We're having crazy weather - one minute we are sweltering and the next we have the heat on. At least, my sister from Los Angeles had it on. She stayed in our spare room, but had some homework to do for a class she is taking. So I put the spare notebook PC in her room, checked the wireless Internet connection, and hooked up an external mouse to make it easier for her to use. Of course, she could print via the network on my PCs printer.
Where would we be without our electronic gadgets? Fifty years ago, when I was growing up, we didn't have gadgets - we barely had a TV or a wall phone - today we can't live without 'em. Electronics are the new addictive drugs and we are all hooked (especially me!). And yesterday's gadgets are today's mainstream - people wear iPods like they wear socks - cell phones are ubiquitous - everybody has a digital camera and takes more digital snaps then they can possibly catalog.
So with this year's holiday season coming up, it's time to look at this year's crop of gadgets.
Smart phones: It's not enough just to have a cell phone. Now it has to run PC applications such as Word, have built-in GPS circuitry to tell you where you are and how to get where you want to go, and video or music players to keep you from getting bored. Add email and an Internet connection and your new cell phone is the center of your digital life. Get one now at your favorite cell phone store, but be prepared to pay big bucks to buy and more each month.
Network Storage Devices: These are basically intelligent external hard drives, but with the capability to share your files all over the Internet via a web-based interface. Be your own library and gallery, and make all your stuff available for anyone to view. But be aware that there are some firewall configuration issues.
Photo Frames: Oh, not your mamma's wooden frame - digital is in. LCD frames are now mainstream; you load up a memory card with your photos to show and they display continuously. But the newest ones are able to access your PC via a wireless Wi-Fi connection and so able to display an infinite sequence of photos. You could even change your photos for your mood or for the time of day. If you store recipes (with photos) on your PC, you could send a visible menu selection to the kitchen frame. Think of the possibilities!
Slingbox: You just ain't really high-tech unless you have one of these! A Slingbox is basically an Internet server for your TV programs. You hook up the Slingbox at home to your satellite or cable box on one side, and an Internet connection on the other. When on the road (especially using a notebook or Internet enabled cell phone) you can access the Slingbox via the Internet and control program selection and viewing just like you were at home. So, for example, if you subscribe to a pay-per-view prize fight, you can still view it remotely even though you paid for the fight at home.
Car DVD Players: Not new, but a must-have if you have kids and travel. Both my daughters have them and wouldn't travel without. Most units these days come with dual displays that slip behind the front seat backs or built-in units that flip down from the car ceiling. And don't you think that the little kids won't know how to use them - expect to be surprised at how even the young know how to insert the DVDs and hit Play - after all, it's a gadget world!
(Bob Seidel is a local computer consultant in the Southport - Oak Island area. You can visit his Website at www.bobseidel.com or e-mail questions or column ideas to him at bsc@bobseidel.com. For specific inquiries, please call Bob Seidel Consulting, LLC at 278-1007.)