Posts Tagged ‘technology’

How Bluetooth Devices Shape Mobile Devices

Friday, January 13th, 2012

The Samsung Stratosphere Bluetooth headset is a hands free communication device. The device has gaining popularity all over the world especially the it is best for the driver while driving. It has some interesting features such as voice dialing and call waiting. It is ideal for those individuals who like to multi-task.

A Bluetooth device is used in combination with Bluetooth enabled phones, this device lets you acquire the use our cell phone without you necessarily being in contact with it, it is a device that is placed on the ear, and this Bluetooth device can be used to a range of about thirty feet. A Bluetooth headset is designed in such a way that it takes advantage of echo-cancellation to remove any background sounds or noises, and facilitates clearer communication when closing a deal or even when communicating with your friends and relatives. This has made the experience with the smart phone even more exciting, for example when you are in a noisy environment or even on the road you can have instant access your device.

The Bluetooth headsets consists of voice activated commands hence you can use it without using the cell phone which may be in the pocket or purse. Therefore making and receiving of calls is very easy as long as your phone has the device and is voice activated. With the help of this you don’t need to worry about wires. You can select the handset like in ear or over ear with this device according to your own choice. Due to its numerous advantages it has gaining a lot of popularity all over the world. It is based on data broadcasting through waves. The best thing about this device is that it make you free from wires when using mobile phone, you can continue your activities while taking to someone using this device.

In the same way you choose a case to protect your phone you should also ensure that you choose a device that fits well with your ears so that you don’t end up harming your ears. The Bluetooth headset is same like a cordless telephone works. You can also use a Bluetooth headset for different functions as well like listening to songs and others.

The looks and design of a Bluetooth headset is appealing and attractive. If ever you are in a store, airport or even a shopping mall and notice someone who seems to be talking to himself/herself if you take a closer look you will notice he or she has a Bluetooth device. The Samsung Stratosphere accessories are available both online and in retail stores at very affordable prices. On top of that there are also screen protectors which help to provide protection to your smart phone device against dust, finger prints and scratches. There are different types of screen protector you can also use mirror protector to apply privacy.

Learn more about Samsung Stratosphere accessories and the different types of accessories available at Exclusive Mobile Shop. We stock hundreds of Samsung Stratosphere screen protectors, chargers, cases and other accessories.

Conveyor Inventions - Setting Boundaries but Moving Limits

Saturday, January 7th, 2012

People like Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, The Wright Brothers, Henry Ford and Alexander Graham Bell have long been pushing the limits of creative thought and invented output. Having changed the course of history in a positive manner with many of their ideas it is without these type of people that we might live in a more stagnant and uncomfortable world. The invention of the conveyor is often associated with the development of the assembly line but the essence and substance of conveyors actually pre-dates this business function.

As early as the 19th century conveyor systems were employed to move heavy objects along the line. The Swedish organization Scandisk has been credited by most industrial historians as the first company to put a conveyor type of device into production, thereby making mass marketing a possibility. The mining industry was the reason behind the innovation of the conveyor belt but it also appeared in industries that were required to move huge, heavy objects over long distances. Now, of course, you will find conveyor systems being used in all types of innovative ways across all industries. Let us look into what some of these cutting edge industries are doing to push the envelope in the technological advancement of conveyor systems. Hopefully, it will give you a deeper understanding of where the century old technology is today and where it is headed down the road.

If you are trying to find human involvement in conveyor systems nowadays, forget about it. No longer are people employed to maneuver those belts and pulleys to keep the line from jamming. Conveyor systems are now composed of fine tuned and very flexible mechanisms that have been involved even in such highly specialized projects as the Hubbell telescope. Don’t think for a moment though that conveyors are only used in such specialized space and exploration activities, they are used widely in various applications throughout all industries.

Conveyor systems are working their way through even more industrial uses such as in pulp and paper mills, auto manufacturing (where they have always been used, but now they are far more innovative), steel fabrication, logging, airplane and helicopter manufacturing and assembly, cargo loading and unloading, cell phone assembly, and in warehousing and distribution, to mention just a few.

There will always be new and complex production conundrums and conveyors are regularly called upon to resolve all sorts of object moving snafus. There are many new innovations and gadgets in conveyor systems and is very interesting to have a look at some of these new fangled devices.

Nowadays, conveyor systems are electronic and based on computer technology which renders them more powerful and at the same time more flexible in design. Some cutting edge improvements are such inventions as pneumatic systems and the travelator, which moves humans, not machine parts or some such. You can be absolutely sure that some folks are losing sleep at night in order to come up with new developments and to optimize the operating mechanisms of conveyors in areas like pressure, conveying line velocity, efficiency and of course, ultimate performance. One fantastic idea that is probably not too far in the future is the use of conveyors to park cars instead of using the services of the very human valet or parking lot attendant. Both robotics and artificial intelligence are becoming more a part of conveyor solutions adding to the excitement of the technological advancements that are just around the corner.

There are some excellent reasons to keep the conveyor alive in every possible application. They are one of the most cost effective, time saving and labor saving mechanisms ever introduced to industry. Conveyor inventions over the years have enhanced many aspects of our lives and have provided beneficial methods of product distribution for most of the world. Without them, our level of comfort would be at a much lower standard.

Visit Wilkie Brothers Coveyors for more information on conveyors or to order NKC Trolleys, Jervis Webb Conveyor Parts or any other related replacement parts.

Conveyor Safety - Is Your Operation As Safe As You Think It Is

Saturday, January 7th, 2012

You can never be too careful in the workplace. In any factory setting or location where heavy machinery operates there is the very real risk of injury and malfunction. Managed by humans, sometimes mistakes can be made and oversights will happen. Regardless if it is by accident or careless actions, the consequences for not paying attention while on the job can be deadly. One of the most dangerous occupations of the work place is employee conveyor engagement. The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics has noted that well over fifty deaths take place a year as a result of conveyor negligence or mishap.

Although conveyors can be great efficiency boosters and cost saving mechanisms, when implemented improperly they at times can do more harm then good. As workers compensation claims become more burdensome and insurance costs unfold at steeper rates, it is now more important then ever to take workplace safety seriously. By looking at some of the common safety rules and reviewing the more dangerous parts of the conveyor we might be able to establish a better fundamental understanding of how to cut down on workplace mishaps.

Rules are not meant to be broken in the land of conveyor systems. One cautionary note that should not be forgotten is to make certain the machinery is turned off and disconnected prior to the performance of any maintenance. When the need to service your system arises, use only thoroughly trained personnel who are expert in what they are working on. This is not the place for trainees or the merely curious. Another simple but necessary precaution is to remove all loose objects from around the machine. This also includes things like hair, baggy clothing, jewelry or whatever to avoid any tangling with the machinery.

A conveyor is no plaything and using it as such by riding, sitting or leaning up against a production conveyor is never a good idea. Any unintended use of the conveyor or overloading it is always prohibited. The only people who should be allowed to operate the system must be authorized employees. Safety guards and protectors must be in place and not tampered with and all obstructions removed from them before the system is turned on. Conveyors are intricate working machineries and very powerful. This power must never be taken for granted or underestimated. Now let’s review the really dangerous and powerful aspects of this marvel of efficiency.

The machinery in a conveyor system is exposed which brings concern to lots of areas. Some of the riskiest areas are the power transmission, the guard joints and transfer mechanisms. Others include the “squeeze” or “nip” joints. These terms refer to any conjunction of moving parts which may lead to breaks or alterations in the system and give rise to opportunities for items to stick or snag. Troublesome spots may occur anywhere things can spill, jam, pinch or shear. Blind spots and dead spaces are also worrisome.

Awareness and caution are ultimately some of the best policies when working on or around your system. Any piece of the machine that poses potential harm should be marked by a sign and protected by guard or barrier. Regardless of what you use your assembly for, it is crucial to take every measure possible to protect the workers responsible for maintaining the belts, drives and processes.

Any employee misconduct must be reported to supervisors. This must be gotten across to all employees who are often reluctant to tattle on their fellows. Nothing, not a job relationship, or fear of creating hostile feelings, is worth an accident that could very well cause loss of life or limb. If you have anything to do with conveyors in your place of business, you must read all the safety manuals and directives you can that are related to your particular setup.

Visit Wilkie Brothers Coveyors for more information on conveyors or to order Cignys Conveyor Chain, Midwest Pusher Dogs or any other related replacement parts.

We Can Do A Lot Of Things With Conveyor Manufacturing

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

There is a lot of information that you should know about conveyor manufacturing. Conveyor belts are used in for a variety of different things and there is probably a chance that you use conveyor belts on a daily basis. You might not think that this is true, especially if you do not work with them or if you do not consider some of the different types that are around.

There are also a lot of different types of conveyor belts that operate in a variety of different ways. One thing that you should be considerate of is the fact that there are conveyor belts that are taught a number of different things. This is something that you are going to be able to see on a regular basis.

One of the most common places for people to see and use conveyors is at the grocery store where they are used to take the food through the check out lanes. Everyone that goes to a supermarket will use conveyors in this way. They are simple systems that help to make checking your food simpler for the grocery store checker.

Conveyor belts are a very common thing. They are used in multiple areas of manufacturing, shipping and packing and are something that nearly everyone will come into contact with in some way. No matter who you are there is no way that you are not going to use a conveyor especially since the ones in supermarkets are going to be used.

It is most common to see conveyors used in sales houses, warehouses and stockrooms. There are two industries where conveyors are used in a variety of different ways and on a more common basis then other industries and they are mining and manufacturing. They can be used in so many different ways like to move products through shipping and packaging warehouses or even through different areas of the business.

Conveyors are also very useful in the mining industry. This is because they are necessary to help move the pieces from where they start to where they are shipped or packed. This means that they could pick up a raw material where it is extracted from the ground and move it through the mines to where it is transported.

When it comes to manufacturing there are many different things that are done with conveyors. One process where conveyors are common is where the products are packaged and shipped. Conveyors are also common where the products are actually manufactured or being built.

There is no way that you will ever go through life without having used conveyor manufacturing at one point or another. There is a good chance that you will use these systems at work especially if you work in an industrial setting since they have been used for more than one hundred years. Remember that these conveyors are made out of a simple pulley and weight system. Plus they can be made from a variety of materials from rubber to wire mesh.

Visit Wilkie Brothers Coveyors for more information on conveyors or to order Automatic Systems Conveyor Components, Frost Rivetless Chain or any other related replacement parts.

Increase Safety And Reduce Costs By Installing Conveyor System Manufacturing

Monday, January 2nd, 2012

When Henry Ford brought the conveyor belt to his Ford plant it allowed the Model T to be mass produced. His success helped the popularity of conveyor system manufacturing to grow in many other environments. Conveyor systems allow machines to transport parts in places where workers could be injured. They also work faster and do not tire or get injured like human workers do.

The conveyor belt has also been the subject of comedy shows like Lucy and Ethel at work in the chocolate factory. That belt moved chocolates to be packaged by the workers and as usual with Lucy, there was some trouble.

A favorite example of a conveyor system that saves its owners money and improves the safety for workers is found in the donut chain. This system extrudes donuts from the dough and drops them into the fat to fry. The flow down the little fat river and are flipped at precisely the correct time. They continue to move on down that little river and are picked up by a metal conveyor belt when the cooking is done. This metal conveyor causes them to pass through a blanket of frosting and moves them on down the line to be packaged by the worker.

This system solves several problems. Workers do not have to place donuts into or remove them from the hot oil, which prevents burns. The automated system means that one to two workers can cook and package hundreds of donuts in a relatively short time. With fewer human hands touching the food, there is less chance at the spread of disease. Thus the system prevents injury and lowers payroll but increases productivity.

Conveyor systems are used in many other ways in the food industry. They can be used in preparing and packaging foods or in moving foods through ovens in order to cook the food to perfection. Drink manufacturers use the machines for bottling the drinks. Snack food manufacturers use them to cook and package foods.

In heavier industries, such as the automotive industry, heavy parts can be safely moved from one work station to another. Without the conveyor system, moving these parts might involve several workers that could possibly be injured at each step of the way. Once parts are painted, they can be moved through high temperature ovens and cooling without the threat of the heat burning a human.

Multi-level manufacturing buildings can use conveyor systems to move parts safely from one level to the next. The time for the move is only seconds rather than half an hour to safely move the same part using an elevator. It is brought directly to the new workstation for easy assembly.

Conveyor manufacturing systems are much safer than using forklifts or almost any other method of moving parts from one place to another.

If your manufacturing business is looking for a way to increase safety and to increase production, consider what Henry Ford did almost one hundred years ago. Install a conveyor system and increase worker safety and company productivity. These two results will help your company to increase profits from the products that you sell.

Visit Wilkie Brothers Coveyors for more information on conveyors or to order Tsubaki Pusher Dogs, Rapid Industries Conveyors or any other related replacement parts.

MMORPG’s

Monday, January 2nd, 2012

MMORPG’s stands for either ‘multi media online role playing games’ or ”massive multiplayer online role playing games’. It comes to much the same thing anyway really. Massive multiplayer online role playing games have done much to popularize the Net. Indeed, some individuals merely go online to play these games and chat with other people who play them as well.

Originally, massive multiplayer online role playing games were mostly text-based, but gradually images were added and then animated images and now we have a virtual reality, in which online, virtual villages and towns are created by players from all over the world, each player with the same purpose: to complete a task and move up a level.

However, the games are so complex that everyone can choose their own tactics to complete their quests and so some people rise through the levels rapidly and others more gradually. It is unlikely that any two players will complete a complex massive multiplayer online role playing game in the same way.

In a way, Flash, Java and high-speed broad band connections have played a large part in making these games more popular, because the graphic images are more lifelike and movement is more natural. Before the advent of these attributes, there just was not the technology to have anything but text-based games with a few (almost) static pictures.

Most of these massive multiplayer online role playing games charge a monthly fee. Some offer trial accounts and these are a good means to get the feel of a game. Guild Wars.com offers a free, playable trial version which is great fun to play. However, the download is colossal, which gives you an idea of the magnitude of the whole game.

For instance, the download to enable you to play the free trial version of Guild Wars encompasses more than 5,000 files and is more than 135 MB in size. This does not take long to come down, 10-15 mins on an average broad band connection of six or seven megabits and it is well worth the wait. However, when you have set up your character, there are another 30,000 files to download.

Other providers of massive multiplayer online role playing games use advertising or a combination of advertising and payment to fund their games, whilst yet others might permit you to play free of charge but offer more alternatives or levels of play if you do pay. The best strategy is to play the free trial or whatever and see if you enjoy the game first.

Being able to play massive multiplayer online role playing games has its pros and cons. The benefits are that you are in the safety and comfort of your own residence and it does not have to be costly to play a game that might have cost millions to develop and maintain and the disadvantages include eye-strain from too| many late nights and procrastination of things that you should be getting on with.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on numerous subjects, but is at present involved with Mortal Kombat Controls. If you have an interest in gaming, please go over to our website now at Mortal Kombat 4.

Optimizing Your Conveyor System for Greater Production

Friday, December 30th, 2011

We often cruise through life performing our daily routines without giving much thought to improving performance. Simple tasks like brushing our teeth, showering, getting to work and cooking are often times put on auto pilot with little attention paid to the actual undertaking. When things run smoothly, humans have a tendency towards contentment. Many endeavors that are repetitive by nature or jaded by low variances are many times left alone to carry out as they have done numerous times before. One critical component to success however is a constant fine tuning and practicing of the associated craft. Maintaining a competitive edge is never about resting on our laurels. Those satisfied with the outputs of today are frequently passed by those hungry for a better tomorrow. One aspect of life where many of these concepts are applicable revolves around the installation and implementation of a conveyor system.

Conveyors have been around for ages and are rightfully considered industrial marvels. To get the most from your conveyor system, you must be ready and able to put in the time and physical and intellectual energy required to understand it and know it well. Conveyors are just machines that will work on auto pilot, but they may not know that they are operating in an ever changing and stressful environment that can bring disastrous rather than productive results. For those with a competitive spirit, there are some disciplines to follow that will build a more viable and stronger platform. If your goal is to optimize your conveyor systems productivity and operations, then the following bits of advice are for you. Some steps in this will be easier than others and the tips we will focus on first fall into the easier domain We will build up to the more difficult steps from there.

Managers should first pay attention in their review to the details of the items being moved along the line. A thorough comprehension of conveyor loads is one simple but powerful means to enhance performance. Take into consideration things such as load form, shape, dimension, density, flow rate and position. All of these characteristics are vital to the success of product movement. If you know everything there is to know about the items traveling on your system, you will much more capable of designing and controlling your operation to be more efficient and powerful. Another tip that is relatively simple but very important is to perform proper maintenance and have the know how to fix common problems.

As a large moving machine conveyors often run into snags. Some of the basic stumbling blocks can be avoided through general guidelines for trouble shooting certain faults. Hiccups like random shutdowns, package backup and frozen belts all may be solved without the need to call in repair experts and expensive service technicians. Informed problem diagnosis is a huge benefit to the smooth functioning of any set up as it allows for fixes that may otherwise be prolonged or outsourced thus thwarting current productivity.

Lastly, diligent maintenance is key when it comes to enhancing optimization. Stay on top of all conveyor related items and focus intently on preventive maintenance. Both will be sure to offer a more fluid environment. Now we will progress into the more difficult tasks at hand.

Conveyors eat up energy. There are some energy saving devices available to streamline movement, but a large amount of room to grow in this area still exists. Some ways to capture energy efficiency is by proper motor selection, lubrication, downtime, drive reduction and gravity leveraging. Reduction in energy can be difficult to pull off, but putting resources toward efficiency can result in huge savings and a better facility. Ergonomics in production is another more intensive angle that may be taken to optimize production. A happier and healthier workplace may be had through optimal vertical and horizontal integration along with ergonomically designed employee workstations.

Attention to conveyor workstation architecture can play a major role in improving the system. The height of a work surface and station reach arrangements are areas in ergonomics that if properly configured can add much to productivity. Conveyor performance testing is mandatory for quality improvement. Routine inspection and testing should be administered to function checking, load analysis and error recovery tests. The administration of tests to discover the systems strengths and weaknesses will bring to light opportunities for enhancement. No matter how you go about it, optimization and productivity must be a constant regimen and ongoing process for any firm desirous of optimizing their conveyor machinery.

Conveyors must have countless numbers of parts moving in harmony with no disruption. Topics like safety and upgrading along with all those mentioned above, must be embraced to get the utmost from your system. Development can be easy sometimes and difficult if not impossible at others, but one thing is sure and that is its importance. Development must never be an afterthought. Conveyors do require intense planning and utter attention to detail. If you are serious about optimization and production, you won’t be taking any short cuts.

Visit Wilkie Brothers Coveyors for more information on conveyors or to order Jervis Webb Conveyor Parts, Daifuku Chain or any other related replacement parts.

Basic Knowledge On Remanufactured Conveyor Components

Thursday, December 29th, 2011

The commercialized and industrial world that drives the economy today depends upon the ability to mass produce products. To supply the demand for any sort of item, conveyor machines help speed up the factory process, allowing it to run almost non-stop. Although machines are long lasting, any broken piece may need remanufactured conveyor parts for fast repairs.

A conveyor belt is responsible primarily for the movement of products and good through a building to different sections. Various larger pieces of equipment may surround the belt’s path in order to work on the product while in motion. Because there is such a high level of intricacy involved in the creation and maintenance of these tireless machines, keeping them in good repair is vital.

To avoid a cascading effect of mechanical failure, broken section should be examined immediately. A good business knows it is important to save money on as many expenses as possible to thrive, and one way to do this is through refurbished parts. Rather than waiting for a new machine to be delivered and sending the old one to be melted down, a repair-person can come in and find the cause of the error, and sometimes be able to replace it on the spot.

When the issue is more difficult to identify, it is best remedied with a complete diagnosis. Quality services will guarantee that every single part will be looked over thoroughly for any warping or other signs of damage. If possible, the pieces are all put back into shape, and if not, are replaced with a similar part from a different machine.

Different kinds of machines require different pieces and parts to properly fix them, and various services may be able to refurbish only one, or nearly every kind depending on supplies and experience. Some conveyors utilize the laws of physics to form a safe slide for products, indicating a need for smooth metal plates. The rolling conveyor depends on their rows of spinning bars, so a repair may require a stock of bars in a matching size.

It is important to examine and care for the parts that make the whole process move as well. Electrical motors are the driving force behind the production line, setting the pace for both workers and the other machines. Since almost all modernized factories make use of high-tech motors and electronics, remanufacturing services can often diagnose and repair their parts as well.

Ordering an entirely new conveyor system after having issues with the current one is far more costly than utilizing refurbished parts. What is required to create a new machine from scratch is far more intensive than those of remanufacturing, and takes place in many locations. Everything from raw material prices, to molding, welding, transportation, and construction must be taken into account.

Recycling old machines is a good way to lessen the waste output of a factory, and shows a business’ environmentally friendly values. By recycling metal that has already been pulled from the ground for a previous conveyor, it helps conserve the natural resources the planet has created. While this is helpful to the land and atmosphere, it also helps keep the price of metallic ore lower.

Whether a factory is built for the transportation and sorting of goods, food creation, or product assembly, keeping machines in top shape is crucial. Using remanufactured conveyor parts can help a business save time and money when compared to other repair techniques. It can increase the lifetime of both the machine, and the natural resource from which it was created.

Visit Wilkie Brothers Coveyors for more information on conveyors or to order Automatic Systems Rivetless Chain, Midwest Conveyor Components or any other related replacement parts.

Defeating Writers’ Block (part two)

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

Regardless of what the statistics tell you, some sites will soar and others will flop and you are a better man than I am if you are able to work that out 12 months in advance. My rule is, that if a web site does not triple my financial outlay in a year, I ditch it.

I do not count the pieces of writing because they can get recycled to aid other pages and the web pages can be recycled as new web pages on new or old web sites or, at the last resort, into pieces.

For that reason, I have classes of loosely related sites based on the foremost topics I have identified, to wit, love, sport, cars, health, travel etc.

The main thing is to begin with what people want - not what you would like. Then, try to find a niche within that market that interests you. The more different your personality is from the average, the more important this is.

Never start with yourself, but you can twist the topic back to something that you know something of or are willing to research because you are interested in it. I do a heck of a lot of research and love doing it.

I am not interested in collecting gold and gems, but my wife is and she wants my opinion frequently, so I am learning. Her son is getting married on 28-12 and he has to give his wife an ounce of gold as a gift - that is what her mum wants for her, which is a further incentive to learn about gold, investing and market trends and swings, because I have to pay for that gold.

There are so many items to write on.

I would like to write a site on orchids - I know nothing about them, but they grow like weeds here and they are my wife’s favourite flower. If that is too narrow, perhaps ‘Thai Gardens’.

I was in Nan the other day renewing my visa. I have already written a site on how to get a visa, but there is a stone-age tribe living in Nan Province of northern Thailand! 285 km from my home. They live in bivouacs and are nomadic. They are 10,000 years behind the remainder of Thailand.

My wife is getting skin growing over one of her eyes. It can easily be taken off and will need soon, but I can see a website on cataracts coming up.

There are hundreds of millions of us Boomers so subjects for us are sure to be well-liked. We are aging, entering a new stage of life, are computer literate and are not destitute. That’s a fantastic blend.

A further thought is: a man on the radio said the other day that there are more middle-class people in India than the total population of Europe. Imagine that!

And it is increasing by hundreds of thousands a year. And China is double the size of India. So they have (or soon will have) a middle-class equalling the populace of Europe and America combined. That is excluding the upper-class.

Discover what interests those nouveaux-riches and you will strike it big. I think that they love old-world style. Old European ’style’ - not antiques, but silver salvers, beautiful whiskey glasses, posh dog collars, fancy walking sticks, Panama hats, silk scarves, sensible shoes, home schooling, English language courses, etc, etc.

Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on a variety of subjects, and is now concerned with Blogging. If you would like to know more, please visit our website at PLR pieces.

Why Should I Be Networking My Home Computers?

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

If there are a number of computers in your household, you can easily network them together. As simply as if your home were an office. You might be asking yourself why you should want to do that, but there are good reasons. If business thinks that it is a decent notion, then there has to be something to it.

The foremost advantage for a family is the ability to share software. The main advantage for parents is the ability to see what their kids are looking at. Call that spying if you like, I call it taking care. Of course, that is your prerogative, but in an office situation someone is able to observe what traffic passes through the office machines, although in some countries this is illegal or illegal-ish.

The easiest manner to do this is with Ethernet cards or by plugging each computer into a residential gateway, which is often known as a router. The Ethernet cards are not costly, but it means running a cable from every computer to the foremost computer (known as a server). This is the fastest and most dependable way.

Otherwise you could plug every computer into the residential gateway using a similar type of wire. This latter method has a variation - it can be a wireless connection. However, the wireless connection will mean that all the computers need a wireless card, which means more money and it can be slower and more prone to interception by others outside the house.

There are also more complicated variations on these themes. For example, you could connect all the upstairs computers by network (also known as LAN) cards and have one of those computers use a wireless connection to the server or router to which the server is connected.

Once the hardware is connected, setting up a local area network (LAN) is not that difficult because Windows has a wizard to help you do it. This is a step-by-step wizard which makes it pretty easy to do, although in practice there are a couple of items that you need to understand to complete the process, not that it ought to be above anyone.

Once up and running, every computer on the LAN will be able to share any file that is designated as ’shared’. The term ‘file’ includes programs, text, writings, pictures, audio files and anything else on any computer in the house that is designated as ’shared’ by its author.

It also means that devices or peripherals can be shared. For instance, you will only need one printer and one scanner, which can be shared. Every computer will also be able to take part in multi-player games too - every player in their own rooms in conditions that suit them - lights on or off, et cetera.

Another enormous advantage of having an LAN is the ease of regulating Net security. It means one firewall, one virus protection system and one anti-spyware system all controlled by the most reliable person in the house or on the LAN.

Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on numerous topics, but is at present involved with Digital Cameras and Photography. If you have an interest in Gadgets and Adult Toys, please go over to our web site now at Gadgets and Adult Toys.