NETGEAR WNDR3300 RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Router

All the RangeMax dual band had to do was force internet down a 10-foot hallway. Seriously. Router at one end, computer at the other. A task so simple that wireless was only required to avoid clutter.

I had selected this router because it was the only n router available when I was out shopping- I'd previously owned two NETGEAR g routers, and while they were plagued by tragically short lives, they were functional, if weak. I'd heard this model was a bit sturdier, and I figured that with an n router and a n-capable card in my computer, I'd be able to cop a decent signal, cordless phones and thick walls be damned.

Unfortunately, this router was trouble from day 1. Setting it up was a breeze, but the n band signal was so weak I could barely detect it. Switching to a more specific broadcast mode let me use it, but that very evening, it dropped. Not only could my computer no longer see it, neither could my fiance's laptop. It soon became apparent this was the norm. Cycling the router generally did nothing- rather the signal would lapse in and out, and sometimes would be visible while connection remained impossible.

This is a weak, unreliable router with spotty performance. When I can see other apartments' g networks through the floor and I can't see my own n network down the hall, I feel safe calling my router a failure.

2/10  (I'll give this a bit of a break, because mine might be a lemon)

Connectland 4 Port Mini USB Hub

When the USB ports on my last computer got a little funny after plugging in my printer, I became worried that the printer itself had damaged them. USB devices do fry ports, although it's really rare. An obvious solution is to hook any powered USB devices to a cheap hub, and let them fry the hub instead of your ports.

This hub is pretty tiny- so small that the jacks on your USB cables won't fit all the way in. They still seem secure, but this may be an issue for some users. The hub can carry power if connected to a powered USB bus, and it lights up really bright blue to indicate this. Fortunately, my computer is already an insane mass of glowing blue stuff, so it fits right in. It's always on (provided your power supply is on) so it kind of acts as a night light to find your workstation by in a dark room. That's cool.

The hub is very light, with a good solid feel. It's probably light enough that you could stick it to a wall or bookcase, and the ability to accommodate up to 4 powered devices makes it ideal for connecting your desktop stuff to a single USB port. Owners of book-profile computers take note. The actual cord that hooks the hub to your computer is pretty short, which is odd for a hub; so I figure it was mostly built with desktop peripheral attachment in mind.

Overall, this hub exceeded my expectations for what it is: ablative armor for my motherboard in the event of a power surge from my printer.

7/10

POGO radio and mp3

In 2007 I was pondering with a computerish friend how computers could
be modified to record radio programs off the air directly to a hard
drive, so I could later make mp3 files of such classic programs as
Laura Ingraham or Rush Limbaugh. Each of these clear-thinking radio
hosts offers an internet package like Rush 24/7 etc/. for a fee. But I
did not really need the whole package as it would not completely solve
my problem, and I did not want to pay the fee.

Problem: Rush is on the air when I am working. I wanted to be able to
hear him on radio while I ride bicycle home from work etc. I wanted to
hear his programs while shopping at the grocery too. I could fill
cassettes with the show and carry a small cassette player, but an mp3
with the proper functions would be better.

Solution: Radio Your Way LX.

How does it help? It does everything the box claims, and more. This
product, the size of a pack of cards, does more than a full size
computer can do to record radio programming. Onboard, it has a tape
record function, it also has a tuner for FM and AM (Yes Rush!). It has
a one button recording device that will record directly off the air
into mp3 files. It has a 512 mb chip to hold more than 30 hours of
programming (you can set the recording clarity level you prefer to bump
up storage space if needed.)

This device also has a slot for an external memory chip, and an onboard
rechargeable battery. It runs more than seven hours on a recharge. It
has a clock and calendar on board, so you can set it up like a tivo to
record your shows while you are at work.

I just keep it in a corner at work, and tell it to record a few hours
of shows each week for my bike rides. I still use a cassette stereo,
too, to fill tapes of programming for other uses where the mp3 player
would not be appropriate such as during weekend labor projects. But the
POGO has paid for itself because I am getting top quality recordings
without paying the extra fees to radio hosts etc.

Furthermore, this device has superior search capabilities. Unlike many,
many mp3 devices, this one will easily search to the exact minute in
any file you have stored. You don't have to hear the whole beginning
again of a 40 minute program, just to get to a key point in the program
where you had been interrupted the day before. This one will start
exactly where it was when you turned it off. Otherwise, it also has two
fast forward modes, one of which moves one minute per second, to get
you right where you want to be. I am in heaven with this thing, and
you would be too. Good luck finding one though. Mine is in the white
body, seems to now be less available, and prices seem to have doubled
to near 250 in some sites. I got mine new for 35 at a computer fair,
bought a spare three weeks later, but I am betting you cannot find one
less than 140. It is in high demand for obvious reasons.

iPhone 3G

The iPhone 3G is the ultimate device. It's a phone, web browser, music player, video player, usb storage, gaming device, personal organizer, and more. Along with the data plan at At&t, this becomes the ultimate tool to always stay connected. In fact, I'm writing this review from my iPhone right now! I give this device an 8/10.