I moved into college about three weeks ago and being a technology enthusiast, there were certain things that I knew that I would need while at college. Now that I have been in college for some time, I thought that it would be a good idea to share what I think gadget lovers will need to get through college:

Laptop computer:
Unless you absolutely need a desktop, I recommend going with a laptop because you can pick up your computer and take it to class or the library. Desktops don’t offer that flexibility and when living in a dorm room a space is very limited and laptops are great space savers.

Surge Strips- and plenty of them:
The other thing that is very limited in dorm rooms are outlets. Most rooms only have a handful of outlets for a  two people to share. I have at least four surge strips in use in my dorm room and they are full for the most part. Surge strips don’t only allow you to plug many extra devices to one outlet, but also protects your electronics for electric surges that could damage your electronics.

Wireless Router/Access Point (If permited):

Wireless Internet although not always as reliable as wired internet however, it is very convinent if you have mulitple computers because you can connect them all to the internet and not have the clutter that comes with wired internet. However, because of interference, some schools do not allow wireless and some only permit Wireless access points.

Switch:

If wireless is not permitted or if you just want a more reliable internet connection, then a switch may be the piece of hardware for you!  A switch takes one eithernet port and speads the connection to several devices. A 5 port switch is only $12!

Eithernet Cable:

If wired internet is your method of choice or is mandated by your school eithernet cables are a must have!

Digital Camera:

College is a bsy time but it is also a fun time and you will want to remember the fun you had so a digital camera is a must so you can take pleanty of pictures.

Thumb Drive:

Documents will need to be moved around shown to classmates, and professors. Thumb drives are inexpensive and are a greatway to carry data with you.

Microsoft Office:

All students will need to use Word, Excel and Powerpoint at some time in their academic career. Mirosoft Office is the defacto Office suite and they have great prices for students. Onenote, which is included in Student edition, is the greatest notetaking spplication and has greatly helped me take notes. Onenote does a great job simulating a notebook with sections, pages, sub pages all in a computer application. Since I started using Onenote, I have not taken written notes since because Onenote is so simple!

Computer lock:

Make sure you get a lock for your computer  no matter if it is a laptop or desktop it is best that you have your computer chained to a desk!

Safe:

For those gadget that are too small to get a lock to chain to something permanent, a safe would be a good idea so that you can chain it to something permanent and put small electronics you want to keep safe in it. Some schools, including mine rent safes for students so you don’t bring them back and forth to school!

External Hard drive:

If you have a lot of data you may need an external hard drive just to store all the data. Or you could just use it to backup all your data incase the unthikible hapens.

I hope this list helps all you gadget lovers out there prepare for college and be prepared! College is great and technology makes it even better!

You know the old saying “There is nothing good on TV”, well it is sadly is true anymore. When I was on vacation last week and had no Internet and just cable TV it was really hard to find something to watch. Watching TV has become so difficult especially for people who have become accustomed to watching video and TV shows on the Internet.

The first problem is that unless you have digital cable or Verizon Fios you have to blindly flip through channels trying to find a show you are interested in. Even if you find a station you are interested it may be on a commercial break and you don’t know what is on until it comes back from break. I know I am being picky but, it is a major nuisance and I am grateful that it has become possible to watch TV on the Internet with few commercial interruptions.

Speaking of commercials that is the second problem that I have is that commercial breaks go on for so long it seems as though there is an equal amount of time spent on commercials as the actual show. I much prefer the 15-second breaks that are used in online television or the option to watch a two-minute commercial in the beginning and watch the rest of the video commercial-free. But, these long two-and-a-half minute breaks are to long to keep the viewers interested in the show.

The final problem I have with cable TV is that there are times when there is nothing of interest on TV and if there is nothing else to do and this is the only source of entertainment then you could be out of luck. I know there are other forms of entertainment but, I think that for me, TV is usually my last resort and if nothing is on TV then I am bored.

The solution as I alluded to earlier is to watch content online and just cut the cable all together. The one problem is that archive or off-the-air shows are not all available online which is a shame because they are produced and all and if they are put online, they will produce revenue for the company without too much extra work! I will post my home-theater plan that will be fully cable-free and will rely mostly on the Internet.  I hope to inspire you all to use my plan and realize that cable TV has seen it’s hay-day come and pass and to see that the internet is the source of all future entertainment.

If you like to take your gadgets with you whereever you are going, and like to travel, it may be a difficult proposition. Since, I just got back from a trip which I took many gadgets on, I thought it would be a good idea to give a few tips from my observations.

1. Know The Policies for Where You Go and For Your Method of Transportation

If you are traveling to a foreign country that has different rules and regulations about electronics, then you need to make sure you know all the rules before you go so you can prepare properly. Same goes with transportation if you are taking a plane or train you need to research the regulations to understand how you need to transport your gadgets and  what gadgets may be restricted.

2. Never let any valuables out of your control

In other words if you fly make sure you carry-on all your expensive electronics and do not check them! Same for trains!

3. Bring all your chargers

This is common sense but, if you are on vacation, you will probly need to use your gadgets a lot while away and battery life varies from 1 day to 1 week!

4. Speaking of chargers………..If you travel Internationally, buy international adaptors

If you are traveling internationally, make sure you buy plug adapters so you can use the outlets in the country you are in!

5. Also for International Trips…………………Make sure your Phone has an International Plan

You will be hating yourself if you get to your international destination, and get roaming charges or even worse you cannot use your phone at all! Make sure you check with your cellular provider to see what you need to do before traveling!

6. Check Internet Avalibility

Before you leave, see where internet access is avalible and how much it will cost so, you know ahead of time if you can get internet. If you need to get a cellular internet card so you can get internet acess where even you have cell phone service, although it is costly!

7. Have a Device to Backup Photos to

If you are on a vacation where you are taking a lot of pictures, like I did in New Orleans, you should back them up in case your memory card goes bad or is stolen. Some good ideas are: FTP, photo sharing sites, laptops, thumb drives and many other devices.

8. If You are traveling to a High-risk area get Traveler insurance!

If you are a risk-taker and are traveling to a dangerous area, I would recommend getting traveler insurance for all your valuables not just your gadgets!  So if something happens to your things you are covered!

9. Bring Contact Information to support lines

Inevitably, electronics break and always in the worst possible situation and if you are away from home and need your electronics working, I reccommend writing down the support numbers for all your gadgets so you can make a call for help if need be.

I hope these tips will help you travel for the rest of this summer and for the all your travels. Traveling with gadgets is not that complicated if you know what your doing!