A Little Bit About Wireless Peripherals

Just a note about wireless peripherals: I've been looking around the web researching some problems with my wireless keyboard and mouse and have noticed that many people complain about connection issues with these products.

Keep in mind that RF wireless peripherals, WiFi (wireless networks), and some wireless telephones use the same radio frequencies (in the 2.4 GHz range). Anything using the same frequency is going to create interference, and, therefore, have connection problems. The stronger signal (usually WiFi or phone) will win out, resulting in a loss of connectivity for the wireless peripherals.

I don't know that there is a foolproof solution, but it would help to make sure that the peripherals have direct line-of-site to their wireless receiver, and it might also help to place something between the wireless receiver and your WiFi antenna, to induce interference there. You could also try changing the channel that your WiFi router is using.

Also, get rid of your cheap 2.4GHz wireless phone, and get something better in the 5.8 GHz range. Yes, it's more expensive, but also better quality, better sound and no interference with your wireless network or peripherals. I know that from experience.

I've done all of the above and now have very few issues with wireless interference and I enjoy my wireless mouse and keyboard very much.

Global Warming Burns Me Up!

The cap and tax bill in Congress right now is the biggest tax increase in history. One that will increase the prices of everything, from toys to houses. All of this in reaction to the climate change boogey man. It's like a kid setting fire to his closet to kill the monster that he thinks is going to get him in the middle of the night. This has nothing to do with protecting the environment, or helping people, it's about controlling people--less about electrical power, more about political power.

Ever wonder why energy companies are in favor of cap and trade? Because they stand to make a LOT of money from it!

We need to do something. It's in the Senate now. Call, write, fax, take a flight to D.C. and knock on his door, do something to let your senators know that this will be a disaster and can't be allowed to pass.

Health Care Reform

For true health care reform to happen, we need to get back to a market-based solution: let doctors practice medicine, and let patients decide how healthy they want to be, get the insurance companies out of it. What Congress is working toward now is nothing more than socialism and government interference in individual freedom. Here's an article that explains what real health care reform should have:

Utah doctors weigh in on how to mend health care

In Memoriam

I am saddened by the news today of the death of pop star Michael Jackson. Although he was dogged by controversy and was more than a little strange, he was possibly the most talented entertainer of the last half of the 20th century. He never got his comeback.

As I read over what I just wrote, I am still in shock. Michael Jackson is dead. I just can't wrap my head around it.

Why is it that so many so very talented people who make life in this gloomy world so much more bearable leave us so early? Although we can appreciate that Bob Hope and George Burns were some of the notable exceptions, there are so many more who we wish could have stayed longer: Judy Garland, John Belushi, John Candy, Karen Carpenter, George Gershwin, John Lennon, Elvis Presley, Heath Ledger, Andy Kaufman, Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, Jim Croce, Dan Fogleberg, and so many more. And Farrah Fawcett, who also died today, and who never got the recognition she deserved as an actress; she was always stuck with the burden of a sex symbol. It is especially tragic that so many leave behind young children as in Michael's case. What is it about the lives of famous people that they are cut short, or they self-destruct? I guess fame and fortune isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Michael, we will miss you, your amazing dancing, your energizing music, and your happy smile. May God bless you and your family. I hope that there is some way that you can keep dancing and keep making music forever. Gone Too Soon, indeed.

Remembering Heroes

June 6, 1944. The Invasion of Normandy involved 160,000 troops, but amazingly, only about 10,000 were killed. (A very low percentage considering the brutality of the situation.) But all of these people should be remembered as the bravest of heroes. I salute them. God bless them all.