Net Work November 2021

In this month’s Net Work column I outline some of the problems and shortages being stored up in supply lines that are affecting industry, logistics and the motor industry.

Do you shop regularly on Amazon? An essential part of your armoury has to be the Cameliser pricing tracker which alerts of price drops – set up an account and download a browser plugin at www.camelcamelcamel.com

I picked out some nutty product reviews on Amazon, too, and warn about the ongoing problem of phony reviews that try to influence and tempt buyers.

A pressure washer with an app!

Some of the latest consumer products have gone “app-happy”, including Braun electric toothbrushes and, strange but true, Karcher pressure washers who have produced a mobile app to accompany its K7 Smart Control pressure washer, if you don’t mind risking getting your phone drenched or dropping it on the concrete while you wash the car. An unlikely-looking Youtube video of the app in action is at https://youtu.be/s3l0Ip36qmI

SPOT Gen4 SOS messenger uses LEO satellite network to call for help

Following on my recent run of articles about LEO satellite-based Internet services, I mentioned a practical use of LEO-based satcomm networks: the SPOT Gen4 satellite messenger which sends an SOS signal up to the Globalstar satellite network, and sends GPS co-ordinates to summon help from local emergency services. More details at https://www.findmespot.com/en-gb/products-services/spot-gen4

SPOT Gen4 messengers have been chosen by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to safeguard their surveyors when they’re working in remote areas. More details from satellite operator Globalstar.

Hydrogen news

This month’s Net Work mentions more hydrogen ‘test beds’ being set up, with the village of Winlaton in England being chosen to try a mix of natural (methane) gas and 20% hydrogen. Project managers HyDeploy reminds us that hydrogen used to be a major component in ‘town gas’, gas created from coal and used widely throughout Britain before “cleaner” North Sea natural gas was adopted in the 1960s (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_gas). Up to 60% of the gas (by volume) being used by consumers was hydrogen. More details are on https://hydeploy.co.uk/winlaton/

Windows 11 is here

By the time you read this, Microsoft will have officially launched Windows 11. Upgrades will be released gradually in a rolling programme, starting on 5^th October. In the September issue I highlighted that Windows PCs would need a TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) fitted at motherboard level before Windows 11 could be installed. Many systems are already suitable, but it’s best to consult your motherboard maker’s website for news about compatibility. More news from Microsoft is at https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2021/08/31/windows-11-available-on-october-5/