I’d like to make my home completely wireless, but to tell you the truth, anything to do with networking gives me head cramp.
For example, one of my really good customers has been working with me for months on connecting to their VPN. I can’t figure it out for the life of me.
A couple of years ago, I bought an iBook and an Airport wireless router, and love them both dearly.
Then, earlier this year, after months of indecision, I bought an Inspiron 5160 laptop with a wireless card, and have grown to love it, too.
One of the reasons that these little pieces of hardware have become so dear is that they are literally “plug and play”.
You don’t need a doctorate in Electrical Engineering to get them to work, the clever things manage to figure it out for themselves.
I’ve been using the mouse pad on my laptop. The Inspiron has a decent mouse pad, but no where near as easy to use as a mouse.
So, in the course of conversation, my next door neighbor suggested I get a wireless mouse.
Now, every time I buy a machine, wireless or not, it’s an occasion for trauma.
Before the laptop, my last major purchase was a Toshiba TV and DVD player, paid for from my chambermaid wages last summer. The only reasons I bought them were a) my ancient, tiny TV finally quit; b) a person I knew was working in a local retailer’s home entertainment department, so I figured he wouldn’t give me a bum steer; and c) they were on sale.
And, happily, both machines work well and provide good service.
Purchasing a wireless mouse is a relatively small ticket item compared to these, but it still scared me silly to make a decision.
I did some research on CNET, which just made me more confused, but it did teach me one thing: Staples seems to have better pricing than the other big electronics retailer here on Cape.
I like shopping at Staples because I’ve had such great luck with their sales staff. They are friendly, non-condescending and knowledgeable.
Yesterday was an exceptionally nice day, so I drove to their store in Falmouth, figuring I could do a beach walk afterwards.
The person in electronics was, as expected, very helpful. He steered me to a Microsoft wireless notebook mouse for various reasons: it’s compact (its receiver snaps into the back of the mouse for easy storage) and he said it has longer battery life than any of their other models.
I’ve been using the mouse since yesterday, and so far, am well pleased with its performance. Yes, it’s a luxury of sorts, but it makes my life a little easier. And I did get to take a beach walk after leaving Staples.
Now, if I could just find a salesperson who could set me up a wireless stereo system – preferably one with a receiver that accepts Internet Radio – I’d be all set.