How to Furnish Your Home Office and the Right Ink Printer Cartridges, Part 2
By InkPrinterCartridges. Filed in Cartridges |
1. Access to the Internet
Currently there are a multitude of internet access choices. If you only access the internet for email, and to browse the World Wide Web a little, then you might be able to get by with a cheap dial-up account. Dial up is usually less than $10 and can also be free.
If you require high-speed access for your business/home office, then you need to take the next step up to cable service, or digital subscriber line (DSL) service. Cable and DSL supply enough speed to your printer and ink printer cartridges for most businesses that are generally run out of home offices.
DSL service utilizes bandwidth from your existing telephone lines that isn’t being used to provide a “always on” connection, while cable service uses your current cable television network. DSL may, or may not be available in your area, so you’ll have to check with your telephone company because it depends on how far your home office is located from the phone companies DSL access point.
Cable is available in almost every market, except a few remote areas. If you are too far from the DSL access point and cable isn’t available in your area, you can still use satellite to fulfill your high speed needs. Satellite is becoming more and more affordable and there isn’t much trouble installing a simple small dish antenna to your home to obtain the service.
2. Telephone
It really doesn’t matter how high-tech the office is, the telephone is still the most essential and basic need for your business. Phone features are almost endless now and prices are very low. Most home office phones come equipped with voice dial, speed dial, and multiple line capabilities. Choices also include speakerphone, call forwarding and conference capabilities and can be used with a handset or even headset. Addition features and services are available from your phone company, so be sure to check with your service provider.
If you prefer to work while walking around, or if you enjoy sitting on the back patio while taking calls, you should consider a cordless phone. There are currently many makes, models, and frequencies that your choices are almost endless. To make an effective choice, consider the following:
a) Technology choices are important
Don’t choose analog. Analog phone ranges are very poor and the phones susceptible to interference from other devices. Also, analog permits eavesdropping through other devices such as baby monitors and cordless phones.
Digital phones are generally better overall and have greater range than analog phones. Digital phones also provide more privacy through the use of codes and can scramble communications between the base unit and handset. Most also offer the ability to adapt a headset for hands free operation.
Digital Spread Spectrum (DSS) is the best technology available currently. DSS technology utilizes multiple channels and also frequency “hopping” to scramble communications from the base unit to the handset thoroughly. In addition, there is an increase in range because of a decrease in electrical interference. DSS phones also are allowed to utilize more powerful transmitters.
b) Frequency range
Your cordless phones range generally depends on its assigned frequency. Usually, home office cordless phones are of three frequencies: 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, or 5.8 GHz and are thus explained.
900 MHz: Generally, this isn’t a very good choice for home offices. The 900 MHz frequency is used by devices such as baby monitors, cell phones, pagers, and is susceptible to maximum interference from all of these devices. Usually, a 900-MHz phone has a defined range of approximately 1,500 feet and their prices begin around $20.
2.4 GHz: Although it is a better choice than the 900 MHz, the 2.4-GHz frequency can be overrun with wireless networking, microwave ovens, and other household devices. A 2.4-GHz frequency phone has a range of approximately 2,000 feet and their prices begin at about $50.
5.8 GHz: Considered the best choice currently available, this frequency is the latest available for wireless devices. Currently, very few devices utilize this frequency and that means interference is minimal. 5.8 GHz frequency phones have a range of approximately 2,200 feet and their prices begin at about $150.
c) Other things to consider
A great accessory for any of your phone choices is a headset jack. If your phone has one, be sure to invest in a headset. Headsets allow hands free operation allowing you to multitask.
Also, remember to evaluate the phone’s battery life. Currently, most cordless phones offer four hours of talk time and seven days of standby at a minimum. Be sure your phone choice accepts replacement battery packs and that the battery packs are available at most stores.
Lastly, remember to store a regular corded phone for emergency use as cordless phones require electrical power to be used. If you are ever without power, just plug in the corded phone to keep working.
Summary
There can be much more to furnishing a home office than meets the eye. Faxes, phone printer, ink printer cartridges and scanners. Hopefully, this paper points you in the right direction. More often than not, everything purchased for your home office is deductible from your taxes. But be sure to check with your CPA first.
