MODEM SPEEDS
Have you noticed that your your modem speed varies and is often less than the maximum? The speed, or data-transmission rate, is affected by a number of variables outside of your control. Loss of speed can often be traced to: "dirty" phone lines, the distance between you and your phone company's central office, the speed of the modem at the other end of the call, too many users calling into your Internet service provider (ISP) and the number of times your call is translated between analog and digital. Calls from your office or hotel can be affected by the phone switching equipment or network traffic. "Dirty lines" is one of those high tech terms used to describe a phone line that has a lot of static or crosstalk in it. A good example of this is when you are making a voice call and you can faintly hear someone else's call in the background. (Source: CommunicationsWeek, 3/3/1997).

MICRO COPTERS
The Institute for Microtechnology in Mainz, Germany, has developed the smallest flying helicopter. At one inch long, one-third of an inch high and weighing in at one-hundredth of an ounce, the helicopter has flown to an altitude of 5.3 inches. The rotors are driven by micromotors and are able to spin at more than 100,000 revolutions per minute. Future applications may include miniature endoscopic medical sensors to toy controls. Unfortunately, the article didn't describe the power source for the micromotors. (Source: Wired, May 1997).

MICROSOFT OFFICE97
Microsoft has acknowledged the numerous complaints about the file incompatibility with older versions of Office. Beginning in June, Microsoft will set up a "Microsoft Migration Web site" for users to obtain Office97 upgrade resources. In addition to the new web site, a migration support hot line will be established. Look for Microsoft to release fixes to Office97 in July. In related news, Microsoft has release a patch for its Outlook's mail and groupware software. The patch will enable users to use Outlook for both their in-house and Internet e-mail. It also fixes the problem of all blind copy e-mail recipients to see each others names. (Sources: Computerworld, 4/28/1997 and Infoworld, 5/19/1997).

NEW VOCABULARY
By now, most people have heard about WANs and LANs (wide area networks and local area networks) but what about "BANs." In the last month or so, I have seen several references to BANs. What is a BAN? It is a basement area network or a home based network used to link several household PCs.

WEB SITE OF THE MONTH
April showers bring May flowers. Internet Florist www.virtualflorist.com can help you deliver those real and virtual flowers to the one you love. "Real" flower bouquets can be ordered from its secure site and delivered for a fee, or a "virtual" bouquet can be sent at no cost to your special person's e-mail address. A new page, dedicated to roses, will soon be available. Internet Florist is operated by a 60 year old flower shop on Grand Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press, 5/19/1997).
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Technology Tidbits is published monthly by Jerry Price, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
© 1997 Jerry W. Price

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