New Technology Reviews!.: Communication

Skype gets Congressional approval, will help Representatives stay in touch with the common people

<div><img alt="" border="1" class="aligncenter" height="228" hspace="4" src="http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/6407/11x06290742b73v.jpg" style="margin-top: 4px; margin-bottom: 4px; border: 1px solid black;" vspace="4" width="360" /></div> Look, Capitol Hill is a nice place to be, okay? There are interns eager to please, lobbyists keen to buy you dinner, why would you ever want to leave? Unfortunately for US Congressmen and women, the schleps who elected them insist on getting face time with their supposed representatives, which means a regular schedule of commuting getting in the way of some critically important foot massages and aromatherapy treatments. Never fear, though, Skype has come to the rescue. Microsoft's latest acquisition has scored a stamp of approval from the House of Representatives, permitting Congresspersons to use it to interact with constituents, attend virtual town hall meetings, and collaborate with other members of the House. All fun-making of lawmakers aside, this strikes us as a step in the right direction and Skype promises that it's done its homework on keeping communications secure. Let's hope so.

Skype gets Congressional approval, will help Representatives stay in touch with the common people

Look, Capitol Hill is a nice place to be, okay? There are interns eager to please, lobbyists keen to buy you dinner, why would you ever want...

Serial Communication Basics

<a title="#jsArticleIntroImageCredit rel=thinbox></A> Serial connectors are generally found on older computers known as legacy systems.Fotolia.com</A>"> Serial ports are full-duplex communication channels that send and receive data synchronously between your system and other attached devices. This means your serial port simultaneously receives data from the connected device while it sends out packets of information. FunctionSerial ports are device communication channels found mostly on older <A" href="">computers</A>. Serial communication is not only used for computing, but is also a common communication protocol for various instruments and devices that come with an EIA-232 port. EIA-232 ports are also referred to as RS-232.DeveloperThe <a href="">Electronics</A> Industries Association (EIA), along with other interested <a href="">parties</A>, developed the RS-232 standard communication protocol. The main purpose of RS-232 is to distinctly identify the serial interface between Data Communication Equipment (DCE) and Data Terminal Equipment (DTE).Connection TypesThere are three types of RS-232 (serial) connectors: DB9 male, DB9 female and DB-25 male/female plug. The DB9 male socket is used on DTE (data terminal equipment), such as a computer. The DB9 female plug is utilized on DCE (data communication equipment), such as a modem. The DB-25 is somewhat unique in that it serves as a serial connector to your computer while it also provides a parallel interface for your printer.

Serial Communication Basics

Serial connectors are generally found on older computers known as legacy systems.Fotolia.com "> Serial ports are full-duplex communi...

Serial Communication Basics

<a href="" rel="thinbox" title="#jsArticleIntroImageCredit"></a> 
Serial connectors are generally found on older computers known as legacy systems.Fotolia.com"> Serial ports are full-duplex communication channels that send and receive data synchronously between your system and other attached devices. This means your serial port simultaneously receives data from the connected device while it sends out packets of information. 
FunctionSerial ports are device communication channels found mostly on older <a class="StrongLink" href="http://www.ehow.com/computers/">computers</a>. Serial communication is not only used for computing, but is also a common communication protocol for various instruments and devices that come with an EIA-232 port. EIA-232 ports are also referred to as RS-232.DeveloperThe <a class="StrongLink" href="http://www.ehow.com/electronics/">Electronics</a> Industries Association (EIA), along with other interested <a class="StrongLink" href="http://www.ehow.com/weddings-and-parties/">parties</a>, developed the RS-232 standard communication protocol. The main purpose of RS-232 is to distinctly identify the serial interface between Data Communication Equipment (DCE) and Data Terminal Equipment (DTE).Connection TypesThere are three types of RS-232 (serial) connectors: DB9 male, DB9 female and DB-25 male/female plug. The DB9 male socket is used on DTE (data terminal equipment), such as a computer. The DB9 female plug is utilized on DCE (data communication equipment), such as a modem. The DB-25 is somewhat unique in that it serves as a serial connector to your computer while it also provides a parallel interface for your printer. References <a href="http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/2895" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">National Instruments: Serial Communication Overview</a> <a href="http://cnx.org/content/m12293/latest/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Connexions: Serial Port Communication</a> <a href="http://www.siongboon.com/projects/2006-03-06_serial_communication/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Siong Boon: Serial Communication</a> <a href="http://www.nullmodem.com/DB-25.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Null Modem: DB-25 Connector</a>

Serial Communication Basics

Serial connectors are generally found on older computers known as legacy systems.Fotolia.com"> Serial ports are full-duplex commun...

How to Get the AT&T Communication Manager to Feed a Wireless Router

Download and install the AT&T Communications Manager. You can download the software free from AT&T's website. It's compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7. Once it's installed on your <a class="StrongLink" href="http://www.ehow.com/computers/">computer</A>, open the Communications Manager.Locate your wireless network on the list of available networks in the Communications Manager. You should see the network name, or SSID, or your wireless network listed in the main window of the Communications Manager. The Manager should indicate you are connected to it by glowing orange and showing an orange "Disconnect" button.Monitor your wireless network connection. The Communications Manager shows a timer that indicates how long you have been connected to the network. It also shows you your data transfer rate and other important connection information. For as long as you remain connected to your At&t wireless router, you can continue to use the Communications Manager to monitor your connection status.

How to Get the AT&T Communication Manager to Feed a Wireless Router

Download and install the AT&T Communications Manager. You can download the software free from AT&T's website. It's compatib...

Broadband Satellite Communication

<a a="" home="" hub="" resembles="" satellite="" small="" station="" television="" title="#jsArticleIntroImageCredit rel=thinbox><IMG title="></A> A hub station resembles a small home satellite television dish.Fotolia.com</A>"> Modern satellite broadband connections eliminate the need for wires and can bring <a class="StrongLink"" href="http://www.ehow.com/internet/">Internet</A> access to users in remote areas. Although satellite connections offer broadband speeds, this form of Internet access is somewhat slower than other, more popular, services. FunctionTo gain broadband connectivity via satellite, a customer must have some specialized equipment, including a satellite dish capable of two-way communication, known as a hub station; a modulator; a demodulator; a converter; and a noise amplifier. The hub station receives incoming data from one or more satellites, passes it to the down converter for noise elimination and then to the demodulator for conversion into computer-friendly data. This process happens in reverse for outgoing data as the modulator prepares binary information for transmission and the hub station sends the converted data to the satellite.BenefitsSatellite broadband, according to the satellite interest group SatSig, allows users in remote locations who cannot gain Internet access through traditional methods to get online. In addition, the broadband nature of satellite communication allows for faster speeds than dial-up connections can offer.ConsiderationsAlthough satellite broadband offers higher speeds than dial-up, the broadband information website Velocity Guide notes that satellite connections are comparable to very slow DSL and much slower than cable Internet connections. This slower speed makes satellite broadband unsuitable for high-bandwidth applications such as gaming and video. References <a href="http://www.velocityguide.com/satellite/how-fast-is-satellite-internet.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Velocity Guide: How Fast Is Satellite Internet?</A> <a href="http://www.satsig.net/ivsathlp.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SatSig: Broadband Internet Access via Satellite - How it Works</A>

Broadband Satellite Communication

A hub station resembles a small home satellite television dish.Fotolia.com "> Modern satellite broadband connections eliminate the n...