All Forces

LapCop is a laptop anti-theft software that helps you recover your stolen laptop. When LapCop detects a new network setting it send a silent email to your specified email address. If your laptop gets stolen, authorities can use this info to track down exactly where it is. LapTop rocks, but now comes Undercover, the next generation of LapCop. In case of theft, Undercover can send screenshots of the stolen Mac, it will also simulate hardware failure and alert the new user that their Mac is a stolen one. And all that for $29.99, sign me up.

Undercover routinely checks with the Undercover server. In case of theft, the Mac’s unique Undercover ID is added to the database on the Undercover server, initiating the recovery process. During the recovery phase, Undercover transmits its current location on the internet, enabling the Undercover team to identify the computer’s exact physical location. Moreover, Undercover also sends screenshots of the stolen Mac, revealing details of the thief’s identity. The Undercover recovery center will then work with law enforcement to recover the Mac.

In case recovery fails, the software has an ingenious plan B: it will simulate a hardware failure, urging the thief to send the computer in for repair or sell it. As soon as the thief gets rid of the Mac, Undercover will warn the new user that the Mac has been stolen and that it should be returned as soon as possible. The computer will shout from time to time that it has been stolen and Undercover will take over the screen, displaying how the Mac can be returned while making the computer unusable.

Link : orbicule.com

It was hard to part from it, but it was time to update my faithfull 22″ Cinema Display. A good monitor that looked sharp and was impressive to visitors. But, five years in computer time is an eternity. And add to that the Apple factor. Apple’s constant redesign of their hardware line that made the monitor feel like it’s 10 years old when sitting next to a new one. Out with the transparent plastic and in with the new aluminum enclosures. I sold my 22″ and upgraded to a new 20″. Did I dare to say upgrade when i bought a smaller one? I upgraded indeed. So what did I buy into other than the new hip silver look and less pixels?

• This new monitor has DVI as opposed to the ADC which makes it work really nicely with the rest of the world.
• A thiner margin around the screen makes it seem slimmer.
• It has both USB and Firewire ports right behind the screen.
• I can tow away my keyboard right underneath it.
• Has a way smaller footprint
• Has a usefull powerbrick. I nitially disliked that it had a powerbrick, but as it turns out it’s a great feature for powerbooks because it can help keep the cords in reach if it is kept up on the desk top. Check out the picture above to visualize it. I no longer need to reach down to the floor to get my monitor cables everytime I hook up the powerbook to the monitor.

I went down 2 inches because I noticed I never really used the whole screen on my 22″. Besides, I’m trying to decluter and simplify my digital lifestyle and the 20″ fits the bill.

I was reading the article on the current MacWorld about traveling light ( Hit The Road Mac ) and it hit me. Traveling light is not just about weight. There is a whole other dimension of elegance and simplicity that is usually not thought of. So I decided to do do something about it, starting with my long iSight and Original iPod cable.

Here’s my to do list:

• 1.8 meters firewire cable vs. .5 meter firewire cable
• Phone AC Charger vs. Phone USB Charger
• USB Digital Camera Cable vs. Internal PCMCIA Smart Media Card Reader
• iPod Dock Cable vs. PocketDock Adapter
• 15″ Powerbook vs. 12″ Powerbook ( once they add the lighted keyboard of course )