18. February 2010 by admin.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/189257/standardize_this_10_technology_messes_that_need_fixing.html?tk=nl_llx_h_crawl

Standardize This! 10 Technology Messes That Need Fixing
Why should every mobile device in your house have a different charger? Why can’t a cell phone from one network work on every other system? These ten solutions would stop the madness.

Dan Tynan, PCWorld

Feb 15, 2010 8:00 pm
 
Enough with bickering cell phone technologies, messaging systems that won’t talk, incompatible file formats, and TV remotes that spread like kudzu across your coffee table. We’ve been dealing with some of these problems for more than a decade, and it’s time for things to improve.

Here are ten technologies that cry out for standardization–tomorrow if possible, though yesterday would be even better.

What tech do you want to see standardized? Post your thoughts in the comments below.

1. One World, One Plug

2. A Real Universal Remote

3. Virtual Instruments That Rock Around the Clock

4. A Single Data-File Format

5. Smarter Smartphone Batteries (and Keyboards)

6. Universal Avatars

7. Region-Free DVDs and Blu-ray Discs

8. Secure Security Software

9. IM Clients That Speak the Same Language

10. One Cell Network to Rule Them All

Imagine there’s no telecom; it’s easy if you try. No AT&T hell below us; above us only sky. Imagine endless spectrum, open to any device (oooh oooh, ooh-hoo-woo).

Yes, we are dreamers, but we’re not the only ones. Back in January 2008, when Google bid on the old analog TV spectrum at the FCC’s auctions, many people hoped the search giant would solve the headaches caused by rival cell technologies and control-freak telecoms by offering cheap, open, ubiquitous radio spectrum.

But Verizon and AT&T won most of those auctions, and an open cellular network has yet to emerge. We still hold out hope, though, that one day they’ll join us–and the world will speak as one.

When not whining about things he can’t have, Contributing Editor Dan Tynan tends his snark garden at his award-winning geek humor site, eSarcasm. (Note: Awards still pending.)

(Alan Spicer’s Note: Some of these things may not matter to us, depending on our age, but may matter to our children. Some of them really strike a “chord”, pardon the pun since one of the items in the list is about “Virtual Instruments” - especially when it comes to things being more “universal” like Remote Controls, Power Plugs, cellular service, etc. Especially the Cellular Service. But that one, cellular service, just might happen - at least to some extent - with LTE: Long Term Evolution, which promises to be the Next Generation … and a “Melting Pot” or “Convergence Point” where most of the cellular carriers will “Come together, right now…. over me” - to put even more pun to this articles musical connotations Sprint seems to be touting WiMax … and that’s fine, not sure if that’s just because they can *use someone elses stuff* and do 4G *right now*, or what. But it still does nothing towards the Covergence of Cellular Technologies to something where a single phone and or phone/data-Internet device can work on anyones network.

Anyway more at the link above. I’m open for comments on this if anyone wants - I’ll take comments on here or via email. I do feel like I have to sprinkle this comment in there myself … A wise man once said: Be careful what you ask for … you just might get it. To ask for One Cell Network to Rule Them All might not be a good idea. That’s the kind of things you end up with where there is a Monopoly. So how about Multiple Cell Phone Networks so “we” still have the Freedom of Choice on Price and Performance points, but cross-compatibility so that we could change carriers if we wanted to? But then again why doesn’t that happen already? Perhaps because there would be no way to lock us in to one carrier via contracts and term agreements. If they all used the same Technology Standard, and Phones were not Locked… then the Cell Carriers might have to differentiate themselves by “Quality” and I mean Quality all of the time. Not just when there’s no event happening or when you are in the middle of nowhere. We are so sold on subsidized Phone Equipment as well that we can’t jump ship either because we have to have that *cheap* [expensive] subsidized phone so we have to sign a contract.)

P.S. - Someone once said:

“The great thing about standards is that there are so many to choose from”

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADBF_enUS255US256&q=The+great+thing+about+standards+is+there+are+so+many+of+them

—

73 de KA4UDX, Alan Spicer

Alan Spicer Telecom / Alan Spicer Marine Telecom

http://blog.marinetelecom.net - http://www.marinetelecom.net - http://www.wifiyacht.net - http://www.youtube.com/user/alanspicertelecom

+1 954 683 3426 - Email: communications (at) marinetelecom.net
 

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16. February 2010 by admin.

Alan Spicer Marine Telecom, as of February 2010, is entering into it’s 6th year in business serving the marine, sailing, and motor yachting communities for communications and computer products and services. I, Alan Spicer, would like to thank all of my friends and customers for your support in the endeavor.

Alan Spicer - http://www.marinetelecom.net/about-alan-spicer.html comes from a background of 4 years US Navy in Visual and Radio Communications as well as Underway Navigation Watches (Quartermaster of the Watch), along with 24 years experience working in Communications - Cellular - Two Way Radio, and Networking - Information Technology in the local area.

Alan Spicer holds a US General Class Amateur Radio License as well as other general radio FCC licenses. Alan has experience in consumer electronics sales and warranty service. Alan also has quite a few years working in Network and Systems Administration (aka Information Technology) and has knowledge of both Windows and Unix/Linux types of Computer Operating Systems.

As luck would have it…? Or destiny… Alan Spicer has the unique set of ingredients necessary to help you with your mobile/marine communications and computer systems.

Alan also works with Bryan Fugett, International Marine Electronics, to provide a full range of electronics, navigation, and computer products and services to the marine market. We work with boats as well as with Marine Electronics dealers and installers … and we try not to step on anyones toes along the way. We like to run a nice clean honest operation.

Give us a try…

—

Alan Spicer Marine Telecom

http://www.marinetelecom.net - http://www.wifiyacht.net

communications (at) marinetelecom.net

+1 954 683 3426

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16. February 2010 by admin.

The link is here: http://www.wifiyacht.net for WiFi Yacht … Our Marine Kit for sharing WiFi Hotspot Systems onboard your marine vessel. Installation available in the South Florida area - as well as integration with existing onboard networks and other/multiple Internet Access Systems.

Call: 954-683-3426 for a quote today. You can do-it-yourself or get a quote on installation in the Southeast Florida area. We can also help you with Cellular 3G Voice and Internet, and Satellite Voice and Internet Systems. We also have the capability to help you with other Marine Electronics and Audio-Video Entertainment Systems. Navigation and Communications PC computer, and Navigation Software installations and upgrades are also a specialty of ours.

* Thanks for looking … and please pass our information on to others that you know in boating and yachting.

—

Alan Spicer Marine Telecom

http://www.marinetelecom.net - http://www.wifiyacht.net

http://blog.marinetelecom.net - http://www.youtube.com/user/alanspicertelecom

+1 954 683 3426 - communications (at) marinetelecom.net

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16. February 2010 by admin.

* I haven’t mentioned this often enough but ASMT (Alan Spicer Telecom and Marine Telecom) is a Full Services and Products - Communications and Technology Provider - Wether you are on Land or on Sea (Marine). Corporate, Small Business, Government, Home, and Personal Communications Services such as Voice, Internet / Data, and more … via DSL, Cable, Satellite, T1, T3, OCx, Metro Ethernet…

Voice over IP Phone Services, Cellular Phone, Triple Play, Voice and Data, Metro Ethernet, Enterprise VoIP, High Speed DSL, Local Phone Services, Long Distance, …

T1 / Dedicate multi-line voice and Data / Internet, PBX Phone Systems, Virtual PBX Systems, Cellular Phones, Cellular Plans, High Speed Internet, Domain Names, Web Hosting, Search Engine Optimization, …

Credit Cards, Pre-Paid Credit Cards, Satellite TV, Home Security (Alarm Systems - Monitoring), Computers, Networking Gear (professional and home), and what? Social Networking Tools and Apps.

* Check this all out HERE: http://riveroffers.com/?cogid=aspicer

Find Carrier Pricing Now!

http://riveroffers.com/dedicated.html?crid=14457

We guarantee that the rates you receive from GeoQuote(tm) will not be beaten by any “inside salesmen”, websites, or agents for that service provider. If you do find cheaper price anywhere else, we will match that price and pay you up to $500 cash back!All from our affiliation with River Offers (formerly Cognigen Networks)

Computers
Custom PC’s
Desktops
Notebooks
Handhelds/PDAs
Servers
More…
 
Electronics
Camcorders
Digital Cameras
DVD Players
GPS Navigators
MP3 Players
TVs
More…
 
Networking
Cables & wires
Routers & Switches
Wireless
More…
 
Office Supplies
Binders
Files & filing supplies
Paper
Pens
More…
 
Peripherals
Keyboards
Monitors
Mice & game controls
Printers
Projectors
Scanners
Webcams
More…
 
Components
Barebone systems
Computer cases
Hard drives
Motherboards
More…
 
Software
Business & productivity
Games
Operating systems
More…
 
 

—

Alan Spicer

Alan Spicer Telecom / Alan Spicer Marine Telecom

http://www.marinetelecom.net - http://www.wifiyacht.net

communications (at) marinetelecom.net

+1 954 683 3426

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16. February 2010 by admin.

Here is pictures of the Hustler 6BTV - 6 band Trapped Vertical Antenna - installed here at KA4UDX (HF/SSB/Ham)

—

Alan Spicer (Amateur Radio: KA4UDX) http://www.qrz.com/db/KA4UDX

Alan Spicer Telecom / Marine Telecom

http://blog.marinetelecom.net - http://www.marinetelecom.net - http://www.wifiyacht.net

communications (at) marinetelecom.net

+1 954 683 3426

73 de KA4UDX

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14. February 2010 by admin.

Happy Valentines Day to you and yours! — From Alan Spicer Telecom / Marine Telecom.

Die Hard Movie Quotes (1988)
 
Bruce Willis (John McClane): You throw quite a party. I didn’t realize they celebrated Christmas in Japan.
James Shigeta (Joseph Takagi): Hey, we’re flexible. Pearl Harbor didn’t work out so we got you with tape decks. 

—
Alan Spicer Telecom / Alan Spicer Marine Telecom
http://www.marinetelecom.net - http://www.wifiyacht.net
communications (at) marinetelecom.net
+1 954-683-3426

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14. February 2010 by admin.

The show continues after this commercial interruption…

Show SMPTE color bars, Fade to Black …

“In 5, …, 4, …, 3, …, 2, … 1″

Back on 30 July 2009 I showed you pictures I had take of the Ericsson W35 on here:

http://blog.marinetelecom.net/2009/07/30/ericsson-w35-unit-pictures-with-a-cheap-web-cam-but-a-real-e-w35/

My web page for information and ordering of the Ericsson W35 is here:

http://www.marinetelecom.net/Ericsson_W35/

The Ericsson W35 is a Mobile Broadband Router (Also Known As: Fixed Wireless Terminal or a Fixed Cellular Terminal.) The Ericsson W25 has been replaced by the Ericsson W35 adding HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access) to the HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) which the W25 has. This basically moves into the 3G+ (3G Plus) realm since it has the full HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) Capability onboard. The Ericsson W25 is no longer available. The Ericsson W35 is the drop-in replacement for the W25. Some users (e.g. Marine, or Mobile, or unique fixed locations) will need external antenna adaptor (Radio Pigtail), Coax Cable (LMR-400 for > 25 Feet), and an External Antenna. Please ask for these things when you order. Ericsson W35 uses a different external antenna connector - make sure that you ask for and get the correct Radio Pigtail Coax Cable Adaptor if you need it. The W25 could receive Faster. The W35 can also send Faster. W35 is the one you want.

The Ericsson W35 - 3G Internet and Cellular Voice Router Now

with High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) all part of the

High Speed Packet Access Technologies (HSPA). Unlocked -

International Travel Capable - Multi-Cellular Carrier Capable -

Analog Telephone Attachment (ATA) Included. Wireless Access

Point (Sharing 3G Internet via WiFi) Included - 4 Port Fast

Ethernet (Sharing via Wired Networking) Included. I think if

they could have fit the Kitchen Sink in there - it would have been

“included”. This Mobile Broadband Router can go Anywhere.

12vDC. 24vDC. 110vAC. You think of the possibilities! Very

Popular for Marine 3G+ Internet on Sailing and Motor Yachts

(and does voice for the PBX too! [Cell #1 = Ericsson W35].)

Following on the lead of the Ericsson W25.
 

—
Alan Spicer Telecom / Alan Spicer Marine Telecom
http://www.marinetelecom.net - http://www.wifiyacht.net
communications (at) marinetelecom.net
+1 954-683-3426

Posted in Cellular Voice and Internet | No Comments »

14. February 2010 by admin.

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/189233/microsoft_says_malware_causing_blue_screen_crashes.html?tk=nl_dnx_h_crawl

By Robert McMillan, IDG News Service

A hard-to-detect rootkit may be causing Windows XP systems to crash following Microsoft’s latest security updates.

Windows users began flooding Windows support forums this week, saying that their computers had been rendered unusable with a blue-screen-of-death (BSOD) error after installing Microsoft’s February security updates, released Tuesday. On Thursday, Microsoft stopped shipping the MS10-015 update, which had been linked to the issue, and said it was investigating.

On Friday, Microsoft offered a preliminary conclusion, saying that malicious software may be to blame. “Malware on the system can cause the behavior,” wrote Microsoft spokesman Jerry Bryant on a company blog. “We are not yet ruling out other potential causes at this time and are still investigating.”

“We have confirmed cases where removing malware allows the system to boot,” Bryant said in a Twitter message.

Windows XP user Patrick Barnes said he’d traced the issue to a malicious rootkit program known as TDSS that he found on one of his systems.

(More at the link above)

Alan’s Note: To my boating and yachting friends and customers - If you have this problem let me know. My consulting and support agreement customers have support for such issues. But I’d like to hear in marine having this problem. Perhaps we can track down the How-To to get rid of the malware or whatever and be able to solve it for others.

—
Alan Spicer

DBA Alan Spicer Telcom / Alan Spicer Marine Telecom
Computer Services, Wired/Wireless Networking,
Cell/Sat/Landline Communications, General Consulting…
Marine, Business, Small Office and Home Office (SOHO)

* Cost Savings and Integration of Multiple Internet Technologies
on board Sail and Motor Yachts * Documentation, Operating
Instructions, and Support after the Sale *

* http://www.marinetelecom.net/
* http://www.internetforyachts.net/
* http://www.wifiyacht.net/
* 954-683-3426

Mobile Internet! Step up to the HSPA 3G Fast Internet!

Ericsson W35 released in the USA. This you’ve gotta SEE!!
Better looking presentation than W25 (you might not want to
hide this one in the Doghouse!) + High Speed Upload which
the W25 did not have.
http://www.marinetelecom.net/Ericsson_W35/

Posted in General Computer onboard Sail and Motor Yachts | No Comments »

5. February 2010 by admin.

In the light 0f hurricanes and earthquakes and all sorts of mobile and incidental activity one thing rings strong … everyone talks about infrastructure and that just means one thing generally … backhaul …

 *ALMOST* every circuit or communications method, I don’t care if its satellite, cellular, wifi, wimax, or whatever you are talking about. If there is no Internet behind that signal you might as well be talking to the MOON. If they lose their Infrastructure meaning that they lose their Internet then all your fancy VOIP - Voice over Internet Protocol and any thing else that goes over internet … goes right out the window.

 One thing that d0es not go out the window though is SSB / HF  or low band communications. Assuming it was not something nuclear that damaged common solid sate equipment then SSB / HF communications can still get through,. Sailmail and such things for HF email might just work, assuming nothing happened to the infrastructure of Sailmail and the shore stations for that.

But you might consider becoming more familiar with your SSB / HF equipment on your boat - and on land as well if you can. And Ham Radio / Amateur Radio is one such way to do that. But not the only way in the marine environment. You might however try checking into or listening to area SSB / HF marine networks to be ready for any such occurance and be ready to communicate by SSB/HF radio if that ever becomes the only way to go.

If the INTERNET ever goes … even if by satellite … you might want to be ready and able to use SSB / HF radi0 to communicate if your have to.

—

Alan Spicer - KA4UDX

http://www.marinetelecom.net

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3. February 2010 by admin.

Watching satellite TV from home, yah, fairly easy, on a boat / yacht a little bit more of a challenge - but most of the work is done by those nice white radomes with the 3-axis tracking antenna system to take care of keeping you on the “bird” (The satellite) so that you can watch TV. Now grant it many yacht sat tv users have had to deal with things like changing satellites and even changing LNB (Low Noise Block) to watch satellite TV in different geographic areas as they travel.

But *this* looks like more of a challenge! Amateur Satellite a part of Amateur Radio - and this can all be done with relatively inexpensive equipment. If you already had the dual band handheld radio, and many of us hams already do, then all we would need is that fancy antenna - and maybe the duplexer that’s needed with it! I was already looking at the UHF antenna as someone recommended it for use in tracking down “noisy” power poles in your area that cause Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) on the ham bands. See my other posts about RFI on here.

I want this arrow antenna. And I might just get the VHF and UHF “Satellite” version instead of just getting the 7-element UHF Yagi. That would let me use it for satellite (VHF and UHF) as well as on single bands UHF or VHF, along with the RFI tracking that I was wanting to do anyway.

What can be more fun than tracking and talking through satellites by hand? Tracking and locating noise electrical power poles by hand?

Here’s a satellite video showing this antenna system:

How to GET and put together the ARROW Satellite Antenna for Amateur Radio / Satellite Use:




—
Alan Spicer - Radio Amateur KA4UDX
(See my other contact info elsewhere on this blog)

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