Backup UPS Systems (Uninterruptible Power Supply)

Everyone should have a backup power supply that kicks in when you power company farts (or when they decide to up the price of power 22% and you forget to pay the extra amount). Well, should your power supply fluctuate up or down, a UPS will help enormously. I've seen folks that need new power supplies in their computer case because their supply fluctuates and weakens the system till it dies.

Two major companies that make UPS's are Tripplite and APC. There's a pretty big difference in the two products. I worked with APC's UPS and this product is far superior than any of Tripplite's I've worked with. Somehow everything about APC's UPS is a LOT better.

• APC's software is considerably better than anything from Tripplite. Tripplite's software never seems to work - not only with a serial connection, but even with a USB connection. Their tech support was only mediocre in helping me solve this. APC's software is much more comprehensive. It features a log that notifies you when and how many times the power fluctuated. It also tells you how much power draw is plugged into your UPS. It gauges to tell you how much time you can run the UPS when the power's out.


• More options. APC's UPS's have comparable options to anything that Tripplite makes: coaxial, phone line (RJ-11), and ethernet (RJ-45), but it's what you don't notice at first that makes a difference. APC's Back-UPS RS series has built in fault protection that will let you know when you have bad wiring in your outlets. They also integrate beefy surge protection only outlets for things like speakers, printers, and such. This frees up the need to have a separate power strip under your desk.


• No lack of accessories. Tripplite includes the bare minimum in their boxes. Their higher end models do include the hardware to rack mount; however, they don't include any extra phone cable, or ethernet cable. APC's got everything you need in the box. I don't want to cut and crimp another cable for when I slip in a UPS, and APC agrees with me. APC also included two nice Velcro cable ties with their Back-UPS RS.


• Support. I don't think anyone at Tripplite wears bras, because their support is below mediocre. I called to find out why one of my Tripplite Omnismart UPS's wasn't kicking in when the power went out. They told me to get a new battery, and when I got one, it still didn't work. At that time I called, and they informed me that my UPS was dead and the warranty was expired. That's crap. I like the fact that I've never had to call APC -- yet.

I would recommend APC to anyone. If you are serious enough to get a battery backup, get something that's good. Don't mess around like I've done, get an APC.

Sports Info Comes to Life

I'm not much of a sports fan. At least a "traditional" sports fan. As a matter of fact, I would go so far to say that I strongly dislike traditional sports. Sports to me are skiing, snowboarding, backpacking, and hiking. I did run track in HS, but I got to hating it before I liked it. Thankfully I didn't go for cross-country. My heros are far from people passed in everyday conversation. People sometimes look at me differently when I talk about Scot Schmidt, Warren Miller, Johnny Mosley, Shaun White, and Ashley Battersby (with whom I grew up with at the ski hill). 1, 2, 3.

Well, the point I want to make is that one of my good buddies is really into sports of the traditional American type. You know what I mean. He doesn't drink lots of beer (yet), but he still knows his stuff. He asked me one day how he could publish his ideas about sports and their statistics in a easy manner on the net. He eventually wanted to make some cash from this enterprising operation as well. I recommended that he open a blog with some ads, and he's done just that. Jon Camarena opened INFSPORTS, so go check it out.

WebSuckle

This is Bryan Woods. I am proud to be part of the WebSuckle team. I know the name sounds a little odd, but I think it works great. I am very new to blogging. It never seemed to interest me before. As Jeff mentioned in a previous post, I am currently attending Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL. It is my first year here. I am working on a five-year professional bachelors degree in Architecture, with a minor in Business Management and Administration in the near future. I have loved working with web design since I was in middle school. So, when Jeff asked me to help him out with his business, I gladly accepted. Well, that is all from me for now.

Where in the world is Bryan Woods?

Some of you might ask: Where in the world is Bryan Woods?

After the comment he made, I would have thought he were going to actually post more. Guess not.

A review of Love's Not A Tough Start

Andy Spitson: Musical Genius

Through the murky aqueducts of a wireless connection, a ripped copy of Andy Spitson's latest accomplishment streamed the airwaves to my computer. A moment can't wait till you've heard the latest release of Love's Not A Tough Start. I nearly fell over backwards when I initially heard his new album. I couldn't sleep. Love's Not A Tough Start is really what I've been waiting for since the release of I'll Be Right Over and A Moment Can't Wait, my two favorite songs Andy's produced. Not only does he release these two songs on the album, but he satisfies a deeper longing for more of the like. And I like.

It's often hard to imagine songs so good from a local band, but Andy accomplishes this in acoustic genius and provides a great excuse to spend a worthy $7. This compilation of great new songs mixed with the best of the old flows generously from song to song. The opening song, Love's Not A Tough Start throws the album's best out in front. Nevertheless, Things That Never Change isn't shabby in the least. Times We've Been Thru is a little slower, but its heart is in the chorus. In an inspirational touch, Andy places the instrumental,Angel, at the closing song. Those of you who've heard Andy in Spinderson might share my opinion that the vocals are sometimes unrefined and so on. This is definitely not the case for this album. Everything is quite esteemly produced, vocals smooth, and guitar... well simply acoustic.

While I did receive the songs over the wire, I'm definitely purchasing the album. It's too bad that I dropped my iPod into dysfunction; I could enjoy this hypnotic obsession more thoroughly.

My Rating: A

Combining WebSuckle

So as of today, my friend Bryan Woods has joined the WebSuckle team. He's the type of fella that should be really interesting to have around. He goes to IIT downtown Chicago, which proves to suit him well considering that he's blocked all the attacks I've thrown on him in the last hour over our wireless network. That's just cus his wussy firewall is up, but nonetheless....

I am hoping that it is possible that our web design company has found a good name: WebSuckle. I guess it can be taken a little awkwardly, but it could be a good, solid, creative name. What do you think?

Something for WebSuckle

I always was tickled with the idea of blogging. I don't have enough time to really keep a blog. I wanted to post to a blog the other day, and the blog didn't want to let unauthorized users to post comments without signing up. I found this very irritating because now I have a blog just because I wanted to share a thought.

When will everyone have a blog? I've been tricked into creating one. I am ashamed that this is my blog instead of a home-crafted site... nothing against Doug Bowman; his styles are kick-ass. You can see my sites at the following addresses:

1. www.paulavermett.com
2. www.peggyphotos.com
3. www.juniorpyros.org

Hope you enjoy. Let me know if anyone has seen this!