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Since the advent of the PC, we have been thinking about what it consists of as components. The docking station takes that concept a new step forward, by providing separable components. A docking station is a hardware frame and set of electrical connection interfaces that, in effect, enable a notebook computer to serve as a desktop computer. You remove the computer from the station when you want to maximize portability, and set it back into the station when you want to maximize capability. Thus the docking station gives you the best of both possible worlds.

Given that these devices are a relatively new product, their terminology has not yet achieved a standard form. Some manufacturers refer to such devices as dock stations, expansion bases, ultrabases, MiniDocks, etc. Whatever the terminology, the purpose is to expand the functionality of an ultralight computing device. Typically, it allows the notebook or tablet PC to communicate with a local printer, with larger storage or backup drives, and possibly other devices not usually taken along with a notebook computer. Docking stations may also include a network interface card (NIC) that attaches the notebook to a local area network (LAN).

One may distinguish docking stations from port replicators, in that the latter devices simply add more ports, but otherwise do not increase the computer’s capabilities. A port replicator is a scaled down version of a docking station. That is, docking stations provide additional slots for adding expansion boards and storage devices.

Docking stations let you use your laptop or tablet very much like a desktop PC. How this works is that you hook up several peripheral devices, such as a large, high definition monitor, a full-size keyboard, a mouse, one or more disk drives, printers, etc., to the station. Then you simply plug the portable PC into the dock. This lets you make only one single connection to gain the capabilities of all those peripherals instead of having to plug them all into the PC individually.

The cost to buy a docking station is usually not much more than $250, and can be considerably less. Because of the enhanced flexibility, mobility and versatility they provide, they tend to be great bargains. This is a technology whose time has come. If you never need a computer to-go, then this obviously is not for you. But if you want to combine desktop capabilities with easy computer portability, you will need one version or another of this device.

People typically buy a portable computer and a docking station together. Make sure they are compatible with each other. Look for the capabilities you need. Those who have this device often cannot imagine how they previously  made do without it. If you need it, get one now.

 What should you look for in a computer monitor stand?

If your monitor is a CRT type, look for massive carrying capacity; if your monitor is a LCD type, look for easy adjustability. With a LCD type monitor, because one needs to be looking at it very straightforwardly, you may find you will need to twist it on its stand fairly often to show the screen to another person.

Position your monitor so that light and glare from inside lights or from windows do not reflect from the monitor, which usually means positioning the screen at right angles to the nearest window. If you use a document stand, ensure that it is in much the same position as your monitor, and only slightly off center, so that you can look at either without having to make much change in your own sitting position.

Ergonomically, the best fit between you and your monitor is that the monitorshould be about arm’s length away and the top of the monitor should be ateye level, or just slightly below. This is necessary to let you read the screenwithout having to pull your neck forward or push it back. People who usebifocal glasses, whether progressive or not, will have to experiment a bit tofind the correct distance, which will mean that you can read the screen bestwithout having to twist your head out of its normal upright position.

When looking for a monitor stand you first need to determine how high itshould be. That is, measure the height of your monitor itself plus the height ofwhatever furniture it will be resting upon, and then figure out how much it should be raised to meet the exact height requirements just mentioned. Only now will you be able to address the question of whether a particular stand will get the monitor up to the right height. Look at the stand’s detailed specifications, which should tell you whether the height is adjustable, and if so by how much. Do not part with your hard-earned money to buy a stand that will not meet your exact personal requirements.

Now, you could accomplish these relationships with a stack of oldnewspapers as your stand. So why buy a stand at all? One reason is esthetics. Another is to ensure that your monitor rests safely on a solid platform. The most important reason is to let you reclaim some storage space underneath the monitor, perhaps to store your mousepad and keyboard.

Think of what materials you use most often, and ensure that you store these close at hand, say no more than one foot away (call this zone 1). Materials that you use a lot, but less frequently than those in zone 1, you could store, say, two feet away, in zone 2. Materials and parts you use most infrequently you can store still further away, possibly even so far that you will have to get up from your sitting position to reach them, in zone 3. Zones 1 and 2 will help prevent unnecessary motion, while zone 3 will force you to abandon your fixedposture while you do a bit of stretching and give yourself a break that willhelp to prevent cumulative trauma to the back, neck and shoulders.

It is best if what the computer monitor stand sits on has rounded corners.Why, you might ask. Well, it has been scientifically determined and repeatedly proven beyond any possible doubt that, worldwide, the absolutely most perfect instrument for finding furniture in a dark room is the human shinbone.

What should you look for in computer accessories?

Ifyour monitor is a CRT type, look for massive carrying capacity; if yourmonitor is a LCD type, look for easy adjustability. With a LCD typemonitor, because one needs to be looking at it very straightforwardly,you may find you will need to twist it on its stand fairly often toshow the screen to another person.

Position your monitor sothat light and glare from inside lights or from windows do not reflectfrom the monitor, which usually means positioning the screen at rightangles to the nearest window. If you use a document stand, ensure thatit is in much the same position as your monitor, and only slightly offcenter, so that you can look at either without having to make muchchange in your own sitting position.

Ergonomically, the best fit between you and your monitor is that the monitorshould be about arm’s length away and the top of the monitor should be ateye level, or just slightly below. This is necessary to let you read the screenwithout having to pull your neck forward or push it back. People who usebifocal glasses, whether progressive or not, will have to experiment a bit tofind the correct distance, which will mean that you can read the screen bestwithout having to twist your head out of its normal upright position.

When looking for a monitor stand you first need to determine how high itshould be. That is, measure the height of your monitor itself plus the height ofwhatever furniture it will be resting upon, and then figure out how much it should be raisedto meet the exact height requirements specified above. Only now willyou be able to address the question of whether a particular stand willget the monitor up to the right height. Look at the stand’s detailedspecifications, which should tell you whether the height is adjustable,and if so by how much. Do not buy a stand that will not meet your exactpersonal requirements.

Now, you could accomplish these relationships with a stack of oldnewspapersas your stand. So why buy a stand at all? One reason is esthetics.Another is to ensure that your monitor rests safely on a solidplatform. The most important reason is to let you reclaim some storage spaceunderneath the monitor, perhaps for your keyboard.

Think of what materials you use most often, and ensure that these are closeat hand, say no more than one foot away (call this zone 1). Materials thatyou use a lot, but less frequently than those in zone 1, you could store, say,two feet away, in zone 2. Materials you use most infrequently can be storedstill further away, possibly even so far that you will have to get up from yoursitting position to reach them, in zone 3. Zones 1 and 2 will help preventunnecessary motion, while zone 3 will force you to abandon your fixedposture while you do a bit of stretching and give yourself a break that willhelp to prevent cumulative trauma to the back, neck and shoulders.

It is best if what the computer monitor stand sits on has rounded corners.Why, you might ask. Well, it has been scientifically determined and provenbeyondany possible doubt that the absolutely most perfect instrument forfinding furniture in a dark room is the human shinbone.

Accessories

Introduction

The USB flash drive is the technological, logical and honorably worthy successor to the floppy disk drive. It is removable so that you can transfer the data it stores from one computer to another, simply by removing it from one and plugging it into another. Flash drives use a standard type-A USB connection, and are “plug and play,” in the sense that as soon as you plug one into a computer, the computer recognizes that it has just acquired another drive, which it usually designates as “drive E.” On the other hand, it is always possible to format the flash drive, and even to partition it like a hard disk on a PC or a Mac. Also, they don’t mind at all being formatted in Linux or Unix.

Normally, the flash drive’s data becomes immediately accessible, just as though you had inserted a floppy disk into a floppy disk drive. Although the flash drive acts just like any other disk drive, to call it a drive is a misnomer, because it has no moving parts, and so nothing is being “driven.” Although it relies on solid-state circuitry, nonetheless, the name “drive” has stuck. Flash drives are to be distinguished from the Flash Cards used in digital cameras or MP3 players. Other names for flash drives are: Thumb Drives, Jump Drives, Pocket Drives, and Pen Drives.

These “drives” are almost all compatible with both Universal Serial Bus specifications 1.1 and USB 2.0, which replaced 1.1 in 2001, so they should run on any PC or Mac that actually has one or more USB receptacles or slots into which they may be plugged, which is most of the computers out there today. To determine whether your PC’s USB slots are 1.1 or 2.0, open device manager and expand the Universal Serial Bus section. There should be an “Enhanced” USB host controller present if USB 2.0 is in place.

On the older machines, most flash drives just default to the USB 1.1 specs., and so run a bit more slowly. As a practical matter, fast USB host can in actual practice achieve transfer rates of up to 30-40 Mbs. per second, while the older specification permits a (theoretical) maximum of only 12 Mbs. per second, but in practice tends to function at just about 1 Mb per second. To upgrade to the faster speed, if you have a free slot you can just pop in a USB 2.0 PCI card, which will do the trick.

Uses

Uses are as varied as your imagination. These Swiss army knives are often favored by system operators and network administrators, who load them up with configuration information and software that they use for system maintenance, troubleshooting, and data recovery. People in the PC repair field use them to transfer recovery and antivirus software to infected PCs, while allowing a part of the host machine’s data to be archived in case of emergency. If you plan to use one for this purpose, be sure that it can be set with write protection. Not all drives are write protectable, but if you are going after a virus, this is a very important feature.

Many people use flash drives to carry applications that run on a host computer without requiring installation. Flash drive vendors support U3 by offering API to flash drive-specific functions. A free, open source, software platform called Portableapps allows U3-like functionality on non-U3 drives. The Mozilla’s Firefox, and the Opera browser, each have a configuration for flash drives. There is also a Creative MuVo, a small solid-state digital audio player that comes in a flash drive form.

To boot ailing operating systems is another use. Much like the way used in LiveCD, one can launch any operating system from a bootable flash drive, known as LiveUSB. In Windows Vista, the “ReadyBoost” feature allows use of some flash drives to augment system memory, which makes it one of life’s cheapest possible system upgrades.

An increasingly popular use of flash drives is for people to carry their entire medical history, lists of ailments, medications, allergies, etc., on their key chains for hospital use should a medical emergency arise.

Of course, the most common use is to transport and store personal files such as documents, pictures, music and video.

Buying considerations concern:

Capacity – the 32 and 64 Megabytes are being phased out. Go for a larger drive instead.

            Speed – This is usually quoted either in Megabytes or Megabits per second to read and to write. There are 8 Megabits in one Megabyte.

            Physical size – they range from the size of 3 “C” batteries down to that of a pack of gum, or even smaller. This is important because of the fact that USB slots are usually very close to each other, so a physically large flash drive could block another USB slot. You can, of course overcome this problem with an adapter.

            Design – Most units have protective covers for the USB plug. Some fit on key rings or have small cables to fit with lanyards or to hang from hooks, etc.

            Built-in Features – some have a LED that lights up to indicate when data is being transferred.

            Compatibility – Almost all will work with Windows 2000, Mac OS 9.0, and Linux 2.4.10 or higher without any special drivers. Most work with Windows 98SE and Mac OS 8.6 with a download from the manufacturer.

            Warrantee – Many units have a 1 to 5 year warrantee. Some even come with a lifetime warrantee.

How to Choose

Since this technology is the successor of the floppy disk, and since it comes in a variety of speeds, capacities, etc., you should buy have on hand several of these drives for various purposes. If you are just moving data between computers, the speed is relatively unimportant. If, however, you are using the drive to make a presentation loaded with graphics to an important audience, then be sure you have an extra drive with the same information, and go for the maximum speed and capacity you can afford. One size does not fit all. If you are distributing data to a lot of older machines, then make absolutely sure that your drive is in fact backward compatible (most are, but please be sure).

Like any other kind of drive, these flash drives need to be backed up in some way. However, because these drives are extremely rugged, and due to their lack of moving parts are extremely reliable, you might choose to view the warrantee as a lesser consideration than the other main characteristics. They are virtually impervious to the dust and scratches that afflicted previous forms of portable storage, such as CDs and floppy disks, and top of the line flash drives can store more data than a DVD. The flash drives’ robust nature and low price make them both extremely reliable, and certainly a wholly worthy successor to the now obsolescent though still dearly lamented floppy disk drive. [Moment of Respectful Silence; imagine the smell of lilys and the sound of subdued organ music]

Line conditioner

A line or power conditioner is a device you need to protect your computer from variations in the power supply, such as spikes and brownouts. You connect it to the wall outlet, and then plug the computer into it. Unfortunately, in Canada it remains even to this day more a necessity than a luxury, especially for people living outside our few major cities. If you live in downtown Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary or Vancouver, forget it. Otherwise, take note: it works like a surge protector, but it also maintains a continuous voltage (called conditioning) fed to the computer during temporary voltage reductions, such as a brownout.

This is a very much underappreciated product. If everybody using a computer in Canada were using one, we would have, literally, vast mountains of fewer dead computer carcasses to recycle as flower-pot stands or toxic landfill. These units pay for themselves, big time. You owe this kind life insurance to your trusty and beloved computer, so get one!

Manufacturers of mobil phones use lots of tricks to force users to stick with them, and this includes creating a wide variety of connector styles and voltages, most of which are incompatible with other manufacturers’ phones. Sometimes, even though the connector may fit, the actual charging parameters may not, which can produce an inadequate charge or even permanent damage to the device. As we’ve been saying in the business world ever since ancient Roman times, Caveat Emptor (let the buyer beware!). Carefully check the specs. for both the phone and the charger that interests you, and you should be just fine.

Here at Onhop.com, we never forget who provides the money that lets us butter our parsnips – it is you, the satisfied customer who keeps on coming back because we treated you right. We’re on your side for that very good reason.

Onhop is a good place to get cell phones and their accessories.

We offer a wide range of choices to fit your needs and your budget. You will also find accessories that allow hands-free use, or find Blackberry, Palm, and other smartphone handsets that provide a convenient solution for travelers who need a reliable wireless connection to email, and to use calendars and internet services.

If you have not looked into computer-based telephony lately, we should mention that VoIP (or Voice over Internet Protocol) solutions have improved enormously over the last few years — provided, of course, that you have a broadband (DSL, satellite or Cable) connection. You will notice that many of our offerings are designed specifically to work with a VoIP service called www.skype.com, which is currently the leading provider. You must first download the Skype program, which is free. Then with Skype, computer-to-computer calls will be all and always completely free. Skype’s slogan is: “Talk, listen, watch, read, write to anyone, anywhere in the world without worrying about cost, distance or time.” With Skype, computer to telephone calls are not free, but they are quite significantly cheaper than with the regular long distance providers. In practically no time you will have saved the cost of your Skype-friendly equipment, and from then on the savings will mount year after year.

Of course you can and should check out the ratings given to our offerings by consulting Consumer Reports (www.ConsumerReports.org). You can also access free Consumer Reports online courtesy of your local library (www.accessmylibrary.com). As well, you can consult the Consumers’ Web Watch (www.consumerwebwatch.org), the Consumers’ Union (www.consumersunion.org), and do not forget the Consumer Electronics Net (www.consumerelectronicsnet.com). A happy shopper is an informed shopper, and we want you to be happy.

Computer cabinets are fitted with doors and side panels which may or may not be removable.

Cabinets enclose a rack, which is a frame that provides a means for mounting electronic equipment and parts. Cabinets come in a variety of styles, colors, and many contain baffles, fans, and other features. The rack refers specifically to the inside frame that provides a means for mounting electronic equipment, while a cabinet is fitted with doors and side panels. The cabinet must allow air to come in and, after it has done its work cooling the parts that would otherwise overheat, to go out. The cabinet should permit the mounting of a filter to keep dirt, dust, smoke, human and pet hair, etc., out of the computer works. The average computer has two fans, one in the power supply and one attached to the computer chip that constitutes the main processor. Without a filter, the fans will deposit a lot of dirt throughout the cabinet, and onto and possibly even into the drives. This may eventually produce read/write errors, and place those errors onto your backup media as well; lost data is the result. It is also possible that eventually your fans will get so clogged up that they will fail and permit the computer to overheat, slowing performance, producing lockups, and eventually shutting you down completely.

Your cabinet should be tough, and it should have a sturdy locking device so that you can control access to your computer. These two characteristics are especially important whenever critical data needs to be protected. Make sure that the cabinet contains all of the rack capabilities you will require, and that it is rated for the correct wattage of power. Some of them come with the power supply already installed.

Think of these as computer supplies rather than computer parts. Like the light bulbs in your house, they must be replaced periodically.