August 15, 2005
GPS Receivers
What is a GPS receiver, and why should I care?
Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers provide an estimate of your location by processing data from orbiting satellites. Early consumer GPS models with rudimentary graphics were marketed to hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts. These basic GPS receivers allowed users to return to favorite fishing spots or to locate base camps in the dark.
GPS receivers remained niche items until the advent of two technological improvements: mapping capabilities and color screens. By displaying the user's position on a map, the location data became easier to read and understand, which paved the way for in-vehicle navigation systems. In fact, many auto manufacturers currently offer GPS navigation systems in new cars.
While paper maps, compasses and Web services like Mapquest can help you find your way, they do not provide immediate feedback on your current location. GPS fills that void -- think of it as a continually updated "You are Here" sign wherever you go.
Find waypoints on the Internet and load them on your GPS
By visiting a Web site like http://www.swopnet.com/waypoints/, you can find a variety of waypoints (i.e. stored GPS locations) for famous landmarks, trailheads and other notable places. Imagine having a GPS receiver loaded with sites you intend to visit on your next vacation. The kids can observe your progress on the GPS screen without constantly asking, "Are we there yet?"
Discover how fast you're really going
GPS receivers can calculate speed in real time. This can be useful for biking, running or other athletic pursuits, not to mention checking the accuracy of your speedometer.
Make a visual record of your travels
Most GPS receivers have some capacity for recording "tracks," which document exactly where the unit has been. By transferring this data back to your computer, you can create an electronic "breadcrumb trai"* superimposed onto a map or aerial photograph. The visually impressive Google Earth Plus has an importing feature for GPS tracks. GPS Visualizer is a free, but less user-friendly, alternative.
Go on a "geocaching" treasure hunt
Geocaching is a growing outdoor hobby where you download waypoints from an Internet site, transfer them to your GPS and use its navigation system to find objects hidden in caches. For some idea of how prevalent this hobby is, http://www.geocaching.org lists 25 geocaches within 3 miles of Hinsdale.
What should I consider if I decide to buy a GPS receiver?
Will I use it mainly on or off-road?
Basic handheld GPS receivers without mapping capabilities are a great choice for off-road use (e.g. hiking). Fortunately, these devices are small and inexpensive. Expect to spend $100 to $300 for a simple GPS receiver. Color GPS receivers with mapping abilities are perfect for those who frequently travel on the road. They cost anywhere from $300 to $1,000.
Pay close attention to the screen.
Try the GPS under varying light conditions, from bright sunlight to complete darkness. A good screen should perform well regardless of ambient light levels.
Are there downsides to this technology?
A GPS receiver needs a strong signal from three or more satellites in order to work. Unfortunately, this signal can be blocked by heavy precipitation, tall buildings, canyons or dense foliage, so you should always have a backup plan in case your GPS fails to work.
Final thoughts
A GPS receiver can offer the user a sense of security in unfamiliar areas and can even save lives under certain circumstances. Current models offer good value to travelers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Resources
Web Sites
- GPS Information
GPS Information is one of the best review sites for GPS receivers. The reviews are thorough and include a number of screen captures and other images to help prospective GPS buyers get their bearings. - GPS Passion
This is another great source of information on GPS devices, particularly those with navigational capabilities. It also discusses GPS solutions for laptop computers and personal digital assistants. - Groundspeak Forum
Groundspeak is a popular discussion forum for geocaching enthusiasts. If you want a GPS receiver optimized for geocaching, you can get some great suggestions here.
Books
- Burns, Bob. Wilderness Navigation: Finding Your Way Using Map, Compass, Altimeter & GPS (New Book 796.58 BUR)
- Egbert, Robert I. The GPS Handbook: An Outdoorsman's Guide (796.58 EGB)
- McNamara, Joel. GPS for Dummies (623.893)
Posted by moetting at 4:10 PM
August 9, 2005
MP3 Players
What is an MP3 player, and why should I care?
An MP3 player is simply a device which plays sound recordings that have been stored in a digital format. Most MP3 players are portable and play through lightweight headphones, not unlike traditional portable compact disc and cassette tape devices.
Portable MP3 players offer some compelling advantages over their CD and cassette counterparts. The main advantage MP3 players have over traditional portable music players is storage capacity—the amount of data they will hold. While a typical CD or cassette contains 10 to 15 tracks, an MP3 player can store anywhere from a few dozen to well over 9,000 songs.
Along with the music itself, MP3 files are designed to contain information like song title, album title, genre and artist. Well-designed players will make it easy for you to find exactly the song or album you want to hear. For example, you can instruct it to play only chamber music or only songs by Carlos Santana.
Finally, MP3 players frequently have a shuffle mode that will play songs in random order, which can help you to rediscover neglected music tracks and to avoid burning out on any particular album or song.
What should I consider if I decide to buy an MP3 player?
Storage capacity
Generally speaking, the greater the player's storage capacity, the more expensive (and physically larger) it will be. For some people, capacity is everything. For others, the extra space is not worth an increase in size or cost. Remember though, even the largest MP3 players tend to be much smaller than the typical portable cassette or CD player.
Interface design
Interface design ideally allows the user to interact with the device efficiently and intuitively. This is something which can take a while to assess, so it may be helpful to borrow an MP3 player before you buy. A great way for Hinsdale Public Library cardholders to test drive a player is to reserve one from the Library through our Listen Illinois audiobook program. After an hour or two with the device, you'll have a point of reference when evaluating alternatives. Once at the store, use each player for several minutes. Pay attention to ease of use in navigating menus, selecting songs, skipping to the next track, etc. Try to determine whether you can perform common functions by touch without seeing the display.
Will it be used primarily while exercising?
Some players are more rugged than others, and are less likely to skip if jostled. Read reviews and product literature to learn more about how the device performs under extreme conditions.
Battery considerations
Battery life may last anywhere from 5 to 20 hours. Fortunately, most current players have rechargeable batteries.
Sound quality
The main criticism of the MP3 format concerns sound quality. Although the sound is digital, the music goes through a process called "compression" to allow more songs to fit onto the device. You may be able to hear a decrease in sound quality as compared to the original, but if you use the standard compression settings, this degradation will be fairly subtle.
Music conversion takes time (or money)
The computer will take upwards of 10 minutes per disc to transfer your music from each CD. If this sounds too tedious, there are companies like LoadPod that will digitize your collection for you.
Final Thoughts
MP3 players are great for people who love to listen to recorded sound of all types—from music albums to audiobooks. The convenience of listening to hour upon hour of recordings without having to hunt for the next CD is very liberating. Please note that an MP3 player requires a computer to convert and transfer its audio content.
Before purchasing a player, you may wish to use some of the Web resources listed on the final page of this brochure to guide your decision. The iPod line of MP3 players is currently the most popular, but companies like Sony, Creative and Rio offer solid alternatives. Remember that only you can judge which model best meets your individual needs.
Resources
Web Sites
- The c|net buyers guide to MP3 players covers a lot of ground and provides recommendations based on your particular needs. This is a good place to begin your search for the perfect MP3 player.
- The audio and video equipment section of The Gadgeteer discusses a wide variety of players. The Gadgeteer's reviews are known for their thoroughness and liberal use of photos.
- If you want information specific to the iPod product line, visit the iPod Lounge, which is the de facto iPod Internet community. You'll find reviews of all iPod models, as well as a variety of accessories.
Books
- Hart, Davis, Guy. How to Do Everything with Your iPod and iPod mini, 2nd ed. (004.165 IPOD)
- Hart-Davis, Guy and Rhonda Holmes. MP3 Complete (006.5 HAR)
- Stern, Hadley. iPod and iTunes Hacks (006.5 STE)
- Underhill, Rod and Nat Gerler. The Complete Idiot's Guide to MP3: Music on the Internet (006.5 UND)
Posted by techtalk at 9:27 AM | Comments (1)