TECH TALK ... oy Pat Hoover eer We've all seen them in use, attached to laptops usually by some business type busily working away online by means of a USB data connection allowing access to the Intemet and presumably all of the users email, files and office desktop. These data’ cards now sold es USB devices and marketed by virtually all the large eell phone carriers, have been avail- able for many years. The service which allows for Internet access through one's cell carrier is an important part of the overall connectivity scheme. When there is no WiFi connection or secure Ethernet hard wire connection available, using a data connection over the air can be a real advantage when you just must get online. That said, I see no reason anyone with the need for instant access would purchase one of these separate data con- ‘nectors because there's a better way. Verizon, Sprint, TMobile and a number of data carriers will lease you a small device about the size of a deck of playing cards that will go online wirelessly and then send out a private WiFi signal which you can privately access for getting online with your laptop AND up to 7 other WiFi enabled devices, simultancously! Imagine you are driving along on the family vacation-it’s summertime, the kids are out of school and you're headed for the beach with the whole crew. About 20 minutes out and your teen is bored and asks to use your laptop and USB data link connection so he can check his Facebook account. The younger kids want to stop at a fast food place, but it must be one with with WiFi so they can play their online video games waile they devour the latest fast food poison and your spouse just remembered she needs to quickly send an email to the boss with the spread- sheet that she was supposed to have sent Defore the family set out on the annual, ‘many hour trek to the beach. You try your best to ignore the noise in the car from your lovable whining crew who are each in their own way, melting down from Intemet withdrawal 2s you speed along the expressway in serious traffic just hop- ing you arrive before the car implodes from net-loss anxiety. Well, for the same initial cost and the same monthly fee, you can buy a person- al wireless private wifi device and service as the single user, one device, one con- nection only, service of the USB devices for sale by the big cell phone carriers. ‘You can use a device known as a private WiFi (Verizon's version, the MiFi 2200, allows up to 5 connections) which will allow everyone in your car access to your private wifi network signal on cach of their net gadgets: laptops, cell phones, digital cameras, wifi radios, etc. Serenity Now! Peace descends, the whining is ‘ended and your spouse cen send off that forgotten. spreadsheet-without having to ‘wait for her tum on your single user USB data connection device. am especially intrigued by a compa- ny called Clear (www.cleazcom) and the wifi device they are bringing out this sum- mer. It will utilize the newest and fastest signal on the net and will allow for your ‘own private personal wifi wireless con- nection to all those you allow in your own portable and exlusive network! The deadline for submission of copy for the newsletter is the 10% of the month for the following months’ issue.