TODAY'S TOURBUS TOPICS: NO IPHONE / SLINGBOX / GADGETS / GOING GREEN

This month we're celebrating the 12th birthday of TOURBUS, who wants cake? Patrick and I want to thank so many of you who have been "on the Bus" since 1995, as well as those who have joined the ride more recently. We appreciate your interest and words of encouragement.

In today's TOURBUS, you'll learn why I'm NOT buying an iPhone, and how to sling your TV screen to a computer or mobile device. I've got a new batch of Tech Gadgets, some tips on when to buy a new computer, and the scoop on Green Computing. Read on!

Ten Reasons Why the iPhone is not myPhone

I'll admit it... I have a philosophical problem with all things trendy. I just never buy the book when it's number one on the bestseller list, and I usually wait for the movie to come out on DVD. I'm purposely one step behind the pop culture curve and the bleeding edge of technology, because that's where I feel comfortable.

I know that Apple's new iPhone seems like the coolest gadget to hit the streets in a long time. It slices, it dices, it can browse the web, manage your calendar, take pictures, and even make a phone call. But in addition to my aversion to Version 1.0 products, here are my ten *technical* reasons why I'm not going to buy an iPhone, at least not yet...

http://askbobrankin.com/no_iphone_for_me.html

What is Slingbox?

Imagine you're in a hotel room, on another continent... you fire up your trusty laptop, and with a few clicks, you're watching the same cable or satellite TV programming that's in your living room at home. You can change the channel, or even view the shows that your Tivo recorded for you last night.

It's not smoke and mirrors, it's Slingbox. Slingbox is a very cool product that routes signals from your home TV (or Tivo) to your computer. It can transmit to any computer anywhere that has a broadband internet connection... including your cell phone or PDA. Here's how Slingbox works, and some interesting alternatives:

http://askbobrankin.com/what_is_slingbox.html

More Tech Gadgets

It's amazing what you can plug into a USB slot these days... Lava lamps, rocket launchers, a pig, a squid and a duck! Back in February, I posted my Top Ten Tech Gadgets, and now I've got ten more for you.

If you're looking for some nifty gadgets to trick out your personal computer, here are my latest top ten tech gadgets, guaranteed to make everyone else in the office (or home office) jealous...

http://askbobrankin.com/ten_more_tech_gadgets.html

...and the original list:

http://askbobrankin.com/top_ten_tech_gadgets.html

Is Your Computer Obsolete?

Is it time to buy a new computer? A reader asked, "Our computer is three years old, and my teenager says it's obsolete. He wants us to buy a new computer with more speed, more memory, etc. Can you give me some pointers on how to know if I really need to pry open my purse and buy a new computer?"

A few years ago I saw a cartoon of a guy proudly driving home with his brand new state-of-the-art 386 computer in the back seat. In the background was a huge billboard advertising the 486. The message: his computer was obsolete before he even got it home.

I'll admit that I own two PC Juniors and an HP Model 33 Teletype, but they've been out of service for more than a few years. So how do you know when it is indeed time to buy a new computer? Well, You May Need To Buy A New Computer If...

http://askbobrankin.com/do_i_need_a_new_computer.html

What is Green Computing?

Kermit the Frog told us that it's not easy being green, but that concept also applies to computers and how they can be more friendly to our planet. Normally, we think of gas guzzling cars, factories, pesticides, and such when considering environmental impacts.

So what does "green" signify in the context of everyday computing? In a world where computers are ubiquitous, and environmental concerns are growing by the day, we need to consider how we can build, use and dispose of computers in an earth-friendly manner. Read on to learn how computers impact the environment, and how YOU can practice Green Computing to make a difference...

http://askbobrankin.com/green_computing.html

That's all for now, see you next time! -- Bob Rankin