CMS Products says they’ve invented the Digital Spare Tire!

Monday, June 8^th, 2009, Netcast 846

If you’re computer crashes and you don’t have a back up you can’t blame Leo or me. We’ve talked about all kinds of backup solutions. Here’s a brand new one from CMS Products. BounceBack Ultimate disaster recovery and backup software enables you to create an exact copy of the entire contents of your Windows PC hard drive. And when they say complete, they mean it includes the partitioning, formatting, operating system, data files, applications, pictures, music, video and personal settings. Think of this as a “Digital Spare Tire” for your PC! Using BounceBack Ultimate’s patent-pending “Instant PC Recovery” you can start-up your PC directly from your external USB hard drive in the event of an operating system malfunction, or even a mechanically failed hard drive. To prove it, Monica Golden, who works for CMS Products, stopped by my office with a laptop and an external drive loaded with BounceBack Ultimate. I played on the laptop for a few minutes so I could see that it was a normal computer with all the regular programs. Then Monica removed the laptop’s hard drive and plugged the external hard drive with their BB software into a USB port. The computer booted from the external hard drive after she click on “One-Button Recovery” and all the programs I saw earlier where available again. There’s an automatic backup with built-in scheduling. Pricing of this product depends on the drive capacity. For instance a 500GB lists at $200, which includes the full version of BounceBack Ultimate software. You can also buy the program as a stand alone for under $100, or upgrade earlier versions of BounceBack for a lower fee.

www.cmsproducts.com

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw846

It’s Friday, time for another trip back to Dick’s Gadget Warehouse!

Friday, June 5th, 2009

When you think of a company makes irons there's GE, there's Sunbeam, there's Proctor Silex. A company that makes hair dryers? There’s Conair, Revlon, etc. And a company that makes a combo, iron-hairdryer? Then I can only think of one, Goodway! They marketed the 2 in 1 Combo - Hair Dryer & Iron back in 1990. This product has been sitting in Dick's Gadget Warehouse for about 20 years. It's a good idea. It's designed for travel, so it's small, but it's also powerful. The 1,000 watt hair dryer has only one speed and one heat setting, but on a trip in a hotel room, that's better than nothing! But remember this is a 2 in 1 combo! The hair dryer locks into the base to become an iron! And it features even less control than the hair dryer. One heat setting, and an on and off switch. But both devices work pretty well. You certainly wouldn't want to iron sheets with this, but for touch-ups on a trip, it's perfect. And the hair puts out a lot of heat at a very rapid rate. It dried my 'stache is under a minute! Unfortunately, it's no longer made, but Goodway is still very much in business. Now they make a combo iron-steamer!

http://www.productpilot.com/en/suppliers/goodway-electrical-company-limited/electronics/home-appliances/laundry/irons/

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw845

Where is that *&^%&^ remote control?!!

Thursday, June 4th, 2009, Netcast 844

You’ve probably said something like that more than once when the TV remote you were just using, vanishes! Here’s a perfect solution. Remote Buddy holds four remote controls and has a place for your drink. But this device has a nice twist. If you misplace one of the four remotes push the color button from the empty pocket and your remote beeps so you can find it quickly. Just stick the color-coded receiver to the back of the remote and Remote Buddy keeps track of it up to about 30 feet. It ships with a drink holder that can be clipped to the right or the left side of the Remote Battery. It also includes 5 batteries; one for the main console and one for each of the remotes. Under $60

 www.stuckontools.com

 I don't how how long the sale will last, but First Street has the Remote Buddy on sale for $39.95. The link is: http://www.firststreetonline.com/Home+Solutions/Cleaning+Organizing/Remote+Buddy.axd?cid=477

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw844

Not just another LED Flashlight. It’s the 17 LED flashlight!

Wednesday, June 3^rd, 2009, Netcast 843

It’s the Stealth LED flashlight. The main part of the Stealth flashlight produces a beam of bright light with its 6 LED headlight. There’s also a red LED light which is designed to be used as a signal for emergencies. (It’s a steady red LED light; I wish it had the option of making it steady or blinking.) The base of the flashlight is magnetic which allows you to place it against metal areas of car to hold it in unique positions. The best feature is the 10 LED side light bar which turns on when you pop it open. (It automatically goes off again when you close the bar back into the side of the flashlight.) It’s bright enough to be used as a temporary desk lamp or to light a work area. You could use the magnetic base to stick the Stealth flashlight to the side of your car while changing a flat or working under the hood. That’s assuming you’re not wearing your Panther Vision Cap! Under $30.

http://yhst-55459441411814.stores.yahoo.net/stledfl.html

I found it on QVC for under $20. http://www.qvc.com/qsearch/search.aspx

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw843

If Leo has to return his new Terra Trike, he’ll be left with a ton of bike accessories!

June 2^nd, 2009, Turn The Table Tuesday

Leo has been adding all sorts of high tech devices to his Terra Trike. He said he loves his new Cateye CC MC Mirco Wireless Bike Computer. This is

Cateye's newest wireless computer. It features an LED Backlit display, can be mounted on stem or handlebar and has 10 functions with 12 features. (I don’t have one of these, or even seen one of these, so I’m just relying on info from Amazon.com where Leo bought his. First off Leo said it’s a breeze to install. The computer mounts on the handlebar with double-sided tape and cable ties. The transmitter attaches the same way. Then you install a small magnet (included, of course) to a spoke on the wheel. As the magnet spins past the transmitter info in wirelessly passed on to the handlebar computer. You need to set the computer up the first time you use by telling it wheel size and make a few other choices. Leo said the odometer was very accurate because he was able to check it against a marked bike path. He loves to know how fast he goes – I think he said his stop speed so far is 44.2 mph. Notice I said “so far”. Leo cant’ let a record stand, so I’m sure he’ll keep nudging that speed up. Price is about $38. 

Leo didn’t stop of the Bike Computer. He also bought a Delta Airsound Bike Horn. Since the Trike is very slung, Leo wants all the bells & whistles. And Horns! He can let cars know he’s coming with the Delta Airzound bike horn because it's super loud. It can blast out a warning at 115 dB! If you don’t need it that loud, it features a volume control. It requires no batteries or cartridges; you simply fill the ultra-light air reservoir with any bike pump. How easy is that. You most likely will have a bike pump handy anyway! Installation is simple, it just clamps to your bike’s handlebar. Price is under $24.00

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw842