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DEL.ICIO.USTools not toys
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My favorite gadgets are ones that solve a problem. But I never expected to find one that helped in my bedroom.
Today we’ll talk about blue-collar technology that makes a difference in how you live. There’s very little glamour or glitz here. Instead, these are practical devices that work without much glory.
Let’s start with the gizmo that helped in my bedroom — I suspect you may be a little curious by now.
It’s a set of wireless headphones. Here’s the deal. My wife loves to watch TV in bed. I like to read in bed. It’s hard for me to enjoy a book while “Law & Order” is blaring on the TV. And, in my neighborhood, I’m never sure if the gunshots are coming from the TV or my backyard.
Until recently I would read in the den until Mary’s program was over. But a set of wireless headphones has reunited us. I can read, or go to sleep early, while she watches TV with audio provided through the headphones. They are light enough to be comfortable, but the sound quality is heads above what the small speaker on the bedroom TV can produce. And the stereo sound is incredible.
You may be able to read while the TV blares, but wireless headphones still offer advantages in your home. If you have kids who watch TV or videos at ear-splitting volumes late into the night, a set of wireless headphones can be a lifesaver. I’m using headphones made by Koss. But that’s not the only choice. Any large retailer, especially one that specializes in consumer electronics, will have a wide selection. My headphones use Bluetooth to communicate with the TV, but I’ve seen both infrared and regular radio used as a way to connect for other headphones. Bluetooth gives my headphones a range of about 30 feet.
That’s just the first item in a long list of gizmos that can make life easier. Many have been around a while, and none of them is going to impress your neighbors like a big plasma TV. Think of them as tools, not toys.
Catch it later
My next problem-solver also involves my sleep habits. While equipping my wife with wireless headphones lets me go to sleep when I like, this technology lets me record shows that come on after my bedtime.
And it is easily the most useful device in my home: a digital video recorder. In my case, the DVR is built into my Comcast HDTV cable box. There are other options including the original in this category — TiVo. Or you can buy software that lets you use your computer as a DVR.
The real beauty of a DVR is the ability to pause a live broadcast when you answer the phone or need to take a break.
But a DVR can also serve in the same way as a VCR. That came in handy last week. My brother and I wanted to watch a college football game but also needed to go to a family dinner. We set up the DVR to record the game and got back before the end of second quarter.
By skipping through commercials and halftime, we were able to finish the game in real time. That happened even though we used the ability of the DVR to watch some close calls in slow motion. And, unlike an old-fashioned VCR, my DVR faithfully records and plays back an HDTV signal.
Since there are so many sources for DVRs, let me offer a terrific Web page that goes into way more detail than I can here. It also lists most of the major manufacturers:
I’ve already told you that my most useful items are far from glamorous. My next nomination underlines that point.
Superduper juicer
Many of my devices have a strong hunger for battery power. Over time, my digital cameras, flashlights, portable radios and other battery-powered devices go through enough batteries to stock a small store. There are no small children in my home, but if there were kids and battery-powered toys that appetite for batteries would double or triple.
So rechargeable batteries can save real money. However, older-generation chargers take hours to charge a battery. That means they aren’t a practical solution when the batteries for your digital camera die on Christmas morning.
That’s where my new battery charger comes in. It’ll get your devices running again in the time it takes to brew a cup of coffee.
It does the job in just 15 minutes. I use a charger made by Rayovac. But there are plenty of other models on the market that will work just as well. I paid about $30 for my charger. (It takes four batteries at a time). You can read about the charger here
Whatever brand you choose, make sure the batteries you buy are made to work in a 15-minute charger. And keep in mind that any rechargeable battery will lose its charge over time, whether it’s in use or not.
That means rechargeable batteries should not be used in devices like a TV remote control. And they should never be used in a smoke or fire detector.
That’s it for today. It’s time for a nap. And thanks to our wireless headphones, Mary can turn up the TV as loud as she wants.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Columns
Comments
By John Morgan
November 17, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this
Bill, I am trying to figure out how to backup my home computer. I have a portable hard drive, but I want to just add new stuff to it on a regular basis. How do I do that or do I need to do that?
I need a course on backup for dummies!
John
By Meg
November 17, 2006 10:26 AM | Link to this
Noise cancelling headphones and a personal DVD player are excellent for long visits to the in-laws. My son works all night and sleeps all day, and his siblings keep him awake but if he wears ear plugs he can’t hear his alarm, so I got him an alarm clock with a vibrating alarm, you slip the vibrating part of it into your pillow case. I got him a wristwatch with a vibrating alarm for backup, now he can wear his ear plugs. I bought my husband a bunch of gadgets from thinkgeek, including a USB mug warmer, he loves their stuff, and I got each of the kids a USB lava lamp, they’re so cute! My husband also loves his DVR, he’s got his laptop hooked up the replay box and he watches hockey games on his computer. I bought everyone in the family a manual, hand cranked cellphone charger, that’s a good gadget for emergencies. Thnkgeek and Hammacher-Schlemmer have the best gadgets, I think. I can’t really afford the latter but I love to browse their website. THE USB drink cooling “coaster” at thinkgeek doesn’t work, though, it gives off so much heat it gets your drink hot faster, in spite of the cold base, and their retro phone handset (an old fashioned black handset that plugs into your cell phone) is cute but the sound is very bad. We love gadgets in my family!
By Jeff S.
November 19, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this
Hi, we just got a T1 line put in our small office, but we don’t have any kind of firewall. I was looking at a Cisco ASA 5510, but they are really expensive and was wondering if we really need it. We currently have the Panda BusinessSecure package on all of our computers which includes a built in firewall (software). Do you know if we really need a hardware firewall like the Cisco ASA 5510? Any reply would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
By Phyllis Smith
November 20, 2006 12:59 PM | Link to this
I read your column of 11-19 on Coffee Shop Vulnerable and VPN. I am a retired, full time RVer with a four year old laptop. I do banking, bill paying, etc. on line and do use WiFi. How can I protect my information if I use coffee shops, RV parks, etc.?
By CynicalGeek
November 21, 2006 01:53 PM | Link to this
Jeff S., I have a used Cisco Pix506e for sale. If you want to discuss, please Email me.
By CynicalGeek
November 21, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this
geek@cynicalgeek.com