debcook

All calculators are not created equal. Some are Solar powered, some plug into the wall and there are even some that are powered by ordinary tap water.

Are you aware that some calculators can talk? How many times have you entered a number wrong on a calculator without knowing it? What If your calculator could alert you to a mistake?

Talking calculators are available at a very low price point for the features that they offer. Many sell for less than thirty dollars. Some speak all numbers such as a 4, a 5 and a 6. Some will also speak four hundred and fifty six. Some calculators have headphone jacks so that the sound will not disturb others in the room. There are calculators that have alarms and those that will wake you up to the sound of music. Who knew?

If you like even a more novel approach to adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing there are talking calculators that measure the same a sheet of printer paper. Their keys are large and the LCD is large enough to see easily. Then there is the talking calculator that tells jokes.

The Mousepad Calculator with Talking Clock and Temperature does double duty. It is a Mousepad for your computer and tells time and the room temperature.

The Talking Calculator and Talking Alarm Clock with Earphones tells you the numbers and talks you through setting the alarm.

The Jumbo Talking Calculator talks and is as large as a sheet of printer paper.

The 2000 Talking Calculator with Alarm Clock for the Visually Impaired speaks and offers an extra large LCD screen.

The Designer Talking Calculator Clock and Music Box talks, wakes you up and plays music.

The Excalibur JK01 Jackie’s Talking Comedy Calculator tells jokes.

This is a short list of calculators that talk. I am amazed at the selection and the prices. What a great gift for those that already have everything!

The ClickFree DVD Transformer is a great little gadget that makes burning important files to a CD or DVD super easy. The only software needed is the ClickFree software that is preloaded on a small flash drive type device. Simply insert the USB end of the DVD Transformer into a computer and the software installs itself.

Once the software is installed you will be given the option to backup all files or just some files. Up to 400 different file formats is recognized by the ClickFree software so it is possible to backup each and every file on your computer. If you have more than one computer – no problem – the same ClickFree DVD Transformer can be used on multiple computers.
Burning the files to a CD or DVD is as simple as clicking OK. No other software is needed other than the ClickFree software. The DVD Transformer will search all of the drives on your computer – sort the files into folders – and will give you the choice of what you want to do with them.

After the files are burned to a CD or DVD it is easy to restore them to the same computer they came from or to any other computer that is running Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7. Mac users are in luck as well with the Mac OS X 10.5 or higher.

Most backed up files cannot be viewed until they are restored. Not the case with the ClickFree DVD Transformer. The files are separated into folders that can be opened and the files inside can be viewed as well.

Winter is arriving all across the country so brrrrr is the word of the day. Instead of being bummed by the chilly weather be inspired to have a little fun. Polar bears in the front yard might just do the trick. While shopping on Amazon.com I came across these cute lighted polar bears.

Each bear has its own UL approved 60 foot electrical cord so they can be arranged close together or if you prefer – further apart. The bare bone metal conctruction shows just a little underneath the polar bear fur. The weather proof tinsel fabric has tiny glass like beads that sparkle like snow flakes. Clear mini lights light up the bears and accentuate their red caps and scarfs.
These friendly polar bears do require some assembly. Once assembled the mother bear measures approximetlely 26 inches tall by 14 inch wide and 32 inches long. The baby bear is smaller and measures approximately 19 inches tall by 9.5 inches wide and 19 inches long.

I like the polar bears since they can visit all winter long. During holiday seasons they add to the décor and between holidays they look great by just reminding us that the winter season is upon us.

Passing through a security check point may be an issue with the 2GB 50 Caliber Flash Drive. Once the image of this flash drive appears on the screen it will undoubtedly be noticed. Not surprising since the outer case of the 50 Caliber Flash Drive is a real brass 50 Caliber Shell.

Water is no issue for the 50 Caliber Flash Drive since it is 100 percent water proof. The upper portion of the bullet fits over the flash drive that is built into the bottom part of the bullet. When capped dirt, dust and most anything else is kept at bay.

Although unique in looks the 50 Caliber Flash Drive operates like any other flash drive. It is plug-n-play while being USB 2.0 compliant. It can be used with Vista, XP, 2000, ME, Linux 2.4 and MAC OS X or above. No drivers are required unless you are using Win 98 – drivers are available by special request.
The 50 Caliber Flash Drive is guaranteed to be a conversation starter.

All computer mice are not the same. Some are large, some are small, some are wireless while others tether you to the computer. Who is to say which one is the best one? It is no wonder that hours and hours are spent trying to make a decision.

Small notebook computers appeal to most everyone. They are cute, small enough to carry in purse and provide the means to communicate with people around the world from a table at a favorite coffee shop.

However, many complain of small keyboards, slow processors and as with the Vaio Lifestyle PC – that awful little tracking pointer mouse. There are specialty travel mice but the selection is not overwhelming.

My previous post introduced you to the Z-Nano Optical Mouse. It is a very small computer mouse and may not be right for many users. Today I want to introduce you to the MoGo Wireless (Bluetooth) Mouse. It is larger but it is every bit as odd looking.

The MoGo Wireless Mouse resembles a PCMICA card. In fact the MoGo can be stored and charged inside of a PC Slot of a laptop computer. Although the Mogo is flat there is a small “kick stand” that folds out from the underside. There are two buttons and a scroll function that operate like any other computer mouse. In fact, the MoGo Wireless Mouse offers 800 DPI.

For laptops without a PC slot there is the MoGo Media X54 Wireless Mouse or MoGo Presenter X54 Wireless Mouse which slips easily into an Express/54 slot.

The MoGo Wireless Mice are specifically designed to charge inside either a PC slot or an Express/54 slot. There are no external chargers available. I charge my personal MoGo Wireless Mouse inside the Express/54 slot of my Vaio SR Series laptop and I use it with my Vaio Lifestyle PC while on the go. As long as the laptop has Bluetooth capability the MoGo Mouse will work.

How tiny can a computer mouse get? How about one approximately the size of your thumb? The Z-Nano Optical Laser Mouse has been dubbed the “World’s Smallest Computer Optical Mouse” and is operated by a single finger.

Students are returning to class all over the country. Each one is searching to find a perfectly unique bookbag that will turn heads while serving the purpose of carring thier stuff. Sure most any bag will do in a pinch but why settle if you do not have too.

OGIO Bags offer a good looking and functional way to carry books, laptops, cell phones, gadgets, files and water bottles. The OGIO Hip Hop Messenger Bag is fashionable as well. Multiple colors and fashion designer looks puts these bags in a group of thier own. The roomy outside pockets do not add bulk. Water bottle pockets are easily reached since there is one on each side. Laptops up to 15 inches fits easily inside a padded sleeve.

Bags are often as heavy as their contents. OGIO bags by design are lighter weight. There is a handle on the top as well as shoulder straps that attach on each corner of the bag. The flat design makes for a comfortable ride on the back.

If you are tired of the same lame bags the OGIO Hip Hop Messenger Bag may be a good replacement.

When would you let a rooster into your house? When it is a cool decorative rooster that doubles as a fan. Standing at just 20-inches tall this designer rooster can sit on a side table or desk providing both design interest and a cooling breeze. In the hands of an artist a piece of quality cast metal can become a thing of beauty as well as a useful household item.

This country rooster houses a 3 bladed fan inside of its body that is powered by a 20-watt copper-spun motor. The open beak and the high curved tail feathers shows a bit of attitude. The feet set wide apart so that stability is not an issue.

Cooling a warm spot in your house is often more utilitarian than decorative. It is nice to know that function can be achieved without putting a black eye on interior design. Those that are impossible to buy for would have to smile if you gave them a rooster like this one.

Shopping lists may be the most forgotten item as we head out of the house. Items have been accumulating on that list for the past week but once at the store hardly one of them will come to mind. The SmartShopper is an electronic gadget that will, at the least, make planning a shopping trip more fun. Enter any item or errand destination by voice and then print out a hard copy. Errands will be listed alphabetically and grocery items will be listed according to the category.

There are two versions if the SmartShopper. One sells for approximately $40-$50 and the Deluxe model sells for just under $100. Both are silver in color and look pretty cool. Personally the SmartShopper Deluxe (as pictured) is my favorite.

The morning of June 19th I stood in line for my second time in order to get my hands on the latest iPhone. This time the iPhone 3G S was the shiny new object of my desire. Apple and AT&T had me at the first promise of increased speed, video and of course copy-cut-past. The 3 megapixel camera is an improvement over the iPhone 3G’s 2 megapixel but I would have liked to have more. Between the two I cannot see any difference in size, materials or placement of buttons.

I have not tried all of the new features yet but I am excited over those that I have. Snapping pictures is fun due to the little blue square. Up-close photos are some of my favorites and the little blue square focuses in pretty tight. I was surprised however that I was unable to send a photo attached MMS. The iPhone 3G S is capable but apparently AT&T is not ready to provide the service. Hopefully the “later this summer” promise will come true sooner rather than later. A workaround is available and it works well. In order to send a photo to my daughter over MMS I have to email it from my iPhone. First I snap the picture, and then I bring up the email icon. I enter her cell phone number followed by a “@” and then type vzwpix.com (she is with Verizon). She receives the picture through MMS even though I emailed it from my end.

The battery life is difficult to test but I believe that is improved as well. Taking videos, snapping pictures, emailing, making calls and surfing the web multiple times throughout yesterday I was unable to completely run the battery down. I really like the setting that tells me the percentage of battery life left in addition to the battery life icon.

If you had read my earlier posts about my iPhone 3G you may remember that I have not been a fan of updates to my iPhone that was rumored to slow it down and interfere with the good connection rate that I enjoyed. I am glad that now I can enjoy updates and new apps without the stress. My goal is to enjoy the best features of an iPhone 3G S combined with every available feature that I can gain towards my Windows Mobile wish list all in one.