This is a very valuable tutorial, especially if you are looking to partition a USB stick. Another application for turning a removable drive into a local disk, is that now many software programs can be loaded directly to a USB drive. The first program which comes to mind is iTunes. I know you need My Documents and a Local Disk to install it, so after this tutorial, I’ll try installing iTunes and share the results.
The process of turning a USB stick into a hard drive is fairly easy. However, there are limitations. For example, this works best with Windows XP operating systems. You also need to update the drivers for the device for any computer you are going to use. Typically, this isn’t a big deal as you can easily do this for your work and home computers. However, this isn’t a great solution if you are trying to create a partitions USB stick for distribution to many possible users [say trade show give-away].
Couple of items you’ll need:
What we will do, is connected the USB stick, find the driver code, update the driver code and re-connect the device. Simple.
Here are the details:
Ladies, a question: For years I have offered my services as a breast warmer out of what I must now admit was a desire not for the comfort of your more prominent glands, but instead an attempt to put my mittens on your kittens. But unlike my campaign to make sure your bosom is extraordinarily clean by barging into your shower with gallons of frothy soap — motivated purely by Christian hygienic charity — I was not entirely positive that your mams got, you know, chilly. Do they? That Thanko has created a USB-powered breast warming system has turned my world upside down. In fact, I’m getting a bit dizzy. If only there were some warm, soft place to lay my head.Source: BoingBoing via Thanko. Continue Reading
D-Link introduced a sweet little 7 inch LCD display powered by USB. The SideStage, which I think is a great name, is a 800×400 resolution monitor which extends your primary screen. It’s great to stream stock quotes, or run IM applications or other small utilities you don’t want to use on the main monitor. Yet not the first one we’ve seen.
The SideStage would also be ideal for Photoshop users and such who want to move the toolbar out of the main screen.
The SideStage from D-Link is expected to sell for about $100, although no price point has yet been announced. The other piece of info we didn’t get is launch date. Set to be summer time, which isn’t soon enough.
According to D-Link’s representative Les Goldberg, the SideStage is compatible with virtually all CRT and flat-panel monitors, has standard and wide-screen aspect ratios, 32-bit True Color depth for high-quality images, and ultra-low power consumption, which is consistent with the D-Link Green initiative.
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Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam. Where the deer and the antelope play. Where seldom is heard a discouraging word And the skies are not cloudy all day.Might be the perfect song for this USB buffalo speaker system by Gadget4all. With freaky looking blue LED lights to illuminate the eyes and horns, you’ll be impressed with these speakers even in the dark. Not the strangest USB powered gadget, but it’s up there.
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A recent study was just released that suggests over 9,000 USB drives are left, lost or forgotten at laundry mats. The study was done to show consumers how easy it is to have valuable information fall into the hands of a stranger.
Even on our best day, accidents happen. A similar study was done with PDA and cell phones left in taxi cabs. That number is close to 6,200 per year.
Given this information and each of us knowing we are not perfect, it is wise to put some encryption on your USB drive or password protect the device. Many times the manufacturer will supply a utility free with the device…don’t try and format it off, rather use it!
David Porter, head of security and risk at Detica, explained that there was only so much that experts and computer systems could do to thwart identity fraud. According to Porter, final responsibility rests with the consumer. “Identity fraud attacks succeed largely because of human fallibility; however there are simple steps that people can take to avoid being caught out by fraudsters,” said Porter.So take a moment and protect yourself from the accidents of everyday life. Continue Reading
