Okay, so this post is off topic of USB gadgets, but worth a mention in my book. I have just published another website which is a simple RSS filter or feed filter. True, there are other services out there, but I never liked the login and password concept for free services. The new RSS filter from FilterMyRSS is simple just get in there, filter and go.

There are some nice features as well. For example you can view a feed before the RSS filter and after the RSS filter. I believe this is valuable because it insures you the process is working. I’ve noticed other RSS filter services republish the feed with a unique ID number so you never know exactly what’s going on.The feed filter also allows you to filter only on specific areas of feed content. There are three areas to filter: Title, Description and Category.

FilterMyRSS is clean and simple - give it a visit - give it a try.

It’s rare a USB information website has the opportunity to write about guns, not that it’s a fascination or hobby to obsess over - none the less - Loopy Gadgets found this USB gun and I thought to pass it along.

The USB gun is a replica of a P230 semi-automatic handgun…

Small dimensions, it is often carried as a backup weapon, holding 8 rounds of .32 pistol cartridge or 7 rounds of .380 pistol cartridge (bullet). Wiki

…and the company marketing the product claims it’s the ultimate gadget for having fun around the office. Um, I don’t think using a replica semi-automatic USB mouse gun would necessarily make office life fun. Unless of course you work at Homeland Security.

The USB mouse gun uses the trigger as your left click and a button just below the trigger as your right. The technology is (more…)

Recently the head of marketing for SanDisk, Dror Todress, made a claim where “there are endless examples of data breaches…” then immediately sites an example of a stolen US Army UFD (USB Flash Drive) being purchased from a reporter just 200 yards from an army base in Afghanistan.

Todress goes on to explain most IT managers understand and are aware of such security risks and most employees who bring in USB drives or MP3 players with mass storage capability do not have malicious intentions. However, this doesn’t mean valuable information IS leaving the building.

Considering between 80% - 90% of UFDs do not have encryption software, I thought to browse back through my USB Security category and list out a couple articles which could be of help.

USB lock - a physical blocking of USB port

Free open-source USB encryption software - TrueCrypt

Visual password protector

Disable writing to USB drives on Windows systems

IT management software to control USB endpoints

SanDisk’s answer

Windows Vista locks out USB (actually I don’t think it ever worked)

Wireless PC lock from USB dongle

Another PC port blocking software package

There are a host of other USB devices with security features in my USB security category, but those are device specific not network specific.

For those just not willing to give up their old school analog headsets, or gaming headsets that plug into an audio card, you can now have an easy and convenient direct connect through USB with Plantronics new design Audio 625 USB Stereo Headset.

And to make sure background noise doesn’t interfere, the Audio 625 features noise cancellation technology for superior listening.

I will say one thing about analog, despite the more difficult connectivity methods you do get a better (more…)

I believe the optical finger mouse is a key component to a successful multi-tasker as it allows your fingers never to leave the keyboard so you can crank through those blog posts - o maybe a mobile environment where a flat surface isn’t available.

USB Fever is set to release an all new 2.4Ghz wireless Optical Finger Mouse with USB dongle at just $27. Include a wireless keyboard and become the ultimate mobile office worrier.

The finger mouse comes with 3 ring sizes and great resolution of 1000dpi along with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery which powers up via USB cable. (more…)

Windows Vista has not been an easy transition for many people. One of the problems with Vista is USB support, or lack of. If you are having USB problems with Vista then please read on.

Several months ago Microsoft released hotfixes for Vista for some badly-needed improvements for USB operation. Most notably is the problems, conflicts and issues related to USB and audio components.

Microsoft plans to officially address the USB issues with their SP1 due out in early 2008, but in the mean time lets check out the Microsoft roll out update page.

If you are using Vista and having problems be sure to double check the device manufacturer update before using the Microsoft updates, your solution might already be out there.

Peter Kirn provided a couple valuable tips while diving into your problems, please read (more…)

Albeit U3 claims no trace of U3 software remains on the host PC it doesn’t hurt to run a registry analyzer package just to make sure. While in the midst of doing this USB gadget research, I found the following free utility.

Ntechnologies has a U3 specific reg analyzer to aid in the registry clean-up process.

Whenever hardware or software is added to a PC there are registry changes. The registry also provides a window into the operation of the OS kernel, exposing runtime information such as performance counters, currently active hardware, software and utilities.

Even using the U3 uninstall software might not leave your PC 100% clean. You can download the Registry Analyzer for U3 here.