I’ve compiled a list of questions I encounter frequently during the course of my practice. I try to add new content regularly, if you find you have questions that aren’t addressed below, feel free to e-mail me with your query.
Mac or PC?
This is a lengthy conversation that, if put in writing, you would get tired of reading. If you’re asking yourself the question, go into your local Apple Store when it’s not super occupied (early in the morning, or late at night during the week) and have a look and test drive one of the machines. Statistics dictate that you know what you’re getting with a PC, but you’ve likely not yet used and enjoyed a Mac. I’m free to have the conversation with you, so contact me if you have 15 minutes to spare.
What is 3G?
You’ve probably heard a lot of recent talk about SmartPhones (iPhone, Blackberry) and their ’3G capabilities’; the reason there’s is such a big fuss over this new technology is because it marks the third, and most significant jump into wireless data technology. The 3G (third generation) wireless data protocol is what SmartPhones use to access the internet (email, web-browsing, google maps) without any physical connection. 3G’s speed falls between ‘high-speed lite’ ($25.99 a month with rogers) & ‘high-speed express’ ($39.99 a month with rogers); this is an astonishing feat for a data connection. The jist of it is, really fast data connection for phones, that in a couple years will progress to the next step; the speed will be unimaginable.
What’s the difference between a modem and a router?
Modems are devices that connect to your Internet Service Provider (Bell, Rogers, etc) to provide you with internet connectivity. This ‘connection’ either comes through your T.V. signal (co-ax), telephone signal (phone line), or wirelessly through cellular data towers or satelites.
Routers are devices that will take your modems internet connection, and “split” it, or make it available to multiple computers simultaneously, as modems are only able to connect to one device at a time. Your standard consumer router will have 3-5 ports, and also the capacity to host a wireless service (WiFi), allowing those multiple computers to access your internet service wirelessly.
What is WiFi? What does Wireless N/G/B/A Mean?
‘WiFi’ (stands for Wireless Fidelity) is a wireless protocol that several portable and non-portable devices alike use to access the internet or a local network. WiFi also known as “wireless access” is provided by a device called a router. N/G/B/A are the different ‘generations’ of the technology; starting at A when it was first developed, and currently N (February 2009). As the ‘generations’ develop, the speed, range, security, robustness evolves and makes for a greater experience. Wireless-N transfer rates (downloading and uploading) are faster today than most common “high speed internet” services were 10 years ago.
Am I allowed to download movies or music for free? Is it illegal?
Currently in Canada, it’s not illegal to “share content”. Downloading movies, tv shows and music, while in a moral grey area, isn’t illegal, as long as you don’t use the obtained content to drive a profit. For personal uses, it’s allowed, but may be ‘frowned upon’.
What’s the difference between a ‘smartphone’ and a regular cell phone?
The biggest difference is that smartphones are capable of accessing a ‘data’ network as well a cellular network. Smartphones can access the internet like your computer does, wirelessly, without the need for WiFi. It gets it’s internet connection through cellular towers, which means anywhere you signal – you have the internet ready on your phone. In addition to internet access, smartphones also have very computer-like functionality; e-mail, calendar management, video/picture record and playback and so much more. The iPhone gives you access to the ‘iTunes App Store’ which has more than 140,000 applications for sale – limitless possibility.
What is Internet Tethering?
“Internet Tethering”, or just “Tethering” in the technology world is referred to as connecting your computer to a portable device, to access it’s wireless data connection. For example, I’m in the park with my MacBook Pro, and my iPhone 3GS, and want to access the internet. There are no WiFi zones in the area, so I need to ‘tether’ my phone and my computer. When this is done, my computer is now surfing the internet THROUGH my phone’s internet connection, and using my data plan on my phone. You should be careful when tethering, and know your limits on bandwidth per month; data overages are extremely expensive.
