Geeks2U | November Newsletter

Connectivity Issues at Home: Having A Backup Plan

For many of us, the Internet is our portal to the world, and when there are issues with connecting to that portal all kinds of problems can arise. Even for a less tech-savvy home user, losing that connection can cause issues with the way they operate in their day-to-day lives.

Luckily, with all of the options available today, connectivity doesn't have to be an issue.

This month I want to suggest some measures that can ensure you stay connected regardless of the type of problems your main Internet Service Provider may be experiencing.

• Dual Connections - Instead of having just one broadband connection you could always use two. Some businesses keep both an ADSL and a Cable connection. Of course, this means spending $50 a month (or more) twice.
• Dial-Up - A less expensive alternative is to use dial-up as your backup. Dial-up connections are available for as little as $3 a month, and most PC's still come with modems installed. This obviously won't work if you use the Internet for Voice-Over-IP or require a faster connection.
• Satellite Internet - Satellite is another alternative. Companies like satellite 2-way because it offers fairly inexpensive (always on) connectivity. In this case, installation costs are a factor, and the speed isn't as fast as standard broadband.
• Mobile Broadband - With Virgin's recent release of their prepaid mobile service, wireless has suddenly become an option. In this case you would pay for the cost of a wireless USB modem, and then only pay for usage when you used the wireless connection.

Let's face it, staying connected is important. You now have four different methods you can use to ensure your Internet connection is always on!

The 56K Modem: Leading us to Today

When you sit down in front of your PC to read that email, to watch that streaming video, or to call your brother with Skype, it's very likely you take it for granted that it all "just works". Your PC is connected to the world, and that connection requires no thought or effort from you.

You should know though, that connecting to the Internet wasn't always as easy as it is today. In the early days you had to dial into a service provider, and in turn that provider would connect you to millions of web pages.

At that point in time the most common way to connect was with a 9600 baud modem. This blazing-fast connection tool could download a webpage at the rate of 9.6 kilobits per second. In other words, if the page had any images you could expect to wait two to three minutes just to view a single page!

Throughout the early nineties things got a little faster with the advent of the 14.4kbps, 28.8kbps, and even the 33.6kbps modems. It wasn't until 1996 that dial-up began to become fast enough for real connectivity to begin.

Dr. Brent Townsend invented the 56K modem, and it was the release of that modem that began to move the Internet forward. The faster connection enabled ideas like streaming audio (and sometimes very slow video) to become a reality. Ultimately it was this invention that led us to require the faster broadband connections that we use today.

The next time you're sitting in front of your PC and streaming that 50MB video over your broadband connection, it's worth remembering things weren't always this easy, and if it wasn't for that 56K modem things would be very different.

Gadget of the Month

Unitek Y-1040 SATA Docking Station

This month's gadget of the month is the Y-1040 hard-drive docking station from Unitek. This handy little gadget allows you to connect a standard hard drive to your PC without having to open up the case and install it.

The gadget connects to your PC using a USB cable, and it accepts any standard 2.5" or 3.5" SATA hard drive. It even includes a card reader.

If you've been looking to add some storage to your PC, require a large amount of portable storage, or just need an inexpensive backup solution you'll definitely want the Y-1040 on hand!

For more information see IOGear's website, or enquire directly to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Gadget Price: $50.05

Geeks2U Employee of the Month

Michael Alo

Tell us about yourself ?
I'm 24, the youngest of five brothers. I grew up in Wellington, and am of Mauritian Heritage. We immigrated to Sydney in 1998 and much prefer it to Wellington - there's way more going on!!

Hobbies/Interests? Hanging out with mates when I'm not working, Raving and hitting the city, following the soccer.

Piece of Technology you can't live without? My mobile phone - it runs my life!! I can check my emails, call, SMS, take photos and listen to music.

What you do at Geeks and for how long?
I am a customer service specialist and have been working here for two fun-filled months.

What do you like the most about Geeks?
The people! From the office staff and field technicians who all join in on the banter each day for good fun, to the wide range of different customers from different backgrounds and walks of life that I get to speak to each day.

Recommended favourite YouTube video?
There's a really cool video doing the rounds about Christian the lion being reunited with the couple he was raised by, I recommend checking it out!

Recommended/favourite website?
Definitely Myspace.com! It's a great way of keeping in touch with friends from all over the place.


5 Seconds with Michael Alo...

Google or Yahoo? Google for sure - its so much simpler!

Playstation or Xbox? Playstation is way better

Laptop or Desktop? Laptop, its mobile so its way better!

Myspace or Facebook? Most people would say Facebook but I still way prefer Myspace, especially since the new Facebook came out.

Apple or PC? Apple - its more trendy than boring old Windows!