Instructables posted a great little USB hack for turning an old VHS tape into a glowing USB hub.  I like this mod because it takes an old, out of date medium, puts some retro lighting in there which creates a modern day device I can use everyday.

Instructables also brings up a good point with hubs getting smaller these days, it’s more likely you’ll lose it behind your desk.  Having a honk’in big VHS tape solves that problem.

So what is this USB tutorial all about?  Well, in short, you will destroy an old VHS tape, cut out some through-holes for USB ports and power.  Secure some LEDs for effect and reassemble everything to impress your buddies.  Since this outline isn’t enough to start or finish the project, jump over to Instructables for the full low down.

I think Brando found the perfect Father’s Day gift, the drinking Tic Tac Toe game set.  Looks like each glass holds about 3oz of your favorite liquor.  Question is, does the loser clear the table?

Brando product page ($25).

EVGA is lowering the bar for USB to VGA adapters and that’s a good thing.  Traditionally you would pay upwards of $200 dollars for a USB to VGA adapter but now the UV12 and UV16 adapter from EVGA are under $80!

The UV Plus family take an existing USB port and convert that bus into a VGA/DVI adapter for additional monitors.  This is ideal for those will lower video processing power (laptops) who want two or three widescreen monitors.

I spoke with Jeff, a pre-sales rep at EVGA and he did caution me against using the UV Plus family for hard core video applications such as (more…)

Microsoft developed a USB stick to pluck evidence out of computers at crime scenes.  The USB device is called COFEE (Computer Online Forensic Evidence Extractor) and has the power to blast through security settings to get the good stuff…and quick.

The COFEE USB devices is ideal for on-site investigation where law-enforcement needs to extract data quickly and accurately.  The Microsoft COFEE contains 150 commands which dramatically cuts down time to gather digital evidence.  It can decrypt passwords and analyze a computer’s (more…)

Waterproofing your USB drive is a good preventative maintenance procedure as you never know when it’ll end up in the wash. Below is a video on how to use epoxy and little skill to waterproof your UFD. Enjoy this USB tutorial:

REVIEW OF MAGICJACK PHONE

The MagicJack phone is a simple device which is specifically designed to connect your regular [and current] land-line phone to the internet for Voice Over IP calling.

I ran into one of the project managers of MagicJack from a different business deal and he sent a phone for review. I’ve mentioned the MagicJack phone before, but this is my first experience using the product.

OVERVIEW

The MagicJack is a small device [2.5″ x 1.5″] and works as a USB dongle which connects to your computer via USB port. The MagicJack phone does not require a Hi-Speed USB connection and thus will work on your front USB connection of a PC tower or the slower ports off your laptop docking station.

The USB MagicJack costs about $35-$40 depending on where you get it. You then pay $19 [the year after you buy it] for unlimited calling in the United States, Canada and parts of central America. Calls outside this region are then chargeable, but very reasonable. I looked up rates to the UK at it was $0.02 per minute. Not bad at all.

WHY IT’S UNIQUE

The MagicJack phone is unique because it has a regular phone jack connected to the dongle. This means ANY phone can be plugged into the device and used for VoIP calling (more…)

Here is an illuminating tutorial for you. A simple “how to” on making a USB flash light. In just a few minutes you can have a handy flash light for peaking into your PC tower, under the desk or behind the office credenza for that lost business card.