Episode 915

Beeping Wallet
Dick’s SecuraCard Wallet dates back to 1991 and was made by a company called Koltov.  Dane Golden has found an even earlier one which appeared in an M.A. Bedol Catalogue, referred to in Popular Science as early as 1986.  There are still quite a number of references on the web to a “Beeping Wallet” market promotion much later in 1998, by a company called Kopel Inc, some of which referred to the wallet as the SecuraCard as well.  According to an LA Times article on the Beeping Wallet, there had been an earlier version which used a light sensor, and the inventor was David Kopel who started the design in 1990.  It's not clear whether all these versions had any connection with one another.

BeepingWallet.com is still on the web, but all models are out of stock.

Beeping Wallet
Murderous Goddess
It’s a good thing Jennifer doesn’t listen to the show.  If Dick and Leo are to be believed, she’s supposed to dress herself up as Gaia the earth goddess in pink leotard, have a drinking problem and murderous tendencies.

No Letters Today
Dick thinks he’s read a letter already, the double speed letter.  He did, yesterday.  But with his flights of fancy about his Petaluma experience, who needs a letter?

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Episode 914

2 Facebook Pages for 2-Faced Leo
Leo has 2 pages on Facebook for his 2 different faces: LeoLaporte and lglaporte, one for his public face, the other for his more public face.

Dick and Leo at 2x Speed
Maria Romano thanks Leo for his tip of listening to audio on the iPhone at double speed.  She used to skip to the guts of the shows, but now she speed-listens to the Daily Giz Wiz and can catch up on old episodes she has missed.  One could take that as a compliment, and Dick and Leo wouldn't take it any other way!

From Speed Listening to Speed Reading
Dick once joined Bill Gaines in an Evelyn Wood money-back-guaranteed speed reading course and got their money back.  For a fuller discussion, listen to Episode 188.

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Episode 913

Darkfield Laser Tracking
The main difference between Logitech’s VX Nano (see inter alia Episode 847) and the new Anywhere MX is the Darkfield Laser Tracking technology.  It blocks out the central area of light immediately underneath the lens and only allows rays of light to enter the lens at an angle.  Imperfections on the working surface appear as bright objects on a dark background, like a starry sky.  When necessary, the mouse will employ the 2nd laser beam as well for a better detection of imperfections.  For more details, check out Logitech’s innovation brief (pdf).

The Anywhere MX works on clear glass
The mouse still will not work on a “perfect” surface.  That is rare in the real world, but if that does happen, Logitech suggests that you grease the surface with your palm to create the necessary imperfections!

The Big Five?
Leo has not been invited to the Apple Event that is to take place today.  He’s not bitter.  He acknowledges that he’s not one of the Big Four Apple favourites, or the Big Five if you add Dane Golden, formerly of the Argus-Courier, to the mix.

Court Transcripts
Tim Rasmussen grew up watching the Match Game and reading MAD.  As a part-time proofreader of transcripts for court reporters, he’d like to return the favour to Dick by giving him real exchanges in court, for a bit of fun.

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Episode 912

Leo in 3D
John Zengerle’s brother works at Z Corp which also offers 3D printers (see Episode 907), including ones which use starch instead of plastic to make the prototypes.  Leo is familiar with these machines as he was given a bust of himself made from one of them when he was still doing The Lab with Leo (even though the bust looks more like Julius Caesar).  Video below from odtv.me.

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Episode 911

.comwars
Today Leo, his family and friends, and the TWiT Team are going to play Capture-the-Flag in the .comwars in Junipero Serra Park in San Francisco, using lasertags.  It’s being organised by TWiT fans funcrunch and Ziggy.  That’s one way to celebrate Labour Day.

A Note from the Past in the Future
Pete Helmore from the UK can’t visit TWiT Cottage just yet, but has time enough to recommend FutureMe, where you can send an email to yourself in the future.  Dick and Leo are quick to send emails to themselves, with predictions for the future tech world.

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