The DataLocker is an enclosure so you'll have to supply your own 2.5" SATA hard drive, which is the standard size drive for laptops. After that, you create a 6-digit passcode that you punch in on the unit's backlit touchscreen. Tap it again to lock that sensitive info down. It's powered and enabled by your USB port. Plug it in, put in your code and access your data. (dvice)

I finally received my DELL Vostro in 7-days flat since ordering it last Friday. I am a true DELL fan and as you would find on earlier posts have read up every book and article on DELL's strategy of Direct sales to consumers/businesses and the Direct model. I admire Michael DELL's guts to take on the established players such as IBM, Lenovo, HP etc. who used to go through distribution channels. All my systems on the last 3 years have been DELL branded - my DELL Inspiron 6000 that I bought from Texas in 2005, my DELL Vostro desktop that I bought in 2007 or my latest acquisition - my DELL Vostro 1200 mini notebook!

Here are the specifications of my notebook and the DELL timelines as per their website:

The configuration shown below is based on the previous day's data, any changes made today will be shown the next day.

The first pictures of this cute 12" powerful mini notebook are given below:

I tried one for my university library and it seems to be very useful for students in searching books from their igoogle homepage. You can have your gadget in user’s igoogle homepage and it make life simpler for users to use the service offered by webpage.

You can create your own gadget using Google gadget editor and google has a good documentation for the same.

With its central profusion of arcade buttons, the Midibox promises satisfaction: this is an electronic musical instrument to be pounded like a 6-button fighter. Built around a PIC microcontroller—a low cost computer chip backed by a vast library of applications—it has 16 knobs, 5 faders, 32 MIDI controlled LED buttons, and 16 arcade buttons.

Flickr Set [William's Photos]
Project Page [UCApps.de via MAKE]

When is a mousepad not a mousepad?  When it is engineered using premium cloth designed for top of the line tracking and enhanced gaming performance where the intricatley woven fibers of the Fibertek(tm) surface enusres precise targeting and tracking without limiting the velocity or acceleration of mousing movements (it says so in it's round pringles like container).  Not really new, just wanted to get my hands on one of these Razer  mouse pads for quite a while.  Paired with a Razer Lachesis mouse, the oversized mousing surface of the Mantis really does help during my WOW sessions.  Unfortunaltey, I no longer play in FPS' (except their console counterparts) nor RTS games so i guess I just bought this for precise Internet surfing.  Kidding asside, there is a better feel of mouse control but i guess the price of admission wwould be a bit steep and over the top for casual users.  At any rate, with contant use (with my elbow hitting the mouse pad edge) I would expect the top layer to probably peel off in a couple of months, hopefully I should be wrong about this.   If you can afford it and justify it's existence with your significant other... GO FOR IT.

The hairy, reddish-brown creatures are known as "crazy rasberry ants" - crazy, because they wander erratically instead of marching in regimented lines, and "rasberry" after Tom Rasberry, an exterminator who did battle against them early on.

"They're itty-bitty things about the size of fleas, and they're just running everywhere," said Patsy Morphew of Pearland, who is constantly sweeping them off her patio and scooping them out of her pool by the cupful. "There's just thousands and thousands of them. If you've seen a car racing, that's how they are. They're going fast, fast, fast. They're crazy."

The ants - formally known as "paratrenicha species near pubens" - have spread to five Houston-area counties since they were first spotted in Texas in 2002. (link)

The enclosure also features a USB port to connect it to your computer. The device can read WMV HD/MPEG-1/2/4(DivX/XviD)/DVD video files, and MP3/WMA/WAVE/AAC/OGG audio files. (link)

The fruits retain their nutritional value and you get a cool looking dockable, rechargeable bowl to boot. If that still doesn’t convince you, how about the thought of a cool blue glowing ring of light? I mean just that alone is enough to make me wanna go out and get one. (YankoDesign)

This is a BLOG about all these toys I love to play, and sometimes work, with. These are gadgets like Smartphones and PDA's, GPS navigation, computers (mostly Mac's), video consoles and what else I found for digital home entertainment. Working in the enterprise software industry, in my freetime I figure out what the funny aspects of tech are. But as I heavily rely on some of these techniques for my work, eg. Smartphones for self management and GPS navigation for business trips, these aspects sometimes get mixed up. Also I do my own way of GTD or ZTD like self management, so I will sometimes drop an article about that.

Language disclaimer: This is my first BLOG in English, trying to reach a broader audience then with the predecessor 'Arnes Tüddelkram'. So please be kind if you will find some wierd English here, just drop me a note.

If you weigh pros and cons of each gadget, you may reach the same conclusion I have regarding which item to take and which to leave behind.

Taking Your Laptop
Pros Larger keyboard makes it easier to enter data Larger display Easy to add peripherals Same software as on desktop More OS available

Cons Wait time for laptop to boot Can be heavy to carry for long distances Short battery life especially if no way to re-charge Needs space Privacy concerns - who's looking over your shoulder? Larger target for thieves

Taking Your PDA
Pros Instant on convenience Lightweight No space required for use Longer battery life Easier to maintain privacy of date being accessed or entered Compact size makes it less of a target for thieves Cons Small size can be awkward for people with large hands trying to enter data quickly Inputting large amounts of data can be tedious Difficult and expensive to add wireless components after purchase May have to commit to a wireless carrier at time of purchase Special software is required and some can only be downloaded to a laptop and then transferred Software is not always compatible with company programs

Each gadget has its fair balance of Pros and Cons which can make the decision of which gadget to pack even more difficult.

My solution based on experience and keeping in mind the axiom "Be Prepared" is to pack both gadgets. While you might not always have need for your laptop during a business meeting or conference, it is good to know that information you need can be easily accessed from it as required. With your PDA, given it's compactness, why not take it?

During a business meeting or conference it's much easier to use your PDA to add important data and note of importance.

The added benefit of having both mobile gadgets available, is that if the worst happens and one should fail, you still have the other gadget available and ready to be put to use.

PDARoamingClient Devices

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From Catherine Roseberry,
Your Guide to Mobile Office Technology.
Definition: An access point is either:
1. A stand alone devices that connects to a wireless LAN. Your home office, corporate office or an Wi-Fi hotspot will have access points. The access point connects to a wireless router or an Ethernet hub or server. You can roam within the range of the access point with your laptop or other mobile device to access the Internet or corporate system.
2. The radio device that receives the signal from the base station. It attaches to your laptop or mobile device via USB, PCI slot, or Ethernet.
3. A physical area (Hot Spot) where you can pick up Wi-Fi signals.Examples: Using the access point in the Internet Cyber Cafe allows a mobile worker to check their email without returning to their office.

For many, using a hot spot can be a confusing and overwhelming experience. You'll find here the questions most asked about using hot spots and how to be prepared when you do use a hot spot. Make sure that you have the right equipment and information to successfully make use of your time in a hot spot.

1. Tech Support in Hot SpotsWhen I'm using Wi-Fi in a hot spot such as a coffee shop or book store, will there be any technical support available if I have problems? What can I do if I have problems? 2. Use Different Wi-Fi ProfilesI'm setting up a (2) desktop (1) laptop wireless network in my home. My wireless router will be the NetGear ProSafe 802.11g. My question is this; I plan on getting the NetGear ProSafe Dual Band Wireless PC card for the laptop. It will support 802.11a, b and g. Will this same card work in various WiFi spots when I travel, and if so, will it have to be re-configured for the home network every time I come home? 3. Hot Spot Security PrecautionsPublic hot spots do not normally have any security in place. It is your responsibility to have a firewall installed on your laptop or use a VPN when connecting to your office network. You should make sure that you have disabled file sharing on your mobile gear before connecting to a Wi-Fi network in a public place. Failure to do so can allow someone else on the network access to your files.4. What Do I Need to Use a Hot Spot?In order to use a wireless hot spot you will need a wireless enabled laptop or PDA. If your mobile gear is not already wireless ready, you will need to purchase an adaptor card. There are three types of 802.11 access points available in hot spots. The most common is 802.11b although some locations offer combinations of access points. If you use Windows XP it should automatically pick up the network. If you run another OS, you will need third-party software.5. Do I Have to Make a Purchase to Use a Hot Spot?Most locations do prefer that you make a purchase and some places such as McDonald's and coffee shops only offer the Wi-Fi access to customers who have made a purchase. Using a location only to use the Wi-Fi access could be deemed loitering and you could be barred from that establishment in addition to receiving a ban from all their locations. Remember, for many hot spot locations, the Wi-Fi access is a secondary business - selling their products is their first business.6. What Kind of Work Can I Do in a Hot Spot?Mobile office professionals can do the same work they normally do in the office using Wi-Fi access in a public hot spot. You can send emails, connect to company networks, make free voice over IP calls and use instant messaging. It is important to remember to be discreet and ensure that others can not see your data or what you are working on. It's not the time to show off and display protected company information.7. Do I Need a Cell Phone to Use a Hot Spot?No, a cell phone is not required to use a hot spot. Hot spots use wireless connections which require a wi-fi enabled laptop or PDA for a connection. A cell phone would only be required for Internet access in an area where there is not a wi-fi hot spot or other method of connecting to the Internet.

Laptop Computer SafetyFind a Hot SpotSafety Tips for Cell Phone UsersExternal Storage OptionsThreats to Safety & Security

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From Catherine Roseberry,
Your Guide to Mobile Office Technology.
When using hot spots you must ensure that you are protecting your laptop and contents from unauthorized access. One important but often overlooked item is file and printer sharing. When this is enabled it can allow unauthorized persons to access your laptop. Make it a practice to disable file and printer sharing before using any hot spot.Difficulty: EasyTime Required: 5 MinutesHere's How:Go to Start - Control Panel. Click on Control Panel to open it.Once the Control Panel is open, click on Network and Internet Connections.Now select Network Connections from the choices available. You will now see the types of connections that your laptop has available to connect to the Internet with.Choose the Network Connection that you will be using to access the hot spot - ordnarily this will be the LAN/High Speed Connection and not your Dial Up Account.Right click on the connection type and select Properties from the drop down menu.The Local Area Connection Properties display all clients and protocols running on your laptop, as well indicating File and Printer Sharing status.Remove the check from the box next to File and Printer Sharing to de-select that option.Click OK and once that window closes - restart your laptop. File and Printer Sharing is now disabled.Tips:Always disable File & Printer Sharing before using a hot spot.Check to make sure your laptop has File & Printer Sharing disabled if you are using a company owned laptop.More How To's from your Guide To Mobile Office Technology

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From Catherine Roseberry,
Your Guide to Mobile Office Technology.
A. For Canadians this answer depends on what classificaton of employment they have.

Employees who work from home (telecommuters or teleworkers) must provide a signed Revenue Canada Form T2200 by their employer when completing their taxes. This identifies to Revenue Canada that the employer has certified the employee is working from home at the employer's wish. There are employers who refuse to sign this form which is unfortuneate for the telecommuter.

Allowable deductions: utilities (heat, hydro and water), business phone, general repairs and maintenance, Internet access, supplies, rent and condominium fees.

Employees paid on commission can deduct property taxes and mortgage interest.

Self-employed mobile professionals can claim the same deductions as well mortgage interest, home insurance, computers, other electronic hardware, office furniture, software and property taxes.

Expenses are not claimed at 100% but pro-rated based on the office-to-home square footage.FAQ Index

In 1981 the Osborne Computer Company released the Osborne 1, which when closed up, looked similar to a sewing machine case. It was powered by an electrical connection with an optional battery backup, used two 5 ¼" floppy drives (mounted to the right and left of the display), and included a modem port. The display was only 5-inches wide and could show only 52 characters per line. I think you could consider the Osborne to be the first rugged laptop.

Gavilan introduced the Gavilan Mobile Computer in 1983. It featured the clamshell design where the screen folded over the keyboard when closed, weighed in at 9 pounds, and could run on nickel-cadmium batteries for close to 9 hours.

Radio Shack released the TRS-80 Model 100 (also in 1983)and the TRS – 80 Model 200 in 1986. This later model was more compact, had a larger display and better battery power, and included built-in software. I remember using the TRS-80 (Trash 80) for creating simple documents and thinking this was pretty high tech at that time. It was certainly more fun than using a typewriter.

IBM released its version of a laptop computer - the 5155 Portable Personal Computer in 1984. It had two double-sided 5 ¼" drives and 640K RAM. Like all laptops to this point, the 5155 didn't support graphics and was used for text-based information processing only.

Compaq broke the graphics barrier in 1988 when it introduced the SLT/286 Laptop. It weighed in at a hefty 14 pounds , and had a 1.44 floppy drive and 286 processor. NEC joined the party with the NEC UltraLite, which weighed just 4.4 pounds and had overall dimensions of 11.75" (W) X 1.4" (H) X 8.3" (D).

Macintosh came onto the laptop scene in 1989 with the Macintosh Portable. It weighed between 16 and 17 pounds (yikes!) and had a 9.8-inch 640 x 400 active matrix screen. Its best feature was an operation time of close to 10 hours on a lead-acid battery. These early laptops evolved into the PowerBook line and now the MacBook line.

The 1990s saw the release of faster, sleeker machines with more storage, more ports and connectors, improved displays, and a concentration on keeping the weight down. The Apple Macintosh PowerBook line and the IBM ThinkPads became major contenders of the times.

Companies now create new laptops with faster processors and more features packed in smaller packages and they are very different from the original portable computing solutions.FAQ Index

Asimo es un robot humanoide desarrollado por Honda. Ayer dirigio la orquesta sinfonica de Detroit, llevandose los aplausos del publico.

Para que sirve? A Honda, como publicidad barata. Al resto del mundo, para nada.

Contre dix dollars, la société Somethingstore promet de vous envoyer quelque chose. Mais sans vous dire quoi. Ça peut aller d'un collier fait main (chic!) à un livre rare (à voir) en passant par des jeans de marque (I can't wait!). Vous ne savez pas d'avance si l'objet est neuf, réparé ou carrément d'occasion. On apprend par exemple que c'est un habitant du New-Jersey qui a reçu un magnifique sablier rouge le lundi 12 mai.

Le plus amusant est la liste de tous les objets interdits ou illégaux qu'elle s'engage à ne pas vous envoyer, parmi lesquels : organes ou embryons humains, décodeurs permettant de pirater les chaînes satellites, tests urinaires, espèces en danger protégées par la Convention de Washington, tickets de loterie, faux passeports, remèdes miracle, matériel pyrotechnique ou radioactif, pesticides, uniformes officiels, etc, etc... 

The research, carried out by gadgets and gizmos retailer ShinyShack.com, calculated the top and bottom 10 by looking at the number of sales in the last year, per 100,000 people in each city or town, and it revealed quite a few surprises.

Top Ten Most Fun Places to Live in the UK:

1. Cardiff – Luckily the Welsh central boasts more amusing attractions than just the accent.

2. Portsmouth- Nickname is ‘Pompey’...ha, funny that.

3. Guildford- Is where those naughty pop princesses; Cheryl Cole (Girls Aloud) and Amelle Berrabah (Sugarbabes) were arrested for having too much fun with their fists.

4. London/South West/Battersea- The big smoke is firing fun off all cylinders.

5. Enfield- Is home to one of the most amusing tube stops on the London underground, Cockfosters, where all the cocks drink fosters...including one would presume Harry Enfield.

6. Brighton- With all those dancing queens it’s not surprising Brighton is full of frolicking fun lovers.

7. Oxford – The masses of academics are clearly investing in some fun ways of relaxation; text books were so last year.

8. Reading- Reading is the cognitive process of delivering meaning from written or printed text....God it’s no wonder they need some fun investments.

9. Twickenham – The rugger capital is also home to a disproportionately large number of public houses, which help keep the fun flowing.

10. Kingston upon Thames- Is home to a Toilet Gallery, it’s no wonder residents are turning the other cheek and looking for alternative ways to have fun...

Bottom Ten Least Fun Places to Live in the UK:

1. Dudley - One of the main industries in Dudley’s early years was coal; nice to see they have still kept the traditional ‘bar humbug’ attitude that goes with it.

2. Hull - Back in the day, Hull was originally a market town...they just weren’t in the market for anything fun.

3. Falkirk - Home to the battle of Falkirk in 1298, which saw the defeat of William Wallace by King Edward I. A sad day, perhaps the residents haven’t quite got over it yet.

4. Blackpool - The seaside town already indulges in enough pleasure on the beach; investing in more would just be considered greedy.

5. London/Westminster - It’s full of politicians...ah, that explains it then.

6. Birmingham - Forced as the powerhouse of the Industrial revolution. All sounding a little bit like a history lesson...yawn.

7. Sheffield - The city of Sheffield has been occupied since at least the ice age; its sense of humour must still be frozen.

8. Glasgow -Meaning a ‘dear green place’; doesn’t exactly sound fun does it?!

9. Durham - The whole centre of Durham is a designated conservation area, fun is strictly prohibited at all times.

10. Liverpool - Packed full with all those mischievous Liverpudlian scousers, fun in the city is generated like fresh air. It is the peninsula of popular music and even boasts the Beetles, happy days.

Keeper of the Magic [isn't that just the best job title ever? - ed] at ShinyShack, Anna Clare, commented;

“Our products are all about making lives more colourful and fun, so we thought it would be interesting to see which areas had made the most purchases. It came as no surprise to see Cardiff coming out top; the city oozes fun and vibrancy and this has been reflected in the results.”

She continued,

“Guildford and Enfield were the shock investors; the large amounts of sales suggest that they are perhaps trying to make up for the lack of mischief on offer within the area. It was a surprise to see Blackpool so low on the list; obviously they have enough amusements to keep them occupied.”

ShinyShack sells a huge range of gadgets and gizmos, and is based in the South West of the United Kingdom.

The camcorder forum is a great place to ask questions about everything thing from picking out the right camcorder to getting the perfect lighting for your podcast.

February 17, 2009 - Analog Television Broadcasting Gets Turned Off - Are You ReaInside the DTV Transition Coupon ProgramUsing a VCR and DTV Converter Box - About.com TV/Video

HDTV and DVD Recorder Basics

HDTV FAQsWhy Analog TV Signals Don't Look As Good On An HDTVDVD Recorder FAQs

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From Robert Silva,
Your Guide to Home Theater.
What To Do If You Have an HDTV and an Analog VCR and/or DVD RecorderThe countdown to the end of analog television broadcasts marches on. However, along with analog televisions, your VCR or DVD recorder may also be affected.

In fact, even if you have a digital or HDTV with an ATSC tuner and receive HD programing successfully an antenna, you may still need a DTV converter for your analog VCR or DVD recorder, if they do not have their own ATSC tuners, in order to continue recording TV broadcasts on those devices after February 17, 2009. If this describes your home theater or TV setup, follow the following steps:

1. Use a cable splitter to divide your incoming antenna signal into two feeds.

2. Send one feed to your HDTV directly via the TV's RF input.

3. Send the other feed to the RF input on a Digital Converter Box.

4. Send the feed from the RF output of the Digital Converter Box to the RF input on your VCR or DVD Recorder. NOTE: If you have a VCR or DVD recorder that does not have an RF input, you can also connect the AV outputs (Yellow, White, and Red) of the DTV Converter Box to the AV inputs on the VCR or DVD Recorder.

5. Connect the AV outputs of your VCR (Yellow, White, Red) or DVD recorder (Red, Green, Blue for video, White and Red for Audio or single HDMI connection for audio and video) to your HDTV.

The setup will allow you watch over-the-air HDTV signals on your TV, while at the same time give you the ability to record digital and HDTV programs on your VCR or DVD Recorder. However, it is important to note that since the DTV converter is designed to convert digital and HDTV signals to analog so that they can be used by analog equipment, the recordings you continue to make on your VCR or DVD recorder will be standard definition. VCRs (except for D-VHS VCRs) and DVD recorders cannot record in high definition.

For another useful DTV converter connection tip, check out a great article by Matt Torres, About.com Guide for TV/Video, that explains what to do if you have both an analog television and analog VCR: Using a VCR and DTV Converter Box.

For more on what you need to know about the DTV Transition, check out my articles: February 17, 2009 - Analog Television Broadcasting Gets Turned Off - Are You Ready? and Inside the DTV Transition Coupon Program.

Another Classy Gadget T-Shirt!

One of the legendary competition bikes that really set tongues wagging was the 1975 Yamaha TZ750 Dirt Tracker ridden by none other than the legend himself, Kenny Roberts. When they wheeled this thing out for the 1975 AMA series most people( including Roberts himself) thought they were joking. King Kenny had won the 73 and 74 series using Yamaha 4 stroke twin engines but 1975 saw Harley Davidson pull back the advantage. So Yamaha decided to take the TZ 750 4 cylinder two stroke road race motor and slot it into the dirt track frame! Pure insanity! The machine spawned one of the most famous quotes in the history of motorcycle racing." They don't pay me enough to ride that thing", said Kenny Roberts. Read More....... 

Who could forget the movie 'Easyrider'. That iconic flick where Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper go in search of America on motorcycles. As 'iconic' as the movie itself was Fonda's Captain America chopper. Starting life as a 1952 Harley Hydra Glide which Fonda bought at a police auction, only the original HD pan head engine was retained while everything else was chopped stretched or twisted to make the final bike. Read More........

Going way way back now to the dawn of motorcycle racing in The US. Back in 1908 if you were looking for a supersport bike for racing this is probably what you would have ridden. This 1908 Indian 1000cc twin was the state of the art back then and would have cost you US$360. It weighed 120 Lbs and had a top speed of 65 mph. Pure history. Read More.......

Well after looking at 3 of the classics we have this rather strange looking cycle! Almost a hyrid Segway/motorcycle this Uno Cycle looks like it has one wheel but in fact has two. Controls are quite simple as it only has an on/off  switch and its electric motor is controlled much in the way a Segway is. That is push forward to slow/stop, lean back to accelerate. Looks sporty enough but will it stand the test of time. Read More...... 

Ok, I got carried away. I apologize. When I went to New York a year ago, I left my lovely sleek camera-less Moto flip phone with my younger brother for safekeeping. Of course, I should have known better. He disposed of my SIM card and got a new Airtel number and started using it. I expected this, obviously, having lived with the jerk for nineteen years. But what I didn't expect was his resistance in giving the phone back to me! I hounded him for four weeks and finally, after a lot of blood and sweat, I got my baby back! Here's what transpired:

Week 1: I asked him nicely. "Please give me my phone back." He refused and ran out the room.

Week 2: I tried bribing him. "I'll give you a hundred bucks if I can have my phone back!" He scoffed and said, "I'll give you two hundred to drop the subject!"

Week 3: I tried stealing it. He had left it home and gone to college. I exchanged SIM cards and tried to start the phone, only to realize the jerk has activated a security code! Bah!

Week 4: I tried wrestling it from him. My neck is still weak from the choke hold he applied for ten minutes as I passed out.

Week 5: I emotionally blackmailed him. I promised to buy him a brand new drum kit if he gives the phone back to me.  He relented after bargaining for an hour - one drum kit, one carton of chocolate ice cream and a brand new Moto flip phone next month. I looked at my phone, resting in his hand, being held hostage. I never negotiate with terrorists, but my lovely phone had been through enough. I couldn't bear to see it tortured anymore. I agreed to the jerk's demands and said yes.

Now, I'm broke, he has a new drum kit and I have my phone back! All in all, a very satisfying deal.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, today's his nineteenth birthday. Happy birthday, terrorist! :D