-Operating system and application software. Many operating systems have the ability to back up to a second hard drive for easy recovery, but this won't always include applications and documents. Keep a backup copy of your operating system and application software, in addition to your original disks.

-Personal data, including e-mail and documents.

-Video, photos, and music files.

- Internet favorites, passwords, and settings for regularly visited Web sites.

If you have a small business or work from home, you should also consider the following data:

- Employee data, including e-mail and documents

- Customer data, including databases, orders, and related files

-Accounting data

After considering these lists, you should have an idea of what you might need to back up. At the very least, you should make regular backups of the most important data on your devices. With the cost per megabyte of hard drives and backup media falling, there is no reason why you shouldn't back up all of your data.

Some convergence is so intuitive that it's hard to imagine it not happening. Combining complementary services into a single device, such as a cell phone that can also do messaging and send e-mail, is a prime example. The result is a communications device that provides us with access to the main ways we already communicate.

Other ideas aren't as straightforward; they cater to lifestyle choices rather than marrying similar technologies. Merging a mobile phone and a digital camera is one such example. This isn't a combination that necessarily leads you to question how you ever lived without it; it's more of a "that's so neat" reaction.

The vision of many companies including Sony, Apple, and Microsoft is a convergence of our computer and home entertainment system into a do-every-thing, one-box solution. Functions of these now separate devices will be available through one device or system, presumably built around our televisions or home theaters.

Right now these systems inhabit different parts of our homes and lives. Combining the two may not necessarily be as harmonious an arrangement as the technology pundits would have us believe. One major issue seems to elude the pro-convergence crowd: Multiple family members usually simultaneously share home entertainment systems, but a computer is a one-person-at-a-time deal. When was the last time everyone in your house sat down and surfed the Web together or worked on a Word document as a group?

In some form, a desktop PC will remain a standalone personal computing device. We may see smarter consumer electronics that have overlapping abilities or integrate seamlessly with our computer, but the PC still has a lot of life in it.

Manufacturers are just starting to take the first steps towards integrating more functions into smart entertainment devices or digital media hubs. In the next few years, we'll see more entertainment options repackaged and improved. This will be an example of the first type of convergence: combining complementary services and features into one device.

One of the first examples of this idea is the combination of a personal video recorder (PVR) and a cable/satellite set-top box. This synergy makes absolute sense, the sort of "why didn't they think of that before" technology we need to see more of. Companies like Sony are looking to build on this success by packing even more features into a PVR.

Sony unveiled its first big step towards digital convergence with the PSX, which combines a PVR, digital music player, DVD player, and game console into one device. The PSX also has a DVD-R drive and accepts Sony Memory Sticks so that you can view photos on your television.

To meet the lofty goals that manufacturers set for themselves, future-convergent devices, or media hubs, will have to offer an improvement over current systems, particularly in the following areas. Consider this my "convergence manifesto":

- Enhanced, "smart" control and management. Future-convergent systems should allow for intuitive scheduling of tasks, efficient management, and ease of use. Current systems don't learn from your actions and can't determine your needs without you programming them.

- The ability to learn your viewing habits and record programming that you would most likely record yourself. This way if you forget to record an episode of your favorite show, or if it switches timeslots or channels, your PVR will know you like it, find it, and record it so you don't miss it.

- The ability to search connected devices and networks to retrieve relative information for you based on your viewing and listening habits. If you always watch the Los Angeles Lakers, for instance, agent software on future smart devices might collect news reports (video and Web) about the team and save them for you to view when it's convenient for you. Convenient storage, with larger disk drives to accommodate a wider range and amount of content. A convergent device should have room for all your digital media such as movies, games, photos, and music, and an intuitive interface for storing and backing these files up.

- A convenient upgrade path. Something better always comes out a few months down the road. Manufacturers need to make enhanced and new services available to consumers through easy software upgrades or through a simple system of hardware expansions. For example, the Sony PlayStation 2 has an expansion port that allows you to install a plug-and-play hard disk module or a broadband Internet modem. Future devices should offer a similar modular upgrade path.

Undoubtedly, there will be false starts as manufacturers design and produce the first generation of convergent systems. However, if early products are any indication, convergence may actually become a pleasant reality, rather than vaporware.

A device doesn't have to introduce noise onto the line; it can actually absorb the X10 signal and weaken it. To many devices, the signal from an X10 controller looks like electrical noise and they treat it as such.

Many consumer electronic devices, especially those with microprocessors, have power supplies designed to stop electrical noise from entering the system. These devices absorb and interfere with the XI0 signal if they are close on the same circuit. The following products can cause problems for X10 signals:

- Televisions

- Computers

- Monitors

-Cell phone and battery chargers

- Cable and satellite boxes

- Uninterruptible power supplies

- Surge protector

- Stereo equipment

Monitors, televisions, and other video systems are especially hard on X10 signals because they need very clean power. Electrical noise that enters a TV or monitor interferes with the video signal and appears as static. Because of this, they have power supplies that absorb a lot of power line noise.

It may seem strange that these devices can absorb the signal from an X10 unit, but that is the nature of an electrical current. The power supplies of these devices absorb noise on the line and draw the current. The X10 signal is just electrical current at a specific frequency. In effect, these devices soak up the signal like a sponge.

To prevent signal loss from these devices you can install filters on the outlets that these devices use. These filters prevent the X10 signal from becoming absorbed by any device plugged into a filter.

Determine which device is causing your problem by unplugging any "suspects" and testing the X10 devices. If they work when the device is unplugged but not when it's plugged in, you've found your culprit.

The tracking software connects to the software company's server whenever the laptop is connected to the Internet. If the owner reports the laptop stolen, the company activates the software and it begins to continually notify them of its whereabouts. The software "phones home" either through an Internet connection or over a dedicated dial-up server. The company then notifies the police, who can work with the thief's Internet service provider or telephone company to locate him and recover the laptop.

A more advanced system of tracking requires the user to have a special piece of hardware installed in the laptop. This device uses a GPS receiver and cellular connection to locate the laptop and report its location to a central server that then notifies police. The GPS system also works with an active Internet connection, reporting its location over the Internet.

802.11i

Experts have exposed weaknesses in the current Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) algorithm implemented in current WLANs. 802.1li is a new security supplement to the 802.11 MAC standard. 802.11i will address security holes in the 802.1 la, b, and g protocols and improve encryption, key management, distribution, and user authentication. This standard is worth remembering, because these improvements to security may be available as firmware and later hardware upgrades for your existing Wi-Fi network.

802.11n

IEEE has recognized the 802.1 in working group, which has begun investigating the next-generation wireless standard in the 802.llx wireless standards family. 802.1 In is still approximately three years away, but reportedly will provide over 100 Mbps throughput. That is 100 Mbps of actual throughput, not a data rate. For example, the data rate for 802.llg is 54 Mbps, but the actual throughput is typically half of that.
Bluetooth and 802.15.1

Bluetooth is a wireless personal area networking (WPAN) technology developed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (founded by Nokia, Ericsson, IBM, Intel, and Toshiba). Its goal is to enable users to connect many different computing and telecommunications devices easily and simply, without the cables. It operates in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz band of the radio spectrum. Developers named Bluetooth for the Danish King Harald Blatand (Bluetooth) who unified Denmark and Norway in the tenth century. Like King Bluetooth, the Bluetooth standard means to unify; in this case, the telecom and computing industries.

Bluetooth does not compete directly with 802.1 lx standards; its range is too short and its throughput speed too slow (1 Mbps) to fill 802.11x's shoes. Bluetooth devices can coexist peacefully and in some cases interoperate with a Wi-Fi network. Bluetooth is a complementary standard to 802.llx.

Whereas Wi-Fi technology replaces Ethernet cables and connects computers in a WLAN, Bluetooth connects peripherals without all those annoying cables. Keyboards, optical mice, printers, digital cameras, and PDAs mat employ Bluetooth are already available. All of these devices can communicate and operate without user intervention. The devices know how to connect and do it by themselves.

Bluetooth devices connect to create small ad hoc networks called piconets. In a piconet, the device that initiates connection becomes the master. Depending on the connection (data, voice, or data and voice) each master in a piconet can manage up to seven slave devices.

If a Bluetooth device listens for other Bluetooth devices broadcasting and doesn't hear anything, it configures itself as a router (master) and broadcasts an "I'm here" signal telling other devices how to connect. If another device comes into range, a PDA for example, and it hears the master device's "I'm here" broadcast, it connects to the master and identifies itself. As other devices come into range they identify themselves to the master and share information about their capabilities and services. If a device with an active Internet connection were to join a piconet, the other devices might take advantage of this capability and check (or send) e-mail.

A Bluetooth device can be a member of multiple piconets at one time, but can only be a master in one. When piconets share one or more devices, they become a scatternet. A maximum of ten fully loaded piconets can be part of a scatternet at any one time.

These devices can connect and disconnect without the user having to lift a finger, or even knowing that it has occurred. You won't have to worry about your PDA talking to every strange Bluetooth device it meets; Bluetooth is safe and devices employ a number of security layers, including an authentification process called pairing, and adequate encryption.

The IEEE licensed a portion of the Bluetooth specification when creating the 802.15.1 standard, creating a standard that is fully compatible with the existing Bluetooth spec giving Bluetooth greater support in the WPAN market. As the Bluetooth SIG further develops the standard, the IEEE will likely incorporate these changes into the 802.15.1 family of standards.

On the web: The Bluetooth Web site provides information about Bluetooth-capable products. For more information, visit www. Bluetooth. com.

Now that you have a good grasp of the key wireless networking standards, you can make informed decisions when you are planning your WLAN and purchasing equipment. However, wireless networking is only half of the wireless story.

According to most accounts, emoticons (emotion icons) first appeared in e-mail messages back in 1979. More accurately though, these were the first ASCII emoticons, as users of Control Data Corporation's early Plato system were creating emoticons in the early 1970s.

Chances are that you've seen and used plenty of emoticons, but here are a few of the most prevalent ones in use today:

- the ever-present smiley to indicate happiness

-:D the big grin smiley, for really happy people

-:O indicates surprise

-:( unhappy

- :\ sideways smile, "oh well"

- a wink and a smile

- >:( ok, now I'm mad

Use emoticons sparingly outside of IM and chat; remember, people had no problem conveying emotion through writing prior to the Internet. For brevity on mobile devices emoticons are fine; just don't overdo it. The same thing can be said for DM abbreviations; they're fine for IM, but don't start using them all the time in e-mail and documents.

IMS HG (Instant Messaging Shorthand Glossary)

There are a lot of abbreviations used in IM and chat rooms. A few of the more common ones, but you're sure to see variations on these, and you'll probably understand them when you encounter them in the context of a chat conversation.

Getting the most out of your PDA

It begins with suggestions for choosing useful accessories and then turns to software to enhance your PDA's capabilities.

You can make your PDA more functional by selecting the right keyboard, adapters, and data storage accessories.

Many things separate rugged laptops from ordinary ones. Manufacturers design them to withstand harsh environments and accidents, so they put them through severe tests. Most rugged laptops are designed with the following criteria in mind.

Impact Resistance

Rugged computers must be impact-resistant. An all-too-common occurrence for laptop owners is dropping it, knocking it off a desk, or dropping something onto it. Such a fall or impact usually results in the following unfortunate situations:

- Broken components, including case, ports, and internal electrical components

- Crashed hard drives, making information irretrievable

- Cracked LCD screens

Rugged computers are designed with impact-resistant cases, often made of a strong, lightweight alloy such as magnesium. Manufacturers design the internal frame to provide shock resistance and avoid damage to electrical components. Many manufacturers design cases to withstand drops of over three feet onto hard surfaces.

Vibration Resistance

Because of the requirements of the original military and industrial market, rugged laptops resist vibration levels exceeding that which you might encounter in a moving vehicle. Vibration damage to laptops might result in the following:

- Internal component failure

- Keyboard failure

- Crashed hard drives

Moisture and Humidity Resistance

Moisture and humidity do not get along well with computers. Other than drops and falls, spills cause more damage to computers than any other accident. How many times have you accidentally spilled coffee or some other beverage next to, or onto, your laptop only to frantically attempt to clean it up with a paper towel? Most rugged laptop designs prevent liquids from entering the case when they're spilled onto the keyboard or through other openings. They also resist humidity, keeping moisture away from fragile electrical components. Moisture can cause the following damage to computers:

- Damage to display

- Damage to hard drive

- Damage to internal components

Drawbacks to Rugged Laptops

While they are especially durable, and can survive many accidents that would destroy the average laptop, there are some things to consider before running out and buying a rugged laptop:

- Price all that durability isn't free and rugged laptops can cost significantly more than comparable computers

Weight the most rugged computers usually weigh more than comparable notebooks

If these factors aren't a deterrent to your wallet (or lower back), and you travel often, seriously consider using a rugged laptop. Many major computer manufacturers produce rugged laptops. Usually these are special-order items, direct from the manufacturer, but many are available from online retailers.

Threats to privacy:

One potential drawback to ubiquitous mobile devices is the threat to personal privacy that they can represent. Most of us store personal data, including financial data and e-mail, on our portables. This information can be compromised if it's lost or stolen.
Even more threatening is the current trend of including GPS and tracking services with mobile devices. Often targeted at parents and business, these tracking services, if abused, can be used to conduct surveillance on unsuspecting users and track then movements.

Cell phone service providers have always been able to do this to some extent by noting which call came from what phone and through which tower. Police have used these records in the past and used them to convict criminals.

In recent years the accuracy of tracking a mobile phone has increased. By using the signal received by three or more towers, cell phone companies can triangulate the position of a cell phone more accurately. This technology was pushed by legislation that required cell phone service providers to locate the origin of a 911 call. The upside of this is that if you are ever in an emergency and you don't know where you are, 911 can triangulate your position with the help of the telephone company and then send help.

GPS services are even more accurate, often to within a few feet. Many new phones have GPS functionality built in so that the phone can be located at any time. Once again, this is great if you have an emergency, but the potential for abuse of the system is scary.

Already services are appearing that allow people to check the location of a mobile phone at any time. Although tracking a mobile phone requires the user's prior consent, the potential for abuse still exists, especially in countries that do not have strong privacy laws or that do not value the privacy of their citizens.

Even with privacy laws and regulations in place, the potential threat to privacy is great. Any time data is" collected and stored in a database, it can potentially be accessed by unauthorized persons or abused by the database owner for marketing and research purposes. The possibility of data mining through interconnected databases increases the risk to privacy, allowing companies and governments to compile complete profiles of individuals' habits and movements.

Pay careful attention to the privacy policies of your ISP and mobile phone provider. The best way to protect your privacy is not to opt-in unknowingly, and to know how to opt-out should you want to. Carefully weigh the pros and cons of each service.

For example, as a parent you may want to be able to track the location of your child's cell phone. This could provide peace of mind in a scary world. On the other hand, do you want your employer to have a record of your movements? If they pay for your cell service, they may be entitled to track the phone and in the near future that will be an easy thing for them to do.

Protective films cling to your display and protect your screen from scratches. They are particularly useful with PDAs because many PDAs require you to touch or tap the screen with a stylus. Protective films are inexpensive, removable, and can extend the life of your screen. If you decide to use protective film, look for the following features:

- Use film that is at least 0.25mm thick. Thinner film does not last as long or provides as much protection.

- Look for antiglare film. This makes your screen easier to see in bright light.

- Film with an anti-ultraviolet light coating protects your screen from damage by direct sunlight.

- Many films are also dust-repellant, a nice feature because LCDs invariably attract dust like a magnet.

Using a protective film helps extend the life of your LCD screen. Other steps that you can take to protect your screen are the following:

- Don't point at, poke, or tap a laptop screen with a pen or sharp, pointed object. I have watched an individual furiously tapping at an LCD to point out a mistake in a document, puncture his screen, and ruin it. Now this isn't easy, but it can happen and if it's your boss, don't laugh (trust me on this). Of course, you can tap a PDA with a stylus, but don't use any thing hard or metallic, and be gentle.

- Keep the LCD screen out of direct sunlight. LCD displays deteriorate when exposed to UV light. This shortens the life of the screen and reduces picture quality.

- Don't place heavy objects on top of your screen, or your PDA for that matter. Doing so may crack the screen. Don't place heavy objects on top of a closed laptop either, as this may also damage it.

Smart thieves prefer snatching this high-tech, high-value devices instead of picking pockets or robbery because the penalty in most states is usually much less severe. Snatching a laptop or PDA is a crime against property and that usually carries a significantly lighter penalty than picking a pocket, which is a crime against a person.

The amount of cash that a thief can get for a stolen laptop is significant. With some high-end laptops costing as much as $3,000, a thief can expect to collect as much as 50 percent of the laptop's value when he sells it. That's a lot of money for grabbing one unattended laptop and slipping away unnoticed.

Criminals look for an easy score; they don't want to take unnecessary risk. They look for unattended computers that they can grab and then disappear into the crowd. They don't want to spend a lot of time committing the theft because the longer they linger, the more likely they will be caught.

Thieves often target travelers because they are in a hurry and distracted, and because busy airports, convention centers, and other places those travelers congregate make the theft easier because of the confusion created by noise and crowds. Like magicians, thieves and con men rely on misdirection to accomplish their intended goals, directing the victim's attention elsewhere while they slip in and commit a crime.

One popular scam involves stealing laptops while the owners are passing through security, Two thieves wait until they spot a traveler carrying a laptop bag. Then they move into position in line directly ahead of the victim. The first thief goes through the metal detector and the second one creates a delay by setting off the detector, usually with coins or keys located on their person.

At this point, the victim has placed his laptop in the X-ray machine and patiently waits to get through the metal detector. The first thief grabs the victim's laptop as it exits the X-ray machine and then moves on. When the victim finally gets through security, the laptop is gone.

Even with the recently heightened security in airports, this scam still occurs. While security is only supposed to allow ticketed passengers through checkpoints, a thief who can collect thousands of dollars for a few laptops has no problem buying a cheap ticket, often for less than $100, just to get through security. Screeners seldom pay attention to which bag belongs to whom, so there isn't much of a deterrent for career thieves.

Things aren't all hopeless, however. There are things you can do to protect your laptop and your data. The best defense is vigilance. Never leave your laptop unattended and pay close attention to it whenever circumstances force you to part with it, such as when you go through a checkpoint. Thankfully, it doesn't take much to deter thieves who want a quick and easy snatch, and your vigilance, along with the following measures, will reduce the likelihood of you becoming a target.