Oct
12
2009
Do you use a Moleskine notebook? I never had. In fact, I never really liked the idea of creating a journal by hand. I’ve always done it on the computer.
I have just returned from a wonderful weekend workshop. At the beginning of the workshop we were given a Moleskine notebook. It’s one of the Volant series notebooks. It’s compact, yet big enough to hold large thoughts on a single page, and, it fits in the back pocket of my jeans. They have a sewn binding with several signatures (page groups) so it lays flat and the pages won’t fall out. For each style and size of journal there are several paper types: ruled, grid, plain, etc.
Writing in a journal was an interesting experience for me. There is something about the the feel of pen on paper when thoughts are flowing…I really liked it. I also found it fun to grab other little bits and paste them into the book, creating a multi-media journal.
So, what is MSK? I don’t know what it stands for, but it’s a nifty little web app on the Moleskine website that allows you to put images and text into a template. Once complete, you get a PDF file that has a formatted page you can print, cut out, and paste into your journal. Very cool. They also have a number of templates you can access. For example: a weekly calendar, grid paper, story board, music sheets, etc. So, if you can’t decide which style paper you want, you can change them at will.
I’ll be purchasing a new Moleskine notebook. This is becoming a regular part of my life.
Apr
23
2008
How would you like to insure your total and complete geekness? This is your opportunity…Connect-a-Desk.
With this device you can now walk tradeshows, swap meets, your neighborhood, heck even your house and always have your computer at the ready. That’s right.
I guess I could see some industrial uses for something like this, but really, isn’t a Symbol scanner a better choice? I’ve never seen anybody take a laptop into the store to do inventory.
As dorky as it is…I still kind of want one.
Jan
12
2008
The CallPod company has a new product called the Phoenix. This is one of those products I find cool, but without much purpose.
It’s a little Bluetooth hockey puck. You can pair five difference headsets with it, and they can not talk to each other in full duplex. Thats really cool…but with the range limitations of bluetooth, I’m not really sure where you’d use this.
It also has the ability to pair with a computer. So, you could start a Skype call, then have five people on bluetooth headsets be a part of the conversation. Kind of like a quiet conference call.
They also have the new Dragon Bluetooth headset. They claim a 100+ meter range. This scares me a little, but it makes the Phoenix make a little more sense. The Dragon also has the ability to pair with another Dragon. This allows two people, within 100 meters of each other, to talk directly. No phone required. This would be kind of cool for staying in touch while shopping, or paint ball.
The Dragon has a list price of $129 although a quick Google show’s it as low as $70.
Jan
12
2008
I’ve started using virtual machines for my development environment. This way I can have isolated environments setup for each of the types of work I do. Since I put these VMs on an external drive. It gives me a consistent environment whether working at the office, home, or on my notebook.
The concern I have about doing this, is all of my (or my employer’s) source code is on this drive. There’s a fair bit of IP riding around in my backpack.
I came across this product from Data Locker. It’s an external drive enclosure with a touch sensitive display.
When you plug the drive into your computer, the display comes to life and prompts for your passcode. After entering the correct code, the computer recognizes the drive and you can start working.
They were a little vague about how they accomplish this, but they tell me that if the drive is removed from the case that it will still be unreadable. Leaving your data secure.
They have also done some thinking about enterprise customers and have created a two tier passcode. This allows a manager or IT department to have a master passcode and each individual to have their own. This way if an employee forgets their passcode, or leaves the company, the data can still be accessed.
It is sold as just an enclosure, or with 80, 120 and 250 GB 2.5″ drives. Prices are $100, $160, $200, and $300 respectively.
http://www.lockerdrive.com/
Jan
10
2008
I got a chance to hold the Invisio Q7. The new design is nice. They changed the design and cleaned up a few things…of course, it cost them six months getting to market.
They tell me that they’ll be available in February, 2008.
Jan
10
2008
Garmin has a new line of handheld GPS units out. It’s the Colorado. There are four versions for different interests.
Shown here is the 400t. This one shows terrain in the form of topos. It can also project the topo info in a 3D image of the terrain. Very nice.
They have a large, hi-res display that looks really good. At the top is a round control that has a button and a rotating ring. The ring allows for menu selections and data entry. It’s very fast and easy to use.
It runs on AA batteries, good for being out in the field. There is also direct support for geocaching and the new WhereIGo.com stuff.
Dec
17
2007
I was checking up on the status of the Invision Q7 and noticed that there’s a new picture posted. It looks like a rendering, not an actual photo, so I don’t know if they’re changing the design before release or what.
I have older picture posted a little down the blog.
Latest word is release in February, 2008. Picture attached.
Aug
13
2007
I’ve been watching this product mature over the last year or so. I’m totally intrigued with it, although I wish it supported Microsoft technology (XAML or SilverLight) instead of Flash.
What is it? Basically it’s a little network connected friend. It’s designed to be on all the time, it has wi-fi, a touch screen, it’s soft and cuddly.
You can run a variety of widgets on the device that give it functionaly for everything from an alarm clock to an IP TV. You can connect it to your flickr photo album, get weather reports, play MP3s, perty much anything.
It’s designed as an open platform, with…well everyone in mind. For developers, there is low-level documentation discussing the hardware and application environment. For content developers, Flash is the tool you’ll need. There are also physical drawings, to create alternate housings. It really is an open device…from just about every angle.
Go check it out, I think you’ll be glad you did.
Jul
17
2007
I’ve been watching iCache for a while. I really like the idea – a universal card that can take on the personality of any card.
There is one card that lives inside the device. You can scan your finger, select the card you want and it will program the mag stripe as the card is removed. You can then use the card and return it to the device.
The card is somehow special, the programming on the mag strip will only last for a little while. So if someone steals the card, it won’t work.
In addition to the mag strip, they talk about using it with contactless terminals and barcode scanners.
I want one of these so bad it hurts. The problems with release are political, not technical. My understanding is that they have all the technology in place. It’s getting the banks and merchants to accept it is the problem.
I say screw them, give me the device…
Jan
08
2006
I hate buying something new and having to deal with that stupid wall transformer. They always take up more space than they should. CyberGuys has a solution for this. They have made short extension cords, about a foot long. With this, you can have the transformer take only one spot in the power strip. It’s also less likely to get knocked out or broken.
In addition to just straight cords, they have split cables (like the one shown here), pass-thru, flat plugs and other variations.
