Arts IT Savvy

Just followed the simple, and comprehensive instructions on the ITS website for connecting the iPhone to the Monash Wireless network.  Worked beautifully. Straight forward, clear steps and screenshots.

Then tried the instructions for email, and specifically (as ArtsIT are now on Lotus Notes) those instructions. Hmm – not so good.  The syntax for the mail cluster is wrong, and the instructions didn’t result in email anyway.  Strangely, the settings for my pre-lotus notes days were still in my profile on the phone (ie using mail.monash.edu.au) actually worked, even though they probably shouldn’t have, and others have managed to crash the entire (new) mail server by using them, so didn’t want to cause that (and thus trying to get the Lotus Notes settings working).

Am investigating further, and will hopefully have a result soon.  It must be pretty close, given that I was able to access the email through the incorrect channel!

Update – problem seems to be that I had settings from pre-Lotus Notes days.  Deleting that account completely and redoing the settings from scratch got mail working.  However, we are there now, and seem to be all up and running.  Even so, the mail instructions did assume a higher level of familiarity with the device (and where the mail settings are found).  Still, not a problem for the majority of users (so long as the syntax is corrected (has been mentioned to ITS)).

In the past I have attempted a number of different wireless printing solutions, to varying degrees of success.  These primarily revolved around bluetooth solutions, either with an after-market bluetooth-USB converter, or a bluetooth capable printer.

I tried a different approach today – namely using a wireless router with a built-in USB port for a central printer or external harddrive.  In this case it was a wireless Apple router, but there are a number of different brands that have the same capability.

In any event, it just worked perfectly without any complex setups or configurations.

The Logitech VX Nano is starting to really win me over as a suitable mouse for laptops (in particular).  It is not bluetooth (for reasons I am not aware of), but it has a very small receiver that you can leave permanently plugged into a USB port.

The mouse is quite small, and initially I thought this was going to be a negative, as I have a preference for a larger mouse, but after getting to use one for a while, its size is not a problem in the least.  It has a number of user-definable buttons, and a scroll wheel that works either in the traditional click-by-click fashion, or it can be set to free-spinning for quickly navigating through long documents, web pages etc.

The mouse has an on-off switch, which is definitely useful for a portable device, and has onboard storage for the USB receiver (if you are not leaving it plugged into the computer)

The receiver is tiny.  Excuse the US coin, but this gives some indications of scale.

In fact, the size of the USB receivers have been steadily decreasing over the years, as can be seen in this picture

So if you are in the market for a mouse for a laptop (or just for a compact, very functional wireless mouse), the Logitech VX Nano is certainly one that is worth considering.

I have always been very impressed with the Logitech range of products, particularly their mice.

This one is particularly impressive – the MX Revolution.

There are a number of user settable features that give it a good amount of customisation. I particularly like the sensitivity control, and the overall precision and responsiveness. You can also set which of the buttons are active, and what they control. The top wheel has 2 settings – one a ratchet controlled position (which is common on a lot of mice), and a free-spinning setting that allows you to quickly scroll through large documents. It can also be clicked left and right for horizontal scrolling.

Finally, I particularly like the grip – it is a medium sized mouse and I find the size and design adds to the overall sense of control. Update – I’m starting to find that the mouse is better for people with smaller hands.  The recess for the thumb is so deep that I imagine that it could become uncomfortable for people with larger hands.  On the other hand (sorry) for the same reason, it is a very comfortable larger mouse for people with smaller hands….. I haven’t concluded which hand I am on…..

The unfortunate thing, and seems common for Logitech, is they only provide a bluetooth version with the set that includes a keyboard. If you want the mouse on its own, you need to use the USB receiver (which looks like a USB Key).

Overall this appears at first appearance to be another typically superior Logitech HID (human interface device).