Author Archive
Matt LeBoff
Kicking around in technology since 2002. I like to write about technology products and ideas, but at the consumer level understanding. Some tech, but not too techie.
FilterMyRSS – Mosaic – Contest – You Win
So exactly what IS going on here? Well, today I found my FilterMyRSS logo on an internet mosaic image [yes I run that site]. There must be a thousand websites which make up the mosaic. I think they found me through this site. Anyway, I spent a good 40 minutes trying to find my logo somewhere in the mosaic page. The FilterMyRSS logo looks like this:
..and somewhere in the crazy looking web mosaic is my logo. Here is a smaller pic of the mosaic:
So the question becomes. Can you find the logo? I’m sure you have better things to do with your time, but I’ll reward you with a 2GB Flash Drive if you find it. Just send me the image with a circle around the location. If there happens to be more than one entry, I’ll do a random draw. I’ll keep this live for two weeks [July 10th] before updating the image with location.
Good Luck!
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New Star Wars Mimobots – Well Almost
Flip Your Bit USB Utility To Make Local Drive
BootIt is a Lexar based utility to flip the Removable Media Bit setting of a USB drive. What this means, is you can take a Lexar drive (and many other brands) and make it appear as a Local Drive on your PC rather than Removable Storage.
This is absolutely necessary if you are looking to partition your USB drive or try some trick hack like run your iTunes from a USB stick.
The RMB or Removable Media Bit is present on all flash drives, but whether the Lexar utility can flip it is something of trial and error. Although it goes without saying…and I’ll say it anyway…the utility works with Lexar drives, everything else, use at your own risk.
Flip your bit BootIt is a freeware program. Download it here.
Continue ReadingKensington ShareCentral – It’s a USB Hub Two Computers Use
“It’s a USB hub two computers use.” Sounds off doesn’t it? It’s not. What the Kensington ShareCentral does is provide a single USB box you can plug your USB devices into so they maybe shared between two computers. This is ideal for printers or scanners that need to be shared between computers (small office). Or ideal for placing a USB hard drive on a small network for automated backup. Or simply a KVM switch to centralize your keyboard, video monitor and mouse between two PCs. Actually I could use that now between my “work” computer with dual monitors to my “test” PC which could use dual monitors.
I spotted the ShareCentral while over at GizmosForGeeks earlier today. They had a good point:
Chances are that if you’re reading this blog, you’ve probably got multiple computers in your household, but on the other hand, you’ve probably decided against cluttering your home with multiple printers, external hard drives and the like. But it can be such a pain to keep swapping those devices amongst your various computers. Enter the Kensington ShareCentral USB sharing device.If this bit of news peaked your interested you can check out the latest price on the Kensington ShareCentral at Amazon.
GetUSB Dealz: 8GB Flash Drive Only $22
Dane-Electronics is offering up their zMate 8GB UFD for only $22 plus free shipping. If you have never used Google check-out you could drop that 8GB drive to $12. Now that aint bad for 8GBs of memory.
Grab the GetUSB Dealz now!
The company line:
Small, practical and high-performance, the zMate Pen lets you carry all sorts of computer files wherever you want (music, video, spreadsheets, texts, pdf, etc…). The Dane-Elec zMate Pen is certified High Speed USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 compatible. The Dane-Elec 8GB zMate Pen is your perfect companion either at work, at home or abroad.
Dane-Elec zMate 8GB Dealz page.
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Not A Hack: ProTracker Turns Your iPod Into Pro Audio Recorder
Alesis ProTrack is a buddy device for the iPod turning it into a Pro Audio digital recorder. Not that many of use would need up to 160GBs of high quality audio recording, but it’s out there if you need it. The Alesis ProTrack includes 2 combo XLR input jacks for in line mic recording [or other line recording] that will digitally record those spoken word masterpieces at 16-bit, 22kHz or 44.1kHz stereo. The ProTrack offers up 1/8 output stereo connection along with limiter and volume control.
ProTrack is ideal for capturing sound effects, recitals, jam sessions, speeches, interviews, rehearsals, performances, meetings, lectures, notes-to-self, or any other audio material directly to iPod. It will be available from pro audio dealers Q3-2008.The ProTrack is due out in 30-45 days (although Alesis is notories for pushing back release dates) with an undisclosed price tag [damn]. Source:Â Engadget via Brad Linder’s Blog. Continue Reading
USB Cube Hub – Lots Of Color and Little More
Brando has a small collection of USB Cube Hubs to color up your desktop. The USB ports are spread all over the USB Cube for easy connection of fat devices or bulky gadgets. The USB Cube Hub includes two On/Off switches to take control of Bus power to the device.
Steampunk USB
You may have seen the term Steampunk before, you may even have seen this USB Steampunk drive before – it’s a fantasy like design based off steam power for this USB gadget. Enjoy the detailed pictures then brush up on Steampunk history at the footer:
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Continue ReadingUSB DJ Plasma Tube – Get Your Funk On
Get your funk on with this USB plasma tube from Brando. Using the latest plasma technology this little rod turns into a glow fest upon USB power up. It pulsates and jams with the beat of the music to create a psychedelic like atmosphere. The USB plasma tube is also a good tool for testing your rhythm, something us tone-deaf folks would have a hard time with.
YouTube: USB Wine
This video ad has been out for some time, but it still cracks me up when I see it. I’ve also posted about other USB Wine products recently. If you can’t see the video, click here. Continue ReadingReview: Wireless Bluetooth Visor Car Kit
Gadget4All sent me their Blue Mirror wireless Bluetooth visor car kit for review and I’m glad they did, as California will start enforcing the “mandatory hands free car kits” come July 1st and the ticket is expensive, so this review couldn’t have come at a better time. This is what I found:Review Summary for Wireless Bluetooth Visor Car Kit:
UPDATE: The bluetooth visor car kit is available at Amazon for immediate delivery. Great product for the quick fix you might need if in California or another state which has a “hands-free” wireless policy.
The wireless visor Bluetooth car kit is well made, easy to operate and performs well. Sound quality is good, setup is easy and user design is well thought out. Strong mounting assembly yet portable and easy to disconnect.
- Main Bluetooth wireless visor kit (5″ x 3″ x .75″)
- Mount clip with very strong magnets
- USB cable (mini to Type A)
- Car power adapter (cigarette style)