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Archive for the ‘Storage’ Category

eGo II Portable Hard Drive – A Stylish Solution

Monday, March 9th, 2009

My home system recently caught a nasty virus. A family member offered to help remove the virus and asked me to back up my system. Here is what I did - don’t laugh! I made a series of 4GB folders with my documents and files and burned the folders on about six DVDs. During this process, I realized I had not backed up my system (using the same process) in quite some time. Time for a change!

The eGo II Portable Hard Drive will definitely do the trick! It has 250GB of memory, which the company says can hold about 1 million photos, over 4,625 hours of music and 375 hours of video and requires no external power supply. It weighs less than nine ounces and is a tiny 3.4 x 5.4 inches.

This is the perfect solution to backing up my computer without taking up space and wasting DVDs. It comes in seven fun colors, but I just need the Spring Green! Now I need to set a reminder for backing things up regularly. How often do you back up your system?

Posted in Cyber Sisterhood, Storage | 5 Comments »

About Those Ubuntu Mini 9 Hard Drive Partitions

Monday, October 20th, 2008

Heads up that the manager of our Linux OS engineering team, John Hull, just posted an update over on Direct2Dell concerning 8GB and 16GB hard drives on the Ubuntu version of the Mini 9. Customers pointed out that the hard drives on these Mini configurations were not fully formatted — which basically means the device thought there was a 4GB hard drive inside instead of 8GB or 16GB. The good news is it’s fixable as John details in his post.

Posted in Laptops, Storage | No Comments »

Save Your Docs AND Money

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008

Do you have an accordion folder full of copies of your “important documents”? I sure do. It is one of my favorite mom jobs – making sure that our information is stored safely and easily accessed.

This can be a costly habit. We are talking about a good ream of paper and at least one ink cartridge. Worst of all, you can’t get that paper and ink back. Once you use it, it is gone.

My solution?

Today, I bought this 4GB Kingston USB Memory stick for less than $12 USD. I am taking my originals and scanning them in and saving them on the USB. This will save me money and also make me a little more green.

Posted in Cyber Sisterhood, Storage, Tips | No Comments »

A Necklace By Any Other Name

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008

The folks at Gresso have done it again. They have created the must-have, price-is-no-object tech-cessory of the season. You may remember my post on the Price-is-no-Object Mobile Phone, showcasing their $14,000 USD African blackwood and 2.53K diamond phone. This time they have created a necklace and not just any necklace–an $8,000 USD wearable flash drive that stores 192GB necklace.

Spotted by Trend Hunter, this necklace is like their mobile phones, being made of 200-year-old exotic African hardwood crusted with diamonds and 18K gold. Their designs are simple on their pyramid-shaped pendant. And with only 99 of these necklaces made, they really are intended for only the lucky few.

While these pendants may not be the top on my list, I commend Gresso for continuously combining the worlds of luxury and technology. I wonder what they will come up with next. Maybe an African blackwood computer case to fit my Dell XPS M1330?

If money was no object, what tech-cessory would you like to see in African blackwood and diamonds?

Posted in Cyber Sisterhood, Fashion, Storage | 3 Comments »

So Long, Thumb Drive

Tuesday, October 7th, 2008

Accessing and sharing music, movies, files and applications just got easier with the launch of Dell Remote Access. The application features a simple-to-use browser-based interface that connects you wherever you are to your content wherever it resides – home desktop PC, laptop, ultra-mobile device, smart phone, etc.

The application is available today in the U.S. for download at www.dellremoteaccess.com, and is scheduled to be available later this year as an optional pre-install on most Dell Inspiron, Studio and XPS desktops and laptops.

Once you activate Dell Remote Access on any Windows–based PC, you log in to my.dellremoteaccess.com from that connected device. The application provides an “at home” PC experience through key features including:

Secure Web navigation via a simple browser-based interface — no extra software needed.
Secure folder sharing by emailing an encrypted URL – let friends and family tap into gigs of vacation pics.
Automatic identification of and access to all of your network devices.
Remote desktop control that allows you to open and use applications instead of loading a copy on multiple devices – your smart phone just got smarter.
Viewing images and streaming music from your home system library to your laptop, Mini or smart phone.
Upload option for saving files to a home folder – no more rummaging around for your sync cables.

Power users motivated to wring every bit of potential out of Dell Remote Access can find additional suggestions at In the Clouds.

The basic version of Dell Remote Access is free and provides PC-to-PC access for one system. The premium version provides additional features like file sharing, full home network device access, remote control of home PCs, and access via smart phones and other mobile devices. The premium version is offered at $9.95 a month or $99 a year.

Posted in Desktops, Laptops, Storage | 4 Comments »

Move Over CD-ROM, Now There’s Something Better

Monday, September 29th, 2008

The Secure Digital card is a marvel. It can hold a lot of data and it is super convenient. Many people have already discovered this when using their digital cameras, which was the first intent for SD cards. Now, as the Associate Press has reported, music companies are ready to embrace SD cards to sell music albums.

These cards come in two flavors, SD and SDHC (Secure Digital High-Capacity). They are flash memory solid state devices. The SD version was the first, featuring a FAT 16 file system. SDHC is a newer version and uses the FAT 32 file system. It can hold a lot more data than the original SD version. There is a little confusion with SDHC cards not working in some devices. So, before buying one it is very important to find out which type will work for you.

As you can see in the photo, the SD card design is very portable. Interestingly there are actually three different types of packaging, the standard SD, Mini SD (not shown), and Micro SD memory card. If you go to buy a card you will most often see standard and mini cards. The standard cards are usually used in laptops and the mini cards are designed for handheld devices. These memory cards are so compact that six standard SD cards in cases, or 12 SD cards without carrying cases, will occupy the same space as one CD in a carrying case. This makes it very comfortable for me to hold five in my pocket and never worry about them cracking or scratching. And remember, because of the SD card packaging shell, you do not always have to hold SD cards in a case. With a CD you must.

Personally, I really like this idea of moving to memory cards because I have CDs that no longer work. One time or another they were scratched while spinning inside the player. Remember CDs work mechanically. They have to spin in order to be read, which consumes more energy than SD cards because the latter requires no motors or servos.

So, that means it will take fewer parts to manufacture SD readers and players (when manufactured). This will help make devices more portable, cut costs and prevent waste. It’s a green solution. Also, keep in mind a mechanical device will break down faster than solid state technology. Oh, and one more thing while on this point, it takes less raw material to manufacture memory cards than CD-ROMS.

With new computers being sold with solid state drives, we can feel confident that the technology is reliable and ready for new markets. Plus, now that music will start to be distributed on SD cards, movies and software distribution can’t be that far off.

If the industry is concerned about copyright issues than take a look at Iron Key. This company has incorporated copyright protection on a hardware level. They are currently using this technology in USB memory keys. I would not be surprised if that technology could be implemented into SD cards as well.

Finally, think about how convenient a home entertainment system would be with a super-thin console that can play movies and hundreds of songs with one storage device. Plus, you would never have to cross your fingers ever again, hoping that the CD will play. I want one!

Posted in Music, Photography, Storage | No Comments »

Tech-cessories for Star Wars Geeks

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008

With the first animated Star Wars project from Lucasfilm Animation, “Star Wars, The Clone Wars,” out in the theaters this past August, it seems that Star Wars fever has hit again. It’s hard to go to a store, whether it is Best Buy or Toys”R”Us, and not see something Star Wars themed when you first walk in. But let’s talk Star Wars tech-cessories.

Mimoco is jumping into this revived fan base with its new Star Wars USB Flash Drive Series.

Just pop off the head and out comes a USB key!

Whether you’re a Chewbacca, C-3PO or Han Solo fan, you can buy your buddies and save away in Star Wars galore. Each is available in 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB storage and even come with exclusive Star Wars MIMOBOT content like mimoByte sound software, and the mimoDesk personalization suite of icons, avatars, wallpapers, and screensavers. You can even buy your buddy a “hoodie” to protect the key. They are as low as $39.95 USD making them an affordable way to show how big of a Star Wars fan you really are.

These limited-edition keys are truly a must have for the Star Wars enthusiast and are selling out quickly given the resurgence of Star Wars memorabilia and collectibles. Can’t imagine these won’t be worth a little something extra in several years.

Do you use technology to show that you are an über-fan?

Posted in Eclectica, Storage | No Comments »

Dell First With Industry-Approved Burn-to-DVD Downloads

Tuesday, September 16th, 2008

Heads up, movie buffs. Now there’s an easy and legal way to build a personal digital library of your favorite flicks.

Thanks to a deal with Sonic Solutions, Dell is bringing the big screen to your PC screen with the first PC-based Qflix drives. Using an intuitive software application, Roxio Venue, you can search and select from a variety of major Hollywood hits available from CinemaNow, download them on your PC, transfer them to multiple digital devices in your home, and then create a permanent and portable DVD-format copy on Qflix DVD media.

The Qflix drive bundle is available in the U.S. now as a $120 option on most Inspiron, Studio and XPS laptops, as well as this link to Dell’s Entertainment, Software and Accessories online store. It soon will be available as option on select consumer desktops.

The bundle includes an external Qflix-enabled drive, which also supports standard DVD read/write functions, two recordable Qflix DVD discs, Roxio Venue and CinemaNow software and a USB cable.

According to Crave, approximately 100 Qflix-ready selections are currently available on CinemaNow, which says it plans to expand the number of offerings. For a deeper dive, check out what Stephen Nathans-Kelly has to say over at eMediaLive.

Posted in Film, Home Theater, Laptops, Storage, Video | No Comments »

FCGEO — For Chic Geek Eyes Only

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008

I stumbled upon what I believe to be one of the hippest techcessories of the year on Trend Hunter. If you haven’t finalized your holiday wish list yet, this might need to go straight to the top.

Chic Geeks of the world– meet a clever and fun way to securely store all of your information on a very portable USB stick. If anyone tries to tamper with it, it will self destruct. Well maybe not that dramatic, but it does feel very Mission Impossible! Take Anyware has created two ways to protect your information and for an affordable price, starting at $59.99 USD.

First is the tâke Personal Pocket Safe. If anyone tampers with your USB key, including forcibly removing the memory chip, or entering the pin wrong on the keypad more than three times, it blocks further attempts or destroys all of the information on the memory chip. Your information is secured by 256-bit AES encryption and no trace of the software or information is left on the computer you use it with.

The second is the Secret Diary. In case you are afraid of others reading your inner-most thoughts, this is the way to go. Who hasn’t had a brother, cousin or friend try to rip the lock off your diary when you were little? I know I have. No fear of that anymore.

What’s most exciting is how you can personalize your diary entries with personal photos and sketches. If that’s not enough, the software includes a dream analyzer and an Emotion Sensor that changes colors on the screen depending on what you are writing, as well as virtual fortune cookies, to make sure you get your daily dose of wisdom.

I don’t care how old I am, I want one. This makes me excited about the possibility of keeping a diary again. Truly a modern-day diary for the modern-day chic geek.

Mothers, daughters, sisters and chic geeks alike, these USB sticks are sure to appeal to anyone wanting that extra level of security. What would you put on one of these? What secrets or information would you want to keep private and protected?

Looking forward to your thoughts and comments.

Posted in Cyber Sisterhood, Storage, Tips | 1 Comment »

Protect It, Without Comprising Chic Geek Style

Tuesday, July 1st, 2008

Error Message: Your files are corrupt.

“What? My files? My photos? My documents for work? My whole world? Corrupt? What do you mean c-o-r-r-u-p-t? AAAARGH!!! ”

If you have experienced this error message when putting in your USD stick, you know the fear and drama that undoubtedly ensues when the thought of losing everything sets in. A common reason USB sticks fail is because the CF connection gets worn or dirty. With most USB sticks having a retractable design and coming with a key chain ring for adding to external locations, it’s no wonder they get corrupted as often as they do.

Geek Sugar found a very creative and stylish solution for protecting your USD sticks. The MoMA Store features Giorgio Fedon Mignon cases as being used to hold small items including coins, vitamins, jewelry, USB sticks and more. They come in four stylish colors, are made in Italy of aluminum and PVC with a cotton base and sell for just under $15 USD.

Rather than throwing your USB sticks into the bottom of your bag (GUILTY!), junk drawer or hanging it on your purse or key chain, this is a nice simple way to keep chic and minimize the risk of corrupted sticks.

How do you carry and protect your USB cards? Looking forward to your comments and thoughts.

Posted in Cyber Sisterhood, Fashion, Storage | 1 Comment »

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