Wired vs. Wireless Internet

  For months it was becoming increasingly difficult to get access to my PC. It seemed like I would always have to wait before I could use my computer. It was being used by almost everyone in the household. Due to this situation, I decided to purchase a second PC. I wanted to be able to do a variety of things but my main purpose was to establish a second internet connection. The only problem was that I didn’t know much about establishing a second internet connection. My knowledge was limited.

   So, I decided to go online to figure out how to accomplish this task. After my research, I discovered that I would need a router and a USB network adapter. A few weeks later, I went online and purchased a Wireless N Dual Band Router and a Wireless N Dual Band USB Adapter.

    Once my order arrived, I immediately begin the setup process. I worked many hours trying various configurations etc. But, I was unsuccessful in my attempt to establish a connection. My router seemed to work perfectly but my overall signal strength seemed to be weak. I continued to try various things but after about a week and a half, I decided to take a break from troubleshooting.

    During my break, I thought about having a wired internet connection. But, I was hesitant because I wasn’t sure how I would route an ethernet cable. It seemed like it would be a hassle. So, I dismissed the idea and gave Wi-Fi another shot. But, after a short period of time, I decided that it would be best to try a wired internet connection instead. My troubleshooting was unsuccessful and whenever I did get lucky enough to get a connection, it only lasted a few minutes.

    From my previous experience, I knew that I would only need an ethernet cable to get a wired internet connection. So, I went online and purchased a 100' ethernet cable. I wanted to make sure that I could reach the ethernet port on my second PC. I also didn’t want to be concerned with the possibility of reordering another ethernet cable. Long ethernet cables are difficult to find in my area. In addition, I didn’t want to wait any longer.

    Once this order arrived, I begin to decide how to route the ethernet cable. I eventually decided to route it under my house, just like my coaxial cable lines.

    Once the ethernet cable was routed, I plugged one end in my router and the other end in my second PC’s ethernet port. Then, I turned on my computer and opened my web browser. Within seconds, I had established a second internet connection. After establishing this connection I tested everything out. During my test, I didn’t encounter any problems and everything seemed to work perfectly. Overall, I was surprised at how quickly and easily this connection was to establish. There wasn’t anything complex about establishing this connection. The overall setup(routing of the ethernet cable and plugging it into my second PC’s ethernet port) was comparable to routing a coaxial cable and connecting it to the back of a TV set.

    So, If you are trying to decide how to establish an internet connection on a second  PC or any device with an ethernet port, I would recommend a wired connection. I would also recommend a wired connection for those who are having trouble with their wireless connection(s).

    Routing an ethernet cable is slightly difficult, but it’s worth it. I have been having a reliable connection for months and I didn’t have to do any type of configuration at all, like my previous wireless connection. All I had to do was plug the ethernet cable into my PC’s ethernet port.

                                          

Slime Rechargeable Tire Inflator

     Ever since I begin driving, I have relied on local gas stations whenever I needed to inflate the tires on my car. I have even relied on them in earlier times (when I was a teenager) to inflate the tires on my bike. But in the last five years or so I have been somewhat hesitant to do so.

    The reason for my hesitation was due to the increasing cost that gas stations were charging to inflate a tire, having to occasionally wait in line and the hassle of hauling my deflated tire(s)(after using a tire sealant or dealing with a slow leak) to a local gas station.

    Out of all the reasons, the cost was my main concern. I considered the cost to be fair, but I hated that it was steadily increasing. I also hated to pay for a service that I knew was once free of charge. These and a combination of other reasons motivated me to find an alternative. I quickly decided that it was time to purchase a tire inflator.

    A few weeks after I made that decision I purchased my first tire inflator. When I purchased it, I felt that it was a good choice. But after testing it I quickly determined that the purchase was a mistake. It had the advantages of being affordable and compact but it inflated my tires very slowly. It would always take ten minutes or longer to inflate one tire. But, despite its slow performance I continued to use it.

    I continued to use it until it no longer worked. It took a little over a year(from the date I purchased it) for this to occur. I attempted to repair it but I was unsuccessful. It only needed a fuse but I could never find a match. I later decided to temporarily use a local gas station(if I needed to) until I could purchase another tire inflator.

    After about a year or so of inflating my tires at local gas stations(on various occasions), I begin to research the latest tire inflators. In my research I found that there were many varieties available but, once I narrowed my search I begin saving for a new one. While in the process of saving and researching, I decided on the Slime Rechargeable Tire Inflator.
  

The Purchase

    With my research complete and my money saved, I finally went out and purchased the Slime Rechargeable Tire Inflator. I decided on the Slime Rechargeable Tire Inflator because I wanted something better. After my research, I found that this was one of the best low-cost tire inflators.

Inside the box

    Once I made my purchase I was curious to see what was included with this tire inflator. Inside the box along with the tire, inflator was a 6-foot 120-volt recharging adapter, a very brief (but informative) instruction manual, a  6-foot 12-volt recharging adapter, three miscellaneous adapters, and a spare fuse.

Features

    After seeing what was inside the box, I was able to get a good look at the features. I noticed that it had a fairly compact size. It had a length of about ten inches and a height of about eight inches or so. Overall, the inflator felt solid.

    On the front, I noticed battery indicator lights. They indicate to the user when it’s time to recharge. Below the battery indicator lights(to the left) was the 15 amp blade style fuse. This is the same type of fuse used in many automobiles. To the right of the fuse was a 120-volt input socket. Below the 120-volt input socket was the on/off switch. Below the on/off switch (to the left) was the 12-volt output socket, for powering 12-volt appliances and tools. To the right of the 12-volt output, socket was the on/off switch for the compressor. Below the compressors on/off switch was a storage compartment. The storage compartment contained(the items I mentioned earlier) the 120-volt adapter for recharging indoors, a 12-volt adapter for recharging while driving, three miscellaneous adapters for inflating rafts and other sports equipment, and a spare 15 amp blade style fuse.

    On the top of the compressor near the handle was the air pressure gauge. The numbers were slightly small but, it did seem to accurately measure tire pressure.


Performance

    Since I got my new tire inflator, I have been inflating tires on cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles. I haven’t been disappointed yet.

    On the box, it mentioned that it will inflate standard tires in six minutes. I feel that this was a fairly accurate statement. I had a car that had not been driven for a while and one of the tires was completely flat. I was able to inflate that tire in less than six minutes.

    The Slime rechargeable Tire Inflator is not as fast as a typical tire inflator found at many gas stations. But, It inflates tires in a very reasonable amount of time. I have never had to spend ten minutes on a tire like I did on my previous tire inflator. So far, I have never gone more than six minutes per tire with my Slime Rechargeable Tire Inflator. I am satisfied with the performance of this device.


Overall

    I have had the Slime rechargeable tire inflator for about two years. So far, I haven’t had any problems with it. It still holds a charge and performs well. I think that this is a good tire inflator for those who want something better than the typical compact inflators that are out there.

    This portable tire inflator from Slime performs well, is very affordable, and is worthy of ownership.

Update 2/29/2016:

I have relied on this tire inflator for a while and it has been very helpful to me. But, due to battery problems I have stopped using this tire inflator.

If you choose to purchase the Slime tire inflator you may or may not develop any problems with the battery. But, if you choose to avoid this tire inflator I have found an alternative.

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ESP EC 10 Review

    After a few years of playing electric guitar, I decided that it was time for a new one. There wasn’t anything wrong with the guitar I was using, I just felt that it was time for an upgrade.

    When I originally decided to buy a new guitar I focused on the ESP EC 50. Even though the price was decent($199 to $250), I knew I couldn’t get it right away. So, I decided to delay my purchase for a while.

    After a few years of delaying my purchase, I wanted a new guitar even more. So, I decided to save for the EC 50. But a few weeks into my decision I came across another guitar. This new guitar was the ESP EC 10.

    I was looking through my catalog from American Musical Supply when I noticed the EC 10. At first, I didn’t take the EC 10 seriously. Due to the price ($139), I felt that the quality of the guitar wouldn’t be as good as the EC 50 or other ESP guitars. But, after giving it a second look, I decided to purchase it.

    I made my decision after researching online. I found that the only big differences between the EC50 and EC 10 were the pickups. There were a few other minor differences but, I decided to take a chance. I felt that I didn’t have anything to lose due to the low cost of the EC 10.

The purchase

    As I mentioned earlier, I decided to make my purchase from American Musical Supply. I selected them because I have bought from them in the past. This was one of the first places I bought musical supplies from (online), and I knew I could trust them.

    At the time of my purchase, there was a choice of two finishes. The choices were two-tone burst and black. I chose the black version of the EC10.

    After selecting the finish and completing the ordering process, my new guitar was now on the way. Due to my location, I didn’t have to pay tax and the shipping was free.

Inside the box

    Once the guitar arrived, I immediately opened the box. Inside the box with the guitar was simply an allen wrench(for truss rod adjustments), a tag indicating the brand of strings, and an instruction manual. I was satisfied so far and couldn’t wait to test this guitar out.

Appearance

After checking everything out (manual etc), I begin to unwrap the guitar. After fully unwrapping it I begin to get a good look at the EC 10. I was very pleased with what I saw. It had a very shiny finish. Everything from the volume and tone controls to the tuners looked sturdy and had a nice appearance. The EC10 also has one of the best fretboards I have seen so far. It has a slight shine with an ESP logo on the twelfth fret. This is a low-cost guitar but, there isn’t anything cheap about it. It has the appearance of a guitar worth much more.


Features

    Even though there were minor differences(as I mentioned earlier) the only big difference between the EC 50 and EC 10 were the pickups. The EC 10 comes with LH100 pickups while the EC50 comes with LH150 pickups.

    I am very pleased with the look of this guitar. The black nickel hardware(A Tom bridge and tailpiece, volume and tone controls, and ESP tuners) enhances the look of the guitar even more. The three-way pickup selector is placed near the volume and tone controls, and it works well. The volume and tone controls also work well. At first, I thought that there would be a problem with sound quality. I was concerned because my old guitar had separate tone (bass and treble) controls, and I knew how important they were. But, the sound quality of the EC 10 proved to be a whole lot better than my old guitar.

    One of the reasons I decided on the ESP brand was because of their shorter (24.75) scale length. I read that it has benefits, such as making it easier to bend heavier gauge strings. After testing the guitar I definitely would agree with the information I once read. The 10 gauge (S.I.T.) strings that came with the guitar feel like nine-gauge strings when string bending etc.

    When I bought the guitar I knew I had 24 frets but, I didn’t know the fret type. This is a fairly new guitar and many of the web sites I’ve visited didn’t indicate fret type. But, I recently visited ESP’s website and found that the EC 10 is equipped with extra-jumbo frets.

    With its basswood body, maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard, the EC 10 feels well made. There is nothing that feels fragile about this guitar.

Action and Playability

    One of the main reasons I wanted a new guitar is because I wanted something with better action. I believe I have found that with the EC10.

    Out of the box, the action was perfect. I only had to do some minor tweaking to eliminate the string buzz (pass the twelfth fret) on the low e and a strings. Now I have it adjusted just the way I want it. The guitar action is still low and I have eliminated the string buzz. I feel satisfied with the guitar’s action.

    I really like the way the guitar plays. It is a whole lot better than my old guitar. My old guitar had very high action. My fingers would always slide under the strings when I performed string bends. With the EC10 I don’t have that problem. I can play faster and everything feels more streamlined.

    This guitar has a much better feel to it than my old guitar. My old guitar had a much thicker neck. The EC 10 has what is called a thin u neck. I feel that it gives me a better grip and more control. I also feel that chords are easier to play.

    With the benefit of the extra-jumbo frets I don’t have to press as hard when playing chords. I feel that it has made barre chords easier to play as well.

    The ESP EC10 (despite its low cost) is a well-made guitar. It has good playability and feel. The ESP EC 10 is definitely better than my old guitar.

Overall

    I’m glad I decided to take a chance on the EC 10. I have been playing this new guitar since November 2010, and it’s still holding up well. This guitar seems well made and I haven’t had any problems with it.

    I have no regrets about my purchase of this guitar. If I had to do it all over again I would still buy the EC 10. It’s definitely an upgrade from my previous guitar. I like the playability, sound quality, and overall appearance of this guitar.

    I highly recommend the ESP EC10. This is a good guitar for beginners, experienced players looking for a second guitar, and for those with a limited budget. With its low cost, appealing appearance, and low action, the ESP EC 10 is a guitar that shouldn’t be passed up.





                                                                               
Specifications:

• Maple Neck                                         
• Rosewood Fingerboard                       
• 42mm Standard Nut                             
• Thin U Neck Contour

• 24 XJ Frets
• Black Nickel Hardware
• ESP Tuners
• TOM Bridge & Tailpiece
• ESP LH-100 (B & N) p.u.
• Finish: BLK, 2TB (2-Tone Burst)

 
Controls:

• Master Volume
• 3-Way Toggle
• Master Tone

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