<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
<rss version="2.0" xmlns:s="http://www.techrepublic.com/search" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"  xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">
<channel>
    <title><![CDATA[Discussion on 10 gadgets you should get rid of... maybe ]]></title>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067]]></link>
    <atom:link rel="hub" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/" />
    <atom:link rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067/rss" />

    <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
    <language>en-us</language>
    <lastBuildDate>2013-05-19T16:40:07-07:00</lastBuildDate>
             

    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Top 10 Lists...]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3533743]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[...are the biggest filler subjects in the magazine world. Don't get me wrong, it's great in Maxim and Esquire where we're objectifying women or subjectifying automobiles. But for every other magazine publishing a faulty list of ten items that have little in common with one another is just gratuitous fluff. All the items in this article are still useful things to have. When I get home I set my mobile phone on a countertop. The mobile doesn't follow me around the house so why would I scrap everything for it.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3533743]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[myangeldust]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:00:16 -0800</pubDate>
    </item>
             

    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Roaming werewolves say...]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3526532]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[1. Desktop Computer - Keep. There are still plenty of tasks for which a laptop just doesn't have the horsepower - like video compression or live TV viewing. Also, a beefy desktop is expandable while a laptop is 'what you get is ALL you get'.2. Broadband Internet - Keep. Try pulling a 1.5GB movie over 3G. Actually, try PAYING for that. Not to mention, there are LOTS of places where 3G isn't available.3. Cable TV - Maybe. Local TV is still hard to get on the Internet and while many current shows can be seen (legally or illegally) on the Net, it's not alway easy to find or watch. With apps like Media Center, watching TV on your computer is a great experience.4. Camera - Maybe. You can get a 12MP ultraslim P&amp;S with 4x optical zoom for $79. It's smaller than your cellphone, but takes significantly better photos AND HD video. That's worth the small weight and price. Eventually cameras and phones will merge, but we're not quite there yet.5. Camcorder - Toss. See 4. Unless you're buying a very high end camcorder, it's not worth it.6. USB stick - Keep.You can boot off them. You can't boot off the cloud. And see 2.7. Music player - Toss. Just as PDAs merged with phones, so have music players. Only reason to have a dedicated one is if you don't own a cellphone. And if you don't own a cellphone... well, you've got bigger issues.8. Alarm Clock - Toss. Most modern cellphones are easy to use for alarms contrary to what the fellow says. And they're more flexible as you can set them up for workdays, for example.9. GPS - Maybe. If you tend to stay in the cities, you're ok with you cellphone. If you go between cities, this could fail. If you go to other countries - you're in trouble. I use my cellphone most of the time, but I keep a GPS in the glove compartment for when it's needed. They're cheap now.10. Books - Maybe. I'd love to dump all my books and magazines - but a LOT of them aren't available in any kind of ebook format (legally or illegally), so this is a non-starter. Also, I have a large library that cost me a lot to buy over the years. I'm not going to rebuy them in ebook format. I can't afford that.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3526532]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[TheWerewolf]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Sun, 27 Nov 2011 09:28:22 -0800</pubDate>
    </item>
             

    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[alarms]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3503648]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I prefer a clock radio, I do not like alarms.  Cell phones are only handy when you have them with you.  Last weekend, I went on a three day bus trip around the area and left my phone in the vehicle.  I have gotten used to having it available, and couldn't call anyone with it not with me--not even to check in with my wife when I needed to.  I have a separeaqte GPS (a gift), I wear a watch (this one gets its signal from WWV in Boulder, so it is always accurate)  I prefer a wrist watch, I don't always have my phone handy (as above).  My desktop is an XP Media Center one that I put in a digital card, so I can watch TV or record programs with the computer.  My wife's W7 laptop has MC, but as far as I know no tuner card, so I can't use it that way.  I have a hand me up laptop (was my daughter's) that I use on occasion when partability is needed.  My desktop serves as my print server as we haven't sprung for a new printer with built in WiFi yet.  (no need, this one still works)  Don't use the cloud, don't trust it.  I have external storage, could add computrs to a network and a RAID type storage, I guess, not that important.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3503648]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[dhays]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:15:24 -0700</pubDate>
    </item>
             

    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[As for the others...]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3501862]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Desktop computer: maybe keep. For gamers and video editors, keeping the desktop is a no-brainer.Broadband internet: keep. The cellular providers are putting too many limitations on their services for them to be viable alternatives.Cable TV: personal decision. I never had it; don't watch TV enough to justify the expense. But right now, if you want the content you probably can't unplug unless you're willing to hoist the Jolly Roger.Point and shoot: maybe keep. They DO take visibly better pictures than a phone. My personal comparison is HTC Evo 4G vs Canon PowerShot A590is; the latter is worth carrying for serious picture taking situations. The phone is a nice go-to to have for everyday use. dSLR owners can probably lose the point and shoot; there isn't enough middle ground left for it, as they will use the dSLR for serious picture taking and the phone for casual everyday snapshots.Camcorder: maybe keep; it all depends on how serious you are about video. The real camcorder will have better optics and a zoom lens, and store video at a higher bit rate (= better quality) than a phone does. It's perhaps even more about the audio that goes with it; a real camcorder will let you connect an external microphone, which will get MUCH better sound than any built-in.USB thumb drive: keep. Small, inexpensive, handy for data transfer. And they can do one job that none of the replacements can: store a rescue system for a computer that won't boot.Digital music player: most users can lose it and use their smartphone, especially one with a streaming app like Rhapsody or Spotify. Smartphone refuseniks can keep. Serious runners will want to keep a small, light player like a Nano.Alarm clock: lose. The cell phone does it better and it's one less device to keep track of.Books: keep but cut back. Sometimes you want a disconnected device. Or you may want old content that isn't available in digital form. And you can lend them out to friends.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3501862]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[mark@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 26 Sep 2011 03:08:01 -0700</pubDate>
    </item>
             

    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Keep the GPS]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3501848]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[One shortcoming of nearly all smartphone-based GPS apps: they depend on cellular data connectivity to get their map information. (I believe that the expensive TomTom app for the iPhone is an exception; it actually downloads a map.) If you're in a remote location they don't work. A good standalone GPS and a current map will work everywhere.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3501848]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[mark@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 26 Sep 2011 02:49:16 -0700</pubDate>
    </item>
             

    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Plug in alarm clocks????????????]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3501119]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Does anyone still have a plug in alarm clock? I know they still exist, but most alarm clocks are battery powered. Besides, if you have a plug in alarm clock, leave it home when you go to Europe and use your phone. I personally have my alarm times programmed into my phone calendar and wake up a different time every day. Try that with an alarm clock!]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3501119]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[mark16_15@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Sat, 24 Sep 2011 01:19:35 -0700</pubDate>
    </item>
             

    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[The day is coming...]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3501106]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[When all our primitive digital/binary devices will be considered pretty much useless &amp;/or &quot;old tech.&quot; The analog computer chip (similar to the HP Memristor project) is coming soon. Devices deriving from this will most likely have a core the size of a sugar cube which contains every essential of today's computers (memory, hard drive, processor, &quot;software&quot; of all types, and interfaces for just about everything, including a keyboard if you want one, a holographic screen (which means a physical screen, or its size, will become meaningless,) voice recording, music output, etc.Most likely they'll soon be 1000s of times as fast as the most powerful computers available today, and this includes data center servers, mainframes, and your &quot;gaming&quot; system you may have bought for  $5000. They'll also not be limited by having to store things in 1's and 0's and will be capable of learning tasks, preferences of users, etc. without code based programming.They'll be instant on, no waiting for 3 seconds to boot, and something with only the power of a AAA battery will run them for a year or more. Just wait!(sound like science fiction? 20 years ago you would have thought someone was crazy if they told you that you just took a picture of them on a mobile phone the size of three of your fingers, from a moving car, or sent them text while driving? By the way, don't do that!)]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3501106]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[janitorman]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Fri, 23 Sep 2011 23:24:44 -0700</pubDate>
    </item>
             

    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[The day is coming...]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3501113]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[When all our primitive digital/analog devices will be considered pretty much useless. The analog computer chip (similar to the HP Memristor project) is coming soon. Devices deriving from this will most likely have a core the size of a sugar cube which contains every essential of today's computers (memory, hard drive, processor, &quot;software&quot; of all types, and interfaces for just about everything, including a keyboard if you want one, a holographic screen (which means a physical screen, or its size, will become meaningless,) voice recording, music output, etc.Most likely they'll soon be 1000s of times as fast as todays  most powerful computers, including data center servers, mainframes, and what have you. They'll also not be limited by having to store things in 1's and 0's and will be capable of learning tasks, preferences of users, etc. without programming.They'll be instant on, no booting, and a single AAA battery will run them for a year or more. Just wait!(sound like science fiction? 20 years ago you would have thought someone was crazy if they told you that you just took a picture of them on a mobile phone the size of three of your fingers, from a moving car...)]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3501113]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[janitorman]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Fri, 23 Sep 2011 23:19:23 -0700</pubDate>
    </item>
             

    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Plug?]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3438901]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I have a average-intelligence phone, and the time is always visible on the start screen. Unlike alarm clocks I have had, it also can also be programmed: so it rings at 7 mon-fri and later or not at all on weekends, or different time each day, and you can set snooze to whatever time you want. Presumably you can now get alarm clocks that do so, but why spend the money? I used to have a clock radio, and that is the only thing the phone does not do, though I'm sure if it was 'smart' it would. I have not have an alarm clock in years.I am though amazed: are alarm clocks that you plug in the wall common in America? Except for clock radios, I have seen an alarm clock like that once in my life. And why would you travel with that? When you presumably have a phone with you anyway? You like luggage? If you are worried someone calls you at night, turn the phone off. The normal default setting is that the phone comes on automatically to ring when the alarm is set to go off.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3438901]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tuura]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Fri, 08 Apr 2011 11:32:31 -0700</pubDate>
    </item>
             

    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[no. 10, e- Book]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3438769]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[With an ebook reader I can enlarge printing characters without using a magnifing lens. This is the only real plus against the paper books, (for me).]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3438769]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[gbravin]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Fri, 08 Apr 2011 06:22:51 -0700</pubDate>
    </item>
             

    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Why a cell phone]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3438729]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[It's cheaper.  I moved from Michigan to Cincinnati and needed a cheap way to keep in touch with my wife as she got the house ready to move.  I shopped around and found a plan where I got two phones, each with its own line, for less than I was paying for a basic land line in Michigan.  Mind you, I don't have a whistle and bells contract, but it works as a phone.The same argument works against all of these cell-phone services.  First, upgrading would almost triple the amount I pay for phone.  Second, how much video, etc., can I see on a screen that is 40mm square?  320x320 pixels?  Third, how much do you want to depend on one device for your life?  Especially when you can't back up the device?  I have bought the USB cable from my provider, only to find that neither the service provider nor the phone manufacturer have any software to allow backup.  I purchased my current phone, a Palm Centro, because it was a Palm and a phone, so that several years of Palm software would be useful.  Of course, the media has killed Palm and PDA's in general.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3438729]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[metaphysician]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Fri, 08 Apr 2011 05:17:42 -0700</pubDate>
    </item>
             

    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[GPS]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3438133]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I have a new HTC Evo 4G.  It has two different driving applications and I've used them both.  They're much worse than my $100 Garmin Nuvi.  I already know how to get home, so I know the best route and it's the one the Garmin gives me.  Garmin also gets traffic (and I assume the apps on the smartphone do too) but when I was testing them there was a big accident on the San Mateo bridge.  The Garmin gave me a route change before the traffic guy on the radio said avoid the bridge.  The phone app was taking me merrily into the breach rather than down to the Dumbarton.So, don't give up your Garmin.  BTW, I REALLY love my Evo...]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3438133]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[abm99]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 06 Apr 2011 14:07:45 -0700</pubDate>
    </item>
             

    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[110? More like the Kodak Disc]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3437488]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I've taken som every good pictures with 110's, thank you. In the late 70's/early 80's they even made a few 110 SLR's. Phone cameras are closer to the Kodak Disc. Good for &quot;snapshots&quot; (I really hate using that term for the common size, but that's what everyone knows them as), maybe 5x7&quot; if you got a great (i.e. well within the camera's preferred condtitions) picture, but worthless for 8x10 or larger. But look at all the idiots that think &quot;It looks good on my camera, it'll look even better if I get it enlarged.&quot;]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3437488]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[wendygoerl@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 05 Apr 2011 11:18:08 -0700</pubDate>
    </item>
             

    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Also capacity]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3437435]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Smart phones don't have enough capacity to hold all the music I have. I'm keeping mine.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3437435]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Alchemist-Joat]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 05 Apr 2011 09:15:54 -0700</pubDate>
    </item>
             

    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Wrong]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3437264]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[This is typical of the younger generation!  The author should be drawn and quartered.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3437264]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[joehroy@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 05 Apr 2011 03:07:53 -0700</pubDate>
    </item>
             

    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[I agree with you almost completely]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3437105]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Though I think USB drives, must stay, books must stay, Phone GPS is getting pretty damn good.  ALarm clock?  I use my phone as a backup alarm, not as my primary.Digital music player, I don't understand this, is it talking about your basic MP3 Player?  I still use mine for traveling when I don't want to risk roaming charges.Camcorder?  I have one of those Jazz flash video cameras, it works great, it can only go up to 1080 HD and has no optical zoom, only digital.  But compared to my buddies iPhone its like night and day.  For one, the iPhone sucks in dark displays, where as the Jazz figures out the problem and lightens the image or lightens what you are pointing at.  If you are doing an action shot, the iPhone has a significant delay in refocusing, the Jazz is pretty much instant.  The Jazz can zoom in and out while recording, and maintains the anti shaking effect all the way to the maximum zoom level (300 x 220 video).It was only a 60 dollar video camera, works great.  And because it has no moving parts, it gets great battery life.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3437105]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Slayer_]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:03:39 -0700</pubDate>
    </item>
             

    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[It actually works pretty well]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3437092]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I made myself a custom MP3 sound, turned up the volume nice a high within the file (amplified it).My Pearl has the ability to turn the itself on and off.  I have it set to turn off at 1:00 AM and turn back on at 6:00 AM.  No one can call me between those times.  At 7:10, the alarm goes off.I use Star Oceans &quot;Mission to Deep Space&quot; song to wake me up, its cheery and peaceful, but loud and abrupt enough to wake me up.  I can upload it if you guys want it.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3437092]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Slayer_]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:46:52 -0700</pubDate>
    </item>
             

    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[E-Books, scourge of the world]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3437068]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I like the portability and ease of use of online reading material.  However, it would really suk if there were not &quot;Real&quot; books anymore.  Some things just don't need improving.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3437068]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[rgjr61@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:33:13 -0700</pubDate>
    </item>
             

    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[E-Books, scourge of the world]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3437078]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I like tyhe portability and ease of use of online reading material.  However, it would really suk if there were not &quot;Real&quot; books anymore.  Some things just don't need improving.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3437078]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[rgjr61@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:33:06 -0700</pubDate>
    </item>
             

    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[It's all relative]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3436928]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I think this broad stroke approach is fine for the &quot;average user&quot; but let's be honest - how many folks reading Tech Republic would consider themselves &quot;average&quot;?  I have no immediate or long-term plans to ditch the stand-alone MP3 player.  I have a VERY large CD and vinyl collection, and I like to take a lot of that with me when I go places so I can listen in the car, at the office, etc.  Having the ability to set my iPod 80GB on shuffle and hear a variety of different music from disparate genres is enjoyable to me, so for me that's a better option.  Yes, my new iPhone is great for having some music on there that won't fit on my 80GB unit, but let's be honest - I'm on call much of the time and can't sacrifice battery life for when I need to VPN to the office and RDP to a server for a password reset or something.  I do use the iPod feature of that, like I use Winamp on my personal Droid phone for light music playing, but nothing beats the hardened music player for a largely uninterrupted (by email/sms/call notifications) music experience on the go.As much as I'd like to make a laptop my primary machine, it's just not feasible.  I have a desktop at home that I built myself, and as a sysadmin I need to still keep my PC troubleshooting skills sharp.  I had a power supply fail a few weeks back and after troubleshooting it to that point and purchasing a new one (since standard PC power supplies can be had nearly anywhere computer supplies are sold), I was back up and running.  Can't say I'd have the same luck w/ a laptop, especially one that is out of warranty.  I'd be relying on my employer-owned device for personal use at home after hours for a couple weeks while I scoured eBay or other sources for a part that *may* fix my problem.  Or not.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-343067-3436928]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[MetalFR0]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 04 Apr 2011 08:04:24 -0700</pubDate>
    </item>
    </channel>
</rss>

