From the Stone Age to the Space Age A Smart Guide to Today s Technology Copyright 2003 Nancy Garcia All rights reserved Printed by InstantPublisher.com ISBN: 1-59196-290-0 No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information, please email stoneage2spaceage@comcast.net. Although the author has made every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of information contained in this book, there is no assumption of responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions herein. Any slights of people, places or organizations are unintentional. Second printing 2003.
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Contents Introduction 1. Desktop PC to 512MB Pentium M Laptop 2. Dial-up Modem to Wireless Cable Network 3. Retail Stores to Online Shopping 4. CD Players to MP3 Players & Free Music 5. Cell Phones to Smartphones 6. Address Book and Wall Calendar to PDA 7. Simple Will to Living Trust 8. TV Surfing to TiVo and Internet News 9. Mace to Virtual Dog & Automobile Tracking 10. Cinderella to Online Groceries & Bill Paying plus Roomba and Clothes Processor. 11. Thighmaster to Computerized Weight Loss 12. Future Technology Afterword Appendix A Warranty Information 3
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Introduction Six months ago, I rarely used the computer except to check my daughter s soccer email. The only other technological device I owned was an old Nokia cell phone with a barely readable screen. Then my husband bought a state-of-the-art Pocket PC to carry information in his pocket as he went from floor to floor doing his job. Not having a job myself, I watched him struggle with the device and had no interest in it. Then I emerged from the Stone Age into the Space Age the day we purchased an upgraded computer that had wireless capabilities. We bought the only PC at the time that was compatible with my husband s Pocket PC. It happened to be a $2,500 laptop. I thought this was a good idea if it would enable my husband to use his Pocket PC without the incredible frustration he was experiencing trying to make it compatible with our old $1,000 E-machine. The laptop made all the difference in my attitude towards consumer technology. It wasn t that I didn t have experience with computers. I took computer-programming classes at Stanford when I was a student. The hours spent debugging just one line of text left me disillusioned. I spent two years in New York City programming the first Apple computers (Apple IIe) with the first spreadsheets (VisiCalc). I needed a techno guy to help me since the software documentation was virtually unusable. Then I spent 11 years as an accountant using the different IBM desktops and accounting/tax programs. When I quit working seven years ago to 5
raise four children, I didn t see the need to have a personal computer. Recently, my daughter s soccer team started using email, so I bought an E-machine workhorse used primarily for email, kids homework and some children s computer games. Occasionally, I looked something up on the Internet, but it was so slow it was hardly worth it when a phone call to a vendor was faster. I wasn t going to waste time and money trying new technology when I had so many other things I needed the time for. Then I started using my husband s new laptop with the highspeed cable modem and a whole new world opened up for me. One technology led to another and a few months later almost every aspect of my life has changed. The new technology is inexpensive, easy to use and saves an incredible amount of time over the old way I did things. The amount of money I spent on the devices will actually pay for themselves in the long run. Money saving technologies: High performance laptop computer Wireless network Online shopping MP3 player for music Smartphone Living trust done with software Inexpensive/time saving technologies: Replay television & Internet news Personal security devices Weight-loss technology Home maintenance technology I focused my attention on those technologies that offer a combination of value and ease of use. As everyone knows, there are an overwhelming number of new devices in the stores and magazines. Most are attractively advertised, but are complicated and end up as expensive gadgets rarely used. After much research and wasted money, I have found that there are some simple, reasonably priced technologies that make a big difference in my quality of life. My everyday existence has now changed in the following ways: 6
I use the computer (laptop) as easily and as often as I once used a telephone. With a high-speed Internet connection, wireless network and high-performance computer, I access the Internet at least five times a day. Since the laptop is wireless, I can comfortably check my email, look up information, monitor my Ebay account, check my banking information, review recent new stories and download free music and videos. When I am considering a purchase, I look up the item online to see consumer reviews and pricing options. I rarely shop in retail stores anymore due to the excellent prices online and the savings of sales tax. The item ships to my house in a few days with the same warranty and return policies as in retail stores. Most of my music is stored on my computer and periodically transferred to my MP3 player in just minutes. I still use CDs in the car, but my music collection is now mostly digital, with excellent sound quality. My cell phone is an automated phonebook, calendar, to do list and digital camera. It can also access online information and my email when I am away from home. It is smaller than a deck of cards and slips into a pocket or attaches to my purse strap. Since long distance is free, I sometimes use my cell phone instead of my landline at home. I carry around all my important data and other information in a PDA the size of a thin wallet. It is backed up to my laptop in case it is ever lost. Whenever I turn on the television, I watch a favorite prerecorded show with no commercials. For the news and weather, I check websites on my computer. 7
I have a better sense of security at home with my virtual dog. If my car ever gets stolen or someone in my family doesn t come home on time, I can check their location online in minutes. I have less housework and more free time by using an automated vacuum cleaner and a clothes processor. In addition to being enjoyable to use, these technologies give me more control over my life. I am not at the mercy of advertising or poor service anymore. Information and purchasing is available directly from the source. I now bypass middlemen and companies that used to cost me money without offering any value. Thanks to the new consumer technology explosion, there is an easier and less expensive way to live in the 21 st century. 8
Chapter One Desktop PC to 512MB, Wireless, Pentium M Laptop for $2,000.00: A state-of-the-art laptop (notebook) costs the same as a 256MB desktop PC two years ago. Yet the two computers are totally different to use. Even if your current PC hasn t used up most its memory, contracted a virus or is full of pop-ups, you still need an upgraded computer to use all of the new devices now available. The price of one of these laptops ($1,550 to $ 2,300) will pay for itself by allowing you to easily access other technologies such as online shopping. Trying to surf the Internet or bid on Ebay with a slow machine is frustrating. You won t really appreciate the need for your computer to be a laptop instead of a desktop until you use one. The mobility of your computer is priceless when you spend a lot of time on it. You can work on it almost anywhere and they are designed to be enjoyable to use. Computers are actually fun if you have a laptop. The purchase of the right laptop computer is critical. It is the one new technology you must have for the others to work well. After researching and trying some of the new laptops, I have found 9
four laptops worth buying and where to buy them. The following features necessary to have in a high-functioning laptop are as follows: Pentium M processor Long Battery life Built-in Wireless Built-in CD/DVD 40 GB hard drive Display size 13 to 15 2 USB 2.0 ports Here is a more detailed explanation of the critical features needed in your laptop: Pentium M processor This is a new processor developed for laptops and differs from the common Pentium III or IV (the blue men on the advertisements). The Pentium M makes the laptop more efficient, providing for a longer battery life. 512 MB memory (RAM) - The RAM (random access memory) transfers data from the hard drive to the processor. This stores the data as your laptop runs its programs. The faster the processor, the more memory (RAM) your laptop needs to feed it data at faster speeds. Without enough memory, it will slow down while it waits for the data from the hard drive. 512 MB of memory is the minimal amount needed for a Pentium M processor to maximize its performance. Battery Life Most laptops have a battery life of about 2 hours. The Pentium M laptops can have a five to six hour battery life. Again, the longer the battery life, the more mobile you will be. Built-in Wireless As detailed more thoroughly in Chapter 2, your laptop will need to connect to your wireless home network. This allows your laptop to be mobile when you are online, which will be often. Without wireless capability, you would have to be plugged into a phone or cable outlet to access the Internet. The wireless should be built-in so that the port is free for other things that can t be built-in. 10