a. 802.11n) is the latest (as of December 2010) wireless networking specification that wi-fi devices use to communicate with each other. Compared to older wireless-g (802.11g) and wireless-b (802.11b) specs, wireless-n has several advantages:

Almost 6 times the rated speed -- 300 Mbps versus 54 Mbps for wireless-g or a measly 11 Mbps for wireless-b. Even accounting for slower real world speeds that are about half the rated speed, wireless-n is still several times faster.Greater range -- wireless-n devices can connect with each other as far as 250 feet away -- a 67% increase over the older wi-fi.Better reliability -- wireless-n uses MIMO technology that optimizes the data connection for fewer dropped connections.

Newer wireless-n devices also support the latest wireless security standards (WPA2 versus weaker WEP), so upgrading to wireless-n can also strengthen your home network's security.

If your Internet service speed is over 20 Mbps or you transfer a lot of large files between computers or devices on your home network, you'll probably find it much worth the minimal time and expense to upgrade. Faster Internet and quicker transfer speeds mean you'll be able to do more in less time and also access bandwidth-heavy videos and other media.

Other reasons to upgrade include if you want to connect a laptop or computer that's a great distance away from the router, the router you have now only allows unsecure WEP encryption, or you want to improve your network's reliability.

The steps for upgrading to a newer and faster wireless network are the same for general wireless network setup. You connect the router to your cable/DSL modem and access the router's administration webpage from your laptop wired to the router. You'll also connect wireless devices to your new network the same way you set up a wi-fi connection.

The main difference for a wireless-n network is that each device or computer on the network should have wireless-n adapters, in order to take advantage of the greater performance (although wireless-n is backwards compatible, the network can be slowed down by older network cards). If you have a lot of devices to upgrade or some can't be upgraded to wireless-n, you can get a dual-band wireless-n router which will set up one network for the older devices and the faster data connection for wireless-n devices. (For help choosing a router, About's Guide to Wireless/Networking has a nice selection of 802.11n wireless routers.)

More: How to Set up a Wireless Network | How to Connect to a Wireless Network

source from about.com

Google Hangouts Review - Google+'s Video Chatting Application

Recently, Google has opened to the public its Google+ service in a bid to finally get into the social networking game, after its complicated Wave and, to some extent, Buzz projects were unsuccessful. Google+ is very exciting in and of itself, but one of its coolest features is Google Hangouts, its group video chat service.

Bottom-line: Google Hangouts looks great and is both fun and easy to use. As with your Google+ status updates, you can choose which groups of people you want to invite to your Google Hangouts session, making it easy to start a video conference in seconds.

Pros:  Browser-based, so nearly anyone on any system or web browser can use Google Hangouts. It is incredibly intuitive so anyone can easily start using this video chatting service.  Voice and video quality are also great. The YouTube integration makes Google Hangouts fun to use.

Cons: The need for an invitation to Google+ to get started. If there’s a user being inappropriate during a hangout, they can be reported but not kicked out of the video chatting session. Also, on first use, you may need to update your plugins and restart your browser.

Price:  Free, but currently requires an invitation to Google+.

To get started with Google Hangout, users need to install the Google Voice and Video plugin. This lets you use video in Hangouts, Gmail, iGoogle, and Orkut (another social network owned by Google). The plugin takes around 30 seconds to install. After that, you’re all set to start using Google’s newest video chat service.

Each hangouts session can hold up to 10 people using video.

When creating a hangout, you can choose which group of contacts, or circles, you want to invite to your video chat. A post will then appear on all relevant streams letting people know that a hangout is happening and it will list all the people currently participating.

If you’ve invited less than 25 people, each will receive an invitation to the hangout. Also, if you invite users who are signed into Google+’s chat feature, they’ll receive a chat message with an invitation to the hangout. Users who have been invited to a hangout but try to start their own, receive a notification that there’s already a hangout going on. Then, they get asked whether they want to join the existing session or create their own. Each hangout has its own web-address that can be shared, making it easy to invite people to hangouts.

It’s worth keeping in mind that hangouts are created by one user, but everyone that’s invited can invite others to your video chat. Also, it’s impossible to kick people out of a hangout.

While Google Hangouts is not a business-specific tool, it’s a great alternative to Skype when it comes to hosting larger, but informal, video chats, especially since group video chat on Google is free but Skype charges for it.

My favorite Google Hangouts feature is the YouTube integration, since it lets everyone watch videos together in real-time. One drawback so far is that the video isn’t synced between users, so while the videos being watched are the same, they could be at a different place for each user.

Once one of the chatters clicks on the YouTube button, the group can choose the video they want to watch, by doing a simple search. When a video is being played, microphones are muted to avoid echoes, and those on the video chat need to click on the ‘push to talk’ button in order to be heard by other participants. Whenever this happens, the sound of the video goes down, so it doesn’t have to be paused for people to be heard. If the YouTube video is muted, the ‘push to talk’ button will disappear, and the microphone volume is activated again. If a user decides to unmute their microphone while a video is playing, the video will be muted.

I found it to be not only fun, but useful watching videos during a hangout. Users can upload videos and presentations relevant to their video chat to YouTube, and easily share them with all their participants. Best of all, even when watching a video, you can still see your video chat participants, as their image is displayed below the YouTube video. There’s no need to reshuffle your video chat screens in order to see all of your participants.

While there are other great video chat / conferencing tools around, Skype has managed to reign supreme in this arena up until now. But with its ease of use, lack of downloads, YouTube integration and great looks, Google Hangouts seems poised to take over Skype as the most popular video chat service in the market.

One of the main benefits of Google Hangouts is that as long as you (and those you’re talking to) are on Google+, you can start a video chat in just a few clicks, and in a matter of seconds. Skype requires people to download and install its software, and also to create an account. Since Google Hangouts works with Gmail, there are no additional user names or passwords to remember, as long as you have access to a Gmail login.

source from about.com

Set Up a Wireless Network

Setting up a wireless network entails only a few simple steps. Follow the instructions below to set up the router, configure it for strong wireless security, and connect your computers and portable devices to the network for wire-free browsing.

Note: if your wireless router and other devices are capable of Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), you can connect and configure them with the push of a button, but beware that there are potential issues. See the Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) overview for more details.

source from about.com

IdeaPad S10-3t Review

The Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3t improves on the basic 10-inch netbook by adding a multi-touch display that swivels out of the way to convert the netbook into a compact slate tablet. Compared to regular netbooks on the market, the IdeaPad S10-3t is bit heavier, has a shorter battery life, and is on the higher end of the netbook price spectrum. These issues may be more than made up for, however, by this netvertible's great touch navigation experience. If you're looking for a netbook with more flexibility, the IdeaPad S10-3t is well worth a look.

The Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3t is one of the most affordable and portable tablet PCs available, because it's made from the same mold as netbooks. Like most netbooks, it has a 10-inch display and weighs under 3 pounds.

The S10-3t sports a glossy black cover and matte white keyboard. The tapered, full-size keys are comfortable to type on, but the function key is oddly placed at the left-most end of the keyboard -- exactly where the CTRL key should be. This makes using keyboard shortcuts cumbersome, as you can often mistakenly hit the function key. The webcam is also awkwardly placed at the right of the screen rather than centered above it. Overall, though, the S10-3t's sleek, curved-edge design makes it stand out a little bit more from standard all-black and boxy netbooks.

The S10-3t's best feature, of course, is its multi-touch screen that swivels 180 degrees. I like the flexibility of convertibles -- you get both a built-in keyboard and the option of using slate mode (a handy button on the hinge allows you to also switch to portrait view). The S10-3t's screen folds smoothly and the hinge seems sturdy.

With the capacitive multi-touch screen, similar to that of the iPhone or iPad, you can navigate by touching desktop icons and use gestures like swiping or pinching with two fingers. I found the S10-3t's touchscreen responsiveness and accuracy to be great, and even using the on-screen pull-out keyboard isn't difficult.

The most disappointing part of the touchscreen is its poor handwriting recognition due to lacking an active digitizer. The touchscreen is really better for basic input rather than writing or drawing (there are no netbooks with active digitizer screens as of this writing, though).

As for other features, besides a Microsoft Office trial, the netbook comes with unique software such as a OneKey Rescue system, a NaturalTouch interface, BumpTop 3D desktop, and VeriFace facial recognition (it's very cool when it works, but only does so under optimal conditions).

The S10-3t's performance is on par with other netbooks. There's the usual lag while waiting for applications to open, but otherwise there was no noticeable performance issues while working online, typing documents, and even watching online videos.

Battery life on the S10-3t, unfortunately, is sub-par. The stock 4-cell battery lasts less than 3 hours with typical netbook usage. Some retail models, however, come with a 6-cell battery and you can also purchase an 8-cell battery directly from Lenovo for nearly-all-day usage. Unfortunately the 8-cell sticks out and adds another pound.

If you love touchscreens and need a very portable laptop for around $600, though, you'll probably forgive the IdeaPad S10-3t's shortcomings and enjoy it greatly, as I do.

source from about.com

Internet Connection Sharing Definition

Definition:

Internet Connection Sharing, or ICS, is a built-in feature of Windows computers (Windows 98, 2000, Me, and Vista) that allows multiple computers to connect to the Internet using one single Internet connection on one computer. It's a type of local area network (LAN) that uses a single computer as the gateway (or host) through which other devices connect to the Internet. Computers wired to the gateway computer or connecting to it wirelessly via an ad-hoc wireless network can use ICS.

Some of the features of Internet Connection Sharing include:

Allowing most any kind of device (including non-Windows and older Windows systems) to connect without having to install additional client software.Support for all of the connected clients to use many different protocols, including VPN and Internet gaming.Clients are automatically given an IP address and configured for DNS through the ICS computer.

In Windows 98 or Windows Me, ICS needed to be enabled or installed on the host computer from the Control Panel Add/Remove Programs (on the Windows Setup tab, double-click on Internet Tools, then select Internet Connection Sharing). Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 have this built-in already (look in the Local Area Connection properties for a setting under the Sharing tab to "Allow other network users to connect through this computer's internet connection").

Note: ICS requires the host computer to have a wired connection to a modem (e.g., DSL or cable modem) or an aircard or other mobile data modem, and the client computers either wired to your host computer or connecting to it via the host computer's free wireless adapter.

Learn how to use Internet Connection Sharing:

source from about.com

Dangers of Overheating

Laptops are unfortunately prone to overheating. Unlike desktop PCs, a laptop's hardware components are all in close proximity to each other with little room for air movement. The current trend towards miniaturization -- stuffing faster processors into ever smaller cases -- is also increasing the potential for laptops to overheat. In fact, researchers who are trying to solve the problem with nanoelectronics are predicting that if this continues, laptops will be as hot as the sun in a decade or two. In other words, hot laptops are a real problem!

Even if it isn't running at 6,000 degrees Celsius, if your laptop overheats it can do some serious damage to both your body and the internal hardware. A laptop that's too hot, for example, can actually scald you (Sony recalled thousands of VAIO laptops due to possible burn hazards). There's also some indication that working with a hot laptop in your lap, where they were designed to be, can potentially cause male infertility.

Regarding the device itself, operating a laptop at very high temperatures leads to failed hardware components (video cards, motherboards, memory modules, hard drives and more are susceptible to damage) and decreases the lifespan of your computer. It can also be a fire hazard: faulty laptops have actually burned down houses.

But what's the difference between an overheating laptop and one that's just a little hot? If your laptop feels hot and shows any of the problems below, chances are it's overheating or getting there:

Fan constantly running and making loud whirring noisesComputer struggling to perform basic tasks like opening a new browser windowMysterious error messages popping up in random programsLines on your laptop screen (a sign your video card is overheating)System freezing or the dreaded BSOD (blue screen of death)The laptop abruptly shuts down on its own

If your laptop is overheating, take steps immediately to cool down your laptop and prevent further overheating damage.

If your laptop is just plain hot, find out if it's running too hot by using a free program to check the internal laptop temperature and find its optimal temperature.

source from about.com

Fact or Fiction?

So many people, especially those in management positions have false ideas about remote work and what it involves. Learning to distinguish reality from the myths will help enable and empower more companies to implement remote work programs. Working remotely requires mobile professionals not to buy into the myths, and instead promote the reality and potential that remote work arrangements can provide. Discover the myths of remote work and how to prevent them from becoming reality.Myth

You will still be bound by the hours of operation of your work place, so thinking that you don't have to start working until noon is a very bad idea to have and an even worse practice to get into.

Fact

You rely on onsite co-workers to be available when you need them, so it's important that you are considerate of their needs. Even when traveling you must still let your office be aware of when and where you can be reached, with applicable time differences taken into account.

Myth

Working when you want is part of the appeal of remote work. The reality is that you may be restricted to working within a specified set of hours each day. For example, some companies only have their computer system available and running for a set period each day. The system is not available beyond that time.

Fact

The hours you work should be put into any Remote Work Agreement to avoid problems and misunderstanding.

Myth

You can work in your pj's every day or even work naked! Dress rules no longer apply.

Fact

People who get dressed properly each morning tend to have higher productivity and feel better about themselves.

Some people set up a routine for themselves where they get up and proceed just as though they were going to the office.

When traveling, you may wish to wear more casual attire until you reach your destination, then change into your suit or other appropriate attire.

Myth

You can spend all day playing the latest computer games or work on perfecting your golf scores. You don't have to account to anyone for your time.

Fact

You will get found out and you could risk losing your job - not just the remote work arrangement. Save game playing for non-work time. When traveling by air or rail, play should be a last priority and only if completing any work is not possible.

Think of the impression you leave with others who may see you.

Myth

You can spend all day talking with friends and family. You don't have to worry about co-workers trying to reach you.

Fact

Tying up your phone with personal calls may cause you to miss important work related calls. This is very true when traveling as you may not have Internet access and cannot check e-mail as often. If you use your cell phone often and for non-work related matters you will be responsible for the charges incurred.

Myth

Spending time visiting eases isolation and is great while traveling.

Fact

Whether you are working from your home office or traveling to other locations, you should not use company time for visiting. Doing so violates the trust placed in you and shows no respect for the company that you work for.

Myth

You will never have to return to the office site again, for any reason.

Fact

For some this just may be one of the biggest reasons to work remotely. You can avoid all the distractions, stay out of the politics and rumor mills. This is not realistic.

If one reason that has motivated your desire to work remotely is to get away from people in the office, please don't broadcast that! It is in your best interest to keep quiet and just enjoy privately that you won't have to be there.

Myth

You are owed and entitled to all the luxuries that hotels offer while traveling, on the company dime of course.

Fact

If you believe this, you are mistaken.

You are not there for your personal pleasure and the bills are being paid by your company. Use common sense when traveling and don't go overboard with room service or other expensive activities unless you are prepared to pay for them yourself and use them on your own time.

Myth

You need all the latest and greatest gadgets known to work remotely.

Fact

Use only the mobile gear that allows you to accomplish your job and that is absolutely required to do so.

Your company has a budget to follow and providing mobile workers with all the latest and greatest mobile gear can have significant impact on their bottom line.

Remember part of the appeal remote work offers company is saving money - eating the budget with mobile gear defeats that purpose.

Myth

You will be forgotten about and never receive another promotion or raise again.

Fact

Just because you are not in the office everyday does not mean you have fallen off the promotion track. With well trained managers and proper evaluation procedures in place, remote workers should have no fear of losing out on promotions because of their work environment.

source from about.com

Solve WiFi-Dropped-Signals

Some of the same issues that affect not being able to get a wireless connection at all (the first part in our wireless troubleshooting series) can also cause a weak wireless signal or one that often drops out. Dropped wireless signals can, however, have other unique causes and possible solutions.

Here's what to do when you often find yourself having to restart your computer or wireless router to "fix" the wireless connection:

One of the biggest causes of dropped or weak wireless signals is interference from other objects (including walls, metal objects like filing cabinets, etc.). Being very far from the wireless signal source also negatively impacts signal strength. To solve these issues, try to move closer to the wireless router or access point and remove any obstacles you can -- a clear path to the router is your best bet. Also, try placing your home wireless router in a more central location of your home.

Another cause of dropped wireless signals is outdated drivers for your devices (computer, wireless router) or your operating system. Windows XP, for example, greatly improved its support for WPA/WPA2 wireless security with XP Service Pack 3; if you only have the earlier SP1 or SP2 update, that may be the source of your intermittent wireless problems. Use Windows Update to see if there are operating system and device driver updates available; also visit your router manufacturer's website for any firmware upgrades needed.

If being too far from the wireless access point or router is the problem, you can get a wireless repeater or wireless extender to extend the range of the wireless network. These "signal amplifiers" are available from Linksys, TRENDnet, Dlink and other makers of networking products; prices go from around $50 and up (check prices on wireless extenders)

Unfortunately, the cause of some wireless problems -- especially frequently dropped wireless signals -- is the router itself (I've personally seen three cases where wireless routers just died after constantly dropping the wireless signal). If the suggestions above don't work, try resetting your wireless router to the defaults and testing if it can maintain a wireless signal. If not, you probably need to get a new router (while you're at it, you may consider upgrading to wireless-n).

(Note: This article is also available in a PDF version for saving to your computer for reference before going on the road. If you need further help or want to discuss wi-fi or other mobile computing topics, feel free to visit our forum.)

source from about.com

Ad Hoc Definition

Definition:

An ad hoc network is a type of temporary computer-to-computer connection. In ad hoc mode, you can set up a wireless connection directly to another computer without having to connect to a wireless access point or router.

Ad hoc networks are useful when you need to share files or other data directly with another computer but don't have access to a wireless network (e.g., if you're a visiting client or partner to a different office and aren't able to get on their network). You can also use Internet connection sharing with ad hoc mode to share your Internet connection with other users.

Another feature of ad hoc networks is that more than one laptop can be connected to the ad hoc network, as long as all of the adapter cards are configured for ad hoc mode and connect to the same SSID (service state identifier). The computers need to be within 100 meters of each other.

Also, if you were the person who set up the ad hoc network, when you disconnect from the network, all of the other users will also be disconnected. An ad hoc network will also be deleted once everyone on it disconnects -- which can be good or bad, depending on your view; it's truly a spontaneous network.

For file and printer sharing, all users will need to be in the same workgroup, or, if one computer is joined to a domain, the other user(s) will have to have accounts on that computer in order to access shared items.

Other limitations of ad hoc wireless networking include: WEP security (i.e., not secure at all), support up to 802.11g, and a data rate of 11 Mbps.

Newer Wi-Fi Direct technology elminiates many of the ad hoc wireless network limitations and is more secure, but until that technology is more widespread, you can Set Up an Ad Hoc Wireless Network and use it to Share Internet Access on one computer to many devices.

source from about.com

Pentax PocketJet 3 Plus

The PocketJet 3 Plus with Bluetooth Printer is an interesting print alternative for mobile professionals. This printer is well suited to printing documents and forms. While it isn’t ideal for high quality graphic images, it does the job for quick B & W images that you may need to show a client or co-worker.

If you need a printing solution that allows you to take advantage of working wirelessly and in small spaces – the PocketJet 3 Plus is worth considering.

One of the best features of the PocketJet 3 Plus portable printer is the fact that you can use it with USB, Bluetooth or IrDA. Having the capability to print wirelessly is a great advantage for mobile professionals. You can print from wherever you happen to be working and you don’t always need an external power source either.

I was pleased with the printing results of the PocketJet 3 Plus; I printed documents with a variety of fonts and included some graphics. The images were fuzzy but for me this printer is not meant as a photo or image printer. I would use it for documents or forms that would normally take up space and weight with my other mobile gear.

It prints quickly and while some may feel that thermal printing is an option of last resort, I had no problems. Once a document was printed I could use a pen to mark it or even a hi-lighter. In the User Manual it does suggest you don’t use a solvent-based marker on the pages.

One item I get particularly concerned with for any mobile gear is the User Manual. I always insist that mobile professionals read their User Manual before even setting up their gear and finding mobile gear that has clear and complete User Manuals is not always easy. The PocketJet 3 Plus User Manual is one of those manuals that is easy to follow and includes all the information that you need.

source from about.com

WEP Definition

Definition:

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is a security protocol for wireless networks. It was introduced as part of the original 802.11 wireless protocol in 1997 and intended to match the security level of wired networks.

We know today that WEP is not a very secure protocol, easily cracked by software within minutes. It has since been replaced by stronger wireless encryption protocols, WPA and WPA2. Unfortunately, WEP is still being used on some wireless networks, likely creating a false sense of security.

source from about.com

HP ProBook 6360b Review

The HP ProBook 6360b is sure to please IT departments and mobile professionals looking for a solid, highly configurable business laptop.

May 15, 2011--13.3-inch laptops are all the rage these days, and the HP ProBook 6360b is HP's first b-series notebook in this form factor. While it doesn't have the head-turning looks of the MacBook Air or the Samsung Series 9 (nor their featherweight and razor sharp builds), the ProBook 6360b sports a professional design and is serious about business.

HP has updated its b-series with a bead-blast aluminum display enclosure and magnesium-reinforced ABS chassis. The ProBook 6360b has an elegant, dark finish that thankfully resists smudges and seems very durable. Other design touches include a very secure display latch and keyboard drain in case you accidentally spill a glass of water on your keyboard. The laptop's pretty thick and bulky compared to the trendy 13.3-inch laptops out there; at 1.3-inches thick, it's almost twice as thick as the MacBook Air. Starting at 4.19 pounds, the ProBook 6360b will also feel more substantial while carrying.

The ProBook 6360b wasn't designed to be flashy, though. It's meant for work, and with a speedy second-generation Intel Core processor and up to 16GB memory capacity, as well as SSD options, this laptop can help you do that. I found the laptop very zippy in basic business tasks, though the battery life of the 6-cell battery fell a bit short of the rated 7.25 hours (I got about 6 hours with wi-fi and multi-tasking).

Laptop users who care about glare and eyestrain will appreciate the ProBook 6360b's matte HD display; the widescreen is bright and clear. I also found the chiclet keyboard very comfortable to type on; there's decent spacing between the keys, and although they aren't as concave as those found on ThinkPads, the keys had a slight curve to them to facilitate typing. The trackpad is also a decent size and smooth (though I did run into a problem where I inexplicably locked it and thought for a few moments that the whole laptop had froze. HP has added a little orange light into the trackpad to show you if/when this happens).

As a business notebook, the laptop also boasts some important features not commonly found in consumer laptops, and HP has consolidated many of its tools into one handy interface. There's facial recognition software, for example, as well as a pretty neat two-factor authentication option where you can pair your cell phone via Bluetooth with the laptop for another logon layer of protection. HP Power Assistant can help you manage the battery life-to-performance tradeoff by showing you how much energy you can save or lose for different power schemes. And QuickWeb, HP's fast-launch environment, now supports more widgets like Skype, Outlook calendar, and battery status snapshots.

Your IT department may really appreciate the 6360b not just for the added security features and dock connector, but also a new hassle-free upgrade door--switching out or accessing the laptop's internal components is pretty simple now.

As with the 12.1-inch EliteBook 2540p, which I also liked a lot, the ProBook 6360b offers a great many configuration options, so you can tailor your laptop for your needs. Add a Blu-ray drive, for example, for mobile entertainment (the 6360b has SRS premium sound) or a battery slice for up to 20 hours of battery life to last you on long flights.

No, it's not the sleekest laptop available and perhaps seems stodgy compared to more trendy laptops, but the HP ProBook 6360b is an affordable, high-performance laptop with features fit for mobile pros.

source from about.com

Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft OneNote is an excellent tool for organizing both personal and professional information. It's a digital version of a tabbed binder or multi-subject notebook that allows you to capture Web information, make notes (handwritten or text), and collaborate with others much as you can with a whiteboard.

Despite its robust and unique features, however, OneNote hasn't really caught on yet as the organizational powerhouse it can be. It's been mainly targeted towards students (fitting because of the notebook interface) and tablet PC users (due to its excellent handwriting recognition support); the general public, however, may be unaware of OneNote's potential, much like they were with the long-abandoned Microsoft Binder application which was also designed to consolidate different types of information. With the inclusion of OneNote into the Microsoft Office family, starting with Office 2010, however, this may (hopefully) change -- professionals and home users, as well as students, may now find OneNote an essential tool they didn't know they needed.

OneNote is a great information management tool because it provides a centralized place for all kinds of data: typed or handwritten notes, Web pages, images, video, and audio. The interface, though unique, is conducive to planning or creating reference materials; if you've ever used a tabbed binder before, it's also pretty intuitive:

Notebooks: Each OneNote notebook is a separate file that can contain all your pages relating to a broad subject such as "Work Projects" or "U.S. History" or "Home Improvement".Sections: Within each notebook you have tabbed sections to group information like "Meetings" or "Assignments" or "Stuff to Buy".Pages: Within each section you can add pages for individual items like "12/1 meeting with Jeff" or "Research on the Civil War and Literature" or "List of kitchen gadgets to buy".

OneNote has several advantages over paper-based systems in that you can tag and search for information across notebooks (even search in handwritten notes and mathematical equations!), collaborate with others on a notebook page, and easily rearrange pages. As a capture tool, it's similar to Evernote, but OneNote's more familiar notebook-like user interface and compatibility with other Office programs make it a more robust organizational tool.

Here are some of the cool features OneNote offers to help you stay organized (or at least capture and manage your information): Use context menus to send information to a OneNote page from Internet Explorer or Microsoft Word or PowerPoint. For example, you can highlight contact information on a website and send it to OneNote for future reference -- you can even flag it to be reminded in the future to call that contact.Type quick notes from the taskbar using the "New Side Note" feature -- kind of like a little notepad that pops up to capture those random ideas that are so easily lost if not written down.Create task lists or calendar events that sync with Outlook.Embed links to other Office files and create notes about them. You can create an index, for example, of project-related files.Share your notebook with others and show each collaborator's input. Add an image, for example, of the latest design concept and get feedback directly on that page.Access your notebook (in limited format) online via Office Web Apps or on your Windows Mobile phone.

The nice thing about OneNote is its flexibility. You can create as many notebooks as you may need and organize them however you wish -- the way you would organize a typical physical notebook. You can create a notebook for general work needs, for example, with sections for meetings, reference materials, forms, etc. You can also have separate notebooks per client and sections within those notebooks for individual projects. Personal notebooks like travel plans or recipes are also ideal for OneNote because you can group pages into sections for "Disney," for example, or "Fish".

OneNote Organizer: If you're a fan of the Getting Things Done or another productivity system, you can also use a OneNote notebook as a basic planner or organizer: Set up a "GTD" notebook, for example, and create a section for each of your lists (Action lists, Someday/Maybe, Waiting, etc.), and within these sections you can add pages for each individual item.

OneNote Templates: To help get you started, check out the OneNote notebook templates on Microsoft.com which include templates for clients, project management, home improvement, research, shared group project, and other types of notebooks. You can also download individual OneNote pages or OneNote sections to incorporate into your existing notebooks.

source from about.com

Boost Home Internet

Fast and reliable Internet access can make all the difference between a good and an excruciating Web experience, and remote workers particularly need high speed Internet service that they can depend on. Get the most from your Internet service at home with these tips.

Test your Internet connection download and upload speeds at Speedtest.net or DSLReports.com to see if you're actually getting the rated connection speed from your ISP. You can also test your current mobile or home broadband speed at the FCC's Broadband.gov website and do your part in helping the FCC establish a national broadband plan; the FCC also has iPhone and Android apps for you to test your smartphone data speeds. (If you don't remember the speeds your plan is rated for, check your bill or the website of your Internet Service Provider.)

Although Internet speeds can and will vary depending on various factors (whether you're on a slower wireless rather than wired connection to the modem, if there's a lot of traffic congestion on the service, etc.), consistently getting much slower speeds than what your plan is rated for may signify a problem on your ISP's end. Call your provider or visit their website help section to find out how to get the speed you are paying for. Some ISPs have their own speed tests and automatic "Internet boosting" programs.

DNS servers translate domain names into the IP addresses of the web servers where the websites are hosted. When you sign up for Internet service, your ISP's DNS servers are set by default in the router, but you can change the settings to a faster, more reliable, and more up-to-date DNS server. OpenDNS has a free DNS service that also offers great control over your Internet browsing experience. Switching to OpenDNS servers can increase your Internet speeds.

You may also be able to increase your broadband speed by adjusting your network device settings or using web accelerators, as About's Guide to Wireless/Networking explains. The aforementioned DSL Reports resource also offers a free tweak test that can help optimize your connection speed by suggesting settings to modify based on a download test. One note of caution: speed tweaks can cause system instability and may only provide small speed increases that may not make all the effort worth it if your current online connection speeds are acceptable.

What's an acceptable speed? That's pretty much a relative matter. Most full-time mobile workers should at least be able to load web pages and send emails without attachments almost instantly -- or at least without having to watch hourglasses spin all day. (An ideal speed is South Korea's blazing 33.5 Mbps -- versus the world's average 7.6 Mbps download speed.)

source from about.com

Top Telework Employers

The most forward-thinking and flexible employers understand that telework is not just a perk for employees but also beneficial to the company as a whole. In these pages you'll find some of the best companies for telecommuters -- ones that are known to have telecommuting programs or otherwise informally allow employees to work from home at least part time. Many of these companies often land on "Top Companies To Work For" lists partly because of benefits offered such as telecommuting.

For your easy reference, these telecommuting companies are organized by industry. The industries below also comprise the list of the best sectors to find a work-from-home job:

Important note: Although companies are listed here as telework-friendly, becoming a telecommuter at most organizations is determined on a case-by-case basis, with on-site performance required before telecommuting is allowed. Also, these companies may not have any employment positions (on- or off-site) open at this time. Visit their website to see if there are available jobs, and follow common-sense job search do's and don'ts when inquiring about a job.

source from about.com

Ad Hoc Definition

Definition:

An ad hoc network is a type of temporary computer-to-computer connection. In ad hoc mode, you can set up a wireless connection directly to another computer without having to connect to a wireless access point or router.

Ad hoc networks are useful when you need to share files or other data directly with another computer but don't have access to a wireless network (e.g., if you're a visiting client or partner to a different office and aren't able to get on their network). You can also use Internet connection sharing with ad hoc mode to share your Internet connection with other users.

Another feature of ad hoc networks is that more than one laptop can be connected to the ad hoc network, as long as all of the adapter cards are configured for ad hoc mode and connect to the same SSID (service state identifier). The computers need to be within 100 meters of each other.

Also, if you were the person who set up the ad hoc network, when you disconnect from the network, all of the other users will also be disconnected. An ad hoc network will also be deleted once everyone on it disconnects -- which can be good or bad, depending on your view; it's truly a spontaneous network.

For file and printer sharing, all users will need to be in the same workgroup, or, if one computer is joined to a domain, the other user(s) will have to have accounts on that computer in order to access shared items.

Other limitations of ad hoc wireless networking include: WEP security (i.e., not secure at all), support up to 802.11g, and a data rate of 11 Mbps.

Newer Wi-Fi Direct technology elminiates many of the ad hoc wireless network limitations and is more secure, but until that technology is more widespread, you can Set Up an Ad Hoc Wireless Network and use it to Share Internet Access on one computer to many devices.

source from about.com

Select a Laptop

How you plan to use your laptop will certainly help you determine which style of laptop is best suited for your needs. Laptops were originally created for inputting text, and they functioned mainly as word processors and number crunchers. As new software programs were created and more powerful components could be built into smaller designs, users realized that laptops could do more than create documents.

My first laptop was an old IBM ThinkPad, and my sole reason for getting a laptop was so that I could take advantage of my home network and work in more comfortable locations. This IBM ThinkPad had only a 512 MB hard drive, 16 MB of RAM, and floppy drive. It worked great for my needs at the time, and it still runs.

Based on my work habits and the type of work that I do, the best laptop style to meet my needs is a desktop replacement model. I also use a MacBook, so that I can work with both the Windows environment and the Mac environment. Not everyone needs two laptops, but in some instances it may be necessary.

After you have listed the uses that you envision for a laptop, it is time to find out more about the different styles of laptops available. That way, you can make an informed decision about which laptop can help you work wherever you want with greater ease and flexibility.

Just as there are different styles of laptops available, it is important that you take time to assess your needs and what you hope to accomplish with a laptop. Doing this helps you determine which laptop style is best suited to you. Keep in mind what your budget is and what computing options you can't afford to live without.

Make a list of what you plan to do with your laptop and what things you could like to do if you had a new laptop. I make a list of what I know I will be using my laptop for and what I want to be able to use it for down the road. Understand how I will work with the laptop now.Consideration the software programs I use on a regular basis.Working with large documents on an ultra portable laptop that only has a 13.3” display is not the smartest way to work nor the most comfortable.

Comfort is another important factor to keep in mind. If you plan to travel and take your laptop with you, then you want to keep in mind the weight factor and how long you may have to carry your laptop. Other comfort features are the size of display and keyboard.

What other things would you like to be able to do with your laptop? Jot down all ideas you have:
Work with your music collection?Create video masterpieces?Store your digital photos?Now that you have decided how you'd like to use your new laptop, you can move on to learning more about the different models of laptops available in this Introduction to Laptop Models.

source from about.com

Working On Netbooks

In general, netbooks are best used as secondary computing devices and travel laptops. Their small size and weight are great for mobility, but netbooks' lower processing capabilities means working on them can be more difficult: opening applications on a netbook takes more patience than on more robust systems, multi-tasking can cripple your system, and processor-intensive applications like graphics editing aren't really compatible with netbooks. Netbooks' small screen sizes and less-than-full-sized keyboards may also make working on them for long periods of time less comfortable compared to working on full-sized laptops or desktop PCs.

Still, netbooks are becoming mainstream due to their long battery lives, multiple connectivity options (wireless-n and, often, mobile broadband), and great portability.

Some netbooks are considered business-class and a few offer customizable or above-average specs (higher resolution display, solid state hard drive (SSD), Windows 7 Home Premium instead of Windows 7 Starter, more memory, etc.). These higher-end netbooks can outshine an outdated laptop or desktop PC, depending on the kind of work you plan to do on it.

If you add a second or external monitor for when you are at home and an external DVD drive if needed for your work, you may not even notice any limitations in the netbook model type.

Netbooks are ideal for activities like surfing the Web and using programs that don't require a lot of processing power, such as office applications. If you have a job that primarily involves the following types of tasks, a netbook may well be enough for your business needs:

Doing online researchChecking and responding to emailsWorking on basic office documents: spreadsheets, word processing documents, and presentationsUsing web-based applications for collaborating on documents, CRM, appointment scheduling, and moreAttending virtual meetings via video conferencing and IM solutionsPretty much any web-based or cloud computing purposeTemper your expectations for what you can do on a netbook and how they work. Programs are a little slower to open than you may be used to, and you may not be able to open more than a handful of programs at the same time without slowing your system down.If you have an operating system choice, go for Windows 7 (and preferrably Windows 7 Home Premium). Windows 7 is faster (and loads more quickly) than previous Windows versions and new features like the program dock in the taskbar make working on a small computer easier.Customize your program toolbars to save screen real estate. Netbook screens aren't very tall, so for more vertical space, tweak your toolbar buttons and select to display only those toolbars you need for your work task (toolbar options are usually found in the View menu). You might not need the Bookmarks Toolbar, for example, in Firefox.Follow important mobile security precautions. Netbooks are prime targets for thieves and also very easy to lose.

source from about.com

Mac Keyboard Shortcuts

Clipboard

• Cmd-C = Copy


• Cmd-V = Paste


• Cmd-X = Cut


• Cmd-A = Select All

Menu Commands

• Shift-Cmd-Q = Log out


• Shift-Opt-Cmd-Q = Log out immediately


• Shift-Cmd-Delete = Empty Trash


• Opt-Shift-Cmd-Delete = Empty Trash without dialog


• Cmd-H = Hide window


• Opt-Cmd-H = Hide Others


• Cmd-N = File New window


• Shift-Cmd-N = New Folder


• Cmd-O = Open


• Cmd-S = Save


• Shift-Cmd-S = Save as


• Cmd-P = Print


• Cmd-W = Close Window


• Opt-Cmd-W = Close all Windows


• Cmd-I = Get Info


• Opt-Cmd-I = Show Attributes Inspector


• Cmd-D = Duplicate


• Cmd-L = Make Alias


• Cmd-R = Show original


• Cmd-T = Add to Favorites


• Cmd-Delete = Move to Trash


• Cmd-E = Eject


• Cmd-F = Find


• Cmd-Z = Undo


• Cmd-B = Hide Toolbar


• Cmd-J = Show View Opts


• Cmd = [ = Go Back


• Cmd = ] = Go Forward


• Shift-Cmd-C = Go to Computer


• Shift-Cmd-H = Go to your Home folder


• Shift-Cmd-I = Go to iDisk


• Shift-Cmd-A = Go to Applications folder


• Shift-Cmd-G = Go to Go-To Folder


• Cmd-K = Connect to Server


• Cmd-M = Minimize Window


• Cmd-? = Open Mac Help


• Cmd-Space = Open Spotlight (OS X 10.4)

Window Management

• Cmd-W = Close window


• Cmd-Opt-W = Close all windows


• Cmd-M = Minimise window


• Cmd-Opt-M = Minimise all windows


• Cmd-H = Hide Application


• Cmd-~ = Cycle through windows for current application


• Ctrl-F4 = Cycle through every open window


• Cmd-Tab = Bring up the Application Switcher


• Cmd-Tab = Cycle Forwards


• Cmd-~ = Cycle Backwards


• Cmd-Shift-Tab = Cycle Backwards


• Cmd-Q = Quit application

Finder Navigation

• Cmd-N = New Finder window


• Cmd-W = Close Window


• Opt-Cmd-W = Close all Windows


• Cmd-Down = Open File/Folder


• Cmd-Up = Navigate to parent


• Cmd-Right = Expand folder (in list view)


• Cmd-Left = Collapse Folder (in list view)


• Opt-Cmd-Right = Expand folder and its subfolders (in list view)


• Opt-Cmd-Up = Open parent folder and close current window


• Cmd-Shift-H = Jump to your Home folder


• Cmd-Shift-A = Jump to your Applications folder


• Cmd-Shift U = Jump to your Utilities folder


• Cmd-Shift K = Jump to the Network browser


• Cmd-Shift G = Goto Folder


• Cmd-1 = View as Icons


• Cmd-2 = View as List


• Cmd-3 = View as Columns


• Cmd-Space = Open Spotlight (OS X 10.4)


• Cmd-Delete = Move file/folder to trash


• Cmd-Click window title = Display the file path

source from about.com

Keyboard Shortcuts

Touch pads and external mice aren't always the best solution when using your laptop. Learn how to use your keyboard to its full potential to save aggravating your wrist or when in restricted space.

I keep a copy of these printed on file cards in my laptop bag so I can always refer to it quickly and easily. Another set is taped to my desk for quick reference.

Windows System Key Combinations F1: HelpCTRL+ESC: Open Start menuALT+TAB: Switch between open programsALT+F4: Quit programSHIFT+DELETE: Delete item permanentlyWindows Program Key Combinations CTRL+C: CopyCTRL+X: CutCTRL+V: PasteCTRL+Z: UndoCTRL+B: BoldCTRL+U: UnderlineCTRL+I: Italic

General Keyboard-Only Commands li]F1: Starts Windows Help F10: Activates menu bar options SHIFT+F10 Open a shortcut menu for the selected item (same as right-clicking an object)CTRL+ESC: Open the Start menu (use ARROW keys to select item)CTRL+ESC or ESC: Select Start button (press TAB to select the taskbar, or press SHIFT+F10 for a context menu) ALT+DOWN ARROW: Open drop-down list boxALT+TAB: Switch to another running program (hold down the ALT key and then press the TAB key to view the task-switching window) SHIFT: Press and hold down the SHIFT key while you insert a CD-ROM to bypass the automatic-run featureALT+SPACE: Display the main window's System menu (from the System menu, you can restore, move, resize, minimize, maximize, or close the window) ALT+- (ALT+hyphen): Display the Multiple Document Interface (MDI) child window's System menu (from the MDI child window's System menu, you can restore, move, resize, minimize, maximize, or close the child window) CTRL+TAB: Switch to next child window of a Multiple Document Interface (MDI) programALT+ underlined letter in menu : Open the menu ALT+F4: Close the current window CTRL+F4: Close the current Multiple Document Interface (MDI) windowALT+F6: Switch between multiple windows in the same program

Mouse Click/Keyboard Modifier Combinations for Shell Objects SHIFT+right click: Display shortcut menu containing alternative commands SHIFT+double click: Run alternate default command (second item on the menu)ALT+double click: Display properties SHIFT+DELETE: Delete an item immediately without placing it in the Recycle Bin

Shell Objects and General Folder/Windows Explorer Shortcuts For a selected object: F2: Rename object F3: Find all files CTRL+X: Cut CTRL+C: Copy CTRL+V: Paste SHIFT+DELETE: Delete selection immediately, without moving the item to the Recycle Bin ALT+ENTER: Open the properties for the selected object

General Folder/Shortcut Control F4: Select the Go To A Different Folder box and moves down the entries in the box (if the toolbar is active in Windows Explorer) F5: Refreshes the current window.F6: Moves among panes in Windows Explorer CTRL+G: Open Go To Folder toolCTRL+Z: Undo last command CTRL+A: Select all items in the current window BACKSPACE: Switch to the parent folder SHIFT+click+ Close button: For folders, close the current folder plus all parent folders

Windows Explorer Tree Control Numeric Keypad *: Expand everything under current selection Numeric Keypad +: Expand current selection Numeric Keypad -: Collapse current selection. RIGHT ARROW: Expand current selection if it is not expanded, otherwise goes to the first childLEFT ARROW: Collapse current selection if it is expanded, otherwise goes to the parent

To Copy a File Press and hold down CTRL key while you drag file to another folder.

To Create a Shortcut Press and hold down CTRL+SHIFT while you drag file to the desktop or a folder.

source from about.com

Analyzing Your Time

Do you end the day wishing for more hours? If this describe you, there are ways to get more from your day without having to need more hours.

Time management is a very important skill for anyone working in a flex-based environment. For mobile workers it can be the difference between sanity and insanity.

Creating and keeping a schedule will require some effort initially but once you get into this routine, it will become second nature to make plans and stay organized. You will need to breakdown your activities based upon Work and Home/Chores.

If you analyze the time spent doing various activities over a period of one or two weeks, you will see patterns developing. Those patterns are what you need to track. They will be either time wasters or maximum use of time.

Work Telephone calls and dealing with email can be two of the biggest time wasters we have.Keep all calls short and on topic. It's not the time for socializing and catching up on gossip.Have separate email accounts for work and personal use. Leave reading the personal email until you are not on "the clock".

Working in a remote environment it can be very easy to get side tracked and forget what your original purpose was. Make sure you stay focused and if you have to, use a timer. Set time limits for how long you have to work on a specific task.Don't set unreasonable limits, as you will frustrate yourself.

Keep favourite sites and search engines bookmarked. This will save valuable time. Save information in a text file that lists different sites and what information is found there.

Save your reading/writing/training for times when you know that you will not have to worry about interruptions. Nothing is worse than trying to learn something new and having the phone ringing from co-workers asking questions or looking for information.

Chores

Your first priority, especially when working from your home office is your job. Save chores for after work hours or for break times. If you allow yourself to get caught up in household chores, you will not get any work done.

Don't forget you still need regular breaks and time to eat. It is too easy to get caught up in work and miss meals or not take a break and you will pay for that later.

Organizing your day to include regular breaks and scheduling your work tasks will enable you to work much smarter and it will also be lesss stressful.

source from about.com

Dangers of Overheating

Laptops are unfortunately prone to overheating. Unlike desktop PCs, a laptop's hardware components are all in close proximity to each other with little room for air movement. The current trend towards miniaturization -- stuffing faster processors into ever smaller cases -- is also increasing the potential for laptops to overheat. In fact, researchers who are trying to solve the problem with nanoelectronics are predicting that if this continues, laptops will be as hot as the sun in a decade or two. In other words, hot laptops are a real problem!

Even if it isn't running at 6,000 degrees Celsius, if your laptop overheats it can do some serious damage to both your body and the internal hardware. A laptop that's too hot, for example, can actually scald you (Sony recalled thousands of VAIO laptops due to possible burn hazards). There's also some indication that working with a hot laptop in your lap, where they were designed to be, can potentially cause male infertility.

Regarding the device itself, operating a laptop at very high temperatures leads to failed hardware components (video cards, motherboards, memory modules, hard drives and more are susceptible to damage) and decreases the lifespan of your computer. It can also be a fire hazard: faulty laptops have actually burned down houses.

But what's the difference between an overheating laptop and one that's just a little hot? If your laptop feels hot and shows any of the problems below, chances are it's overheating or getting there:

Fan constantly running and making loud whirring noisesComputer struggling to perform basic tasks like opening a new browser windowMysterious error messages popping up in random programsLines on your laptop screen (a sign your video card is overheating)System freezing or the dreaded BSOD (blue screen of death)The laptop abruptly shuts down on its own

If your laptop is overheating, take steps immediately to cool down your laptop and prevent further overheating damage.

If your laptop is just plain hot, find out if it's running too hot by using a free program to check the internal laptop temperature and find its optimal temperature.

source from about.com

Backpacks for Your Laptop

Laptop backpacks are a casual looking and easy way to carry your laptop and other mobile gear hands-free. They provide plenty of storage space and using the adjustable shoulder straps will ensure a secure and bounce free way to carry your laptop. A laptop backpack with an included laptop sleeve is especially good to have, and increases the security and safety of your laptop.

1. Bumbakpak Streetflow Collection

The hybrid messenger/backpack laptop bag from Bumbakpak is an innovative take on design for those of us who need and have to carry our laptops for any length of time or over any distance. The design of these laptop bags enable the user to carry this case in backpack mode and keep their hands free and when they need to look more "professional" and "grown-up" as a single strap messenger style bag.

source from about.com

Wi-Fi Direct

Wi-Fi Direct devices are able to connect directly to each other without needing to first connect to a traditional network (e.g., wireless router or access point). The Wi-Fi Direct designation (or certification) for devices has been provided by the Wi-Fi Alliance, the industry organization behind all Wi-Fi Certified products, since late October of 2010. It's a groundbreaking type of technology because it enables fast, easy, and secure content, printer, and Internet sharing between many different kinds of devices.With Wi-Fi Direct, portable and stationary Wi-Fi devices can connect to each other directly, with or without access to a Wi-Fi network or hotspot. This enables content sharing, printer sharing, gaming, and Internet connection sharing (a feature that may be limited by the manufacturer, however -- protecting wireless carriers' interests, for example).
Unlike ad hoc wireless networking, Wi-Fi Direct enables the highest wireless security available today, WPA2, rather than WEP.
Wi-Fi Direct has 802.11n higher data rates (300 Mbps+) and range capabilities, also unlike ad hoc networking, which is limited to 802.11g.
Setting up a Wi-Fi Direct connection can be as simple as pushing a button, and device discovery is also another unique feature.
Many devices can join the Wi-Fi Direct connection, and it's backwards compatible with non-Wi-Fi Direct devices, so as long as one device has the Wi-Fi Direct technology, older devices can still connect.

I met with the Wi-Fi Alliance at CES 2011 and witnessed the seamless connectivity of Wi-Fi Direct between three different laptops. The demo used ConnectSoft's Qwarq wireless platform and software applications for chat, multiplayer gaming, screen sharing, file sending, Internet sharing, and more. (Qwarq helps developers leverage Wi-Fi Direct technology and easily create apps; it also has benefits for users as well, including the ability to share apps with others instantly and discover and connect with other wireless users more easily.)

The demo showcased some of the best features of Wi-Fi Direct: instant connectivity and fast wireless-n speeds. I watched as a large photo was quickly transferred from one laptop to the other, and as multiple users played an Asteroid-type game together and chatted about it in the game at the same time. This was all done without connection to a traditional network or Internet access.

The first Wi-Fi Direct certified products included several wi-fi network cards from Intel, Atheros, Broadcom, Realtek, and Ralink. Consumer electronics certified for Wi-Fi Direct as of January 2011 include: blu-ray players from LG and the Samsung Galaxy S smartphone.

Because all of the major consumer electronics manufacturers are in support of the Wi-Fi Direct technology, it's expected that Wi-Fi Direct will be found in the majority of computers, notebooks, smartphones, tablets, televisions, and other CE products. It's definitely a wireless technology to look for in 2011 and beyond.

For mobile pros in particular, there are several uses for Wi-Fi Direct. You can have a meeting at client's or customer's office and not need to be connected to their network to be able to share files, give presentations, etc. It may be easier to connect via Wi-Fi Direct, and it's more secure for the office network (you're welcome, IT administrators!).

Also, when you're at a wireless hotspot with others, you can still get your Internet access from the hotspot, but use more secure Wi-Fi Direct to share your files with your colleagues.

And since Wi-Fi Direct works cross-platform and across the full gamut of wi-fi capable devices, the sky's really the limit when it comes to the types of directly-connected applications that can be used both on the go or at home/home office.

For more information about Wi-Fi Direct (including a cute animation showing it in action), see the Wi-Fi Alliance's Wi-Fi Direct page.

source from about.com

Office Chairs

Your office chair is going to play an important role in your telecommuting life. While these chairs are not cheap, they do provide the best comfort and support you need. Each chair is available in different colours, and even sizes. All are very adjustable, so you can be completely comfortable. Why not be as comfortable as you can when working from home?

1. Aeron Chair

The Aeron is a very expensive chair, but if you plan to spend a lot of time in it, it's a wise investment. The back and bottom of the chair are made from Pellicle. It allows for balanced weight distribution and allows air to flow throw the mesh, keeping body heat even. The Aeron is available in sizes A, B and C depending on your height, weight and body type. It is a fully adjustable chair.

source from about.com

Windows 7 Wi-Fi Hotspot with Connectify

Many of us these days have more than one device that we'd like (or need) Internet connection for -- smartphones and tablets, laptops and mobile Internet devices. Hefty tethering charges and fees for wi-fi hotspot access when you're away from home or traveling can add up for all those devices; it isn't always economical to pay to have all of them connected. Thankfully, there's free software called Connectify that can turn your Windows 7 laptop into a wi-fi hotspot or wi-fi access point of sorts, sharing its Internet connection over wi-fi with any other nearby wireless devices (any wireless-capable device, running Windows 7 or not). Here's how to use Connectify to get wi-fi Internet access on multiple devices through your Windows 7 laptop.

Note: If you have a wired Internet connection (e.g., one Ethernet connection in your hotel room) or a 3G cellular data modem for your computer, you can also use Internet Connection Sharing, a built-in Windows feature to share an Internet connection. See How to Share Internet Access (XP), Share an Internet Connection on Windows Vista, or Share an Internet Connection on Windows 7. If you have a Mac, you can Share Your Mac's Internet Connection via Wi-Fi as well.

source from about.com

USB Stick

Use a USB Flash Drive to Keep Essential Files Always Available The free Microsoft SyncToy can keep files synchronized between multiple devices

Screenshot © Melanie Pinola

USB flash drives can hold several gigabytes of data -- enough to make sure you always have in your pocket or on your keychain stuff like your latest projects files, Outlook files, photos of your house and equipment for insurance purposes, medical records, contact lists, and other essential information you would need with you in case of emergency or just for accessing on the go. If you sometimes have to work in different offices or travel a lot, USB flash drives are great tools for accessing your work files wherever you go.

Important Note: Before you store any sensitive information on your USB flash drive, however, make sure you encrypt the drive so the data on it is protected in case it ever gets lost (an unfortunately likely scenario, with an estimated 4,500 USB sticks lost or forgotten every year in the UK alone, left in places like dry cleaners and taxis).

USB File Management & Security Resources:

source from about.com

Solve WiFi-Dropped-Signals

Some of the same issues that affect not being able to get a wireless connection at all (the first part in our wireless troubleshooting series) can also cause a weak wireless signal or one that often drops out. Dropped wireless signals can, however, have other unique causes and possible solutions.

Here's what to do when you often find yourself having to restart your computer or wireless router to "fix" the wireless connection:

One of the biggest causes of dropped or weak wireless signals is interference from other objects (including walls, metal objects like filing cabinets, etc.). Being very far from the wireless signal source also negatively impacts signal strength. To solve these issues, try to move closer to the wireless router or access point and remove any obstacles you can -- a clear path to the router is your best bet. Also, try placing your home wireless router in a more central location of your home.

Another cause of dropped wireless signals is outdated drivers for your devices (computer, wireless router) or your operating system. Windows XP, for example, greatly improved its support for WPA/WPA2 wireless security with XP Service Pack 3; if you only have the earlier SP1 or SP2 update, that may be the source of your intermittent wireless problems. Use Windows Update to see if there are operating system and device driver updates available; also visit your router manufacturer's website for any firmware upgrades needed.

If being too far from the wireless access point or router is the problem, you can get a wireless repeater or wireless extender to extend the range of the wireless network. These "signal amplifiers" are available from Linksys, TRENDnet, Dlink and other makers of networking products; prices go from around $50 and up (check prices on wireless extenders)

Unfortunately, the cause of some wireless problems -- especially frequently dropped wireless signals -- is the router itself (I've personally seen three cases where wireless routers just died after constantly dropping the wireless signal). If the suggestions above don't work, try resetting your wireless router to the defaults and testing if it can maintain a wireless signal. If not, you probably need to get a new router (while you're at it, you may consider upgrading to wireless-n).

(Note: This article is also available in a PDF version for saving to your computer for reference before going on the road. If you need further help or want to discuss wi-fi or other mobile computing topics, feel free to visit our forum.)

source from about.com

Monthly Laptop Care

Along with weekly laptop computer maintenance, mobile professionals must also do monthly laptop maintenance tasks to ensure the smooth operation of their laptops and to keep their data protected. The better care you take of your laptop, the longer it will last and you will stay more productive with less downtime due to problems.

1. Clean Your Hard Drive

Over the course of a month it is easy to accumulate a lot of unnecessary files on your laptop hard drive. Take the time once a month to go through your hard drive and examine the files there. Determine which should be saved elsewhere for future reference and which can be trashed. If you download programs on a regular basis to try new things or just to have access to new programs for projects, properly un-install those programs when no longer needed. A cleaner hard drive runs smoother.

2. Defrag Your Hard Drive

Defragging your hard drive is another step to ensuring your laptop will run more efficiently. Taking the time to defrag once a month will allow your programs to run more quickly and make better use of the space on your hard drive. When you defrag your laptop hard drive on a monthly basis you should notice fewer software crashes or freeze ups and programs will run better.

3. Keep Your Laptop Clean

Cleaning your laptop helps prevent overheating and those nasty dust bunnies from building up inside your laptop fans and exposed ports. Cleaning the screen also means you'll always view your data clearly and it's much easier on the eyes. Keeping your case free of dust and dirt buildup will help your laptop by preventing that dirt from getting inside the laptop.

More: Cleaning a Laptop

4. Full Back-Up

Full back-ups should be conducted on a monthly basis and you should have a secure, fire-proof location to store your back-up. There are a variety of software and hardware options available. You should chose the method that is easy and can be done without fuss on a monthly basis. It may require trying different methods before you find the best back-up system for your needs.

More: Prevent Data Loss

5. Software Updates

Just as you keep your anti-virus and firewall software up-to-date, you should also keep your software programs updated. For many programs the updates will address security issues which help keep your laptop and data protected while on the road.

source from about.com