Don't tell me you're one of those people who goes to the hardware store, buys a $6.95 power strip, plugs in your computer, monitor and peripherals and then forgets about it.
It's a power jungle out there, and those who aren't prepared can find their computer--and more important, their data--blasted into atoms. Having hardware that protects against the inevitable power fluctuations and outages is just as important as what kind of printer or monitor you use--maybe even more so.
I have always thought of Belkin as a cable company, but it has been making surge protectors for many years. Now the company has combined the technology from its SurgeMaster line of surge protectors with an uninterruptible power supply into a sleek gray package called ReSource. The unit provides 1,260 joules (one of which is equal to a current of one ampere passed through a resistance of one ohm for one second) of surge protection on all eight outlets.
Belkin should be congratulated for designing the outlets in two sets of four with one outlet in each pair widely separated from the others. This provides space for large outlet-hogging transformers, like the one Iomega uses for its external Zip drive.
The UPS function includes a 325 VA (volt-amp) battery back-up for one set of four outlets. This provides enough power to keep most systems running for 15 minutes after power is lost. A PowerMac with a 17-inch monitor should get 10 to 12 minutes, while a Pentium 200 and 17-inch monitor should squeak out five to seven minutes. The ReSource also provides two sets of input and output jacks for 10BaseT network and phone/fax/modem protection, making it ideal for offices-even home offices-of any size. You connect the provided six-foot phone cord into the output jack and the other end to the phone/fax/modem you want to protect.
Ditto for the network connection, and Belkin even provides a Cat 5 patch cable to make the connections. If you think doing this is being too cautious, take heed: I have had both power and lightning problems wipe out faxes in my former office.
The ReSource has three LED indicators that provide information about ground-fault wiring; protection status; and an auto-battery check that tells you if the UPS function is working. It carries a three-year warranty along with a $35,000 connected-equipment warranty for any damage to equipment plugged into it. For less than $90, Belkin's ReSource is the cheapest insurance you can buy for your hardware and your data.
(ComputerUser Contributing Editor Joe Farace is a Colorado writer/photographer who's written 21 books about computing, graphics and digital imaging.)
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