The Lucky Cabin

September 8th, 2009

Using Delivery, Routing and Scheduling Software with GPS, CAD, GIS Data from Aviation

Well in aviation the toys for pilots are getting a lot better, for instance the GPS-PDAs with sectional charts on them. Also lots of other data like the J-Aide and Jeppeson airport contacts once you arrive. All this makes flying easier, less complicated and more enjoyable. AvMap EKP-III C

http://www.avshop.com/catalog/product.html?productid=3781

and even more cool are the ones with all the bells and whistles; Such as loading it with an International Data Base. Hell now the CIA can have all the civilian data along with their intelligence information. Of course this newest Industry finds itself with many new players as pilots are generally not having a problem affording new toys and it saves all those large flight bags and Knee Boards and clips. You can still buy the clipboards and I have one when I drive the Blitz Mobile mobile command center across the country hunting for the latest technologies it has maps and important numbers to do business from the highway. Many truck drivers and railroad conductors use such boards and in the NAVY Pilots use them and even probably torpedo bombers did too; remember George Bush Senior flew a torpedo bomber?

Back to our GPS Toys and PDA devices; Another one of the more unique ones is the EnFlight Text Weather Devise which you can google to get all the specs, definitely worth a look see. All of these devises also allow for National Security so no more private pilots in C-182s fly into restricted areas;

http://www.faa.gov/NTAP/SPECIALNOTAMS/Spec…s_graphics_.htm .

These companies are also careful whom they send these devises to, for obvious reasons. Just think you could be flying your own private plane with a little PDA devise and go have a blast with your newfound freedom. Another cool devise and one of my favorites is the Pocket test which you can look up on Google. This is a cool devise to help you from getting lost and it has just about too many features to list, too bad it was not Windows CE based, I just cannot trust the longevity of Palm in the market place and hope our military is not so stupid to buy into there hype for military versions. One thing going for it is its size. Very small.

We did like the MapTech unit also because we can use it on a laptop, Handheld GPS unit of PDA GPS unit, with terrain CAD capabilities. This unit has many other purposes for General Civil Engineering, Forestry, Mobile Car Washing scheduling and routing, Aviation, Hiking, Fishing, Diving, Trucking, you name it. It also has features from NOAA for weather; I would recommend this as the best all-purpose unit I have thus yet found. It also works with ESRI software. So we like this for its versatility across industries. Good for us too with the blitz mobile to take the route with the least amount of hills for fuel consumption conservation and wear and tear on a 300,000-mile truck. Another of the best units we looked at was the

http://www.teletype.com/pages/tracking.html

which can be used like a Top Secret “Bloodhound Unit” and we can use this for car wash truck tracking, can be used for just about any real use to help you find your self or units. This is a way we can covertly track our units so employees do not screw off and kill profits and lie about where they were and how long they were there. Also in our survey we looked at the SatellinkTech units and found a lot of other cool features there;

http://www.satellinktech.com/product/merlin_air_main.htm .

This is a great tool, like the other units is does provide real time data such as; Airport observations and forecasts (text), Area forecasts (text), Upper wind forecasts (text), Pilot reports (text and onboard processed graphics), Icing and Turbulence forecasts (graphical), Status of restricted, prohibited, and military training airspace (text and onboard processed graphics), Location of other aircraft on instrument flight plans (onboard processed graphics), FAA alerts and advisories, Aircraft Situational Display.

What is also of interest is how much all these companies work together so that they can provide all the same data to all their customers. This does not mean one is not better than the other. For our purposes we chose the Tele Type unit with all the features, which we may implement in the future. I hope this review of products has assisted you in learning more about the technology. Many of these PDA technologies will be available for nearly any business small or large.

Lance Winslow - EzineArticles Expert Author

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

August 13th, 2009

Connectivity Issues Plaguing O2 Services for Weeks

O2’s broadband users have been bearing the brunt of several network problems that have been affecting the company’s broadband service for the past few weeks. The issues mostly pertain to irregular data connections.

The first time that it happened, users complained that they were having problems with texting and emailing and internet access in general. This had been caused by a data crash due to a defective GPRS system. Although the problems were dealt with and solved within a few hours, it no doubt left some users worried. An O2 spokesperson addressed customers and assured them that those who were still left with faulty internet connections would get help as soon as possible.

The second time O2 was hit, customers lost all voice and data access. After diagnosing the problem, the company’s technical experts quickly jumped in and got the system running normally like before. This time too, O2 said that they had the matter under control and that the services for connections still facing problems would get back on track shortly.

Now for the third time, there are some technical glitches, and as reported by news site The Register, the problems are affecting only “some” of the users. But in reality, problems this time are not confined to any specific region, and they have been reported even in far off places like Brighton and Liverpool where O2’s networks seem to be rejecting 2G and 3G connections.

As in the first two instances, the issues have been resolved this time too, although this time, nothing has been mentioned about what the problem actually was. The customers would be hoping that O2 manages to clean up its act soon and get its systems running smoothly. For information on mobile broadband and on the services of various ISP’s, click on mobile broadband reviews, for consumers’ views on the service providers.

July 28th, 2009

Reduce Operating Costs, Gain efficiency, and Compete Effectively with VoIP

Imagine phones (that look like regular phones as we-know-it-today) connecting to the Internet via an Ethernet jack (similar to a PC) instead of the phone plug on the wall. These are called IP-based phones. These phones do not use analog phone lines - instead they get connected to the Internet. One would pick up the receiver and make a phone call just as it is done today and VoIP converts the human voice into IP packets (data similar to email data) and pushes it out through the Internet to the phone switch where it is terminated. In a nut shell, VoIP digitalizes voice into data packets, sending them and reconverting them back into voice at destination.

What are the benefits of VoIP and why you should consider it? To compete effectively in the eWorld, a decent businesses infrastructure MUST HAVE two essential components: A High-speed Internet connection and a sophisticated phone system.

Up until now, to build a solid infrastructure, small businesses had to spend lots of money for having multiple phone lines, perhaps an 800 line, fax line, credit card machine, to name a few. These days the ONLY essential component to worry about is having a reliable high-speed Internet connection. Connectivity can be addressed with either cable or DSL service (typically $250 per month) through cable providers such as Comcast, RCN, etc. and DSL can be provided through the Verizons of the world. The good news is that with the arrival of VoIP, there is no need to pay a dime for multiple phone lines, any phone system (PBX), any local/long distance calls, phone maintenance, etc. At 30% to 50% less than the cost of a typical phone system, a VoIP system will provide a more sophisticated system with increased functionality than any analog phone system. It offers an enterprise-level system that was affordable ONLY by fortune 500 companies. Now small businesses can compete like big corporations at a fraction of the cost!

Small businesses are beginning to realize that IP-based phone system streamlines their communications needs and their call flow in ways that was not possible a year ago. As a result they can improve the customer experience and combined with wireless IP communications, employees can become completely mobile. The beauty of it is that IP enables the phone to be anywhere - this is a perfect solution for companies with remote/satellite offices who wish to have one uniform phone system for all employees regardless of their location.

There’s a whole list of benefits unlocked by VoIP beyond the obvious. One of the most important advantages of using VoIP is reliable continuity. Imagine having a system that can stay operational through the Sept. 11 attacks in New York, or the August blackout and a whole list of building failures by the central phone system. In a typical VoIP system the main elements of the network are offsite, they’re automatically protected from these sort of issues. Another benefit is, unlike a traditional phone system [Time-Division Multiplexed TDM], where the environment is a common point of failure, in a VoIP it is very easy to put in redundancy in which all clients connect to the outside world by more than one path. This guarantees phone connectivity and no call is ever lost.

IP telephony lowers the costs of communications system tremendously while increases productivity in more ways than one. Consider a world where ALL communications, including eMail, voice messages, conference calls, and/or even wireless devices can be integrated through a single system where employees, no matter of the location, can be contacted. For companies with multiple locations, VoIP system can eliminate the need for several receptionists - which is growing in popularity.

The benefits of VoIP are endless. It eliminates the need for having an expensive PBX system; it saves time and resources associated with the maintenance & supporting such systems; it removes the hassle of dealing with phone companies; on and on … while offering a superior phone system at 30 to 50% of the cost.

Hadi Shavarini is the General Manager and co-founder of Blue Robin Inc.- Building eBusiness Infrastructures. Blue Robin offers cost effective enterprise-level VoIP systems. Hadi Shavarini has been involved with VoIP development since 2002. http://www.bluerobininc.com

June 8th, 2009

All About GPS and How It Works

GPS or Global Positioning Systems are computer systems that use satellites in orbit around the globe to provide exact longitudinal and latitudinal position of the user. GPS units were originally designed by the Department of Defense for military purposes and are now used on the consumer level for day to day navigation. Some GPS units sell for less than $100.00 and as long as you have one and have a clear sight of the sky you will never be lost again. In fact most GPS receivers can pinpoint your location on the globe within about 50 feet. GPS units vary in price based on their quality and capabilities, so when shopping for one it is important to know what you are planning to use it for.

GPS systems are mostly used by consumers for two purposes, positioning and navigation. GPS units are placed on boats so boaters can have an idea of where they are in comparison to the shoreline. In cars they are more often equipped to provide directions to the driver from two different points. Some of the more expensive models come equipped with voice capabilities so that drivers don’t even have to take their eyes off the road. Many handheld models are sold to outdoor enthusiasts for camping, hunting and hiking. These handheld models also range in price based on their capabilities and if the display comes in color or not.

Most GPS units will also provide you with some standard and useful information…..

An Odometer (Distance you have traveled)
Time you have been traveling
A Speedometer (How fast you are currently traveling)
Average speed for the journey
A map of you trail so far
E.T.A (Estimated time of arrival)

GPS units use four satellites orbiting the globe to triangulate your position on earth and can do so with extreme accuracy. If you are constantly lost behind the wheel or spend a lot of time in the outdoors purchasing a GPS unit might be the right move for you.

Find out more about GPS at http://gps-go.info.

June 5th, 2009

How to Never Pay a Hotel Phone Bill Again

The protocol is increasingly being adopted as the standard means by which computers communicate to facilitate VoIP or Voice Over Internet Protocol. So you can imagine SIP as a common language for new generation operators to speak to connect calls. However, there are no operators there is only your computer (or other hardware) and that of the person you are speaking with. That brings this introduction to some of the many benefits of SIP communication.

The goal of SIP was to provide users with many of the functions and features they typically expect with making phone calls, such as familiar rings, hearing the ring back tone when a call is placed, and the process of dialing a number. SIP goes beyond this however, also implementing a number of advanced features. Despite its’ convenient interface that mirrors that of a typical telephone call, SIP is based on an internet protocol rather than that of the telephone industry. Because of this, SIP is able to work seamlessly alongside other internet based protocols. This has allowed the technology to uniquely establish a user location, meaning that you can tell the IP address or “location” from which a person is making a call, something vital for offering emergency services. It also allows for coordination amongst the various participants in deciding upon what call features will be supported, as well as providing the protocol for call management which allows for adding, dropping, or transferring call participants.

One of the most exceptional benefits of Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is its application with Private Branch Exchange (PBX). A private branch exchange is a private telephone network used within an enterprise in which users share a certain number of outside lines for external telephone calls. This provides a significant cost savings to the company because it allows companies to quickly and easily make calls within their institution, as well as save by limiting the number of external phone lines that must be maintained. SIP can extend these cost savings dramatically by offering users free long distance calls worldwide. Once again, because SIP is internet based rather than running over traditional telephone lines, the cost of call transmission are as cheap as say sending an e-mail, that is to say, Free! While PBX is already an efficient use of office resources incorporating SIP into a PBX means taking such savings and capabilities to a new level. Incorporating SIP gives users’ access to free interoffice communications, long distance calls, as well as huge savings in setup and transaction costs. These transaction cost savings are due to the fact that SIP is based on internet protocol allowing for the ability to physically move phones without any need for rewiring or new setup costs. Because that the system is peer-to-peer rather than cog and wheel like hardwired telephony means that there is no complicated setup necessary, but rather users can simply plug the phone into any available broadband connection and without the need for any complicated hardware or software, calls are ready to be made and received.

This brings us to what is potentially the greatest savings that SIP provides. We all hate to have to pay $2.00 for making a simple local call from a hotel room. But for those of us that have had to pay exorbitant long-distance charges from hotels, the level of angst felt reaches new heights. Add to this the fact that often companies require conference calling for their employees, a service that hotels are all too happy to charge a high premium to provide. For companies that have a lot of their employees traveling or practicing in various locales, the overhead costs of making such calls can really put a damper on year end profits. SIP offers a solution to hotel bills, and for that matter all telephone bills whatsoever. Just as sending an e-mail is free whether you are sending that e-mail to a person across the street or around the world, so making a call using SIP from any locale to any other locale in the world is free. All that is needed is a broadband connection. And just as one can send an email from wherever the internet can be accessed, SIP users can make their free calls from the office, the home, or even (gasp) the hotel room. Not to mention the huge savings in regular long-distance charges, the simple fact that long distance and local calls can be made for free from hotel rooms (most of which offer complimentary broadband service) is an enormous long-term cost savings. But add to this the fact that conference calls are available at no additional cost, which can be explained by following the principle that sending an e-mail to many individuals at the same time is just as cheap as one to one communication. Altogether these savings mean that companies who have in the past been laden with high local and long distance phone bills will be able to have their employees keep in close communication no matter their location for free.

SIP goes beyond this, however. Because SIP uses peer-to-peer connections there are no extra costs for having hundreds or even thousands of employees making SIP calls whereas the management costs for such a system under traditional telephony would be astronomical. This is never the case with PBXs that utilize SIP in a peer to peer connection format, however, where structural costs do not increase as your business grows and your usage of the PBX increases.

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) offers customers of traditional telephony fantastic cost savings, the flexibility to make free calls from anywhere in the world at any time, and the ability to expand a PBX system with no setup costs. Because there is no complicated hardware or software necessary to setup SIP in a PBX, implementing the technology is as simple as having access via broadband to the internet. Due to these benefits as well as innumerable others, expanded use of SIP in PBX and in a variety of other settings is simply a matter of expanded customer exposure to the possibilities of SIP.

Jim Sherman writes about interesting topics such as Mobalex technology. See http://www.mobalex.com for more information.

April 1st, 2009

Brits See Nothing Wrong in Using Office Laptop at Home

Britain has shown that neither the bosses nor the employees have a problem if office stationary and laptops provided to the employees are used for personal and unofficial work. In fact, more than half of the British employees regularly engage in this practice.

This, along with other interesting information on office laptop usage, was revealed through an opinion poll conducted by pollsters Opinion Matters in association with the UK mobile broadband provider Vodafone. The employees confessed that once they had logged off from the office system, the laptops were often used as their personal property and were connected to a personal broadband service.

65 percent of the senior-managers interviewed gave a green signal to this practice. However, the exact opinion of the rest of them and the severity of their action in response to this was not recorded. However, why not avoid the risk of this and make use of the excellent laptop offers, such as those with dongle broadband, that are available by the top broadband providers.

The survey comes in light of the fact that unsecured office computers have often led to manipulation or theft of business data during personal use. According to Mike Banwell, head of business services at Vodafone UK, it is important for managers to maintain an open and accepting attitude, and focus on securing the laptops. He explained that if they come down too hard on the employees with strict rules, the employees might resort to more risky practices to bypass the restrictions.

December 18th, 2008

Where Can I Get VoIP Training?

VoIP is definitely the wave of the future and there is much to learn about it so that when advances are made you aren’t left in the dark. Whether you want to receive training or professional reasons, you can get great VoIP training to help you understand all of the variables that make up voice over internet protocol. Luckily, there is VoIP training that can be done in the comfort of your own home on your own time.

If you are interested in learning more about VoIP for any reason all you need to do is find a place online to order some training DVD’s. A lot of these DVD’s offer the best advice and training you can get aside from the manufacturers of VoIP devices. These training videos will walk you step by step through the fundamentals of VoIP, the buzzwords associated with it, the technology, and also the vendors who currently provide VoIP services and the differences between them.

So, browse around the internet and see if you can’t read enough to fulfill your interest and fascination with VoIP, or consider contacting the makers of certain VoIP products for brochures and free videos. If you want to learn more about the technical aspects of voice over internet protocol you can find DVD’s on the internet and even in some of the more tech savvy video stores. These online or DVD training courses will teach you everything you need to know so you’ll be one step ahead with this state of the art technology.

Laura Rupert is a freelance writer who contributes to The Tech FAQ.

August 30th, 2008

VoIP Phone Systems - A Step Above Traditional Phone Lines

The words are; cost effective, portable, and flexible. And hey it comes with array additional new features too! No it is not our regular PSTN phone connection. The buzz word here is; VoIP phone systems.

It is the technology that transfers your voice from over the internet using specially designed call signal protocols in a much efficient manner. Efficient in terms of its low cost, the number of additional features that it offers, the convenience with which the call can be placed from anywhere at any time and for as long as you want!

The advent of the internet, bought the world closer. And it swept each one of us by our feet and today we are completely dependent on it for our day to day activities. Walking a step closer VoIP system has been developed! And it will completely revolutionarise the traditional way of making phone calls.

It’s smart, convenient, cost effective and absolutely relevant with the times we live in. How much on an effort is it, to switch on your laptop and make a call! Practically nothing! While at the same time it offers us a chance to talk for as long as we want without having to worry about the long bills!

Traditional analogue phones are a lengthy network of wires used to facilitate calling from one end to the other, and while a call takes place that particular wire system is dedicated to that one call. This is the reason; phone bills are higher on international calls. While VoIP Phones System work on the broadband connections. Once a call is dialed the analogue voice data is converted into small packets of digital audio data and transferred using special internet protocols from one end to the but delivered to the person in a comprehendible analogue format

Truly VoIP telephony is a step above the traditional phone lines and not far from now it would completely change the way we make long distance calls!

Webmaster
VoIP Termination

August 30th, 2008

VoIP Technology - Talk is Cheap!

VoIP products are integral to the most advanced and reliable VoIP and Voice over ATM platforms currently sold by leading VoIP telecom and networking companies worldwide. VoIP products based on VoIP enabled technology products employ Voice over Packet chip processors, VoIP PCI and cPCI communication boards and VoIP media gateway modules (PMC form factor).

VoIP companies provide voice over packet (VoIP) processors for OEM implementations of voice communications over packet networks or “VoIP”. Each VoIP processor features low bit rate Vocoders, a State-of-the-art Echo Canceller and T.38 compliant fax relay. High and medium density gateways, residential gateways and integrated access devices (IAD) are among the major users of VoIP chip processors. These VoIP solutions power client applications from small gateways and IP phones… An As an indication of market size… one major VoIP provider has over 10 million ports installed and growing rapidly.

VoIP Products - Gateway Network The entire VoIP gateway network is based on continued advances in VoIP media boards that offer field proven solutions. Product design of proper PSTN interfaces is a critical factors in VoIP deployment. How can small or medium-sized gateways compete in the market? By implementing cost-effective solutions for enterprise or small POPs and fast market penetration into new and emerging markets. On the other hand, large VoIP gateways are designed to meet major carriers’ operational requirements.

VoIP Products - Market Driven The rapid VoIP market expansion for VoIP Gateways led to the large diversity in VoIP products. Today, VoIP providers may choose from different sized gateways for VoIP networks of different sizes. Also, Mediant VoIP gateways enable carriers to address multi-regional requirements and strengthen economics of deployment. For instance, providing PSTN signaling and compression technology deployed in over 75 countries is quite a challenge. Fortunately, VoIP technology may quickly enter new regions and conserve precious bandwidth in hard-to-reach offices.

AudioCodes Ltd. is a market leader in voice compression technology and is a key originator of the ITU G.723.1 standard for the emerging VoIP market. AudioCodes enabling technology products include VoIP, CTI and call logging communication boards, VoIP media gateway processors and modules.

For more information on VoIP and emerging VoIP technology, visit AudioCodes

August 25th, 2008

Free Rental on the BlackBerry 8820

The BlackBerry 8820 has earned a solid reputation as a reliable Bar phone since its first appearance. The 8820 is an entry level mobile handset and, contrasted with some of the more successful handsets within this price band it is quite well featured. The styling of this mobile phone is less than we have come to expect from BlackBerry.

The display type is 65K colors. The BlackBerry 8820 is compatible with 2G GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 . If you use the Internet on the move, you will be pleased to know a WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML compatible browser is included. The ring-tones on the 8820 are Polyphonic, MP3 plus a vibrating tone . On to battery usage the BlackBerry 8820 has 520 hours standby time and 5:00 talk time. The BlackBerry 8820 is that is shipped with a Standard battery, Li-Ion 1400 mAh, battery. Weighing in at 134 g, this mobile phone is pretty light. Compared to competitors models currently available the BlackBerry 8820 is one of the more compact handsets available. In terms of colours the 8820 only comes in Silver,. The BlackBerry 8820 comes equipped with bluetooth, meaning it will work with with the majority of accessories. The 8820 has a number of other useful features such as:

  • Built-in handsfree
  • Voice dial
  • Built-in GPS navigation with BlackBerry maps
  • Document viewer (Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Corel WordPerfect and Adobe PDF)
  • Media player
  • Java
  • Organizer
  • To-Do list
  • Unfortunately for BlackBerry the 8820 has very stiff competition from other products making it possible to get some great bargains on this handset.

    There are countless special deals available online to savvy handset users. For instance, using a mobile comparison site you may see a 12 m free line rental deal.

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