Posted by gman on 2nd June 2008
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Do you have multiple computers in your home that you continually switch back and fort to. Do they take up additional space on your desk. Or maybe you are a consultant and you find yourself shifting in your cubical to type on the client machine and then on your personal laptop. The solution is here. A two port KVM switch will hook those two computers together through a single monitor, keyboard, and mouse. With the use of a simple “hot-key” you can switch from one system to the next. Setup is a snap, just plug in each system with the cables extensions and then plug in the shared monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Now you have a real workhorse of a solution that makes you more efficient.
There are many models for hooking different USB/PS2 systems. Check out IOGEAR
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Posted by gman on 31st May 2008
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Everyone wants to be wireless these days. Unfortunately there are many situations where this is just not possible. Many hotels I go to make you hard-wire into their network. I’ve even been to client sites that make it near impossible to roam the floor because they have you tethered to a Ethernet line.
Step in a travel router. This little guy simply plugs into an Ethernet line, configures itself (or you can do this), and immediately you have a wireless hotspot. While there are many features with this router, enabling you to create a temporary, personal, wireless connection quickly is, in my opinion, its strong point. This last week, I moved my home office from the basement to the second floor. While I do have wireless throughout my home, I still have some servers and printers that are hardwired. Not wanting to leave them in the basement I simply plugged in my travel router, hooked in a Ethernet switch, and was up and running in no time at all.
Check Linksys: Wireless-G Travel Router with SpeedBooster |
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Posted by gman on 29th May 2008
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Posted by gman on 24th May 2008
I have taken an additional dive into the social networking pool and joined FriendFeed this week.
As the title to this post asks; are social networking applications tools or gadgets? Remembering my earlier definition of what a gadget is, mostly a luxurey item that serves no real everyday purpose, I often wonder if I use these tools as gadgets then tools. I mean really, how much time do I/you spend watching the chatter flash on our displays? How often do we actually join in on a conversation? What real role do these tools play?
For bloggers such as myself, I find these social networking applications as tools. They do help me keep track and up-to-date on a variety of information I am concerned about. I am not too interested in the ‘water cooler’ approach many people use these tools for. Although I have reverted to using them as a chat mechanism instead of the typical IM tools.
So gadget? Yes, to some; Tool? Can very well be one if an effort is made.
If you are just getting started, as I am, it is surely a gadget. So go lookup FriendFeed on the net and get going.
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Posted by gman on 21st May 2008
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Ever miss a call in the dark because you forgot to turn off the silent-mode on your cell phone?
Well here is a tiny phone light that will illuminate and flash prightly when you receive a call regardless of the mode your phone is in. In order for this to work the phone does need to be on the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) standard. But a lot of carriers provide this, just check to see if your phone is already configured. Just looked on the Wiki page and they estimate 82% of all phones use this standard. So chances are yours does. This is not compatible with Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)
Find this at X-treme Geek
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Posted by gman on 20th May 2008
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Have you ever used a hands-free headset with your mobile phone. I have tried this a few times but honestly didn’t like the feel, sound, or stability of the piece. This one looks like it overcomes some of those issues and has a noise-isolating feature that is supposed to cut down on the external noise. I don’t know about you but this is a problem just with using my mobile phone anyway! I don’t know how many times I have had to try and find cover from wind or away from a crowd just to hear the person I was talking to. With an internal windscreen, a boom microphone can greatly reduce the noise. Includes 2 windscreens, 4 eartips, VoIP adapter, and case. Might be worth a try if you find yourself in noisy conditions.
Find yours at X-treme geek
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Posted by gman on 19th May 2008
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Now you can have a mouse that works for you. This USB Mouse will pedal away as you type. The faster you type the faster the mouse pedals.
This is really cool to. This mouse will also keep track of how many words you type per day. Instead of tracking miles he keeps track of your word count. Get one for your cube mate or the whole office to have competitions. The only problem I see is that it might make us all a bit more productive.
Of note: while this mouse is activated through the USB port, it does require 2xAA batteries. This is actually a good thing as you wouldn’t want to suck power from your computer. Especially if you plan on taking this guy on the road.
Get the USB Mouse at Gadget Hub |
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Posted by gman on 14th May 2008
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How many computers do you typically have at any one time?As a consultant and someone who does most of his work from out of the house, I often, depending on the contract, get a personal PC or laptop shipped to me from various clients. You see, clients typically have their own software they want you to use, their own security protocols to adhere to, and basically don’t want you to put their information on your personal computers. So I would find myself flopping around for desk space depending on the client I happened to get a call from.Not now. With this handy 8-Port KVM Switch, I can easily just plug in any computer shipped to me and be route all screen, keyboard, mouse, and audio to a single console. At times I have had three rack servers, 4 laptops, and a desktop all functional. WITHOUT killing my desk space. This KVM switch has been a real life saver organizationally. Now I don’t think I’ll ever get more than 6 clients at any one time, but the good thing is, if I do, you can daisy chain this KVM switch with other KVM switches to support up to 512 computers.
Rack mountable, although I just put mine under my monitor stand, and great features.
Check it out at :http://www.iogear.com/product/GCS138/ |
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Posted by gman on 6th May 2008
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The next time you shop for a computer mouse, the question might now be: ‘Plastic or Wood?’.Now I do’t know if I can get past this one. Mostly because when I look at my desk, all I see is a bunch of plastic. Plastic monitor, plastic stand, plastic KVM switch, plastic DVD burner, plastic…well you get the picture. But I can also imagine that if I were a high-rolling executive that prides him/herself on appearance in the workplace, AND I had a high-grade mohogany desk, I just might want a computer mouse to match.
Oh wait! I do have a $2,500 mahogany desk. Maybe I should rethink this a bit. :)
http://www.depuz.com/Wood_computer_mouse.html |
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