Raving About Gadgets at About.com

I am RAVING about the video series by Brett Larson "About Gadgets" on About.com. Brett explains the techie features in plain language. Hey, that's the point. And, Brett is a hottie, and reminds me of someone???

The Scoop on High Speed Internet Services

CABLE vs. DSL - Cable Modem Internet Services is fast but you could be competing with neighbors for use of the total bandwidth of the physical cable line. DSL is better for security, and will cost less (probably), but still is not near as fast as "uncluttered" cable lines.

If you want more details about high-speed Internet connections, you can watch this video from About.com. Watch it here

This video doesn't discuss which Internet Service Provider (ISP) you should subscribe to. That is because it depends on your location as to which options you have. This is also one of the most common questions I have had from clients, students, friends, and neighbors.

RECOMMENDATION:

I recommend to most people with dial-up service (or no service) that they take the time to find out what ISP's service your home or office before you decide. Check with businesses and neighbors, and the phone books. Maybe make a few calls. Or, try a local google search; it might also be useful.

You might have to call your telephone and cable company, but look for special signup discounts in your mailing, and take advantage of offers from phone solicitors. We found that they offer the best deals.

I have changed my ISP's several times and it is a hassle each time. For some people it can be very disrupting. The main issue, of course, is that you (usually) will have a new primary email address. I have one neighbor that keeps her old dialup account in addition to her new cable service to avoid losing email contact with anyone.

If you are technically challenged, you may want to consider having a local "geek" (or teenager) help you out when it's time to switch over. Of course, there is phone support and they eventually will talk you through a setup, but it can be irritating even for the technically savvy home PC user to work with the technical support staff of the service providers over the telephone.

GAME GADGETS

The other pertinent video to watch is about the latest and soon-to-be-released game players or game consoles, with my notes from the video. Watch it here

Choosing a Gaming Console - Xbox 360, best graphics, network support, $300-500 is most expensive. The current Sony's Playstation2 (PS2) has the most games and is most popular, and Nintendo's GameCube (no DVD's, but least expensive). AND coming soon: Sony PS3 complete backward compatibility for all their games, and Nintendo Revolution, which will cost less but won't have HD support. Brett recommends you gotta go see it at your local store to decide which is right for you.

Portable Gaming - PSP, DS with a touchscreen and multiplayer gaming, GameBoy Advanced SP the most popular. Watch it here

MORE Gadgets and Other Stuff!

There are also videos in the categories of Health, Home and Garden, and Style. I watched Heartburn and Relaxation techniques. You may want to check them out yourself. But it's these new technical devices that I think many gamers will enjoy.

Other Gadget Topics (scroll through them all yourself) include, with my notes from the video:
Choosing a DVR - Digital Recording Device, like Tivo and ReplayTV which can go wireless

Choosing a PDA - Wireless Personal Device, or hand-held mini-computer phone, like Blackberry which has a phone and pushed email, PalmOne Trio which has all the software features even tho you have to tell it to retrieve your email

Fitness Gadgets - Heart Rate Monitor, Body Fat Monitor, and Portable Music Players

Choosing a TV - CRT the older heavy screens, Flat Screens = Plasma or LCD or DLP, HDTV - High Definition, still new but will grow because - it's the BEST

Buying Headphones - compares all the features including sound quality

Portable DVD Players - Weight, batteries, size of screen (4 to 10 inches), optional screen - for tv hookup, not really portable

Portable Video Players - play music, videos, display pictures

PSP - best screen, first hand-held supports wifi, UMD disk - those little ones, no hard drive, save on memory sticks 250$

Video iPod - tiny with tiny screen, iTunes tight integration is made easy, downside battery life - 2hrs only

Arcos - tivo to go, records everything, massive storage, tricky file conversion up to $1000

Choosing a Cell Phone - watch costs, pre-paid plan (no overage chgs), pre-paid, coverage is by area - ask neighbors - battery life need at least 3hrs talk time and 5 days, features extras lots - caller ID, WAP can surf the web, camera, calendars, bluetooth to PDA connections

Advanced Digital Camera Features - faster shutter settings for better focus, know for your camera how to adjust, same for aperture and light, both affects focus, lenses, lights

Buying a Stereo - All-in-ones, $100-1000 | Component systems, receivers, speakers, no brands

Hands-free Cell Options - may soon be required - head sets - in the ear or over the head set, retractible wire, wireless Bluetooth - needs phone compatiblity

Car Audio Options - iTrip for iPod to Satellite radios XM and Sirius

There were more too, and likely, more to be added. Check them all out here!