Personal Technology: Driving while in Overdrive

I mean, literally driving while in Overdrive. Let me clarify, I don't do the driving while in Overdrive. Tom Bold does the driving and I utilize Overdrive (the unit) to access the Internet on a computer or iPad or iPhone (and presumably any other web-based unit).

Here's the plus that I knew but didn't process until recently. With the Overdrive from Sprint, and the iPhone from AT&T, I have lots of coverage, meaning I'm bound to be in a territory for one cellular service or another. Coverage is documented on the cell services' web sites. If I could magically improve one of them, it would be Sprint's map of data service coverage. In today's age of google mapping, it's hard to forgive a clunky, chunky map like Sprint's.

(The AT&T Coverage Viewer looks remarkably similar to the Spring Coverage Tool… but the AT&T version has smoother operation.)

These are the tools of a mobile society. And the specific tools of un-tethered boomers. More on un-tethering later.

Disclosure statement: I have no relationship with any product or company mentioned here and I have not received any compensation or free product for mentioning them. (This blog's only monetary reward comes through google.adsense links, which are selected by Google, not by me.)

© 2010 Mary Bold, PhD, CFLE. The content of this blog or related web sites created by Mary Bold (http://www.marybold.com/, http://www.boldproductions.com/, College Intern Blog) is not under any circumstances to be regarded as professional, legal, financial, or medical advice. Or education advice. Or marital advice. Or even a tip.

Personal Technology: Overdrive

Wi-Fi and MiFi and WiMAX and hotspot and air card and airport and router and modem and, well, all that stuff. They all address that burning question: how can I get on the Internet on the road?

Last year, I went the air card route. It's a little USB stick that connects a laptop to the web. Initial cost was about $100. Discounted monthly fee was $40+. I'm using past tense because I canceled the account this week. I definitely liked having an air card. On 3 or 4 occasions, it genuinely saved me: I was able to conduct crucial work on the web. And at least a couple of times a month, it provided a convenient link.

On the downside, it ever only worked on one laptop, a unit running Windows XP. It never provided a connection for my Mac, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 laptops.

OK. That's all the whining behind my personal technology. Here's the fun stuff:

My new mobile Internet solution is the Overdrive. It's a little black box that receives Internet from Sprint's 3G and 4G network... and then broadcasts it to 5 mobile devices near me. To take advantage of this Wi-Fi, those devices must have my password for connection. Cost was about $100 with discounts and the monthly charge is $60. I know, I know.

So, if you're scanning the list of available wireless networks on your computer and you see "Bold" in the list, look for me. I'll be within 150 feet of you, holding my overdrive.

Disclosure statement: I have no relationship with Sprint other than as a customer and I have not received any compensation or free product for mentioning this product or service. (This blog's only monetary reward comes through google.adsense links, which are selected by Google, not by me.)

© 2010 Mary Bold, PhD, CFLE. The content of this blog or related web sites created by Mary Bold (http://www.marybold.com/, http://www.boldproductions.com/, College Intern Blog) is not under any circumstances to be regarded as professional, legal, financial, or medical advice. Or education advice. Or marital advice. Or even a tip.

Personal Technology: Air Card for Internet Access

Air cards are getting smaller and not so card-like anymore. Last month, I picked up a USB air card. Slight contradiction in terms there. This non-card slips into a USB port to provide Internet access for a computer. The technology adds a dedicated cell phone to your computer for use on the 3G network, assuring faster-than-dial-up web access.

With Internet everywhere, why would anyone pay for another route to the web? Here are my reasons:

1 - About half the time that I log into networks at Starbucks and Panera, either the connection fails or is not available at all.

2 - WiFi sounds attractive at airports but the hourly/daily charges ($6 - $12 seems to be my range) add up.

3 - Subscriptions to WiFi services become too hidden on the monthly credit card bill so that I'm not irritated enough at the number of places I cannot find the service. (FYI, I ended my $30/month service and that pays for 2/3 of my new air card charge.)

4 - Hotel charges for WiFi are the most irritating of all ($10 - $15 is the typical range I find). I applaud the hotels and motels that provide free Internet access. Of course, when the connections are weak or don't work, my applause quiets.

5 - iPhone web access is fine for a lot of things, but not everything.

6 - The great outdoors beckons, even though my friends and colleagues doubt that. But I have computed at dog parks. So, there.

7 - The USB unit can plug into any of my 3 laptops (includes a Mac). It may be the first thing I've plugged into the Vista machine that hasn't given me fits.

8 - My AARP discount from AT&T brings down the monthly charge to 40-something dollars.

9 - I have two client locations where using their networks is problematic. I can now create my own connection without fuss.

10 - I can download 6,000 songs per month without reaching the account limit.

© 2009 Mary Bold, PhD, CFLE. The content of this blog or related web sites created by Mary Bold (www.marybold.com, www.boldproductions.com, College Intern Blog) is not under any circumstances to be regarded as professional, legal, financial, or medical advice. Or education advice. Or marital advice. Or even a tip.