Technology Update

GPS stands for global positioning system, a system that has been established and is managed by the Department of Defense. The GPS system utilizes satellites that have been put into orbit that help people determine their exact positioning on the plane t- whether it be for the purposes of navigation, for the purposes of military use, or any type of enterprise that requires an exact global positioning by latitude, longitude and altitude. In fact, sometimes GPS systems are installed in vehicles, and some are installed in fishing boats. Finally, some GPS systems are fixed into position, while some are portable.

GPS systems can also be purchased for motorcycles, and hikers sometimes use such systems to determine where they are while walking. Cyclists should not be left out of the mix, and runners, joggers, and skiers use navigation systems to prevent themselves from becoming lost in an unfamiliar area. Some PDAs – personal digital assistants – are equipped with built in navigation devices, while some Palm devices also include such systems.

Navigation systems are sold with a variety of features and what kind of features you should look for is solely dependent on two factors – price and need. The most basic of navigation systems will provide you with a route from one waypoint to another waypoint or to multiple waypoints, depending on your destination and trip plan. A benefit of such navigation systems is that they not only serve as a guide to your preplanned destination, they also serve as guide back to where you started. Any route you plan in a navigation system is completely reversible thanks to the innovative design of such systems.

Alternatively, you may pay more money for a navigation system that has voice capabilities. You can purchase a navigation system that will guide you to your destination vocally and while speaking to you it will offer up a turn-by-turn dictation of your journey. Conversely, those individuals that spend the majority of their time travelling – like a delivery man may find that they prefer a navigation system that they can preplan many destinations at one time and then move from one set of directions to another. Thus, such individuals require a uniquely designed navigation system -one that possesses multi destination capabilities. Finally, there are different navigation systems for boats, motorcycles, cars, and joggers so you will need to be sure to purchase the product you require for the use for which you intend it.

Navigation systems can be easily ordered from online distributors. If you are interested in purchasing a navigation system you may want to read the myriad reviews offered pertaining to such products before you make your purchase. In doing so, you will have a better idea of the various brands available and what other people recommend. Also, you will find complete reviews that will allow you to engage in comparative shopping – this way you know you will be able to find the best navigation system to meet your needs at a price that suits your budget.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to GPS

Cisco CCNA Certification:

Should you take the one-exam or the two-exam approach?

One question I’m often asked by CCNA candidates is whether to take the “one big exam”, or take the two separate exams required by Cisco to achieve the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) exam.

The question comes up because there are now two separate paths to the CCNA certification. Candidates may take a single exam, 640-811, or two exams, 640-821 and 640-811.

What’s the difference? The two-exam approach involves exams with different topics and therefore different preparation techniques. 640-821 is the Introduction To Cisco Networking Technologies exam. This course does introduce the candidate to Frame Relay, PPP, and other WAN technologies, but goes into little detail. Emphasis in the Intro course is placed on knowing how Ethernet behaves, how different types of cable are used for different purposes, and knowing what cable to use in a certain situation. The candidate should expect some questions involving binary math as well, but they will involve fairly simple conversions.

The 640-811 exam, Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices, goes into much more detail on WAN technologies. Routing and switching behavior are covered, and the candidate is expected to answer difficult questions involving binary math and subnetting as well. The candidate may also have to demonstrate ability to configure a router or switch via a simulator. Since the ICND exam goes into more detail, it’s generally considered the more difficult exam.

The approach I recommend to a CCNA candidate depends on their background. If the candidate is a relative newcomer to networking, or hasn’t taken a certification exam before, I recommend they take the two-exam approach. This allows the candidate to focus only on the Intro topics, and gives them a strong sense of confidence after passing the Intro exam. That confidence flows over into the ICND exam.

For those who have networking experience, and are very familiar with Ethernet behavior and cable types, I recommend the one-exam approach. This allows the candidate to focus on the more advanced topics they’ll be seeing in the single exam, while spending just a little time reviewing their Intro-level knowledge.

Regardless of the approach you choose, the path to true CCNA success remains the same. Get some real hands-on experience, either by renting rack time online or by putting together your own home lab. Understand what’s going on “beneath the command”; don’t use router commands when you don’t understand what they’re doing. Add to that a true mastery on binary math, and you’re on your way to having the magic letters “CCNA” behind your name!

Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage, home of free CCNA and CCNP tutorials, The Ultimate CCNA Study Package, and Ultimate CCNP Study Packages.
For a FREE copy of his latest e-books, “How To Pass The CCNA” and “How To Pass The CCNP”, visit the website and download your free copies. You can also get FREE CCNA and CCNP exam questions every day! Pass the CCNA exam with The Bryant Advantage!

Amid rumors that just won’t die, the eternal vigil
or wait for the Google Box rages on. Google protests
it is not building a Google Box. If you believe them,
your next question should be — why the hell not?

Recent fury about a Google Box was again unleashed at
the latest CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas
this year when a rumor spread that Google would be
unveiling a Google Box. Causing its stock price to rise and
Google watchers’ hearts to drop when there proved to be
no substance to the rumor.

For now Google seems content to ‘piggy-back’ on other
systems. It has announced it will be partnering with
Motorola to place the Google icon and search on certain
Motorola cell phones. So close, yet so far.

Google still insists it is not building a Google Box.
But does it really matter what Google wants… Internet
users want their Google Box and they will get it in one
form or another. It might not even come from Google.
Their lost!

If you haven’t been following the Google Juggernaut, you
may be wondering what’s all this buzz about a Google Box?
Simply put: it’s a rumor/hope/dream that just won’t die.

What are consumers, customers, Internet users (everyone
on the planet) all clamoring for?

They are clamoring for a newly minted integrated ‘all-in-one’
portable handheld device, with a Google OS (operating system)
and an RSS powered Google Browser (via the Firefox model)
that’s an Internet/Phone/Laptop/XM Radio/Ipod Video/TV/GPS/
and last but not least a Search Engine.

If such a device is built it would finally bring the
Internet (screaming and kicking) into our future wireless
universe. It would be our dream technotopia device. One that
would meet all our electronic/communication needs and place
them firmly in the palm of our hand.

It would place all the World’s Information, Videos, TV shows,
Music, a Billion Web Sites, and Aunt Sally neatly in the palm
of your hand. It would deliver all this with the Google Brand
Name, quite frankly who else would you trust with your Aunt
Sally?

Not only should Google Build it, they should give it away
for Free or next to Free, make it affordable to the lowest
income demographic on the planet. It would simply be good
business. It would simply be a better return on its
shareholder’s money.

Technically such a device or Google Box could be built right
now. The resources and expertise are available, just might
take a hefty down payment to give birth to this baby.

Is such a venture realistically feasible for Google to undertake?

As we see from their offer of providing free broadband Wi-Fi
services to the lucky residents of Mountain View, in the
heart of Silicon Valley, it is not that far-fetched. It is not
such a leap of faith that someone at Google may be musing at
the possibility of a world-wide wireless system delivered on
a Google Box.

Advertising is Google’s Bread and Butter. Consider the
Google Box as just a virtual version of your morning
newspaper. It would be the perfect vehicle to carry all
that Google delivered advertising. Delivered to everyone
anywhere in the world. Advertisers would be lining up around
the world for a piece of that action.

Actually, if you really examine the implications of such
a delivery system. Google must build that Google Box or
lose out to others who will build such a delivery device…
it just won’t have the Google name.

How far are we from such a delivery system? How long will we have
to wait for the eternal Google Box? Don’t hold your breath
but have you heard any good rumors lately?

The author runs a modest website on Bizware and Business Solutions, including a section on VoIP Phone Services.
VoIP Phone Service
Why not visit his site and get a few Free Marketing Tools
for your business. Titus Hoskins Copyright © 2006. This article may be freely distributed if this resource
box stays attached.