On the Go

By Jerry Pournelle

April 3, 2006

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If you need a communications headset, the first place to look is Plantronics. After using Plantronics equipment for decades, I can say that everything of their's I have tried Just Works. The CS50 Wireless Office Headset System is another instance.

It even works with my ancient TIE PBX system. With TIE the Plantronics isnt perfect: Because of impedance mismatch theres a slight buzz when the Plantronics connect through the TIE, but the amazing thing is that it works at all.

There's no problem at all if the Plantronics is connected directly to the incoming phone line; the impedance mismatch only happens when the TIE is involved.

You connect the CS50 between the telephone headset and the dialing unit. To use it, lift the handset off the cradle and turn on the CS50 just as you would any telephone. Theres even an optional remotely operable gizmo to lift the handset for you. All of this is easy to set up, with full instructions.

You can wear the CS50 with a headset band, or with an earpiece. Either works. Then you just wear it. To charge the unit you hang it in its cradle. The battery will certainly last all day, and probably considerably longer.

You won't beat Plantronics for clarity and reliability. Recommended.

Plantronics CS50 Wireless Office Headset System with headband attached in its charging cradle. Like all Plantronics headsets, this Just Works.

A Note on Xerox Phaser Printers

I've previously recommended the Xerox Phaser 7700 and its predecessors if you need a real printer. Brian Bilbrey, one of the gurus who run the Mazin ISP that keeps me going, notes that one reason Phasers make such nice printouts is that they are direct dye transfer printers. The toner is large waxy crayon-type stuff. This process makes both good looking and long-lasting prints, with a modicum of protection from water damage.

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