Want to buy a Rogers smartphone - watch out for the legal stuff

12.31.11: I did a little investigation on smartphone offerings (android cell phones - not Apple iPhones) and discovered this well hidden legaleze.


While Rogers is not substantially different to other providers, it does have some sleazy methods.


The first pic is how you see the legal page ... too small and compact for most people to take the time to study. 
Why different than other Rogers pages??

The second pic is blown up to readable size.


Notice how they indicate one fee is a "Government Regulatory Recovery Fee" but then are very specific to indicate it is "not a tax or charge the government requires Rogers to collect".


Didn't we used to call this gobledegook??   

Internet Wi-Fi Security

12.06.11: This item is only for those wi-fi Internet users who have heard about WPS.


The organizations promoting Internet security has attempted to provide a simpler approach for the non-techie Internet users (99.5% of Internet users).


The simpler approach means you do not need to know how to set up encrypted protocol (WPA or WPA2) in order to secure your home network from hackers (anyone trying to use your Internet wireless access).


Unless you are really keen to employ this approach, I suggest it is not worth the effort.


Instead, ask someone to help you set your WPA or WPA2 encryption, write down the password, and forget it ... until a friend shows up with a smartphone or laptop and wants to use your wi-fi while visiting. Then, remember where you placed the piece of paper with the password.


Here is a detailed description:

WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) was introduced and developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance to help standardize and simplify ways of setting up and configuring security on a wireless network. Traditionally, users would have to manually create a wireless network name (SSID), then manually enter a creative, yet predictable security key on both the access point and the client to prevent unwanted access to their wireless network.

This whole process requires the users to have the background knowledge of the Wi-Fi devices and the ability to make the necessary configuration changes. WPS was introduced to relieve and remove all of the guesswork of securing a wireless network by typing a short PIN (numeric code) or pushing a button (Push-Button Configuration, or PBC).

On a new wireless network, WPS will automatically configure a wireless network with a network name (SSID) and strong WPA data encryption and authentication. Wi-Fi Protected Setup is designed to support various Wi-Fi certified 802.11 products ranging from access points, wireless adapters, Wi-Fi phones, and other consumer electronics devices.

Advantages of WPS

• WPS automatically configures the network name (SSID) and WPA security key for the access point and the WPS enabled client devices on a network.
• You do not need to know the SSID and security keys or passphrases when connecting WPS-enabled devices.
• No one can guess or figure out your security keys or passphrase because the keys will be randomly generated.
• No predictable passphrases or long sequences of hexadecimal to enter
• Information and network credentials are securely exchanged over the air using the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP), one of the authentication protocols used in WPA2.
• WPS has been integrated and supported in Windows Vista (currently, Windows Vista only work in Registrar mode)

Disadvantages of WPS

• It does not support “Ad-Hoc” mode or network where wireless devices are communicated directly to each other without an access point.
• All of the Wi-Fi devices on the network must be WPS certified or WPS-compatible, otherwise you will not be able to take advantage of the ease of securing the network.
• Difficult to add a non-WPS client device to the network because of the long sequences of hexadecimal characters generated by the WPS technology.
• This technology is fairly new, so not every vendor will support the WPS technology.

Facts about WPS

• WPS is a non-proprietary specification that will be a certified technology controlled by Wi-Fi Alliance.
• WPS is an optional certification program for Wi-Fi Certified products.
  • Not all Wi-Fi Certified products will include WPS support, users need to look for the Wi-Fi Protected Setup logo or term on the products to ensure that the product is WPS compatible.
• There are 2 primary methods used in the Wi-Fi Protected Setup:
  • PIN entry – a mandatory method of setup for all WPS certified devices
  • Push button configuration (PBC) – an actual push button on the hardware or through a simulated push button in the software. (This is an optional method on wireless client).
• If you are using the PIN method, you will need a Registrar (access point/wireless router) to initiate the registration between a new device and an active access point/wireless router. (Note: The PBC method may also need a Registrar when used in a special case where the PIN is all zeros)
• WPS is NOT a new security feature – it makes the existing security features easier to configure.

If, after reading/digesting all of the above information, you would like to set it up, I will gladly assist.

PC - fixing it because you like it and it's cheaper

12.06.11: Some people like to keep using their existing computer, even though there are newer/faster models available (and more appearing every month).
There are situations when it is feasible to fix the computer rather than buy a new one. 
In my opinion, if it has a fast processor and does everything you want and can be fixed for under $100, it may be worthwhile to fix it.
The caveat is it may incur another problem before long and the decision has to be evaluated again. 


In my experience, the significant things that do go wrong after time are: hard drive stops working, and not enough memory installed to function at an acceptable speed.


Two situations:


1. an older IBM Thinkpad with a fast processor had a hard drive failure and had been running very slow for some time. 
Rather than throw it out, he purchased (on eBay) a new hard drive and additional memory for under $75. I installed Windows XP on the new drive and the laptop is now running a lot faster.


2. a 7yr old Gateway computer (with a very fast processor) had a hard drive failure but the owner liked it and found it to do everything she wanted with her 56KB modem connection.
As with many older computers, hard drives and memory are quite inexpensive but I suggested she just buy a new computer. She wanted to know how much it would cost to fix before making her decision.
When I informed her I could fix it and make it faster for about $75, she decided to hold off making a new purchased. I lent her on older computer I don't use and I am waiting for the parts before rebuilding her computer. 


The problem I have found with fixing older computers is no retail outlet wants to do it unless they are paid quite well ... making it not worthwhile. If fixing costs over $250, it is probably best to buy a new one.


The bottom line to all this is:


1. if you have an older computer that is failing or the hard drive has gone, and you don't mind if it completely breaks while I am analyzing it for restoration, give me a call. 


2. if you suspect failure, or haven't done so in quite a while, backup your data ... before it is too late.


In the second situation above, all data was lost on the broken hard drives.


Here is a simple and free method of backup up your data online (up to 2GBs).

HDMI - don't buy at FutureShop or BestBuy

12.04.11: A couple of months ago, after quite a lot of research, I bought a 50" Panasonic Plasma TV, as it has the best quality (for my eyes) of any LCD or Plasma flatscreen.
The best price at the time was Future Shop, for the non-3D, non-LED, and non-Internet ready type (TC-P50ST30).
The salesman convinced me to purchase a 6' HDMI cable to connect my Blu-Ray player (purchased at the same time).
I got home and decided there was something uncomfortable about paying $99 for a 6' HDMI cable.
I checked the web and couldn't find anything less than $30 (Walmart)...but took the FS purchase back and told bluntly why I was returning it.
I then consulted a techie friend and found out about Monoprice.


I purchased two 6 foot cables (24AWG, high speed) from Monoprice for a total cost of less than $20 (includes shipping). 
One cable connects the plasma TV to the Blu-ray player and the other connects the Rogers input to the plasma TV.
I ave been using them for a while now and very pleased with video and TV quality .... and the money I got back from Future Shop.

Basic Facts about HDMI cables:


1. They are the best cable to use for HD quality TV or video viewing
2. HDMI cables include audio making audio cables not required
3. They come in a few thicknesses (28AWG to 22AWG), depending on length. AWG = american wire gauge.
4. The longer the length the thicker the wire (lower the AWG number) you should buy
5. They cone in two quality types: standard and high speed. Standard is perfect for 720p or 1080i quality. High speed is for 1080p. 
6. At the Monprice prices, you should buy high speed and the thickest available for the length you want