TeqEdge Blog

Tactical Handsets From CJ Components

Shamim — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 19:22:19 +0000

Law enforcement equipment and gear are always a hot commodity. There are hundreds of websites and stores that sell ordinary, civilian radios and handsets as police gear. However there are few places where you can get police and first responder and even military handsets which are not generally available to everyone. CJ Components is one of the best places if you are looking for tactical communications equipment such as handsets, headsets and auxiliary audio accessories.

What Is A Tactical Handset?

A tactical handset is used by police for maintaining order and communicating effectively with the officers on the ground. It is also used by first responders who might be rushing to a scene of emergency and need to communicate with other first responders and law enforcement officials already on scene. The military also uses tactical equipment for communicating securely and effectively.

The H60/PT handset is based on a standard design mostly used by the military and can be used on most telephone and radio communications systems. Built with the carbon granule microphone type it has a 6ft retractable cord. It is a popular model because it can withstand the rugged conditions of any battlefield and can be repaired without the need to find a replacement. From the freezing arctic cold to desert heat – the H60/PT can withstand pretty much any environment you throw it in. If you are wondering how it is so sturdy, know that it is built based on military specifications.

The crypto handset is part of advanced communications equipment. It offers digital encryption on its signals which will make it nearly impossible for the enemy to decode your messages. To simplify things the handset also offers a plain crypto switch so that anyone can make use of the encryption without any technical knowledge. It offers straightforward connection settings to HF and UHF/VHF radios all packed in a rugged and EMI conscious design. On tomorrows tactical battlefield the crypto handset is a must have.

9 Things You Didn’t Know About Google Chrome

Shamim — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:05:25 +0000

Google’s new web browser touts ease of use and superior speed than any browser currently available. Thousands of people have downloaded and tested the browser with mostly favorable results. Being a relatively new browser much of the “hidden” functions of chrome have remained under the radar. Here are the top 9 of the “hidden” things that you did not know about Chrome.

about:stats - Display page statistics
about:memory - Display memory usage by Chrome browser
about:plugins - Display list of plugins installed in Chrome
about:histograms - Display connection times and various other metrics in histogram format
about:dns - Display DNS information currently used by Chrome
about:cache - Display cached web pages
about:network - Display a menu for various network monitoring and testing. To show data click the first button Start I/O Tracking and then Show Current I/O Status

view-cache:stats - Display cached documents

chrome-resource:/new-tab/ - Display a template for the empty tab page

about:version - Display information about the browser

view-source:http://example.com - Display the source code of the webpage.

iPhone vs. Blackberry

Shamim — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:21:48 +0000

With all the technology, gadgets and gizmo’s out in the mobile industry it’s hard to decide what to get and why. But with increasing development in the mobile broadband category, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) usage will no doubt be growing over the next few years.

The top of the line models have amazing features – the two most prominent being the iPhone and Blackberry. Both are great for organization, email and mobile use and both have features that the other doesn’t. Most notably, the iPhone is also an iPod and can play music and videos. The Blackberry is exceptional at organization and communication.

But whatever your needs and wants are when looking for a new PDA check out a few websites that do side by side comparisons. They offer in depth knowledge and detail like which has better reception or battery life, which processes data faster as well as many other feature comparisons!

RSS Icons For Every Occasion

Shamim — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:29:03 +0000

Really Simple Syndication or RSS is a very popular method of syndicating content. All blogs and most websites have options to syndicate their content using RSS feeds. The orange and yellow RSS icons are becoming a very common site across the internet. But to distinguish your website from the rest you need a little pazaz (it’s not a word) to set you apart. There are tons of rss icon collections. To add to them here are 3 that I created for fun.

What Is Google Chrome?

Shamim — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 02:47:43 +0000

Web browsers are increasingly fighting over your attention to get you to notice them. The iconic battle between Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox has been raging for the last 4 years. Safari has also tried to climb on to the main stream but is very far behind its leading competitors. Earlier this week Google has also joined in the fun and released Chrome. Don’t think rims on your car wheels. Think of it as a serious alternative to both IE and Firefox.

What Makes Google Chrome Unique?

So what does Chrome have that others do not. In one word SPEED. The WebKit based browser is amazingly fast and tears through the heaviest web applications. WebKit is not new to the browser world and is used in Safari. Google Chrome’s clean user interface, intuitive design and features and underlying technology will help it hit the ground running. According to the Google engineers the design was driven by the ’simple yet powerful’ approach that drives the Google search engine.

Google Chrome Demo

So you want to take a look at the browser without downloading or testing the browser? You have come to the right place. The video shows everything from downloading and installing to various features of Chrome.

Broadband-Expert Compares Mobile Internet With Dongles

Shamim — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:19:24 +0000

Laptops and internet-capable smart phones have brought together an era of high performance mobile computing. This increase in productivity requires an always on connection. However ubiquitous broadband internet access is not available without the use of specialized equipment. Various companies have introduced solutions which only solve part of the problem. Unlike other hardware, dongles have proven to be extremely popular and functional device. A quick tour of Broadband-Expert.co.uk is enough to demonstrate the powerful uses of a simple dongle.

What Is A Dongle?

In simple terms a dongle is a piece of hardware that connects to a computer. It might connect via a USB interface, Infrared (IR) or even Bluetooth. Dongles can also serve a variety of purposes from providing internet access to connecting headsets or providing modem functionality. Jump on to Wikipedia for more info. The dongles available on Broadband-Expert.co.uk provide mobile internet and mobile broadband services from a variety of mobile service providers mainly in UK.

Mobile Internet VS Mobile Broadband

Mobile internet and broadband may sound similar but are quite different. Mobile internet is receiving 3G data service over the phone service provider. This feature comes bundled in almost all smart-phones and PDA’s. The 3 major mobile internet providers in UK are T-Mobile, Orange and Vodafone. Across the Atlantic in US, mobile internet is provided by T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon. It is a very nice feature to have for quickly looking up information. But there is a downside. Being restricted to the limited phone browser and applications is no fun. That’s when you have to jump over to mobile broadband.

Mobile broadband, on the other hand, is internet access received over a USB dongle device on a laptop or PC. This generally constitutes a monthly subscription plan for data access using the USB dongle device provided by the mobile phone service provider. Mobile broadband gives you access to the internet from any laptop or PC – as long as it has a USB you can pop in the modem and roam free on the Net. The major benefit is the ability to use your computers browser and email functionality without being restricted to particular Mac or PC.

Features Of Broadband-Expert

Broadband-Expert.co.uk makes it very easy for new users to quickly learn about the technology, compare the offers of all the major carriers and choose a device and plan right for them. Some people shy away with technical words such as installing a USB broadband modem. But the user friendly interface of the website along with a wide selection of both hardware devices and service plans make it a Must-Visit-Destination. For example the below diagram shows all the steps needed to get online with mobile broadband service. It clearly shows the simple nature of the install process and reassures potential buyers who might be non-technical.

What makes Broadband-Expert Unique

The comparison table of the various dongles and service plans includes all the big names of the UK. It quickly describes the main highlights of the plan, the upload/download speeds, and the cost and customer ratings. Visitors can make informed decisions when such information is presented efficiently. Broadband-Expert website also includes links to broadband speed test, news, forums and reviews. The forums are fairly active and are well structured. They are means to make visitors more aware of the services being offered and what is best suited to their needs. The featured section allows users to make quick decisions based on the major features.

Areas of Improvement

USB dongles have several applications and are used in an increasing number of ways. However Broadband-Expert website is lacking tutorials and video reviews. An increasing number of stores are providing both as means to educate potential customers and increase their businesses. I would prefer to see these in Broadband-Expert to make it a well rounded destination and an authority on mobile internet and broadband dongles.

Verdict

Dongles are a very popular method of connecting to the internet in the UK and has a growing following across the globe. Their simplicity, usefulness and cheap price make them an attractive solution to a vast number of users. Broadband-Expert is doing a great job of educating on the use of dongles and provides several alternatives to suit every need. It is a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED site and I expect to see them grow in the future.

Get The Best Satellite TV Deals With DirecTV

Shamim — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 02:16:18 +0000

DirecTV has created quite a name for themselves in the satellite television market. With Directv there is no need to run long wires throughout your house and face problems with cable outages. DirecTV offers the convenience getting tons of tv channels in the most remote corners of the globe. As long as you have a receiver you cannot be separated from your most favorite TV shows. But for the most part DirecTV appears complicated to most people who always want better deals and the most value for their money. This is where DirectSatTV.comcomes in with the best deals and quick selection and order store.

Get FREE DirecTV

What? Did I just say FREE DirecTV? Indeed! The DirecTV deal currently available is for free DirecTV goodness for 4 months. That means 4 months of access to 265+ channels combined with HBO, Starz, ShowTime and Cinemax. But that’s not all. It also comes with 4 free months of DVR with a HD-DVR upgrade. What is a DVR? It is a Digital Video Recorder which can record your favorite TV shows automatically for your viewing pleasure anytime day or night. With the HD upgrade you can enjoy the shows in all its High Definition glory. Hop over to Wikipedia for more info on DVR. What’s the catch with this awesome deal? You will have to call and order soon for the awesome deal with NFL Sunday ticket before the DirecTV offers go away.

Total Cost of DirecTV

As with any good deals and promotions this one will come to an end after 4 months. Following that the entire package will run you around $80 per month. But I encourage you to check out individualized quotes using the handy calculator on the website. If you prefer a more conventional method you can speak to a representative with no obligation at 866-748-1449.

Verdict

This DirecTV deal is a must-have for all TV fans. It does not matter if you like Nascar or History Channel or Local programming DirecTV has something to keep you entertained. If you are not yet convinced check out the top 10 reasons to get DirecTV today.

Find Cheap Web Hosting with 4CheapWebHosting

Shamim — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:36:59 +0000

Cheap web hosting is like the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Almost all new webmasters try to get it. But after a few unsuccessful tries everyone knows it only exists in fantasy with unicorns and flying dogs. 4CheapWebHosting would like to help the novice web master who is looking to set up their own website with affordable, feature rich and easy to setup webhosting. It provides powerful search functionality capable of searching hosting companies based on feature, cost, platform and a myriad of other criteria.

Who Is It For?

4CheapWebHosting is a great resource to quickly locate web hosting companies based on the users needs. The quick search feature allows visitors and potential customers to search for hosts by the monthly cost, disk usage and Windows or Linux platforms. In most cases these are enough for deciding on a suitable webhost for new comers. 4CheapWebHosting looks to lower the learning curve so that anyone can look for an appropriate hosting plan which can serve their needs. The advanced search is mostly reserved for experienced webmasters. But in case of 4CheapWebHosting anyone can take advantage of the top rated hosts and the variety of features that they have to offer. The glossary and tutorials are aimed at novice webmasters who can take advantage of the information to make a wise selection.

Features Of 4CheapWebHosting

The information presented on 4CheapWebHosting are direct and to the point. The reviews do not include long paragraphs of text. The Top Rated Cheap Web Hosting section only includes a big table of company facts. Apart from the web host name and a thumbnail of the site the database includes the server platform (Windows or Linux), monthly fee, a proprietary rating system called 4Value rating, disk space, bandwidth and number of allowed domains on the hosting account.

Clicking on any of the web hosts will take the user to a page with the plan details. The detailed page shows the features included with a hosting plan such as if a control panel, database type, free domain parking and several other features. These terms might be confusing to someone new to webhosting. 4CheapWebHosting has thought of that and in order to accommodate them has linked all the features to a glossary where each item is explained. For example, a newbie might not know what domain parking is. The 4CheapWebHosting Glossary describes it as A temporary DNS entry for an unused domain name. Generally a domain name that is parked for free will be on the registrar’s server pointing to a temporary page. I have included a screenshot of the BlueHost plan details below.

What makes 4CheapWebHosting Unique

The information included in 4CheapWebHosting database is detailed and useful to all web masters who are just getting their feet wet. I can recall from personal experience how confused I was when I started looking for a webhost. 4CheapWebHosting has taken a big step to answer detailed questions which might be on the minds of newbies. The Glossary certainly is a great addition and will help people make an informed decision. The webhosting tutorials answer some basic questions regarding how the webhosts are rated, how to buy domains etc. But they are severely lacking and serve little purpose. In the future I would like to see 4CheapWebHosting expand on these FAQ’s.

The quick search and the detailed search page will allow users to look for only the features that they are interested in. Thus they can spend their hard earned money on their choice of webhost and not have to pay for things that they do not need. One very unique feature is to choose webhosting companies based on currency. This is a very important aspect to the international community who might want to use Japanese Yen or Italian Lira. As far as I can recall 4CheapWebHosting is the only comparison review site that offers this feature.

Areas of Improvement

4CheapWebHosting has listed quite a few web hosts on their website. However big players in the hosting world such as DreamHost, LunarPages, Yahoo Hosting, GoDaddy and HostMonster are missing from their database. If 4CheapWebHosting wants users to take it seriously they have to include the most popular ones. For example, cNet has one of the biggest collection of web hosts categorized by type of service, features, cost and customer ratings which includes all major and minor hosting companies.

Verdict

4CheapWebHosting is a great resource for new webmasters who can learn the “webhosting terms and language” and choose an affordable host that has all the features they need. This is a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED site and gets 5 Out Of 5 Stars.

Samsung i900 Omnia Viral Video

Shamim — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:12:47 +0000

I have not seen many viral ad campaigns by Samsung. But advertisements for the i900 aka Omnia are an internet hit. Video is included below. For a high quality version head over to YouTube. The phone features great looks combined with functionality. The most impressive features are listed below the video. The rest can be seen in Samsung’s press release.

What Does Omnia Have?

Well, pretty much everything that you have been waiting for in a mobile phone.

Powered by Windows Mobile 6 Professional

Includes Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint

Has a fully functional touch-screen with on-screen QWERTY keyboard

Also includes optical mouse

5 MP camera - you can leave your digital camera at home from now on

Built in GPS - for the times you get lost

Bluetooth, USB, WiFi connectivity with FM radio

Very slim and sexy design - for the times you miss your girl friend!

Review: Build A Community With Thoughts.com

Shamim — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:56:04 +0000

Social community websites are very popular in the current internet market. Hundreds of specialized community sites are catering to the web audience of all ages, but Facebook and MySpace are the unchallenged leaders. But they are limited in what users can do and this is where Thoughts.com is trying to carve out a market for itself. Thoughts.com gives users the ability to create blogs, upload videos and pictures and create albums, host podcasts, polls and forums all on their servers. Users can let their creativity take over and make good use of all the features offered at Thoughts.com.

Features

The typical scenario is that some social websites offer blogs (like Blogger), some offer picture hosting (like Flickr), some offer personalized pages (like Facebook). Thoughts.com covers all the bases and offers pretty much all social networking and community features - blogs, pictures and albums, videos, polls, forums and personalized profiles to manage all the user activities.

Blogs seem to be the most popular section of Thoughts.com where people are encouraged to create a blog and new posts are published frequently. Blogs page by default shows the most recent posts across the Thoughts.com network. Going by the update time of the various blog posts the community looks active and engaging. Navigation also includes popular posts, top 100 blogs, random blogs and the ability to browse by popular tags. Such a collection of most recent posts is sure to increase community interaction and help the website grow.

Thoughts.com - Blogs

Users have the ability to upload pictures and create albums. Several albums can be seen on the Photos page, but the community activity is low and most albums have few views. Various tags are located on the right pane making navigation easier. Videos section has quite a few videos and users have the ability to upload after registration. There are also a variety of podcasts, polls and surveys listed on the site. The news section provides up to the minute stories pulled from Reuters. Individual user profiles are similar to what is being offered by most other social networking websites. A cool feature is the “presence icon” which shows the current status of the user next to the name. It shows if he/she is currently online and logged in to the website network.

What makes Thoughts.com Unique

Thoughts.com offers a lot of services to its members. The combined feature list of blogs to forums and everything in between are enough to attract and retain users. There are very few other websites which allow such a range of activity and in this respect Thoughts.com is unique. A quick look at the homepage is enough to impress even the most demanding user.

Thoughts.com - Homepage

Areas of Improvement

The website offers a lot of services to its members and it has a functional and interactive community built around itself. Thoughts.com has its work cut out for itself because it has a well established presence. There are many members who update their blogs, albums and participate in the forums. However the number of distinct properties of the website can be confusing to some users. As more people start using this site on a daily basis they can expand in to the various sections.

Verdict

Thoughts.com is a HIGHLY RECOMENDED website and it is definitely worth checking out. If you are still on the edge then take a tour of Thoughts.com and decide for yourself if you would like your creativity reign freely.