Multiply and Conquer

Bruce Eno's laptop computer is a workhorse that's seen the world on photographic expeditions and fashion shoots. But while the laptop is a trusty workmate, it has only one USB port, and cannot accommodate all of Eno's digital devices.

So if Eno wants to print a picture, for example, he first must unplug his media card reader or external hard drive to plug in the printer. That often leads the laptop to have errors recognizing the different devices, Eno said. Even the power needs of his devices are poorly served, with multiple plugs competing for a few power outlets.

So in December, Eno purchased a four-port USB hub. The device turns one USB port into four, allowing him to plug in all his devices. The hub, along with a power strip, delivers Eno all the ports and plugs needed to connect and power up.

"Plugging things in and out is disastrous. Some connector is going to bend or break," said Eno, who worked with Neil Fishman of 911PCService.com to create the solution. "So I just leave everything plugged into the hub. I pop it in and I'm wired."

Diverse devices found in the small office require ports, jacks and outlets to connect or power them. From USB or fire wire connections to the power cords needed to run the devices to desktop and portable phones often needing to share a lone jack, splitting one port, outlet or jack helps connect the office.

In the small or home office, inexpensive telephone jack splitters can let one outlet serve the needs of a desktop phone, fax machine, portable phone and for a personal line. To ensure greatest functionality, especially in home offices with separate business, fax or personal numbers, splitter are designed to accommodate "L1" and "L2," or line one and line two. Often, the third line would be served by a separate jack.

Offices that use several color or black-and-white printer can use a print server to multiply outlets and serve several printers. The print server plugs into a single port and then can accommodate numerous print devices operating on USB or parallel connections.

"Presto, you have turned one network jack or USB port into a printer room," said Frank Peluso, president of Centuric LLC, a Fort Lauderdale IT consulting firm. Wireless servers and adapters can connect devices without the clutter of wires and cables.

Many devices, like printers, scanners, card readers, handheld PDAs or even portable floppy drives, require both a USB connection as well as a power outlet, said Peter Jaric, president of Reliant Information Systems Inc., a Pembroke Pines IT consulting firm. In this case, power strips or uninterrupted power supply (USP) devices can turn one outlet into many.

As transformers required by high-tech devices grow in size, they compete for space. A flexible outlet multiplier, like the PowerSquid, turns one jack into five or more plugs on the end of a length of flexible power cord, said Christopher Hawker, president of Flexity LLC, the Santa Cruz, Calif., creator of the PowerSquid.

Experts caution against plugging too many devices into power strips or outlets. This can cause electrical shortages or create fire hazards.

"Plugging in is getting progressively more difficult," said Hawker, who plans release of PowerSquid models for both surge suppression and travel use. "With all the devices we use today, if you can get an open port or outlet, you're golden."

Jeff Zbar, the ChiefHomeOfficer.com, is a speaker, writer and expert on alternative officing. He is the author of Teleworking & Telecommuting: Strategies for Remote Workers and Their Managers (Made E-Z Products, 2002); Safe@Home: Seven Keys to Home Office Security (FirstPublish 2001) and Your Profitable Home Business (on CD-ROM from Made E-Z Products). Visit his Web site to subscribe to Home Office Success Stories, his free electronic magazine on home business and teleworking.

• by Jeff Zbar
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