Monthly Archives: October 2008

huh..? October 2, 2008 posted by
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A quick note to any gadget-reliant British round-the-world-sailors …

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the US Coast Guard is pushing to turn off satellite detection of the ubiquitous 121.5 MHz emergency beacon. Unfortunately they plan on doing it at the height of the southern hemisphere summer, the 1st of February 2009. After the satellite detection is switched off, the only way the beacon would be heard is by a plane passing overhead. So if you’re a British yachtsperson sailing around the world and you’re planning on getting into…

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A quick note to any gadget-reliant British round-the-world-sailors …
Awesome October 2, 2008 posted by
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SanDisk MobileMate Micro Reader – awesome tiny data store on a keychain

The SanDisk MobileMate Micro Reader is one gorgeous piece of gadgetry. It’s designed to read microSD and MemoryStick Micro memory cards via a standard USB port, but the real awesomeness of it comes from the fact that it’s so tiny you can attach it to your keychain and forget it’s there. I just got one from eBay and shoved a spare 4GB microSD card in it for data emergencies, which is great, but what’s really cool is the fact that I can use the reader…

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hardware October 2, 2008 posted by
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AgeSafe – verifying our age in an age of mistrust

The AgeSafe system is designed to help you, the shopkeepers and club managers of the world, annoy your customers time and time again. Get them to scan in their passport and fingerprints once, and every time they visit your establishment they’ll squeal with delight as they’re forced to place their finger on the scanner again. I for one will be delighted to perform this function every time I wish to buy a bag of chips. Georgie Orwell, are you watching…

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Free Software October 2, 2008 posted by
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KeePass – free password management with super strong encryption

KeePass is a free password management program which, if you’re anything like me, you’ll welcome with open arms. How on earth are we supposed to keep track of all this stuff? Oh yeah and make sure that we’re not repeating passwords everywhere. Insane. The worse thing is this stupid new VISA Authenticated rubbish. So now when I shop online with a credit card, not only do I have to remember passwords, PIN numbers, memorable places/dates, the security number and my great…

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Gadgets October 1, 2008 posted by
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MicroSync – world’s smallest wireless strobe flash unit

The MicroSync Digital Kit is billed as the world’s smallest wireless flash strobe trigger. Just plug the transmitter into your camera, the receiver into the strobe unit and voila, instant wireless connection for all your photographically phun activities. $199.95 for the complete kit. [Thanks Matthew – heh!]  The MicroSync Digital is revolutionary because it is super minature, extremely lightweight, and almost operates itself. Just place the transmitter in the hotshoe of your camera, plug the receiver into your strobe’s powerpack…

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Gadgets October 1, 2008 posted by
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Flower Shaped Combo Speaker – plastic never looked so…plastic

We can think of little else in life you will need once you own this Flower Shaped Speaker & Alarm Clock set. Need to soothe your fevered brow? Simply plug in your music player and relax. Want to carry around a stupid looking flashlight as you patrol the museum on your shift? No problemo. How about a nasty cheapo LCD alarm clock motif? Right here, sir. Just a wonderful wonderful product. $17.99.  To know time and enjoy music from a…

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Free Software October 1, 2008 posted by
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BookDB – free book cataloguing software makes your collection viable again

BookDB is a freeware book cataloguing program which gives you all the smarts you need to keep tabs on your massive collection of pre-war Mills & Boons. You can also use it to keep track of loans to friends and family, so next time young Johnny waltzes off with Pride & Prejudice you can summon him to explain his tardy return and suspicious literary tastes.  With BookDB2 you can enter all your books with author, category, publisher etc and print them out…

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