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This NightVision Digital Video Camera gives you unlimited power to video activities in pitch darkness. Those times when only ferral creatures wander the streets, when desperate men seek solace in hunched clusters around the slowly flickering embers of night time street fires.
With its support for SD cards (up to 75 minutes of footage) and built in LCD preview screen, you’ll be scratching around those possums and owls faster than you can say Holy Dumpster Diving, Batman. Also works in regular uplifting light. £69.95/$115.00.
Serious night owls can upgrade to 2GB (approx 75 mins) via SD card…Did we also mention that the NightVision Digital Video Camera works in regular light, automatically switching to night mode the second darkness descends?…this trigger operated gizmo lets you preview footage, as it’s happening, on a built-in 2” LCD screen. You can also check out your handiwork in full VGA (640×480) resolution by hooking up to your computer or TV.
posted by Nigel
Fri 06 Nov 2009 @ 2:45 pm
Previous Post: Sound Egg – 60’s kitsch gets a whole new tech upgrade
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The Sound Egg is an updated and technified version of the 60’s seating icon which looked great in photos and sucked as a chair. The theory is that slapping a bunch of speakers and a ‘meaty’ sub-woofer in the thing will make it suddenly hip again, especially if you paint it pink (dude) and line it with a bunch of acoustic foam.
From where we’re sitting it looks like it would probably sound great, but that pink plastic seat thing in the middle doesn’t inspire confidence in the comfort quotient. Nevertheless for audio purists who need to be bathed in sound, this is your baby. And all for a meager recession busting $1450.00. Please form an orderly queue next to the Andy Warhol bidet, thank you.
The Sound Egg can be configured to Stereo, and can be used as a personal sound booth. With its full range sound abilities; playing music is outstanding. The Sound Egg has great Studio Speaker Qualities as they can completely replace the expensive large speakers. The 10&Prime sub woofer shouldn’t be overlooked either, because it feels like sitting on a bass drum.
posted by Nigel
@ 1:08 pm
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Previous Post: Files24 – the consumer friendly BitTorrent search catalog
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JPEG Lossless Rotator is a free program which lets you rotate your images without losing image quality. What, you mean you didn’t know that every time you rotate – or indeed edit – a JPG file it loses quality? Tsk!
Anyhoo, this software accomplishes its magic by doing some kind of ‘block’ transformation, whatever that means. It’s available in 24 different languages, comes with hotkey support (e.g. r for rotate right etc) and Windows Explorer integration for all your right mouse click enjoyment. Cool product for the toolbox. Oh, do remember to take a copy of the photo first, because the program overwrites the original.
Is the rotation by JPEG Lossless Rotator really lossless? It is lossless for any JPEG/JPG file, if its width and height (number of pixels) are divisible by 16 or 8 (depends on the digital camera or the way the image was created). Almost all common photo’s formats have width and height divisible by 16. For example, 3456×2304, 3072×2304, 2816×2112, 2560×1920, 2496×1664, 2048×1536, 1728×1152, 1600×1200, 1280×960, 1024×768, 800×600, 640×480, 320×240. If your camera creates photos with a size that is not divisible by 16, JPEG Lossless Rotator may not suit you.
posted by Nigel
@ 12:54 pm
my understanding is that the only place one have rotation issues is with the microsoft image viewer, as it writes the rotated image to disk each time (and therefor re-compressing the data).
Comment by turn.self.off Fri 06 Nov 2009 @ 1:00 pm
Hmm…possibly? I was always taught that every time you edited and/or rotated you suffered a little more degradation of image quality.
Comment by Nigel Powell Fri 06 Nov 2009 @ 2:55 pm
No, every time you resave a jpeg, the compression algorithm is used and it gets a little bit blockier. The only difference is Microsoft Image Viewer is the only software that tells you it's slowly wrecking your photos if you keep spinning and saving them.
Picasa is another good option, it lets you make heaps of changes, and even allows you to close the program and it keeps your changes. It won't save anything until you tell it to.
Comment by Dan Ferris Fri 06 Nov 2009 @ 8:35 pm
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Previous Post: Zombie Shooting Gallery – Behind you!
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Files24 is a new twist on an old tale. A BitTorrent search engine which aims to make the whole file search much more consumer friendly and less geek. How? By placing lots of colourful icons all over the place, adding artwork cover graphics alongside file names and otherwise giving the whole P2P room a bit of a spring clean. It’s interesting because this is probably the future of legitimate home entertainment in one way or another, even if this version is a little limited in scope.
posted by Nigel
@ 12:43 pm
The future of legitimate home entertainment without an pR()n section? Not a future I want to be a part of. :-)
Comment by Anonymous Coward Sat 07 Nov 2009 @ 12:28 am
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Previous Post: Ridgeblade – Wind powered generator for the roof
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ThinkGeek’s Zombie Shooting Gallery brings Left 4 Dead into meatspace cubeville. Use your laser gun to fend off the horde and increase your score, just don’t miss or the honeymooners get it. Need 9 AA batteries (yes nine!). US$34.99

Take aim with the included laser assault rifle and blast the zombies as they pop up from the windows of the dark mansion. Too slow and they dine on the human hostages inside.
Tags: gadget, thinkgeek, zombie+shooting+gallery, cube+toys
posted by Dan
@ 10:07 am
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The Ridgeblade is a wind powered generator designed for installation on the roof of houses. The unique design of the rotor and its housing means it can harness the natural buffeting of the wind as it moves over the ridge of the house. This overcomes the main issues people seem to have with wind generators, namely the noise and the look of them.

Designed by a bunch of aeronautical and turbine engineers in North Yorkshire, the Ridgeblade has just won the Dutch Postcode Lottery Green Challenge. With the £500,000 prize money helping them, the Power Collective hope to launch the Ridgeblade by early 2010.
RidgeBlade addresses the issues associated with traditional micro-wind generation technologies. The unique design means it can reliably produce electricity in low or variable wind conditions whilst creating very little visual impact. This means that it is suitable for locations including urban houses, rural buildings and environmentally-sensitive sites such as National Parks.
Tags: gadget, ridgeblade, wind+power+generator, wind+turbine
posted by Dan
@ 7:13 am
I think this is clever. It would not work for me (large tree, lack of flow along the ridge) it could be great other places.
Comment by floormaster squeeze Fri 06 Nov 2009 @ 2:06 pm
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The Audio-Technica AT355ST is an inline 3.5 mm microphone that plugs in between your earphones and your PC or media player. It has a tie clip so you can keep the mic near your mouth, 60cm of cord, earphone volume control, and comes in black and white. The mic is powered by a coin/watch battery that will last for 3 weeks if you don’t switch it off. Available from AudioCubes for US$59.99.
Audio-Technica presents AT355ST/0.6 from Japan with a built-in microphone for users to record sound and voice on their audio player. Featuring a volume control allowing the music to magnify greater than the audio player can produce.
Tags: gadget, audio+technica+at355st, clip+on+microphone, audio+cubes
posted by Dan
@ 7:07 am
here's a twist on the same concept http://www.videosift.com/video/Fanwing-Incredible...
Comment by robweeve Sat 07 Nov 2009 @ 2:54 am
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It seems that the Virgin Atlantic mob have decided that if they want to increase the passenger numbers then they better start recruiting from the Afraid of Flying minority/majority. What better way to do this than with the Virgin Atlantic Flying Without Fear iPhone application? The application provides flying FAQs, video based inflight explanations, relaxation exercises and tips to prepare yourself for future flights. All this help for just US$4.99 from the iTunes store. [Via the Sydney Morning Herald]
Many people suffer anxiety at the prospect of flying. These fears range from anxiety at booking a trip to complete inability to board an aircraft. Whether it is the unfamiliar aircraft, the strange noises a plane makes, or the fear of losing control, this app is designed to help people overcome their personal fears.
Tags: iphone, virgin+atlantic, self+help, fear+of+flying+iphone+app
posted by Dan
@ 6:54 am
This app may recruit those afraid of flying but it not to help them overcome the problem. Why?
This "app" is based on breathing exercises which research shows is completely useless for fear of flying. See an example of the research yourself athttp://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/4...
There are programs that research show to be highly effective, such as SOAR. Advanced programs are based on brain scan studies that have show us how the brain regulates emotion.
This app, though, is based on Branson salesmanship not psychological science.
Comment by Capt Tom Bunn LCSW Fri 06 Nov 2009 @ 11:00 pm
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Previous Post: Bottle Bank as arcade machine – brilliant concept improves recycling
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The weird Yamaha Tenori-on is about to get a brother, the Tenori-O (for Orange). The pitch? It’s plastic, LEDs on only one side, and comes with other compromises in order to get the price down. So instead of $1000 or so, we’ll be talking, what…half price? We don’t know yet because the canny marketing team at Yamaha are not releasing prices till next month. Check the video if you don’t know what this puppy does.
The TNR-O (TENORI-ON Orange LED) features orange LEDs on a single side, allowing you to enjoy performing in the relaxed atmosphere of your own home. The frame is made of flawless lightweight white plastic.
posted by Nigel
Thu 05 Nov 2009 @ 11:22 am
Little Boots uses one of these. Just google it.
Comment by Bobby Parker Thu 05 Nov 2009 @ 12:22 pm
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This video of a Bottle Bank Arcade Machine is brilliant. Turn a bottle bank into an arcade machine with flashing lights and score tables and what happens? People recycle more bottles. Awesome, now why couldn’t we do this with all recycling banks? And it takes a VW viral site to give us the idea? Wow.
The latest stroke of genius from FunTheory.com…Turn a recycling bottle bank into an arcade game and guess what happens…. more people get more engaged and recycle more.
posted by Nigel
@ 11:05 am
Now that you know what it does, try a free version:
http://lab.andre-michelle.com/tonematrix
Comment by Michael Fri 06 Nov 2009 @ 2:57 am
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Prism from Mozilla Labs lets you convert any web application into a desktop accessible program, complete with its own icon and dedicated screen. Why would you want this? Well it makes it easier to access some types of web apps if you can use them in their own space, without having them displayed in a generic browser. Things like docs, control panels, accounting services, even web mail.

Google Chrome has this feature and I love it, I immediately made Gmail into a desktop app so I could fire up my inbox without having to run up a full web browser instance. Very cool. The Prism product is implemented as a Firefox addon, which is superb (you’ll find it under the Tools menu when it’s installed) and you can set the app to run minimised from the task bar, start automatically and display pop-up notifications. Excellent. A keeper.
Instead of running all your web apps in the browser, Prism lets you run them in their own window just like normal applications. A single faulty app or web page can no longer take down everything you are working on. In the future, we will be releasing web app bundles from the Prism developer community that let you customize your application to use many of the operating system features common to a desktop application.
posted by Nigel
@ 10:57 am
I just gave the FF plugin a quick whirl.
If it would integrate with a password manager like Lastpass it would be great.
I'm so reliant on Lastpass now when it comes to logging into my online apps that I'm not prepared to give it up. I don't want to have to login manually and remember what all my passwords are any more.
For me, the lack of that feature is a deal breaker and actually makes it more of a chore to use than my FF browser.
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(photo)
The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (or secret copyright treaty as it’s being called) is as perniciously nasty a piece of proposed legislation as you’re likely to find anywhere on the planet. Ostensibly being created to defend the rights of copyright owners, this is yet another instance of stupid government serving the narrow agendas of greed of the massive entertainment corporations. This is not good law.
Unless we all want the dead soul less hand of government stamping out our freedom to communicate, every single Internet user on the globe should protest this slimy proposal in every way possible. Don’t put it off, make excuses or let apathy rule, make sure you do it. If you don’t, as sure as eggs are rotten, we’ll see full blown censorship, selective shutdown and worse arrive next. And that’s the reality of this stuff, folks,
We need to stop it now. Dead. And warn future governments that the Internet has now moved on beyond something that can be controlled by uninformed, self-serving bureaucrats with an agenda and funding from big business.
posted by Nigel
@ 9:31 am
So, according to the graphic you posted along with this story, Republicans are fascists because the Obama administration wants to stifle freedom of speech on the Internet? How does that work?
Comment by Mark Thu 05 Nov 2009 @ 3:26 pm
I don't trust anything Obama wants to do or anything he says. He has proven himself to be a liar, and obviously doesn't have the best interest of the American people in mind. I don't care what party he claims to be, he is not good for our nation. My words don't matter, time will tell. It's just too bad that so many people are not aware of what is really happening.
Comment by Christopher Thu 05 Nov 2009 @ 5:03 pm
Ah no, sorry Mark, I just grabbed the first free graphic with Fascism written on it. Not really playing party politics here, they're all at the same game as far as I can see.
Comment by Nigel Powell Thu 05 Nov 2009 @ 5:58 pm
Just checking. I did learn that ACTA originated with the Bush Administration but I have no idea if the version that Obama is pushing here is the same or not given the secrecy of the details. Either way, I agree with your assessment of the bill itself.
Comment by Mark Fri 06 Nov 2009 @ 4:19 am
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This is one of those As Seen On TV specials but judging by the video and my own tenuous grasp of power tool usage, this is a pretty amazing thing. The Omni Dual Saw is part circular saw, part angle grinder and part electric carving knife. The Dual Saw has two, contra-rotating* circular blades that make pretty short work of anything including steel reinforcing bars, PVC pipe, timber and diamond plate all with the same blades.

The dual blades reduce the vibration and stop the saw biting into hard materials so it’s safer to use. There’s also a set of optional diamond blades that will go through masonry, stone, granite and marble. US$219.96 includes $40 shipping.
*According to Wikipedia this design is actually a contra-rotating system, not counter-rotating as it says on the website. Your mileage may vary.
Omni Dual Saw’s patented counter rotating blade technology makes it the only saw with 2 blades that simultaneously rotate in opposite directions: forward, backward, top and bottom! Unlike other saws, this professional grade saw’s unique technology and dual blade design allow users to cut through virtually any material without changing blades.
Tags: gadget, power+tools, omni+dual+saw, dual+saw
posted by Dan
@ 7:50 am
Is the Sears Craftsman dual blade saw a rebrand of this? If not, then the claim is wrong, there are two brands of these available in the world.
Comment by sean Fri 06 Nov 2009 @ 2:10 am
If you mean this one Sean; http://bit.ly/2EJZq then yes, it looks *exactly* the same.
All depends on which one came first I guess.
Comment by Dan Ferris Fri 06 Nov 2009 @ 6:48 am
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The Ezy100 is a simple, easy-to-use, easy-to-see, easy-to-hear GSM mobile/cell/cellular phone. From it’s high contrast, large font screen to huge back-lit keys you’ll never have trouble dialing in the dark. It has 120 minutes of talk time and 170 hours of standby and it works on GSM 900/1800. No Bluetooth, no wifi, just plain old cellular telephony.
What’s that? You can’t hear the darn thing? No problem, this baby has a +100dB ringer and a boosted volume earpiece and it’s compatible with hearing aids. There are 3 speed dial buttons along the top and on the back, behind a cover there is a panic button that will dial a sequence of up to 5 different phone numbers. Might come in handy for the older person in your life. Priced around AU$250.
The Oricom ezy100 GSM mobile phone is a simple, easy to use mobile for those that just want to make and receive calls/text messages, without paying for other phone features they never use.
Tags: gadget, ezy100, simple+phone, cell+phone
posted by Dan
@ 7:45 am
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This uSmart M1C 4.8″ netbook was spotted at a trade show in Hong Kong. That’s an HTC Hero next to it by the looks of things. It’s got the Atom Z530 processor, Intel GMA500 graphics, 800 x 480 resolution, HDMI support and what looks like the most bizarre keyboard layout I’ve every seen (click on the pic above to enlarge).
It runs Linux/XP/Vista/Win7 but I’ll take the Vista spec with a shaker full of salt and it’s a prototype so you can’t grab one just yet. Sheesh, 4.8″, and you thought the Eee 7″ was hard to use. [via Cloned in China]
Tags: gadget, usmart, usmart+m1c, 5+inch+netbook
posted by Dan
@ 7:40 am
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Previous Post: 999.9 Gold Bar – What recession?
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It must be time for a new USB standard if people need things like this 10 Port USB Hub. It comes with it’s own power supply and there’s a port selector switch which allows you to disable the last 4 ports. Useful if you don’t want certain things to connect but can’t be bothered unplugging them. Priced around US$55. [Via Everything USB]
Up to 10 USB devices can be connected to 10 port USB hub. Slim design, neat summary of the growing number of USB devices. Not permanently connected devices such as USB card reader you can switch to OFF when not in use.
Tags: gadget, usb, 10+port+usb+hub, usb+hub
posted by Dan
@ 7:35 am
It's cool, but I don't think I will use ten usb devices at the same time.
Comment by Batterycentury Thu 05 Nov 2009 @ 9:02 am
I wonder if plugging in 10 USB external drives and then plugging this thing into my PogoPlug would be just ridiculous. :-)
Whoa, what an idea!!! :)
Comment by Nigel Powell Fri 06 Nov 2009 @ 10:52 am
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Yessir, Brando have done the impossible. They’ve perfected alchemy and are now selling 999.9 Gold Bars for US$29.90. No USB port, no batteries, just use them as a paper weight or a doorstop. Heck, get three and put them on your desk just for show. You can afford it. Might even make a good movie prop.

In the time of recession, Nothing is better than Getting a 999.9 “Gold Bar” in Home & Office! This 999.9 Gold Bar style Paperweight, as well as Door Stopper, imitate the real size of a 999.9 Gold Bar. It’s Coolest Gift Idea for your Beloved this year. Hope this can bring “GOLD Luck & GOLD Future” to You!
Tags: gadget, brando, 9999+gold+bar
posted by Dan
@ 7:30 am
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You bought a netbook because it’s easy to carry and so it will always be with you, right? Well you probably should get a decent bag to carry it then shouldn’t you? Here’s a few we’ve seen about the place. If you’ve got a fave, drop us a link in the comments.
[Photo from Flickr]

Air Cube – Fits 10.2″ netbooks and is covered in large air cells like bubble wrap to keep your precious ‘puter safe. Comes in any colour you like as long as it’s pink. US$29.95

Coverbee – Fits 9″ netbooks but is more a netbook sleeve than a bag. Still this leopard print beauty will keep your machine safe while it rattles around in your manbag. €19.99

Personal Muzetto – It’s made from leather, exudes styles and has plenty of pouches for knick-knacks but you’ll probably need to add a sleeve for your netbook … oh and they’re US$179.

slotBar – More like a netbook holster than a bag the slotBar is for 7″ computers only. It does have extra room for pens and MP3 players and other important bits like power supplies. US$59.90

Caselogic PLS-9 – Not super stylish but well thought out. There’s a front pocket for the power adapter and even a tiny little dedicated spot for a USB key, cos you’ve gotta have one with your netbook. US$24.99

Cool Bananas Netbook Organiser – Crikey. If it doesn’t fit in this bag, you don’t need it. Designed for 10″ netbooks this is a nylon bag with leather details and more pockets than you can poke a stick at. £28.95

Cocoon CPS350 – This shock-absorbent case is for the uber geek and their tech collection. Holds up to 11″ laptops, along with your iPhone, Blackberry, MP3 player, charger, PMP all held down using a configurable device organiser. US$44.99

Ladies Netbook Totebag – You need your handbag and your notebook, we get it. Now you can have both, discretely. Made from faux leather and holds up to a 10″ sized netbook. £19.99

Belkin 7″ Laptop Case – It’s purple and it’s perfect … for 7″ netbooks. Best of all it doesn’t look anything like a computer bag. US$29.99

Ristretto for Netbooks – A vertical messenger bag, this one works equally well for netbooks or your Kindle apparently. You can also get an optional waist-strap to keep the bag in place while you’re pedaling on your bike. US$110
Tags: gadget, netbook, netbook+bags, small+laptop+bags
posted by Dan
Wed 04 Nov 2009 @ 7:40 am
technically there are larger versions of the slotbar available, with the largest being able to handle a 15″…
Comment by turn.self.off Wed 04 Nov 2009 @ 2:16 pm
Ah yes the slotBaron:
http://www.urbantool.com/hq/#collection/6-bags/lo...
Cheers
Comment by Dan Ferris Wed 04 Nov 2009 @ 9:26 pm
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TrueCrypt is an open-source disk encryption application that works for Windows, OS-X and Linux. It works by creating a virtual encrypted disk within a file and then mounting it as a real disk. You can write and read from the encrypted disk seamlessly as the encryption happens in real time, or on-the-fly so to speak.
You can choose from all that’s popular in crypto this year, AES-256, Serpent and my fave, Twofish, and the makers claim that it will allow data to be read and be written as fast as if the drive wasn’t encrypted. Just remember, if you forget the password your stuff is gone. At least until AES-256 and it’s kin get cracked. [Thanks Rogier]
TrueCrypt is a software system for establishing and maintaining an on-the-fly-encrypted volume (data storage device). On-the-fly encryption means that data is automatically encrypted or decrypted right before it is loaded or saved, without any user intervention. No data stored on an encrypted volume can be read (decrypted) without using the correct password/keyfile(s) or correct encryption keys. Entire file system is encrypted (e.g., file names, folder names, contents of every file, free space, meta data, etc).
Tags: freeware, truecrypt, encryption+software
posted by Dan
@ 7:35 am
Previous Post: Plantronics Voyager Pro – One headset for two phones
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The Voyager Pro UC from Plantronics is a nifty looking headset, designed to be used with a PC as well as a mobile phone. It works via Bluetooth and allows you to easily switch between phone calls on the PC to your mobile phone, presumably without having to reconnect. Comes supplied with a Bluetooth dongle for your PC and works up to 10 metres away. US$199.99 and available soon.
Designed for mobile professionals in the office or on-the-go, this single headset lets you seamlessly switch between calls received on your PC and those received on your mobile phone.
Tags: gadget, bluetooth, plantronics, plantronics+voyager+pro+uc
posted by Dan
@ 7:30 am
We are excited to carry these when they come in! The Voyager Pro has some amazing sound quality.
Comment by Headset Brothers Wed 04 Nov 2009 @ 8:03 am
The Voyager Pro has been a great Bluetooth Headset for mobile phones. Now adding the ability to use it with VoIP and UC only makes it better. You can use one headset for two completely different applications, being mobile phone talking and VoIP/UC talking. With the dual mic, background noise really is reduced and the headset fits above and behind your ear for comfortable and secure wearing. Also, with different sized ear gels included, you will finally be able to find one that fits your ear.
Comment by Headsets Direct Wed 04 Nov 2009 @ 3:51 pm
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Look, these LED Laser Fingers have about as much laser in them as I do, but that’s what they’re called ok? They push over the ends of your fingers for events like raves, concerts and poetry slams, whatever they are. You get 2 of each colour in a pack for a total of 8 and the three AG3 batteries last for 2 nights of partying. ~US$8 per pack of 8, with a minimum order of 4 packs.

How would you like to shoot rays of colored light from your fingertips? Well, now you can! These simple and fun finger gadgets are easy for anyone to use, either drunk or sober, you just simple slide your fingers into the integral elastic strech bands and you can turn these on and start using them immediately.
Tags: gadget, party+gadget, led+laser+fingers, glow+sticks, chinavasion
posted by Dan
@ 7:28 am
Cool!! for party, so fabulous
Comment by education toys Wed 04 Nov 2009 @ 9:30 am
These look good, quite simple but effective. I have something similar with character recognition. Kids will like them so they also make a good toy.
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The Nature Mill Plus XE is an indoor compost bin. Unlike other kitchen waste disposal units, the Plus XE actually uses the natural action of microbes to break down pretty much any type of kitchen waste. Things like fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, dairy, meat, fish, pet waste, kitty litter, and cage beddings. The Nature Mill can take up to 55kg of waste per month, turning it into water vapour and awesome garden fertiliser.

The unit has a filter to remove garbage odours and uses about 5kWh of power per month to run, about the same as a night light. The Mill is made from recycled materials and can be used indoors or out, in any temperature and will need emptying about every 2 weeks when the little red light goes on. The Plus XE is the cheaper of two models and is priced at US$299 and according to the website they’re available worldwide.
Deposit food waste any time, any day – up to 120 lbs (55kg) per month. For best results, cut items into small pieces. Items remain in the upper chamber under optimal composting conditions: mixing, air flow, heat, and moisture. The energy released destroys odors, pathogens, and seed germination.
Tags: gadget, nature+mill, nature+mill+xe+plus, indoor+composting
posted by Dan
Tue 03 Nov 2009 @ 7:40 am
Now that is green, efficient, and and hopefully not odiferous for improving the planet. Except for that little part about pet waste, especially from a cat or dog. They can carry things you really don't want in the food cycle. Same with birds. Rats, rabbits, hamsters, mice, guinea pigs – all good. Frog, toad and reptile supplies such as moss and substrate are all good as well. The Cooperative Extension Agency usually has good tips on what to include.
Comment by J Renee Hyzy Tue 03 Nov 2009 @ 7:57 pm
I'll bet the kitchen smells like a Polish outhouse in summer.
Nope, like the smell of sourdough apparently
5kWh per month works out to 6.85 Watt 24 hours a day. That's a pretty hefty night light!
Our night light uses 0.4W and has a light sensor so it switches off in daytime.
Comment by Philip Green Wed 04 Nov 2009 @ 9:12 am
I don't know about that Philip. 7 watts sounds about right for the old incandescent nightlights.
I remember people complaining about tellies having 10W to 15 W drain in standby mode.
Comment by Dan Ferris Wed 04 Nov 2009 @ 10:20 am
"Nope, like the smell of sourdough apparently"
You don't know about the stench of my sourdough! I do – Tom Cruise.
I actually have one of these. No smell at all except for a faint coffee aroma because that is what I put in it most. It is a great invention and I am happy to do my part for the environment (and very happy to get great compost all year round). The reviews for the newer model have been very good so clearly this company has been advancing the technology.
Comment by Kalish Sat 07 Nov 2009 @ 1:01 am
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Now this is a good idea. Since optical media has pretty much failed to keep pace with our data storage needs, ditch the optical drives and replace them with a Triple 3.5″ SATA/SAS Hard Drive Dock.

The dock takes up two slots on a desktop PC and has room for three 3.5″ SATA or Serial Attached SCSI drives, each in a lockable enclosure and the bay comes with an integrated, silent 6cm fan. You could probably turn this into an instant RAID array too I’d imagine. US$149 from Brando.
Triple 3.5″ HDD Rack lets you install three 3.5″ SATA/SAS Hard Drives in a 2-bay tray system. Save your system space. Built-in powerful 6cm silent cooling fan to avoid your hard disks damaging by overheat; Maintains your HDD Life!
Tags: gadget, triple+3.5+inch+sata+hard+drive+dock, brando, hard+drive+bay
posted by Dan
@ 7:35 am
Hey i've found 2TB hard drive on http://micropartsusa.com will it support 2TB hard drives?
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I should have included this Remote Control Tissue Box in yesterday’s swine flu article. It’s perfect for transporting urgent supplies to a lurgy infected spouse or housemate. It has an 8 metre range and needs 6 AAA batteries. Priced around US$41 from GeekStuff.
Need to wipe your nose, but you’re comfortably seat in your sofa and don’t want to stand up in order to take your tissue box? Don’t worry, this RC Driving Tissue Box is exactly what you need! Just take the remote control and bring the tissue box to you.
Tags: gadget, remote+control+tissue+box, remote+controlled+gadget
posted by Dan
@ 7:30 am
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A simple IR spotlight/torch can turn almost any Video Camera into nightvision, so no need to be stuck with VGA. And IR filters can be removed from most Cameras (don't void your warranty!). But go ahead with this one if you've got a free spot on your utility/bat belt :)
Comment by @gilberthavlik Fri 06 Nov 2009 @ 3:17 pm
Heh, not sure how you're going to avoid voiding the warranty as you rip the case apart, but thanks for the info G. :)
Comment by Nigel Powell Fri 06 Nov 2009 @ 3:47 pm