Real World Computing
Datagate: the truth
Xmas past or present?
Such is the miracle of modern magazine publishing that by the time you read this you'll have recovered from the Christmas sprouts-and-stuffing attack, while as I write the seasonal holidays are still a month away and present-buying is still very much on my mind. That's why I've bought myself a couple of little gadgets that are proving so darn useful that I thought you might be interested in them, Christmas or not.
The first of them sits nicely with my personal data security theme this month, being the most fully secured USB memory stick I've encountered so far. The diminutive Hypertec DataSafe might only measure 52 x 17 x 8mm, but its rugged rubber casing makes it feel very substantial indeed. It also makes it both shockproof and waterproof, which means that the often-overlooked aspect of physical protection for the data you carry with you is covered rather nicely. Of course, that's of little consequence if you lose the device or leave it where someone else can get access to its contents, but its FIPS 197, 256-bit AES Encryption, using an integral hardware encryption engine, makes sure any data you drop into the secure space on the drive is protected (you decide how much you want to be public and how much private). The addition of a failsafe password to access that encrypted secure space adds to the feeling of confidence, so long as you don't forget your password (there's an option to configure a hint/reminder), because you get only five attempts before another layer of security kicks in: after a sixth wrong attempt, the DataSafe automatically goes into self-destruct mode and reformats the drive, taking all your data with it... What I really like about this device is that it's idiot-proof, password forgetting aside, with all data being automatically encrypted. It covers all the bases as far as data protection is concerned, and at just £20 for a 2GB stick it even ticks my value-for-money box.
The second little gift I bought myself is also something of a lifesaver for anyone who uses the mobile internet via a smartphone. Blogging, collecting email, web browsing and similar activities are heavy hitters of battery life, and there's nothing worse than getting a battery-low warning when you're on the Trans-Siberian Express or sitting on Copacabana Beach. Sure, you could carry a spare battery with you, which was the solution I used to plump for, along with my battery charger and power plug adapters (although they aren't much use on either a Russian train or a Brazilian beach). Or you could use Devotec's Power Brick, which has saved my online life a couple of times recently. While it's slightly bigger than a spare phone battery at 72 x 54 x 12mm, it isn't exactly pocket-busting at 100g including a connector cable. It's far more powerful than a spare battery, because this USB-rechargeable battery pack has a 2,400mAh capacity that's enough to fully charge my smartphone three times before it needs recharging itself. It's also rather more versatile, as I can use its supplied connectors to also charge my iPod, my digital camera and any device that uses a mini-USB connector. Assuming I remember to turn the switch to Off, I'm told it will hold its charge for a full three months. And the final nail in the coffin of my spare smartphone battery is that a Devotec costs only half as much, just £15 to be precise.
Slowdown showdown
I've known Real World Computing Editor Dick Pountain for the best part of 15 years, long enough to know that he's neither easily confused nor technically ignorant. The fact that he used to be a contributing editor to the legendary Byte magazine, and has authored many books including the Penguin Concise Dictionary of Computing rather reinforces that point. Which is why I was a little concerned when he told me about the problem he'd been having with his broadband connection, which just so happens to be with BT Total Broadband. Nothing wrong with that per se, because Dick claims to be happier dealing directly with the people who own the wire, and if that involves paying a price somewhat higher than the market best, so be it. That's until the price went down, along with the level of service he experienced.
