May 2009 - Page 8 of 12 - The Red Ferret JournalThe Red Ferret Journal

Gadgets May 12, 2009 posted by Dan

Aerator Sandals – and you thought Crocs looked dorky

Spring’s here (for you Northerners anyway) so get out in the garden and do some good. These Aerator Sandals strap to your boots and aerate your lawn while you walk around. After you’re done, head down to the golf course and you’re all dressed for day on the green. $US12.99. Aerating your lawn revitalizes hard, compacted soil, and helps prevent thatch buildup, but lawn services charge a mint for this service. Why not do it yourself? Just strap these “sandals”…

Gadgets May 12, 2009 posted by Nigel

Ipevo S0-10 Skype Desktop Phone – the computer free Internet phone for professionals

This IPEVO S0-10 Skype Desktop Phone is proof that Skype has now become an institution. No need for a computer, just plug this baby into your broadband connection (no dial-up please we’re squeamish) and you’re good to go. Comes with an integrated two port Ethernet switch for sharing net connections, plus a speakerphone setting and speed dial buttons. $99.99. The look and feel of a normal desktop phone on the outside, a built-in CPU grade to run the Skype software on the inside. Direct…

Gadgets May 12, 2009 posted by Dan

AquaSafeStraw – simple, portable water purification system

We all know the problems with water purification for travelling or camping. Bulky pumps, funny tasting tablets, it’s all work, work, work. Now there’s the AquaSafeStraw. You use it like a normal drinking straw, as the water is sucked up through the membrane in the middle of the straw, only particles smaller than 0.2 �m are able to pass. This strains out all the nasties and leaves you with hopefully ok-tasting drinking water. The straw just needs a quick shake…

Gadgets May 12, 2009 posted by Nigel

Surf Shelf – laptop and body in perfect harmony

The Surf Shelf is a laptop holder that can be attached to a fitness machine to give you double exercise and computing pleasure. Not only can you surf the web and enjoy yourself while working out, but there’s also a specialised web portal containing 84 channels of specially selected entertainment for you to peruse as you pump the pecs or whatever. How thoughtful is that? $39.95. The tray of the SurfShelf will accommodate any laptop on the market including 17 inch…

Gadgets May 12, 2009 posted by Nigel

The Ellen Cooler – cruisin’ for comfort

This is Ellen Degeneres’ Cruisin’ Cooler. Yes she has one, and apparently it’s fully loaded. From the looks of the pics with a mega-sound system, DVD player and rhinestone finery. Too glam, dahling. If you feel the need for same, hand over $5000.00 and you might get lucky. If you have a top rated television show of course. ELLEN – got her new custom cooler and it is totally loaded see it now. We can honestly say that this new…

Awesome May 12, 2009 posted by Nigel

Xandros Presto – hands on with a real Microsoft Windows killer

Xandros Presto is one of those products which, provocative headlines aside, actually could be a game changer in the computing world. The software is basically Linux bundled as a Windows application, which means it’s fast and easy to install, and provides a bunch of cool benefits to Joe Public computer user. Point One: Yes of course you need Windows to run this, but the 5 minute installation is super simple and after that you need never see your Windows installation…

Bookmark This! May 12, 2009 posted by Nigel

Acid Play – 1000 free games for download

Acid Play has over 1000 freeware games available for download and enjoyment, including some venerable classics like One Must Fall. The games are all rated, along with comments and recommendations. Nice site and definitely worth a visit. 2008 saw another reinvention of Acid-Play with a refreshed design and complete rehaul of the systems behind our site. Our idea was to bring you, our community, even closer into the review process. We feature community reviews more prominently and allow you to log…

Bookmark This! May 12, 2009 posted by Nigel

PDF to Excel – free conversion service for spreadsheet love

The new PDF to Excel service converts your PDF files to XLS, which is a useful tool to know if you have that kind of need. If you don’t, then move along please and don’t clutter the hallway. Unlike most PDF-to-Excel converters, we successfully detect all tables and discard non-tabular content, leaving you with a clean, easy-to-use XLS file. Other conversion solutions typically convert the entire contents of a PDF into a hard-to-use XLS file, or force you to manually…

Gadgets May 11, 2009 posted by Nigel

Light for Life Torch – new super flashlight recharges in just 90 seconds

This new Light For Life flashlight recharges in a mere 90 seconds and will then deliver a solid 90 minutes worth of 270 lumens light. It sports three LED bulbs with a lifetime rating of 50,000 hours while the zero-battery power system will survive 50,000 recharge cycles and -40 degrees C. Yes it’s a beast of a gizmo. It does not contain batteries — instead the Light for Life relies on a clever bit of wizardry we call FlashPoint Power Technology…

Bizarre May 11, 2009 posted by Nigel

Xbox Controller Soap – geek out those bubbly bathtimes

Xbox Controller Soap. Well what else is there to say…really? Seven ounces, raised buttons, scented with Mountain Dew fragrance oil. Priceless. $12.00. I finally had an opportunity to make soap in the shape of an Xbox controller! Now, the PlayStation soaps will have a proper rival. The Xbox soap weighs seven ounces and has raised buttons. This one comes with the added addition of colors, so it looks even more realistic than the others. Despite its weight of 7 ounces,…

Gadgets May 11, 2009 posted by Nigel

Brick Style Cell Phone Holder – retro style nonsense wrecks your pocket and ears

This Brick Style Mobile Phone Holder supplies no discernible value that we can see apart from making your pockets bulge like it’s 1999. The idea is for you to plunk your dainty, skinny, modern state of the art phone into this holder and roar with laughter every time the thing spits out a witty phrase as a call or text arrives. Yes it’s that much fun. Hold steady, maybe sit down for a bit. £9.99. Remember when cell phones where large blocks…

Gadgets May 11, 2009 posted by Nigel

Grass Charging Valet – power up your gadgets from teh bush

Chalk this one up to the ‘slightly weird’ department. The Grass Charging Valet features some pretty awesome-not artificial grass which is designed to hide cables and naughty bits while charging your accoutrements. Yeah, we’re not quite sure either, it must have looked great on the drawing board, right? $29.98. “Grass” hides your cell charger and other small electronics while hiding your unsightly charging cords. “Go Green” and recharge devices in this original and playful patch of faux grass. Use for cell phones, cameras, media…

Free Software May 11, 2009 posted by Nigel

Avira Anti Virus – freeware anti malware program

The Avira Anti Virus program is a freeware package which offers the usual protection against nasty malware stuff attacking you and yours. It apparently features faster scanning and support for adware and phishing too. The commercial version will also protect against drive-by infection from dodgy websites and email protection. Worth putting in the toolbox. Avira AntiVir Personal – FREE Antivirus is a reliable free antivirus solution, that constantly and rapidly scans your computer for malicious programs such as viruses, Trojans,…

cool tech May 11, 2009 posted by Nigel

Cone of Silence – the smart power strip that will shield your conversations in any room

Researchers at MIT are working on a secure conversation masking system which will use a system of power strips and sensors to mask out confidential conversations in any room or open plan office environment. The Distributed Acoustic Conversation Shielding System can be set up in any room simply by plugging in special power strips which contain a PIR infrared sensor, a microphone and a small speaker. Each person in a private conversation activates their personal sensor which ‘logs’ them into…

Bookmark This! May 11, 2009 posted by Nigel

Hungry? – 7 sites that let you find recipes based on your cupboard contents

Seven sites that let you find recipes based on ingredients in your cupboard (or fridge). Supercook. Recipe search engine done with a dash of lemon and just a twist of lime. Recipe Puppy. Another ingredient focussed search engine which culls recipes from various culinary websites. Recipe Bridge. Includes recipe data from blogs as well as the standard sites. All Recipes. Not a search engine…gasp…it’s an actual recipe site. With an ingredients focussed function. Professional, old school, solid, international. Recipe Land. Web 1.0 styled,…

Monthly Archives: May 2009