Published October 24, 2007
in Gadget.
I read KitKat’s post on a key tracker that some people use in public computers to track what the user types. I have heard of software based key loggers in the past but never a device for it. I had my doubts at first until I did more searching about it.
I found another post talking about the same thing — key tracker device. One commentator shared the same doubt as I did about this device. The alleged key tracking device looks like a normal converter (USB to PS2 or vice versa).
However, the following comments pointed me to a few websites that are actually selling the device.
I guess this device could be real. Apart from using it unethically, this device has its own “legal” and useful purposes. You can use it to check if your spouse is “dating” anyone online or to make sure your kids are not chatting with the wrong people online.
As a rule of thumb, one should avoid accessing highly sensitive accounts like online banking and PayPal when using public computers.
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Published October 22, 2007
in Gadget.
If you are a game freak, here is good news for you. Dell announced a new model for hardcore gamers a short while ago — the Dell XPS M1730 notebook. It is the world’s first notebook with an optional AGEIA physX processor.
System specification
- Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7500 (2.2Ghz / 800 FSB / 4MB Cache)
- 2GB DDR2 SDRAM
- 17.0″ UltraSharp Widscreen TFT Display with TrueLife
- 160GB Hard Drive
- 8X DVD Burner
- Dual NVIDIA GeForce 8700M GT
Price tag
A hefty RM7,999.
What is this AGEIA physX processor?
It is a specialized accelerator dedicated to calculate all the physics involved in a game. Previously, all game physics are computed by the CPU. Since the CPU is already having a huge load computing the game logic and other AI matters, this leaves not much resource for game physics.
With the AGEIA physX processor, game developers can push game physics to a whole new level. We will be seeing more realistic effects in fighting and driving games for example.
For more information, check out the AGEIA website.
My verdict
For whatever reason that you prefer having a high end notebook for games instead of getting a desktop, the Dell XPS M1730 is something you should look into. The AGEIA physX add-on is a must if you want that extra boost in your games. However, I am not sure if you will notice a difference in all games.
[Via lazyfellow]
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Published October 16, 2007
in Gadget.
I found this prototype model of an advanced safety scooter, the ASV-3, which was made by Yamaha Motors. The article is already a year old. The difference in this scooter compared to the normal scooters we have on the road is that the ASV-3 has a multi-chambered airbag which opens from under the seat.
I am not sure what the airbag was meant to do. I would guess that it is to prevent the rider from sliding forward in a collision thus hitting the handle bars and causing the rider injury. However, Geekologie feels that it could be used as a crotch guard.
I do not know how the crotch airbag works but it looks dangerously close to the rider’s groin area. I’d imagine the airbag causing more harm than good to the rider instead. Can you imagine what will happen if the rider were to sit an inch or two closer to the front and the airbag were to expand in such a fast rate thus hitting him in the groin?
Ouch!
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Published September 23, 2007
in Gadget.
I stumbled upon this great gadget called Privacy Enhanced Computer Display developed by the Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories. This article isn’t new (the date of modification is six years ago) but I find this gadget to be very interesting and is something that I would wish to have.
The privacy enhanced computer display isn’t your ordinary desktop monitor. When you look at it with your bare eyes, all you can see is flickering grey images. You will need to wear a special pair of glasses to view the actual images displayed on the monitor. Below is a quote from the website on how this device works.
The display alternately displays the desired information in one field, then the inverse image of the desired information in the next field, at up to 120 Hz refresh. The ferroelectric shutter glasses allow only the desired information to be viewed, while the inverse image causes unauthorized viewers to perceive only a flickering gray image, caused by the persistence of vision in the human visual system.
This device was initially designed for use in public place such as hospitals, banks, pharmacies and government departments. In those places, confidential information displayed on a monitor is at risk of being exposed to onlookers. Therefore, the implementation of this device protects data security and ensures only staff members are able to view the data.
So, why would I want a device like this?
* Image taken and edited from the privacy enhanced computer display website and Kukujiao.com *
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Published September 6, 2007
in Gadget.
Thumb drives should be one of the most popular storage medium used nowadays. Its advantages over other storage medium such as CD are convenient, faster read/write speed and large capacity. Unlike when thumb drives were first introduced, they are now capable of storing up to a few gigabytes of data.
Due to portability and the large capacity, computer users are keeping more data into their thumb drives — songs, movies, files, programs and photos. Some users may even store confidential files in their thumb drives. The problem that needed to be addressed was how to properly safeguard the data contained in the thumb drives. A few years back, some thumb drives are bundled with encryption features. However, encrypted passwords can still be hacked if the password isn’t strong enough.
Introducing IronKey, the grade thumb drive.
IronKey was first developed for military use. Data on the thumb drive are scrambled and encrypted using a hardware encryption chip. The inside of the thumb drive is filled with a solution called epoxy. Therefore, any attempt to open the thumb drive physically may cause damage to the chips inside. To make matters a little tougher for any potential hacker, the encryption chip will self-destruct when 10 incorrect password attempts were recorded.
This is one heavy duty thumb drive, eh? It is available to the public now at a price range of $78.99 to $148.99. The only available model now is the 2GB version at a price of $109.00. The 1GB and 4GB thumb drives will be out soon. Hop over to ThinkGeek for more information.
Do you keep any “sensitive” data in your thumb drive? Have you ever lost a thumb drive that contained data or files that no one else should see? If yes, what was it? 
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