I'm looking for basic information about getting a mobile phone for a family member. The carrier is Verizon. The most important affordance is that it be easy to use, with a readable screen, and should stand up to being carried around a lot. Not a PDA, just your basic 2005 mobile phone. Advanced features are not desired. If you can point me to sites which have useful reviews and information, I'd be much obliged. I can find lots of info for the geek-minded, but that's not the target here.
While I'm on the subject of asking for help, what about recommendations for a KVM switch specifically designed to support a configuration with one PC and a Mac Mini? I'm adding the Mini to my family room set up and want to share the keyboard, mouse, and display. The PC is configured with a PS/2 mouse and keyboard and SVGA video. The Mini uses USB for keyboard and mouse and has one of the Mac-specific video ports, I assume. Posted by mitch@osafoundation.org at February 03, 2005 02:11 PMOk, I'll help:
regarding the phone, I would recommend an LG vx6000, or similar LG phone. I have one and highly recommend it for a few reasons:
- well built
- good battery life
- great menu's, great display make it easy to read
It has a camera, but you don't have to use it. I don't have the camera or text messeging service. I do download via a USB cable. Oh, and with a 2 year plan, the phone is under $100 I believe. So it's an absolute bargain.
Regarding the KVM, I'm (hopefully) in a similar situation soon. Check out IOGEAR. They have great products. Your going to have to live with SVGA video, not DVI, as there are very few DVI KVM switches, and they I believe cost more than the mini mac.
Hope that helps!
Posted by: Robert J. Accettura.com ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://blogs.osafoundation.org/mitch/nav-commenters.gif)
at February 3, 2005 03:13 PM
Also, make sure the KVM is compatible with your video card.
I have an nice video card but it does not seem to work properly with my Edimax KVM.
It may be because the keyboard / mouse / video all share the same rs232 port on the KVM so there is a loss of information.
Posted by: blaze at February 3, 2005 05:05 PM
A good rule of thumb seems to be this: the more inexpensive the phone, the more likely it is to match your qualifications. I personally use a Nokia 2285 ($1.00 subsidized with a 2-year agreement), and have found it simple, sturdy, and intuitive to use. I've had good experiences with other low-end Nokias, too.
The additional benefit to the "cheaper" phones is the extended battery life--bright screens and extra gizmos will suck the battery dry in no time. My LCD _is_ a bit dim, but quite readable (except in bright, direct sunlight) with the back-light.
Posted by: David Eyk at February 3, 2005 08:05 PM
hey mitch,
i just went through the same process, altho i was looking at a different range of phones.
i liked the feature comparison function on phonescoop.com. you can select carrier, then features - or lackthereof - that you want, and it'll return you a list including user reviews.
i found it useful.
Posted by: sogrady at February 4, 2005 07:52 AM
The Mac Mini has a DVI port, which is a standard connector used for flat panel LCDs. But you are right: it most commonly appears on Macs. The Mini comes with an adapter to allow it to be connected to a standard VGA connector. So I don't think the monitor will be an issue with the KVM. The PS/2 / USB issue, however, will be a problem.
In my lab, we have a 4 port DLink KVM which is both inexpensive and works as advertised (DKVM-4K). They have a 2 port USB version. My suggestion would to either:
a) Move to a USB keyboard and mouse with the PC and use the 2 port USB KVM ($60 + cost of keyboard/mouse)
b) Use the PS/2 keyboard and mouse, and connect them to the Mac Mini via a PS/2 -> USB adapter. There are ton of these available. I've used two, and both have worked flawlessly without need for any software ($35 + cost of adapter)
You can find DLink's KVMs here:
http://dlink.com/products/category.asp?cid=6&sec=1
Good luck,
Evan Jones
Posted by: Evan Jones at February 4, 2005 10:23 AM
Re: KVM, saw this on Gizmodo
http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/peripherals/input/iogear-miniview-micro-usb-plus-031885.php
Posted by: Tom at February 4, 2005 01:49 PM
I also have a preference for simple phones. From Verizon, my simplicity favorite has been the Nokia. If you switch the screen to grayscale, it is almost like being back in 1999. I am notoriously careless with my phone, and the internal antena brick form factor has been the only phone that lasted longer than 6 months.
Posted by: atotic at February 6, 2005 05:52 PM