>>>>>>It's amazing how people will agonize over CPU choices, HD, memory etc. but they don't spend any time with the things they use *all* the time, namely keyboard and mouse. Many don't even realize much better alternatives to the $6 OEM specials exist.
>>>>>
>>>>>The flock of Logitech Mousemen sits here at attention:
>>>>>nowadays most shining in deep blue, others in rest,
>>>>>but their solid wire tails ready to transmit...
>>>>>My first computer addiction was that shape,
>>>>>and I feel no need for wireless batteryful rodents <g>
>>>>
>>>>Wires rock.
>>>>
>>>>I support a number of environments that use wireless networking and/or wireless peripherals. In a few cases of the networking, wired is truly impractical or very cost-prohibitive so wireless is an acceptable solution. Otherwise, it's just one more thing that can go wrong or get interfered with, or have batteries go dead when you need them most.
>>>>
>>>>The more I deal with wireless, the more I appreciate solid wired connections.
>>>
>>>Totally agree.
>>>
>>>Read that: TELEPHONE - the thing you make voice calls with - the thing that you don't have to say 'can you hear me? What?' several times a minute on.
>>>
>>>40 years ago voice and connection quality was still far better using the landline compared to cell/VOIP (wired but can still $uck)/etc today.
>>
>>Yeah, wired/analog voice call service is consistently good.
>>
>>In my limited experience, VOIP is spotty. Sometimes very strange sound effects. However, a couple of times I've spent time with Dell tech support, talking to people in India, and the call quality was shockingly good - I'm pretty sure it must have been VOIP on their end.
>
>Yeah - VOIP can be much better than cell but sometimes what started as a great VOIP call suddenly turns into a lesson in echos/garbage/sound effects/?? which doesn't recover.
>
>I think text messaging is simply a defense against crappy cell service.

Gizmo5 + Google Voice = free VoIP...hehehe