by: Dean Jensen

I teach a computer seminar at my local library twice a month. As part of that seminar, I create handouts from PowerPoint for the attendees. They are usually 3-5 pages long and I print out about 20 copies for each class. While I do have manual staplers, I prefer my electric stapler for this routine job. After separating each printout, it quickly staples the sheets together.

If you have never used an electric stapler, here is how it works. When a pile of papers is inserted into the stapler (kinda like a punch clock), a motor drives the stapler down creating a clean, crisp staple. Inside the stapler is a small arm that slides back and triggers the motor. There is a wonderfully loud “thunk” as the staple is driven through the paper.

The model I have only staples about 20 standard sheets of paper. There are larger, more heavy duty electric staplers available. I found many models available ranging in price from $30 to over $300, depending on your needs. Check your local office supply store or online at: www.officemax.com, www.officedepot.com, www.staples.com.

Here’s the “3D” experience made easy. No need for those red and blue pencils, with this 3D pad all you have to do is draw with a black pencil and put on the 3D specs to see your lines float above the page! Pad has 50 sheets. Measures 5 7/8” x 8 ¼”. Do not draw in blue or red; black provides best results.

[via Coolest Gadgets]

Today’s Totally Cool Tech: The EPIC Action Sports Video Cam by Stealth Cam - $150 - $170 @ OpenSeasonGear.com & The Pistol Cam - $695 by Legend Technoligies

The EPIC Sports Action Video Cam is the industry’s smallest ultralightweight digital action camera is versatile enough to venture wherever you dare. Simple two-button activation triggers up to 100 minutes of AVI video with continuous audio or 5.0-megapixel jpeg images (3.0-megapixel low-res).

The Pistol Cam is a digital camera that’s attached to the barrel of a gun and starts recording when an officer draws his or her weapon is allowing for formal review of police shootings or incidents where weapons are drawn.

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Today’s Totally Cool Tech: The GardenGro USB Sensor by PlantSense $60 and in Beta Testing (via Everything USB )

PlantSense is for anyone who has experienced the frustration of not knowing what plant will thrive in a specific location or anyone who has been unable to figure out what is wrong with a plant that isn’t fairing well.

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Voice Mail: (206) 888-6672

 

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by: Dean Jensen

I think Norbert does a great job at finding unique items to include in his podcast. It has become apparent that I cant keep up with all the great stuff he finds. So, I have decided to take a little different approach to my blog posts. I am going to create Top 10 (or so) lists. I will do a different list every month and the posts will appear between two and three times a week, with a wrap-up at the end of the list.

For my first list, I took a look around my house and found 10 gadgets that met the following criteria. They had to be low tech and singular purpose. What follows in the next couple of weeks, is my list of favorite low tech gadgets that I own.

If you have any comments, suggestions or ideas for new lists, please post a comment on any of the Top 10 blog posts.

The luminous 3/4″-thick phosphorescent glass top glows in proportion to the ambient lighting in a room — the darker the space, the more intense the glow.

The light changes as objects are placed on the table or removed, the piece acts like a light installation in addition to its table functionality. Now you can order this as a desk or have something unique made. The cost is only $150-$200/square foot. You can get more information at info@sndbx.com.

[via Coolest Gadgets]

Today’s Totally Cool Tech: The Multi-function ESATA External HDD Dock - $79 and includes shipping available online from Usb.brando.com.hk & the Maxtor Central Axis 1TB Capacity NAS - $290 @ FuturePowerPC.com

This SATA HDD Dock allows you to plug any 2.5″ or 3.5″ SATA Harddisk to your computer via USB or ESATA port, a powerful tool for data transfer, backup and cloning. It functions as a 2-port USB hub and card reader as well.

Now if you want more storage than just a add on HDD, maybe you would consider a NAS. Maxtor has a 1TB NAS they call the Central Axis. Create a centralized, always-accessible library of your household’s digital music, videos, and photos, and stream your media to UPnP AV-compatible networked entertainment systems without turning on a computer.

 

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Today’s Totally Cool Tech: GearJuice from IOGEAR - $25 @ Newegg.com

With 7 included interchangeable connectors (including an iPhone® and iPod touch® compatible connector), you can charge almost any standard portable device in the market. GearJuice™ can charge digital cameras, mobile phones, portable game consoles, and much more, making it the one-stop-shop for all your mobile power needs.

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Voice Mail: (206) 888-6672

 

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Using extremely quiet dual-fans at the foot of the bed, cool air is pulled in from behind your head and circulated through the soft membrane which also acts as an air-cushion to support you. Best of all, the bed uses extremely low power, costing only $.24 per month if used eight hours a day! Only $400.

Specifications:

• Size: 92cm x 200cm (36in. x 79in)
• Weight: 2.4 kg (5.3 lbs.)
• 3 fan speed settings
• Power use: AC adapter 100v - 240v
• Fan power: 4.5w
• Timer: Set by the hour
• Includes a convenient and compact storage bag

[via Coolest-Gadgets)

Back in 1992 I thought up a way to eliminate or at least reduce the number of high speed car chases for law enforcement. My idea was to use a small animal tracking type of radio transmitter in a flare gun type shell that had a highly sticky and putty like tip that would stick to a vehicle after being fired at by a police officer. then law enforcement could back away and follow them by tracking the signal. Well that could have been a million dollar idea if I had patented it back then. Oh well.

Now we all know that high speed car chases are dangerous. In fact, there are more than 100,000 high-speed pursuits in the U.S. every year, endangering everyone involved in the chase - the suspects, the police and the public. And it’s an unnecessary danger; up to 85 percent of these pursuits are initiated by non-violent offenders. Plus, the economic impact is staggering, with hundreds of millions paid out in the U.S. annually due to insurance payouts, medical bills, workers’ compensation and lost wages.

The StarChase system is a commercial off-the-shelf solution comprised of a miniature GPS receiver, radio transmitter and power supply encased in a tracking projectile, and a launcher which can be hand-held or mounted on a police vehicle.

1. A compressed-air launcher, mounted behind the grille of a police cruiser, uses a laser to target the fleeing vehicle. It discharges a projectile containing the GPS receiver, transmitter and power supply.
2. The projectile adheres to the suspect vehicle and transmits coordinates back to dispatch.
3. The dispatcher then views the location and movements of the tagged vehicle in near real-time on a digital roadmap via a secure Internet connection.

Through the efficient use of technology, a high-speed chase has been replaced with a safer interdiction strategy.