Need to Set-up a Home Theater System? - Call AT&T

This is kind of interesting, AT&T is going to compete with Best Buy's Geek Squad by offering in-home tech services. According to CNET.com:

Move over Geek Squad, AT&T is launching a new in-home support service that will do everything from setting up home computers and Wi-Fi networks to installing home theater systems.

On Thursday, the phone company announced the new service called AT&T ConnecTech, which will be in select markets across all 50-states. The company described the service as an "all-encompassing home services care program that is designed to take customer service, and the company's own support capabilities, to the next level."

The service, which is available only to residential customers, provides customers with a slew of services from home theater planning and consultations to new hardware installation and notebook repair. Specifically, AT&T technicians will be available to mount flat-panel TV's on walls, install and set-up new PC or Apple computers, including setting up email and virus protection; repair computers, including parts and hardware replacement; and install and trouble shoot home networking issue. The service will be offered both in-home and over-the-phone with next next-day service installation available seven days a week.

The rates are expensive but still cheaper then the big-box electronic stores. Still we're not convinced we really want the phone company touching our high-end entertainment system. What do your think?

At CNET.com

Understanding the Home Networking Mumbo Jumbo

As our homes become more entrenched with technology, one of the biggest issues is trying to keep up with the it. One example of a fast moving technology is home networking. It seems just a few years ago, our only choice was a wired network with Cat 5 cable. Not anymore! We ran a great across a great article at Computerworld.com that goes into your choices for setting up a home network. The article starts by explaining the types of networks:

A network lets you connect multiple PCs and other devices together so that they can share resources such as printers, files or an Internet connection. There are three major types of home networks: Ethernet networks that make connections over special (Category 5) wiring; power-line networks that use existing electric wiring and outlets; and wireless (Wi-Fi) networks based on components that send data over the airwaves using radio frequencies.

The article covers these areas:

Wireless Networks

• Wi-Fi standards


• Draft-N vs. Pre-N


• Older and slower standards


• 2.4 GHz vs. 5.4 GHz

Wired Networks

• Power-line networks


• The Ethernet option


• Network components

Key Features

• Network Type


• Speed and Range


• Security


• Hardware Support


• Firewall Features

And much more. This is an excellent article you'll want to check out to make sure you're getting the most out of your home network.

At Computerworld.com