A certain company should change its motto to 'Changing Lives with Our Power Surges', don't you agree? How many persons out there can testify to having their electronic devices fried?
Please count me as a victim as well and put my name on the petition - if there is ever one - to claim compensation for property damage. Until then, you should take matters into your own hands and get yourself a UPS (uninterruptible power supply).
Did you know?
LCD monitors are extremely economical when it comes to power consumption. Their consumption is in the region of 25-50 watts, compared to CRTs, which consume about 60-80 watts for a 15-inch model.
Spiteful!
Do you feel power-cut demons are out to get you? What about when you're burning a DVD and it reaches 98 per cent complete, only to see the power go, then come back within a second? One's list of inconveniences might be very long one.
However, if you have been burnt before, follow my lead and protect yourself.
Why should I?
Most persons out there are penny-wise and pound-foolish. A UPS is not the same thing as a surge protector or a fridge guard. It provides a constant power supply to any electrical device connected to it. The beauty of it is that switching from standard electricity to battery power in the UPS is instant.
It also protects from overload, power surge and faulty wiring. Having one will give you the chance to save documents and properly shut down your personal computer in the event of a power outage. Also, it will prolong the lifespan of your PC by regulating the voltage that goes to it.
Can I hook up my fridge?
Ummmmm, no. A UPS is usually used for electronic devices that are more susceptible to voltage spikes (computers, telephone systems and surveillance systems). It can provide them with uninterrupted power for approximately five to 15 minutes until an auxiliary power supply can be turned on, utility power restored, or equipment safely shut down.
How to choose
All UPSes have a VA (volt/ampere) rating. The higher the VA rating is, the longer it can provide battery power without shutting off. A 700VA UPS would give roughly 20-25 minutes of battery time, depending on the equipment being used. I got my hands on a Maruson UPS SYSTEMS 700VA (360 watts) and now I'm laughing in the face of danger.
It has one surge-protected outlet and three outlets that are battery-operable if the power goes. No more worries when I'm on my PC burning DVDs or playing games.
That's a wrap
A UPS is a vital piece of equipment to have if you are a PC owner living in Jamaica, fearful of the repercussions of power outages. I was once asked if I could make one, and I did attempt to create a home-made version. Sorry, it's not ready for mass production.
The product mentioned in this article was provided courtesy of Royale Computers and Accessories; telephone 906-1067, 906-1068 or 754-5048.
Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 befriend
NEW YORK (AP):
Users of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 (PS3) video-game consoles can now brag about their achievements on Facebook as both systems integrate the social network this week.
Microsoft Corp switched on a slew of new features for its Xbox Live online service, allowing owners of the Xbox 360 consoles to update Facebook and Twitter directly from their consoles.
The Xbox 360 can also stream music from the Internet radio service Last.fm.
Sony Corp, meanwhile, is letting PlayStation 3 users connect their systems to Facebook through its latest software upgrade. Although it had already been possible to access social networks through the console's Internet browser, the latest changes let users share their gaming achievements automatically as Facebook updates.
Both companies have been looking to turn their consoles into entertainment hubs beyond gaming. Sony recently added Netflix streaming to the PS3, something that had already been possible on the Xbox 360.
By contrast, Nintendo Co has kept its Wii first and foremost as a gaming system. Even so, the Wii has been outselling both the PS3 and the Xbox 360.
Sony's PlayStation 3
An image of the Sony PlayStation 3. Sony plans to release the Sony PlayStation 4 between 2011 and 2012 to compete with Microsoft's updated Xbox which will be released during that time.