Saturday, December 6, 2008 

Wireless Networks Expand in Leaps and Bounds

The uptake of wireless networks has grown exponentially since it was first touted as the "next big thing" in computing. And it's not only businesses that have taken to the technology, according to a poll by YouGov, 59% of UK citizens with broadband have set up wireless networks at home. Of the 59%, 87% used their wireless networks for PCs and laptops, 28% for wireless printing and 20% for gaming online. Statistics from across the Atlantic show that the trend is similar for broadband users in the US. According to ABI Research, more than half of US broadband users have set up some kind of home network. Of those, roughly 25% use their networks to run gaming consoles, while 8% use their broadband for their mobile phones.

ABI Research claims that their research reflects the fact that home networks can no longer be considered as early adapter technology. This theory is supported by Chris Dobrec, director of strategy and business development at Linksys, who says that wireless networking is now a mass marketing technology and can no longer be considered to belong to tech savvy consumers only. He goes on to add that modern consumers are only interested in the practical benefits and convenience provided by wireless technology, such as wireless printing and internet access.

Market savvy manufacturers have taken note of the home wireless trend and have adapted existing products to cater to the increasingly sophisticated needs of their consumers. BT for instance has revealed an improved version of its Home Hub broadband router that now has features that support 802.11n wireless technology. They have also made the Hub smaller and changed the exterior design so that it fits in with modern televisions and home entertainment systems. According to John Petter, managing director of BT Retail Consumer, the new Hub will double the range of existing wireless devices and will also supply a more consistent, reliable and efficient wireless signal.

Meanwhile the International Telecommunication Union's G.hn is expected to be the new generation WiFi standard with "significant potential". According to Michael Wolf, director of ABI Research, G.hn, which has been under development for about 2 years, is intended to create a "unifying standard" for home networks.

Until the new standard for home networks takes hold, however, 802.11n WiFi technology is expected to surpass wired Ethernet to become the dominant enterprise LAN access technology, according to a report by the Burton Group. 802.11n has some significant advantages over previous generations of WiFi technology, especially with regards to output and range.

While the use of wireless networks is growing in homes and businesses, many users are doing so illegally. According to a study by Accenture, 12% of UK and US users "piggyback" on unsecured WiFI networks. Users aged between 18 and 34 constituted the largest percentage of offenders and US users were more likely to piggyback than users in the UK.

Recommended sites:

computing.co.uk/vnunet/news/2217032/802-11n-wifi-surpass-wired

computing.co.uk/vnunet/news/2218699/g-hn-gen-wifi-standard-gains

Sandra wrote this article for the online marketers Star Business Internet internet service provider & website hosting one of the leading Internet service companies specialising in business website hosting in the UK

O.J. Simpson (R) and co-defendant Clarence AP - In the harsh light of the morning after his sentencing, O.J. Simpson's future was clear Saturday. His new home will be a prison cell in the Nevada desert with his door to freedom hinging on an appeal of a trial that his lawyers say was filled with errors.

 

Corporate Computer Games

Over the past two decades video and computer games have become the most dominant form of entertainment for American youth. It didn't take companies like Leap Frog long to figure out that educational games would be the wave of the future for kids to learn fundamentals, with that edutainment was born. Now games are used as an educational tool for kids and adults alike. Best-selling author Robert Kiyosaki of Rich Dad Poor Dad fame uses board games, computer games and is even working on a multi-player web-based game to teach financial education. What then is the next frontier for the video game? Believe it or not Corporate America is jumping on board.

The workforce is currently being flooded with 20-somethings who grew up on computer games and have continued playing them well into adulthood. This affinity for interactivity, even if it is with a computer, has made traditional methods of corporate training like seminars and manuals obsolete. This group of young adults, which has been crowned generation Y, represents the largest increase to the American workforce since the baby-boomers, and they definitely play by different rules. While corporations still have standards to uphold when it comes to company policy, for many the delivery method is changing. Traditional e-learning has become widely accepted in the corporate environment and has come a long way to bridge the generation gap but some of the heavy hitters, like Hilton, Johnson & Johnson and Alcoa, are taking things a step further by implementing full blown computer games into their corporate training curriculum.

Simulations have long been recognized as the most effective way to teach someone to do something, whether it is a real life or virtual simulation. Computer games allow companies to create a virtual simulation of any aspect of their organization and leverage it into a training environment. The benefits to the company and especially the young employees are undeniable. The Gen Y workforce by in large will be familiar with the gaming format, they will be engaged which will ultimately be a much higher transfer of knowledge to on the job skills. Games also give immediate feedback, another thing Gen Y tends to feed off. These things may go a long way in creating loyalty in a group that is not known for that attribute.

While the initial expense may be high for the creation of a corporate game it is surely on par with the cost of traditional methods which require hiring corporate trainers, having employees travel to training centers and printing training materials. The difference is corporate game creation is a one-time expense with a measurable return on investment.

Josh Wagner is the Director of Business Development for Resolutions in Phoenix, AZ. Resolutions is an industry leader in developing interactive computer and web based training for Fortune 1000 companies. For more information about Resolutions or a article written by Josh visit http://rmgi.com

Lakresha Moore is comforted by a friend as she is overcome by emotion after being handed a $100 bills by a Secret Santa, Friday, Dec. 5, 2008 in St. Louis. It's true, Kansas City's beloved Secret Santa, Larry Stewart, passed on to the Big Sleigh in the Sky nearly two years ago, but not before inspiring some proteges. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)AP - At a suburban Goodwill store on Friday, Theresa Settles selected a large, black comforter to warm her family until she can raise the money to turn the gas heat back on. A petite woman approached, her face obscured by dark sunglasses and a wrapped winter scarf, and handed Settles two $100 bills stamped with the words "secret Santa." "The only condition," she said, "is that you do something nice for someone. Pass it on."

 

Video Game Tester - How To Become One

It's easy to become a video game tester. It really is! All you need to do is build up your reputation. That's all you need to do, and you'll get hired faster it'll make your head spin. Your reputation is much like a resume. The more that it contains, the more of chance you're going to get from getting hired. So how can you build your reputation?

  • You should start getting into beta testing programs. It doesn't matter if you don't get paid or anything, you're looking for a good reputation, not money. When you've created a good reputation, the money will soon follow. Get into beta testing programs and test new and popular games. This will help you see what a video game tester actually does and what they need to do in order to become successful.
  • Start reading up on your main console. Try to understand how your console works and why it works that way. Companies will gladly hire you if you know what you're talking about when you speak about your gaming console.
  • Create videos or write blogs on the internet for bugs that you found on your beta testing games. You should be able to write a detailed article on what the bug is, how dangerous it is, and how you can solve it. This will give you much more publicity and it will also give you tons of training. This will help you tremendously in your video game testing journey.
  • Keep testing beta games. Don't stop thinking that just testing one game is enough, it's not! You are competing with hundreds of other people who are trying to get the companies attention just like you are. If you stop for a break, you're going to be overtaken! This will build your reputation by getting people to notice that you are proactive and that you are dedicated to your work. Companies love this!

You should first build your reputation so that you'll have a better chance for a company to hire you.

Get the only ecourse that tells you how to really become a video game tester, no lies or scams, by clicking here now!

In this July 14, 2008 file photo, Chris Martin of the band Coldplay performs during the opening night of their 'Viva La Vida' tour at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, file)AP - A noted guitarist has sued members of Coldplay, claiming the band's smash hit "Viva La Vida" copied parts of one of his songs.

 

F-Zero - Nintendo's Best But Least Known Series

F-Zero is one of Nintendo's most prominent series. Its games are on nearly every Nintendo console known. The SNES, N64, GBA, Nintendo DS all have been graced with the appearance of an F-Zero game. However, F-Zero is one of the most underrated and ignored game series on the Nintendo. F-Zero is a futuristic racing series that takes place in the late 21st century.

Each race consists of around 30 racers each competing for the goal. However, unlike most racing games, F-Zero does not have any items or special features. It is just plain racing. High speeds of over 2000 miles per hour are not common and killing many racers to get ahead is the norm. In this series, racers compete in a variety of courses such as Port Town, Big Blue, Mute City, White Land and Red Canyon. The main character in the series is Captain Falcon.

He is a bounty hunter who rides the fast and powerful Blue Falcon. However, the series has quite a story line such as defeating evil enemies such as the Black Shadow, Zoda and Blood Falcon. In F-Zero GX a story mode was added that allowed gamers to compete in a variety of courses with intended goals. Also, in F-Zero GX, gamers can build and optimize cars with custom parts that can be bought at a shot. With all of these features, one would have to ask why this series is so underrated and little known. This answer to me is still a mystery. It is a great series and remains as one of Nintendo's best series.

To learn more about the Falcon Punch click here: Falcon Punch

For more information about F-Zero, click here: F-Zero

Alyssa Milano Wants Fan at 100-Yard-Arm's Length(E! Online)E! Online - One of the pitfalls of leading a Charmed life...

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