A mouse made for DJs....

DJ-Tech has created a mouse specifically for use by DJs.  At first,  I wasn't sure this product needed to exist.  But, I now know it does.

DJs using computers need to a mouse designed for the environment they will be in, and the mouse needs to be an instrument with certain particulars that will not hamper their performance.

I was sent a DJ-Tech DJ Mouse (Deckadance), and love it.  It has a nice weight to it...enough that makes me feel that when I am in control of it, I am sure my movements will be precise.  (I was unable to weigh it...since the "DJ Mouse Traktor Edition" states it weighs 120 grams, I assume the one I received is the same weight).

To aid in low-light situations, like nightclubs, three controls on the mouse are lit:  the vertical wheel, the jog wheel, and the "scratch" button.  The vertical wheel is rubber for comfort, wider than normal, and has raised bumps for accuracy when scrolling.  The vertical and jog wheels also have button functionality (for pressing and "clicking").

I did not spend time with the software because it has too many features for me to cover in one article.

I am impressed by the hardware, and wish there were drivers so I can customize the mouse for use without the Deckadance software.  I want to be able to use this as my primary mouse, and assign specific functions to the controls.

The mousepad they provide is the right size for use in areas that can be crowded with other equipment around:  7 by 8.5 inches.  (The mouse uses an optical sensor at 800 DPI.)

Deckadance software was included with the DJ-Tech DJ Mouse, but there is a DJ Mouse Traktor Edition...

which includes software from Native Instruments.

Videos of the mouse and software in use can be viewed at:

http://youtu.be/PgLH45il9iw

http://youtu.be/OSzS5Wlsocs

http://youtu.be/Ove4zoBVT9s

http://youtu.be/quOjhnJJ0tY

Take note that one of my computers which can boot to USB drives and devices would not boot to the internal hard drive if the mouse was attached when I powered-on the computer.

review - AKG Perception 120 USB Microphone

I had an opportunity to try a Perception 120 USB microphone from AKG.  It's their first USB microphone.  And (per their website) "the only USB microphone with an integrated analogue-to-digital converter with 24-bit and 128x oversampling. Instead of usual one-chip-solutions..."

Their manual states:  "The Perception 120 USB microphone has a cardioid polar pattern...The microphone should be 20 to 40 cm (8 to 16 inch) from the speaker's mouth in order to obtain the best results."  A pop filter is integrated into the microphone.

A tripod table stand, swivel mount, and 14.5 foot long USB cable are included with it.

The microphone supports Microsoft's Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Apple's Mac operating systems.  "The computer operating system detects the microphone and automatically installs the device driver."  It did:  I plugged it into a computer that had Windows Vista installed, and the blue LEDs at the two switches on the microphone glowed.

The attenuation selector switch "enables you to increase the control limit by 20 dB to enable distortion-free recording of very loud sound sources and in close proximity to sound sources" to attempt to reduce distortion.

"The switchable bass-cut provides additional distortion reduction...The bass-cut also counteracts the proximity effect that can occur when the microphone is only a short distance (less than 15 cm) from the sound source."

Included in the box, that gave me a little thrill...because I always like to get "toys"...was a 4 by 4 inch sticker of the AKG logo.  That's always a nice little extra something to give to people...that's a great idea.

a Yeti, an iPad, and some Blue FiRe...

I reviewed a Blue Microphones Yeti USB microphone (http://www.techtalkradio.com/blogger/2010/04/yeti-usb-microphone-review.html).



Now, I've learned it can be used with Apple's iPad...with the iPad Camera Connection Kit, and Blue FiRe software.

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"The iPad Camera Connection Kit gives you two ways to import photos and videos from a digital camera: using your camera’s USB cable or directly from an SD card...

"The Camera Connector features a USB interface. Just plug it into the dock connector port on your iPad..."

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC531ZM/A

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Blue FiRe is a simple to use professional quality stereo field recorder application...from Blue Microphones...

- "Record until…" settings
- Quality settings: Low (11.025 kHz), Medium (22.050 kHz) and High (44.1 kHz)
- File Export via Local Web server FTP
- WAV, AIFF, CAF (Core Audio Format)

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/blue-fire/id336713577?mt=8

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I learned about it after reading http://www.appletell.com/apple/comment/how-to-record-cd-quality-audio-with-your-ipad/

Wireless car mouse for Father's Day?

The e-mail I received began:
"I wanted to introduce you the one luxury car that’s guaranteed not to have a recall this year...the Motormouse."

(And, of course, after receiving that message...there were more recalls. Of motorized vehicles, not computer mice...)

"Inspired by the Porsche 9-11...makes a great gift item and conversation starter for any gadget lover.

"...It is available in red, silver and black..."

The one that was sent to me is the "RedPOM: Red classic sports car wireless mouse"...

A carrying pouch is provided, which has an inner sleeve for spare batteries. The batteries are installed in the trunk, and the USB receiver can also be stored there. There is energy saving technology so when the mouse isn't in use, it will hibernate. When the batteries need to be changed, the headlights flash...

On their webpage it states it has the "worlds’ smallest 2.4 GHz USB receiver": I measured it as 3/4 of an inch (19 mm) long...and once it is inserted into a USB port, 1/2 of an inch (12.5 mm) of the receiver extends from the computer.

Sensitivity settings on one model can be set at 400, 800, or 1600 DPI...but I received the model locked to 1200 DPI (its settings cannot be changed).

The scroll wheel feels GREAT! It's 31/64 of an inch (12 mm) wide, made of rubber...and is very comfortable.

Ahem...Father's Day is June 20.

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UPDATE:
I use a computer in a small, cramped area...and decided to try the Motormouse to see if, being wireless, it might make my experience more comfortable:  IT DOES!  If you have limited space to use a mouse in, the Motormouse might also be the answer for you...

AVG Rescue CD and USB

I like having tools available, like bootable CDs and USB drives, because you never know when you might need them...and when they can come in handy to have.

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AVG Rescue CD...includes the following features...

System recovery from virus and spyware infections

Suitable for recovering MS Windows and Linux operating systems

(FAT32 and NTFS file systems)

Ability to perform a clean boot from CD or USB stick

The AVG Rescue CD is essentially a portable version of AVG Anti-Virus supplied through Linux distribution. It can be used in the form of a bootable CD or bootable USB flash drive to recover your computer when the system cannot be loaded normally, such as after an extensive or deep-rooted virus infection. In short, the AVG Rescue CD enables you to fully remove infections from an otherwise inoperable PC and render the system bootable again.

...the AVG Rescue CD also contains the following set of administration tools:

Midnight Commander - a two-panel file manager

Windows Registry Editor– simple registry editor for more

experienced users

TestDisk - powerful hard drive recovery tool

Ping - to test the availability of network resources

(servers, domains, IP addresses)

Common Linux programs and services– vi text editor,

OpenSSH daemon, ntfsprogs etc.

The AVG Rescue CD is a free-to-use product that anyone can download...If you have any other paid AVG license, you are also entitled to receive our full technical support.

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(from the press release)

...AVG’s Rescue CD...is used to recover computers that are not able to boot or are infected in a way that will not allow normal operation. AVG is now making the Rescue CD available to all customers (including AVG Free customers). It can be downloaded to any CD or USB stick and then inserted into the damaged computer and used as the recovery disk.

This powerful offering contains all essential tools for users, including:

Comprehensive administration toolset

System recovery from virus and spyware attacks

Suitable for recovering Windows based operating systems

Ability to perform a clean boot from the CD

Upon booting a damaged computer using the AVG Rescue CD, the software will automatically mount all hard drives of the computer and scan them for viruses and malware. The Rescue CD will also automatically restore a safe network connection to the computer. For advanced users, the AVG Rescue CD also includes a Windows Registry editor, a TestDisk utility for recovering deleted files and lost partitions, a file browser for navigating folders, and a Ping tool for basic network diagnostics.

The AVG Rescue CD is a Linux-based boot utility with essential AVG security software already integrated. The AVG Rescue CD can be downloaded for free from AVG’s website at www.avg.com/us-en/avg-rescue-cd and burned onto any CD or DVD or extracted directly onto a USB flash drive.

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I didn't want to burn/waste a CD, so I just tried the USB version...I needed a USB drive that was at least 80 MB.

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After putting the AVG Rescue CD on a USB drive, I booted from the USB drive. The AVG Rescue CD GNU/Linux Boot Menu has eight options (which can be seen at the AVG Rescue CD Guide. Two of the eight available options I found interesting are: Memtest86+ and "exit to the Syslinux boot prompt").

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When you get to the Main Menu, the options are:

* Scan - for starting an on-demand scan

* Scan Result - for viewing reports of finished scans

* Update - to start update of AVG

* Vault - to view files stored in Vault of AVG installed on the computer

and to restore them...

* Mount - to start mounting of storage devices. Use this option after

inserting a USB device

* Network - to configure the network connection

* USB - to create a bootable USB flash drive containing

AVG Rescue CD.

* Utilities - set of useful tools (see Utilities section below)

* Eject - to eject the CD/DVD-ROM disc tray

* Reboot - to restart the computer

* Shutdown - to turn off the computer

* About - to view information about the AVG Rescue CD

(My information is: AVG Rescue CD Version 100429,

AVG Version 8.5.812)

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Here are decriptions of the utilities that are available:

"...Ping...can be used for basic network diagnostic (searching for IP address or computer name), other options are more advanced.

"Midnight Commander is a two panel file browser. It can be used to go through files stored on the hard drives of the computer. Navigation through folders is relatively easy - use arrow keys to move and the ENTER key to select folder. You can switch to the other panel by pressing the TAB key. The most used functions are assigned shortcuts which are listed at the bottom side of the screen (e.g. F5 for copying). To access the top menu, press F9. Note that the MC will display the Linux files system on which the AVG Rescue CD is running. To find the hard drives and USB drives of the computer, move to the folder mnt. There, you will see all drives attached to the computer. The system disk of the PC should be the first one (e.g. sda1)."

{Midnight Commander was a little tricky for me to use...I recommend you have directions available when you try to use it.}

"Windows Registry editor is a powerful tool to access and alter the Windows registries. It is only recommended for advanced users...

"TestDisk allows multiple operations with the hard drives of computer (including recovery of deleted files, lost partitions, MBR record, etc.). As with the registry editor, it should be only used by advanced user as it can destroy all data on the drive. For more information on its use, please see the web page of the vendor of this application: http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk_Step_By_Step

"PhotoRec can be used to recover (undelete) removed files from the computer but also from connected devices – digital cameras, mp3 players or generally any flash disk memory...For more information on its use, please see the web page of the vendor of this application: http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/PhotoRec_Step_By_Step

"Links is a text web browser similar to Lynx. It displays only text of visited pages and basic positioning on page. Some pages may not be readable from this reason (pages done mostly with pictures, in Adobe Flash or generally requiring some plugin to be displayed.)"

PeeWee software for ages 3 to 6 years old

PeeWee KIT: Pre-Kindergarten is software for ages 3-6 that is supplied on a USB flash drive. The letter that accompanied the USB drive that was sent to me states there are three versions available, but did not indicate the configurations of the other two...

The software I received is:

Bailey's Book House

("...explore the sounds and meanings of letters, words, rhymes,

and stories...")

Sammy's Science House

("...activities introduce essential ideas like patterns and sorting,

weather and seasons, animal habitats, and classifications in the natural world...")

Thinkin' Things Toony The Loon's Lagoon

("...activities that focus on memory development, logic,

visual and spatial thinking, musical memory, and problem solving...")

Trudy's Time & Place House

("...From telling time to understanding maps to building a sense of

direction, this whimsical time-and place adventure presents challenging concepts...")

Millie’s Math House

("...explore numbers, shapes, sizes, quantities, patterns,

sequencing, addition, and subtraction...")

"PeeWee Kit includes a security suite with 'PeeWee Patrol' for computer access controls and 'PeeWee Privacy' for Internet privacy, giving parents full control...The PeeWee security software lets parents limit how much time their children spend browsing the Internet (on a daily or weekly basis), block inappropriate sites with any version of any web browser, take screen shots, view browsing history, and even control the laptop remotely. Additionally, the PeeWee security suite also lets parents limit the amount of time children spend gaming and protects the laptop by preventing children from changing system settings."

After obtaining the PeeWee Kit, an address of an internet website will be available from which the security software can be downloaded.

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With PeeWee Patrol you can capture: keys pressed, programs used, websites visited...as well as have screenshots taken at intervals.

When in Stealth Mode, it will not display it's Graphical User Interface (GUI)...and will remove itself from the Windows Application list. If anyone knew how to try to make the program visible, it will require a password to access the controls (and information).

From the "help" file that was created after PeeWee Patrol was installed...

"...monitor your computer while you are away, retrieve lost information, or monitor your children's activity..."

"This program contains a built in email engine that can email you a copy of the current capture log at scheduled intervals...

"The program includes a scheduler that lets you schedule simple tasks to be completed at a given time or interval. The following tasks can be automated: Start Capture...Stop Capture...Email Capture Log (The current Log will be emailed to you as an text file)...

"Encryption: When selected, the contents of your log files will be encrypted so that they cannot be opened by text editors like Notepad, WordPad, or Micsoft Word.

"Run at Startup: When selected, the program will run automatically each time you start your computer..."

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According to the "help" file for PeeWee Privacy:

This software will hide your sensitive files so that they can't be seen or accessed. Files stay hidden even if you turn on 'View Hidden Files'. Even links in your recent documents menu won't be able to find your hidden files!

For extra security, use a password to prevent anyone from accessing your files. You can run this software in stealth mode so that no one knows it's there, and hide or show your sensitive files using hotkeys.

Features:

Add as many folders to the program as you want for quick hiding

Hide or Show individual folders or all folders at once

Prevents all file access, even from the command prompt, and even from hackers

Folders are removed from Windows Explorer entirely

Files in folders cannot be accessed, even from shortcuts or recent document lists

Run at Windows startup

Runs in stealth mode and doesn't show up in the Applications tab when you press

Control-Alt-Delete

Hotkey for bringing the program out of Stealth Mode

Hotkey for hiding all folders

Hotkey for showing all folders

Password protection when program is opened

Password protection when program is brought out of stealth mode

Password protection when hotkeys are used to hide or show all folders

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The USB drive that was sent to me did not work with a one-foot (USB) extension cord: the USB drive must be connected directly to the computer.

Based on my past experiences with USB flash drives that contained U3 and Ceedo software, I assumed that when I connected the drive to my computer...I would be able to immediately use the software directly from the drive; the software needed to be installed, and I did not want to install the software to the computer I was using.

I chose a different computer to install it on for testing. I have nothing unusual to report about it...the installation of the software was as normal as any.

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I decided to try to install the software from the USB stick, into the USB stick.

The "2 GB" USB memory stick had a total of 1.86 GB of usable space, and 243 MB was being used (by the installation software that was provided is on the drive).

(Using a different computer than the one I installed the software onto) I installed the software onto the USB stick (to "{driveletter}:\Program Files\Riverdeep\"). Now 583 MB of space is being used. As I assumed would happen, icons were installed on the computer by default (because the installation procedures do not give options to not install them).

I disconnected the USB drive from the computer, restarted the computer, and (in Windows Vista) "uninstalled" the programs from Programs and Features.

Using the best computer I have (an Alienware Area 51 M9750), I connected the USB flash drive to the port on the right side of the computer...and the drive was not recognized. I don't have this issue with other USB drives...

I connnected the USB drive to a port on the left side of the computer, and it was mounted. The programs will now run from the USB flash drive (just launch their executable files from within the folders of the installed programs).

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"...We provide introductory computers for children...

"...These computers are thoroughly designed and tested to optimize the learning environment for children...PeeWee PC’s are made for children – on the inside and out. Our computers have an external appearance that will grab the attention of any child. With the knowledge that children are not as careful with the equipment as parents would prefer, we offer additional options such as spill-proof keyboards. External concerns aside, a top concern of parents is the lack of control with regards to how they can control access to the computer..."

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I am VERY impressed with PeeWee Patrol and PeeWee Privacy...in my opinion, those two programs are worth the cost of the entire package.

(more) USB jewelry

I had made a post about a USB drive necklace that was the kinda "bling" I'd flaunt...

Here are some that are more "sophisticated" in their styling:
cufflinks...keychains...Storage capacity is 2 GB in general, upgrades are possible...The actual collection is made of sterling silver, available in limited edition.