Month: March 2015

We live in a very technologically advanced era, in which things around us keep n evolving past the point of no return. If you are at least 18 years old, chances are you still remember gaming consoles to which you had to blow the cartridge for the game to work, and phones that didn’t have access to the Internet. Even though things keep on evolving, unfortunately, we still didn’t get rid of cables once and for all. We still have to battle with them in order to get access to our gaming consoles, to our computers and to electricity itself.

Sometimes, and again, unfortunately, cables don’t last as long as appliances do, which means that we will need to get new cables. Throughout our never ending quest for a new cable we will identify a lot of new options out there; things we never knew existed because, basically, we all like to keep using the cables that come with the appliances themselves. While on journey, it is possible to come across both the CAT 5 and the CAT 5e cable, so it might be useful to know the difference between each one.

The CAT 5 cable is pretty much the weak one. It can take around 10/100 Mbps speeds and 100 MHz bandwidth. To anyone who isn’t familiar with what any of this means, the translation is that it isn’t good. These cables are a thing of the past because they have been overran by newer cables that are much better than them. New installations no longer use these CAT 5 cables and they are on their way out of the market.

A CAT 5e cable (the e stands for enhanced) is currently the popular cable among new installations since it is the one that is most commonly used. The cable is designed to stop signals from different circuits from intercepting and disrupting each other providing you with a much better experience. This one can handle 1000 Mbps speeds at 100 MHz.

Unfortunately for you, neither one of these cables will make your Internet connection faster, even though they can handle different amounts of speed. The speeds of these cables indicate not the speed they can make your Internet work at, but the speed your Internet works at that they are capable of handling. This pretty much means that if you have the best Internet connection in the world but keep on using one of those CAT 5 cables, chances are you won’t be having a high speed connection on your computer… or anywhere for that matter. Furthermore, CAT 5 cables are much likelier to suffer from interference, which will reduce your experience.

We can’t really talk about cables without talking about their length as well, after all, when it comes to cables size does matter. If you need to connect something from across the room, a short cable won’t give you any help at all. Still, both of these cables should have at the maximum 328 ft (100 m), and this length should never be exceeded. Nevertheless, even at this length, there might be some problems with your connection due to the distance data has to travel in order to reach you. There are solutions, such as repeaters that will amplify signals you get from these cables. With these repeaters you can go up to 590 ft (180 m) and, beyond that, it is simply best that you acquire fiber-optic cables in order to cut down the interferences. Fiber optic cables are expensive but they are the only reliable solution.

It is also possible to buy CAT 5 and CAT 5 e cables way longer than the recommended length, but it is certainly not advisable. Not only will you think the cables are crap, but you will also be frustrated at the costs you will have.

If technicians haven’t visited your house in a while chances are you are still using CAT 5 cables. What happens nowadays is that people acquire better, faster Internet connections that their CAT 5 cables are simply not able to handle. In order for them to improve the performance (and you as well, if that is the case) the CAT 5 cable needs to be replaced with a CAT 5e cable. The prices of this will vary from company to company, but the average price for a CAT 5e cable is of $ 0.20 to $ 0.30 per foot.

If you are going for the maximum suggested length, this can end up costing you, but if you are going for a normal cable, it won’t be too expensive. The CAT 5e cable will certainly improve your Internet experience by providing you smoother connection, but if you really have a powerful connection, you might want to look up a CAT 6 cable, which is a little more expensive but just might be worth it for you.

To summarize things up there are three main differences between the CAT 5 cable and the CAT 5e cable: Network support ( the speed the cables are able to handle), cross talk (the interferences in the data the cables suffer when signals interfere with each other) and the bandwidth (the informative-carrying capacity of the system). All in all, the CAT 5 cable is outdone and is slowly going away, making it harder and harder to find out there. It is going away because the CAT 5e cable has appeared to take its place.

Smartphones are great but even though they are a little miracle inside our pockets, they are still limited, especially when it gets to their memory capacity. This is why there are memory cards out there that aim to solve this problem. There are several types of memory cards out there and, in this article; we will be talking about the differences that exist between MicroSD and MicroSDHC memory cards.

To start things off, SD stands for Secure Digital, which is a special brand of data storage that serves two main objectives, to store and to transfer data between devices? These cards serve mainly for memory purposes on devices that are usually too small to have high capacity on their own – hence the smartphone reference.

Data stored In SD cards can be read by GPS units, digital cameras, mobile phones, PC’s and even laptops. As such, a card used on one device can be used to transfer data to another device, turning it into an incredibly convenient and useful tool.

When looking out for a MicroSD card, you already got the size down (its micro), and as such you are only going to have to worry about capacity as a main pointer of what to buy. Basic SD cards were the first ones to enter the market and, as such, they only have the power to store up to of data. This might just be enough for you depending on what you intend to store on your devices, but if you are, for example, an amateur photographer, you are probably going to need more storage space for your digital camera.

This is why manufacturers and developers decided to create the SDHC cards. The HC in the name stands for High Capacity, and that says it all. These were created as soon as they realized that of storage data could be tiny for a lot of people with grater needs, and it was up to them to fulfill these greater needs. They then launched the SDHC cards that can store between up to .

The downside to these, other than the cost, is that you need to have devices compatible with the MicroSDHC format in order to be able to transfer and store data in your devices. Devices that have the capacity to read MicroSDHC cards also have the capacity to read MicroSD cards, but the opposite does not happen.

When purchasing your MicroSD or MicroSDHC card, you should consider your needs before even grabbing your money, and analyze your devices right before doing it as well. You certainly will not want to take home a card that is not compatible with your devices and, as such, turns useless.

With the release of the fourth generation iPad, many people who have yet to purchase one have been examining the differences between the two. To some, the differences between each iPad are dramatic, while others may not notice. The iPad 3 has been removed from most stores that sell Apple products, but they remain available through a variety of other outlets. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between the two products.

Screen Size

The iPad 3 and the iPad 4 both have the exact same display screen, so consumers will not notice a difference. However, the newest iPhones are equipped with a superior screen to both of these iPad models, if the consumer is seeking a larger display.

Camera Capabilities

The screens remain the same, but the camera on the iPad 4 represents a significant upgrade. The front facing camera for the iPad 4 improves upon the iPad 3’s standard definition. The iPad 4 makes video chatting easier and allows the user to utilize Apple’s Retina display.

Processing Performance

While the iPad 3 represented a massive upgrade over the iPad 2, Apple decided to top themselves once again. The iPad 4 comes equipped with the latest Apple processing technology, the A6X. According to Apple, this processor allows for twice the performance as the iPad 3.

Battery Life

The iPad 4 provides users with at least ten hours of total battery life. Since the iPad 3 delivers the exact same amount of battery life, there is no true difference to be discussed here.

Operating System

The iPad 4’s OS represents a significant upgrade from the iPad 3. iOS 6 is used on the iPad 4, as compared to the 5.1 on the iPad 3. iPad 3 users need not fret, due to the fact that they have the ability to upgrade to iOS 6 at any time.

Connectivity

This area is where the largest gap between the third generation iPad and the fourth generation iPad lies. The iPad 4 is the first iPad to come equipped with the 8 pin Lightning dock. It is much smaller and more durable than the iPad 3’s connective model. The iPad 4 is also fully LTE enabled, which allows users to enjoy high speed Internet at any location.

Price

There is little to no difference in the price between the two iPad models. Many consumers believe that the iPad 3 is less expensive, but Apple remains adamant about selling the iPad 3 for a price that does not compare favorably to the iPad 4.

Verdict

Since there are a few key differences between the two and a person will not save any additional money by purchasing the iPad 3, the iPad 4 is the clear way to go for the consumer.

When someone is thinking about purchasing a brand new battery for a boat it is a very common think to wonder what is the real difference between a deep cycle and a starting battery. After all, if a person is buying something for themselves they certainly want the very best available, so it is always good to know what they can count on. This is why it is crucial to be informed and in this article we are going to look at the differences between these two types of batteries.

A marine starting battery doesn’t have a misleading name at all, since it is a battery designed to do exactly what the name says: start the engine. As such, these batteries have less power but have a big capacity reserved, so they can save your motor home as soon as the engine wants to quit on you. These batteries can be discharged a lot of times.

Some starting batteries are actually hybrids between deep cycle and starting batteries, so that they can be used to operate equipment on the boats themselves as well as have the ability to support the engine. This would look like the best possible option available, but it certainly isn’t. If you have a motorboat engine, starting batteries are the ones for you, but if you have a boat or anything like it, the best option for you would certainly be a deep cycle battery.

A deep cycle battery on the other hand can support discharge like it’s just a pat on the back. These types of batteries can be repeatedly discharged up to 80% and still continue to have no damaged caused to the battery itself. These cam also be used for the purpose of starting batteries but before you do so, you should confirm it with an expert, since some verifications should be done before such usage is done.

The main difference between these two types of batteries is that a starting battery is used for, well, starting the engine while providing other battery needs to the boat. On the other hand, a deep cycle battery is used for prolonged usage over large periods of time, and not so much for starting the engine.

According to experts, the best possible solution would be to possess a dual installation system, in order to have both a starting battery taking care of the operations and a deep cycle battery taking care of the boasts’ requirements. This would certainly be the best for both worlds and, if you can afford it, you shouldn’t even hesitate on it. Treating your boat like your sea child is something you certainly love doing, so it’s alright to spoil it a little as well.

If you’re looking to buy a brand new portable Nintendo but still haven’t made up your mind, than we are here to help you out. You probably are simply looking for the best one to play Mario Kart on, but we all know that with the use we give our appliances it will probably be useful for a lot more things that you might even imagine it being good for. As such, it is certainly the best for you that you actually get informed and try to make the best thought out purchase possible.

In this article we are going to look at the main differences between a Nintendo 2DS and a Nintendo 3DS. The first obvious difference is that the Nintendo 2DS does not have the 3D feature. This is due to the fact that some young children are simply unable to view images n 3D because it would hurt their eyes and damage their eyesight, possibly for life if the issue did not get treated.

Since the 3D is out of the Nintendo 2DS, its price is also a little bit cheaper than the price of the Nintendo 3DS console. This is due to the fact that the 3D actually included costs in the manufacturing process that could be removed in the 2DS edition. You can find a Nintendo 3DS for sale for around $ 200, while a Nintendo 2DS can be found at around $ 130. This is a significant difference but once again; don’t forget that there is also going to be a great difference in the gameplay itself.

Both of these consoles have screens with the same size, with a 353-inch display on the top and a 3.02-inch screen below. However, there are still differences in the screens. Nintendo 2DS has a part of a single flat screen split into two by plastic surrounding the console which makes it cheaper and simpler to produce the console, which also justifies the difference there is between the price of one and the other. The screens of both have the same resolutions.

The same thing can’t be done to Nintendo 3DS in order to reduce the production costs the console has because it would damage the quality of the 3D images the console can display, which would ultimately reduce the experience a user would be able to have while using the console itself. This is obviously not what Nintendo wants.

The Nintendo 2DS console is also a lot child friendlier due to its design. Since the console has a flat construction, it is a lot harder to destroy than the Nintendo 3DS and, with the added advantage of not having the 3D feature on it, it is clear that Nintendo was thinking about children when they designed this console. On top of their worries for the young ones, they also managed to reduce the price of the console itself, which was a great move, in all honesty.

A lot of people claim that these differences in the 2DS makes them feel like they are not using a gaming console, but rather using a children’s toy. This obviously damages their experience with the console and, as such, they end up giving negative reviews to the company itself. Not everything is bad however, since there are also claims from other users that believe the 3D images ruined certain games because they made them seem less “game-like”, and as such, they end up preferring the version without the 3D.

Nevertheless, and besides not having the 3D feature included on it, the 2DS is capable of supporting every single game the 3DS is. This is due to the fact that Nintendo did not wish to discriminate any console and as such, made sure every one of their games worked with and without the 3D feature included in the console. The advantage the 3DS console has is that it has enhanced processors, which can speed up the loading time and the speed at which the games are played. This is a great advantage for gamers that don’t really want to waste a lot of time on loading screens, or that simply that do not have the patience to wait for a game to load.

Due to the fact that the 3DS console uses, well, the 3D function, it is clear that its battery also lasts less time than the battery of the 2DS model. While the battery life of the 2DS lasts from 3.5 to 5.5 hours, the battery life of the 3DS lasts for 3 to 5 hours. It is impossible to accurately predict the duration of a battery life in a console because it will also depend on the games being played.

Even though the main difference between the consoles is the 3D feature (which affects a lot more aspects than what one would expect at first), the sound quality is also different between one and the other. While the 3DS uses stereo speakers from both sides of the console capable of firing the sound directly to your ears, turning the game into a more engaging experience, the 2DS uses one single speaker, sitting lonely at the left side of the screen.

The fact there is one single speaker on one side of the console takes away some of the engagement from the gaming experience, but it isn’t a major concern, since the 2DS console allows users to plug in some headphones in order to beat this problem

Collecting raw data is something essential nowadays for pretty much every business and, in a lot of cases, for people just trying to organize their lives. Visio is software launched my Microsoft that is helping people all over the world do this, but then again, there is more than one version of it and in some cases the standard version might be enough while in others, the professional version might be required.

As expected, the main difference between these two is the price and some features included in them. We will be covering the differences between these two in this article. The price difference between them is quite significant, being that Visio professional actually costs more than twice what Standard does.

Both versions have access to Microsoft’s mind-maps and brainstorming features Each one of these software’s allow the user to turn raw data into diagrams with compiled information. These diagrams can also be created in cause and effect, Ishikawa and fishbone diagrams, which add a little bit to the functionalities. Both of them can also make organizational charts as well as flow charts.

Furthermore, both versions can turn raw data into timelines, calendars and different types of charts. All in all, the basic functions are all there and for anyone who is just looking out for what exactly Visio was made for, the standard version is just enough.

But Visio Professional has also got a few features that are not in the standard version and for businesses with more advanced requirements, these will definitely be required. For example, just to start things off, it is possible to link diagrams to real time data with real-time data using icons, colors symbols and graphs through Visio Professional. Furthermore, Visio Professional covers a few more customizable shapes and built-in tools that will allow the creation of professional diagrams within less time. This might not look like a lot to a small business, but big businesses have absolutely no time to waste and as such, every minute counts right before the raw data gets worked on.

For businesses that require a whole team of analysts working through the data, Visio professional might also be a requirement since it allows every team member to work on the same diagram at the same time. Needless to say, this will simply make the whole project go a lot smoother and allow things to done with precision.

Visio Professional also includes website mapping functions as well as stream maps so the work and documentation could easily be accessible to every team member within the business. Providing this type of organization is certainly a plus for Visio Professional, but one must wonder whether or not it is really worth the cost.

One should wonder why the use of RS-232 is any different than the use of an RS-422 and what the difference between each one of them is. Both of these are telecommunications standards and there are some differences between them and we are going to get into that in this article.

RS-232 is the most commonly used serial interface even though it was one of the first ones to exist, the creators really did a great job with it. It is used as the standard component on most computers that use Windows and in fact, most of the PC purchases done will immediately be including one within. Sometimes, as it happens, there is even more than one RS-232 port (that’s how popular they are).

Most of this popularity comes due to convenience. RS-232 is so readily available that people start using it as the standard unit, without really going into other resources. Most PC purchases include one and as such, that is that. There are, however, some disadvantages to it.

The first one is limited distance. The cable lengths have a limit of 50 ft. and sometimes even less, this is definitely not positive. Some manufacturers might claim to have a little more length, but that isn’t recommended as it is not a part of what is specified for an RS-232. Another disadvantage is that the RS-232 is susceptible to noise. It is single ended and this means that both the transmit and receive lines are on common ground. Finally, only one RS-232 device can be connected per port. This isn’t very good, since in the case that you have 2 meters to connect to a PC, you’ll need 3 ports.

The RS-422 on the other hand, although similar to the RS-232 can be programmed the same way, it may also offer other advantages, as well as have its own disadvantages. The first problem anyone finds in it is that you either need an RS-422 port or an RS-422 to 232 converter, since most PC’s are ready for RS-232.

The advantages, however, include long distances runs. Up to 500 feet is usually doable, and in some cases further distances are possible. The RS-422 is also noise resistant, since it uses separate transmit and receive pairs providing it better noise immunity as well, with a total of four wires in the midst of it.

The best part is that usually 32 devices can be used per port, and with repeaters it goes even further than that. Each device is designed a unique address that distinguishes it from the others, facilitating the process to great lengths. The addresses that each device has can be defined either by software or by switches, depending on the design of the device itself.

Chances are, you have DSL in your home providing you with Internet access. DSL stands for direct subscriber line, and a lot of different telecommunication companies provide homes with DSL services. There is competition to DSL, however, since AT&T, the biggest landline provider in the United States also offers a U-verse service which, through fiber-optic cables connects digital television with high speed Internet access and telephone services through a central “brain.”

There are a lot of types of DSL, but they all get to your house by being delivered through unused telephone line frequencies that are not being used. DSL is better and faster than dial-up Internet and it is something that has been used for quite some time now. Obviously, it had its effects, but it is getting outdated, however.

Usually DSL sends voice data over lines that already exist in most homes and as such there isn’t a real need to install more cables. DSL is clearly better than dial-up Internet since it is always on and you don’t need to wait for it to connect, plus on top of that, it is around 25 times faster than dial-up Internet. Even though it is clearly superior to dial-up Internet, it is clearly more expensive and it can get slower and slower, depending on your distance towards the office of the provider.

U-verse, on the other hand, works through a Wireless Gateway (the central “brain” we referred to earlier) that connects the Internet access with the telephone services and the digital television. On top of that, it allows you to check your voice mail through your smartphone or your computer. U-verse is powerful and it can provide your whole house with Internet access (wireless) without any dead spots being there at all. Furthermore, this is secure Internet access since it is covered by a firewall that protects your activities against hackers and other forms of hazards that come from the web.

With U-verse you can get your Internet access, your telephone services and your digital television expenses all into one single bill, which makes things a little easier at the end of the month. Your Internet speed can basically be selected according to your needs, since it can range from 3 Mbps to 24 Mbps.

The problem with U-verse, however, is that is not available to you if you do not have fiber-optic cable networks. Nevertheless, it is still superior to DSL in a lot of ways and should almost always be preferred over DSL. Most of the times, you will only be able to have better speed with DSL if you are close to the Internet provider, which is something that will only affect a small part of the population.

Patch cables and network cables are used to connect electronic or optical devices for routing signals. They are used in a variety of applications, with each having its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The following is an overview of patch cables and network cables, and how they differ.

Patch Cables

A patch cables are used to connect two network devices. They are normally CAT5/CAT5eEthernet cables that link a computer to a network hub, router or switch. An Ethernet patch cable is useful to people constructing home computer networks, as well as travelers requiring wired access to internet connections like those provided in conference centers and hotel rooms. Patch cables are normally made from stranded sheathing so as to enable pliability which reduces the risk of breaking them when carrying or unplugging them.

Crossover cables are specific types of patch cables that are used to directly interconnect two computers with each other.

A fiber optic patch cable is normally used in networking. Patch cord is another term commonly associated with patch cables, although they non-network types of cables like those used to wire stereo components.

Patch cords may also be in the form of:
1. Coaxial cables that use BNC connectors.
2. Single conductor wires that use banana connectors.
3. Unshielded or shielded Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6A or Cat6 cables that use 8P8C modular connectors that have straight-through T568B or T568A wiring. Modular cables that are wired to T568B on one end and T568A to the other are normally called crossover cables.

Network Cables

Network cables are used to connect and transfer data between a network and computers. They are available in different types, and the right type for an application will depend on the topology and structure of the network. The most used types are the Ethernet crossover, fiber optics, twisted pair and coaxial.

The twisted pair cable is used in a variety of Ethernet networks. It comes with four wires housed within the cable’s lining. Every pair is twisted in a number of additional twists so as to prevent other devices within network from causing interference. The way this cable is designed increases reliability and helps reduce network failures.

A coaxial cable is another commonly used type of network cable. The cable bears a copper conductor in the middle and plastic coating that acts as an insulator between the conductor and a metallic shield. Coating is then used to cover the cable, and it may be thick or thin. A thicker coating offers more protection.

Ethernet crossover cables are used to connect computer networks that are made up of more than two computers. This network cable removes the need for routers and network switches. The network cable also allows computer connection through network adapters like the NIC (network interface card).