PANetworks

So, you’ve decided that you want to try to install your satellite internet yourself. This is an admirable task, and certainly will be a challenge for you, unless you’re a trained and licensed technician. Whether you were looking for an interesting hardware project to spend your day on, or simply wanted to save some money on installation, there are a few tips that you can follow in order to make your life easier:

Check your coordinates. Okay, now check them again. Done? Okay, one more time.

Your internet speed is going to rely completely on the coordinates that you’re using, and how accurately you configure them. The coordinates indicate an appropriate line of sight between the receiver and the orbiting satellite itself. A poor coordinate configuration will lead to little or no internet connectivity. If you don’t have coordinates, then you will want to contact your internet service provider in order to find them. Save this information in case you need to adjust it later.

Don’t get set on one installation location.

Sometimes trying to install the satellite receiver in the first place that seems convenient is a less than good idea. Sometimes it’s like trying to fit a square block through a triangle hole. Check out multiple potential areas for installation within your immediate location in order to find the right one for you. Be aware of natural features that may get in the way of connection, including how easily animals could topple the receiver itself.

Prepare your tools beforehand.

This isn’t a project for the handy person who only have a hammer in their belt pouch. You’re going to need drill bits of different sizes, a screw driver, and pliers at the ready.

Get educated on installation.

If your internet provider didn’t send you a pamphlet or installation guide, track one down. Once you have a guide, be sure to read it. Incorrectly connecting plugs, cables, or antenna will do more than make the installation more difficult. It can completely destroy your costly receiver equipment.

It is undeniable that Satellite internet is faster than dial-up in essentially every way. Satellite is also more accessible in remote locations, including in rural portions of the world that have no chance of DSL or Cable internet access, and even on RVs. However, it is also undeniable that not every internet based utility will work appropriately with Satellite. So, what does work on Satellite, and what doesn’t?

Things that Don’t Work

Satellite internet has a one word problem. “Latency.” Gamers are likely to know this term by the slang version, “lag.” This latency is the delay between the receiver requesting data and the satellite sending it down, across those twenty-three thousand miles between the two. The delay is really very minor, ranging from about 520 milliseconds to 840 milliseconds. In other words, it never even reaches a full second of delay. However, even this fraction of a second prevent certain activities.

Voice chatting and video chatting programs simply won’t work in this way, since the delay causes overlap issues that prevent the real time processing from functioning. Any real time program that requires real time internet access to function will be similarly hindered. Video games often fall into this category, especially if it is a multi player shooter, or any other game which requires real time response. Certain video games, such as MMORPGs, can be played with some effectiveness, although certain areas of the game will become either frustrating or impossible.

Things that Work

So, latency provides a major issue, but what happens outside the latency? Once the connection is established and the data is sent, the internet speed is comparable to broadband. This means that page load times will be low, but extended by the fraction of a second delay mentioned above, and that long downloads will be completed just as fast as they would be on broadband. Anything that doesn’t require a real time connection will function just fine, with that small delay being the only disadvantage of satellite when compared to broadband.

There are many forms of internet these days. Broadband connections in the form of DSL, Cable, and Satellite Internet can be found almost anywhere, and even Dial-up is hanging on like a mutant zombie. However, the advances in internet connection types and speed have made understanding the data transfer speeds more complex. Here is a brief guide on understanding the applicable terms.

Bits vs Bytes

All internet services will brag about their speed, and will let you know the maximum rate of transfer for data. This is frequently displayed in the X mbps form, where X indicates the number of “megabits per second.” This is confusing for many users, since “bits” are not the same as “bytes.” The term is no longer used frequently in other computer based technologies, and the exchange rate between bit and byte are no longer memorized. The simple story is that, before there were bytes, there were bits. This was when kilobytes were still a distant dream. A bit is just one-eighth the size of a byte. In order to find the maximum rate of transfer for your provider, all you have to do is divided those mbps by eight. The result is the maximum speed that a file can upload or download onto your computer, in megabytes.

Up vs Down

While your internet provider will brag about very high maximum speeds, it’s important to understand that this isn’t the speed for everything you do. Generally speaking, it’s the maximum speed for downloads, and uploads will be significantly slower. There is no set rule for how fast your downloads will be compared to your uploads, such as to FTP servers, in networking, or to voice chats. You will have to contact your ISP directly for the information.

Bandwidth vs Lag

Another common mistake that standard internet users make is to confused latency with bandwidth limitations. Latency, or the amount of time it takes your data to transfer to and from your ISP and/or router, creates an initial delay known as “lag.” Bandwidth limitations create ongoing slowness due to a lack of data streams from your internet provider.

How Computers Affect Our Daily Lives

Computers are an integral part of our daily lives on almost every level. We use them for personal reasons to email and send funny text files. We also use them for business reasons at our jobs to send business documents and communicate with customers. Our daily lives involve computers in almost every facet including the following ones:

• Retail shops and grocery stores use computers to ring up purchases.
• Students use them at schools and colleges and for home use in pursuing online undergraduate programs for degrees.
• Entertainment sources (television, DVDs) now offer online services.

Even our communication devices (cell phones, PDAs, laptops) are computer-oriented and used for many daily routines.

The Convenience of the Internet

The Internet has evolved quickly, making computers a common item in most all homes, schools, libraries, and churches. There are even retail establishments like coffee houses and public facilities that offer wireless Internet connection for their customers to use while they enjoy their visit to the business’s establishment.

The Internet is accessible almost everywhere and makes life very convenient for many people. Now people don’t have to wait until they get home to check their emails or check the stock reports. Technology has also advanced along with the Internet developments, and software exists that can make computers and Internet connections run faster and smoother. The accessibility of the Internet has made life easier and simpler from a technological aspect.

Organizing and Goal Setting Using Computers

Using computers as a mechanism for goal-setting is ideal for individuals who want to keep their life as clutter-free as possible. Online calendars can replace little bits of paper for appointments. There is computer software that users can load onto their computers that will track their goals and generate to-do lists. This tool makes things even easier for those people who value the convenience of computers.

It’s hard to throw a stick these days without hitting something that’s wireless. Whether it’s cellular phones, wireless printers, computers, routers, or one of a thousand other things, the truth is that most Americans own several completely wireless devices. The wireless internet war, thus far, has been fought mostly between hardware companies providing routers, as well as internet service providers trying to prove that they have the best wireless possibilities around. Now, a new competitor has entered the hardware and service arena: cell phone providers.

Cell phone companies initially offered the internet connection for phones through their data network, but realizing the lucrative possibilities, moved into offering it for computers as well. The problem with this move is that the internet that was being provided was as slow as slow – almost as bad as dial-up, even. It has been evolving at a rapid pace over the last few years, progressing to what is known as 3G. 3G, which allows for transfer speeds that are substantially higher than dial-up, but substantially lower than most broadband services, became the first subscription based fully mobile wireless that saw true success. Still, it didn’t make much of a dent in a marketplace that was so fully owned by Broadband companies.

Enter 4G. As of the 2009 release of 4G Sprint wireless access cards, followed by the 2010 release of Sprint’s first 4G phone, titled the Evo, the wireless world is changing yet again. The speeds of cellular wireless access have quintupled, allowing for rates of transfer that are similar to current broadband connections. Wireless access cards or enabled 4G devices allow for computers, phones, and any other connected devices to get in touch with the internet from anywhere that is set up for 4G.

There are still drawbacks within 4G networks. They may be cheaper than Broadband, and just as fast, but they require expensive software, and only work in select areas where 4G cell sites have been installed. While this advance indicates a paradigm shift on the horizon, it will still be several years before cellular access is fully competitive with broadband.

For anyone who is in love with technology, there are certain implied laws of the internet. It HAS to be fast. It HAS to be reliable. And thou shalt NOT pirate movies on Limewire when someone else in the house is trying to game, because high lag is the equivalent of a mortal sin. With new advances, especially those of the 2009 and 2010 years, there is a new law of the web: synchronize or die.

Synchronizing can happen in many different ways and for many different types of data. You can instantly transfer your contacts, email information, calendar information, documents, files, and more. But where are you transferring it to or from? The answer these days seems to be: anywhere.

The trend began with mobile devices being integrated with Bluetooth. Bluetooth connections from a computer to a cellular phone allowed the handset to get information from the computer’s calendar, Outlook, and other programs. It became such a popular addition that it was centralized in the focus of future designs.

However, Bluetooth and direct access to the room your computer is stored in would really be asking too much of tech users. Synchronizing has been combined with cloud computing in order to offer an even better, faster, broader, and more thorough solution. Cloud computing, or internet programming that stores account based software and data on the web allows users to connect to the same information, files, and more, wherever they’re accessing it from.

A few example of items that can synchronize like this include: mobile handsets with WiFi access, tablet computers such as the ever splendid iPad, Mac or PC laptop computers, PDAs, and Mac or PC desktops. A few examples of applications that can synchronize include: Google Calendar, various email services, most Microsoft services, online documents through Word 2010 or Google Docs., and more.

While this trend may not yet be a law worthy of capital punishment for most internet users, it is certainly increasing in its importance. After all, the integration of wireless internet synchronization hardware and software on all new mobile devices is a sure sign of things to come.

Educational providers have learned that catering to the schedule of the adult learner is a win-win situation. Schools want full classes and adult learners want options that mesh smoothly with their time constraints. If you still think distance learning means dry texts and boring assignments arriving by snail mail, it’s time to take a fresh look at an online school.

An Educational Delivery Package for the New Millennium
Worldwide connectivity has revolutionized education. Grade schools, junior and senior high schools, colleges, and universities have all taken advantage of the Internet to provide outstanding educational opportunities to their students. Class choice is almost limitless. Looking for a foreign language class that your high school or university doesn’t offer? Chances are your adviser can help you find an accredited online class that will fill your need. Web conferencing, class-specific chat lines, and teleconferencing are tools used in a synchronous online learning environment. Emails, blogs, threaded discussions, and forums are all part of the toolbox found in an asynchronous online education. Most schools offer a blend of both styles to best meet the educational needs of their students.

Get That Degree
Time constraints can be a major roadblock to adult learners. Knowing that a degree or professional certification greatly improves your marketability does not make it any easier to actually carve out the time to earn one. Online learning is the answer. Hundreds of accredited degree and professional certification programs are available–24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Scheduling classes to suit your schedule is a breeze. Complete classes according to your timetable. You can take a year to complete a class or accelerate your learning, completing degree requirements in a much shorter amount of time.

If acquiring additional education through online schooling is something you are considering, take some time to browse the Web. You will discover your educational goals are within your grasp.

If you are a savvy shopper, then Dell coupons will permit you to have the best connectivity permissible in your service range for a price that is also within range! Coupons aside, you can also afford to get the best internet connectivity from Dell without these handy discounts, because their products are priced reasonably. If you are not in the market for a new laptop or desktop computer this year, there are other means of juicing up your connection rate that won’t cost quite as much as an entirely new system. In this economy, every penny saved is a good idea.

If you have your installed software, such as games and self-service tax applications, set to update on a regular basis, these programs may actually slow your connection down substantially. With just one or two programs updating at a given time, you could find your remaining internet capacity reduced to as little as 50% of its usual performance. When you want to download a large file, such as a high definition film, it’s of vital importance to remember to shut-down these annoying background applications.

Installing a good firewall can help your computer to perform at optimal levels, as it will prevent unwanted malware and spy-ware from installing onto your system, and running when you’re not aware. These viruses and malware applications can slow down your system, and cause opening windows to flash as they attempt to load. An updated anti-virus program can find and remove or quarantine these harmful applications, and might keep your personal information from being stolen, too.

Check your Application Manager frequently to figure out which programs are using the largest percentage of your computers available performance strength. You may find that harmless programs, like a P2P client, may be affecting your internet connectivity rate, and the rate at which your system downloads information.

When it comes to the Internet people’s biggest fear is safety. This is especially true when it comes to downloading software online. It is a fact that many computers become infected when executable files are downloaded. However, it is possible to download software easily and safely.

The first step is to identify sites that are known to be safe when it comes to downloading software. Looking for reviews of safe download sites is a good place to start. Getting information from others who frequently download software is also helpful.

There are various types of software that can be downloaded from the Internet. Some are free, while others are shareware and quite a few have to be purchased. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. Deciding on which site to download from is dependent on your needs and the type of software wanted.

Popular software that is downloaded includes games and programs that can be tweaked for use with other programs. With the advent of the Smartphone, many applications are now being downloaded for these high-tech devices.

Regardless of the purpose, at some time or the other the need to download software arises. It may be as simple as upgrading a program, getting a trial version of an application to review. Knowing where and how to do so safely should be the number one priority.

Thankfully, there are websites dedicated solely to reviewing software and software download sites. When it comes to software download, it is never advisable to download from sites that you are not sure about. If there is any doubt about the safety of downloading from a site, follow your guts feeling. It is always better to be safe than sorry when it come to PC safety.

Everyone’s life gets crazy. When you just can’t think straight anymore, use these four steps to staying sane.

Time. Take time to breathe. Every day, you should have ten to fifteen minutes of time to yourself to collect yourself and refresh. Their should be no ifs or buts about it—without it, you won’t stay sane at all. If Baby goes down for a nap, first take 10 minutes to yourself before rushing off to clean. If you’re a planner who schedules your day to the last half-hour, leave at least one half-hour slot open. This will give you more leeway in case you run behind, and allow you to feel less rushed and feel able to take those ten minutes you need.

Place. It is important to have a safe place you can run to that energizes you. If you have a garden, go walk around in it. If you really love your porch, sit on the swing. If incomplete projects bother you, try to create one space where everything is done—even if its just the wall-papered powder room downstairs. If messes bother you, clean one corner of a room and sit with your back to the rest of the mess.

Action. Once you are in a place that calms and energizes you (or at least doesn’t make you more anxious), do something you enjoy. Pick up your favorite book and read your favorite part, or do a little crocheting. If you still need calming, put in a good cd, close your eyes and listen to it. Lay on the floor and relax. Meditate or pray. Do whatever will relax you and release the tension that has built up over the day.

Be Thankful. Focus on what you have to be grateful for—a nice neighborhood, a good family, a job at all. Try pulling out old pictures and remembering good times you’ve have and be thankful for them. Remember the people in your life who support you.

These simple ways to distress might just be enough to help you keep your head in your crazy day.