ConnectPRO

via AnandTech

spencer--AnandTech has posted a nice piece on a nifty little wormhole switch created by j5Create. This does seem like it could be a useful product for some particular customers, however there are some serious drawbacks, and further the title of the article mislabels what the wormhole switch actually is. The title: j5Create Wormhole Switch Brings KVM and File Sharing Across Mobile and Desktop. Undisputedly, the switch does seem to enable file sharing across 2 systems, but the issue is that it's not actually a KVM switch. KVM switches incorporate the sharing of Keyboard, Mouse, and Display; this particular device only enables the sharing of keyboard and mouse.

Although this does not share video, it does seem like it would work well in some cases that wouldn't need video sharing, such as with laptops or as the article mentions with iPad or Android devices. However, a switch that enables video would be a better investment, particularly in cases where an install environment might vary or evolve over time.

Another thing this write-up mentions is that you plug the cable in and allow the drivers to install. What's better than a device that auto-installs its own software? Easy answer: A device that doesn't require drivers or software for full functionality. In most cases, and particularly with ConnectPRO switches, no drivers or software are ever required.

Another bonus: compatible with iPad and Android. That brings up another drawback though, Android requires a particular app. iPad ostensibly is plug and play, but the iPad/iPhone devices have also been tested with connectpro UR+ and UD+ kvm switches.

via Wired

spencer--this linked article is essentially an homage to sporting equipment which has been classified as too good to use.  that's not technically why it's been banned, but along the same lines, these are tools that give players either a dangerous or competitive edge over their opponents.  these are shoes that add bounce to your bounce, golf balls which unhook your hook, hockey sticks which cut straight through the caratid... or something like that.

thankfully, for those of us working in the non-sports professions, there aren't such restrictions against using equipment that solves all our problems, makes us work more effectively, improves our whatever.  basically what i'm saying is, if you have multiple computers, don't hesitate to get a KVM switch.  it makes life easier.  no more needing multiple monitors, keyboards, mice, etc... hook one stellar monitor and keyboard/mouse combo up to the KVM switch and share between all your systems.  while you're at it, since there are no rules against cheating, get a CONNECTPRO brand product because it's the most stable USB and Video and subsequently will give you the edge over whoever else, in the office across the street, may be using some dumpy plastic little kvm (lower-case) picked up from Best Buy or Fry's.  These ConnectPRO UR+ switches are proven to be compatible with Logitech SetPoint software, Windows 7 display requirements, and a whole host of other devices and system environments.

via Gizmodo

spencer--gizmodo posted a thing on this keyboard which allows you to share the same keyboard between, ostensibly, your main computer and your smartphone/tablet-y device.  this is a novel concept but with several inherent problems.  andrew notes that he often has a wired apple keyboard and a wireless apple keyboard on his desk, and this particular keyboard would resolve the issue he faces, often typing on the wrong keyboard.  this keyboard will reduce the desktop clutter, but in my opinion won't solve his problem of typing on the wrong system.  there is a button on this keyboard that will switch the keyboard over from wired to bluetooth or vice versa, this seems as though it would make it even harder to know or keep straight what system you'll be typing on at any given time. 

for a better more all inclusive solution, a user could get a full-on KVM switch which would not only allow for sharing of a full console, but it could be shared with more systems, as well as iOS devices.  ConnectPRO notes that with their Dynamic Device Mapping technology, you can connect an iPad or iPhone to your KVM and seamlessly use your keyboard for input.

along with the patented DDM technology, if you happen to be using a (groan) Windows 7 system, you'll benefit from the Active DDC (display data channel) video technology which prevents windows from resizing the desktop or blanking out the video when switching to and from your system.

spencer--It's the time of year when people begin compiling holiday gadget wish lists and reviews of the years best gadgets.  Gizmodo just posted an article profiling their favorite devices, and in the category of Best Wireless Mouse they listed the Logitech Performance Mouse MX.  It's an amazing mouse, so it deserves to be listed as the best wireless mouse, but what's even more special is that connectpro just released a firmware that ensures compatibility with the MX series of Logitech mice, so you can get this mouse, use it with your KVM switch, and feel satisfied that you have one mouse that you can use to control all  your computers.

Woop!  Happy Holidays!

spencer--the age of windows 8 will soon be upon us.  details have begun to emerge, chatter has been present, and we all love to anticipate any new OS.  how cool will it look? how easy will it make my job? what games will it include? what levels of finesse will it display?  that's all what optimists ask.  the others of us, the glass half empty folks, ask different questions.  how many headaches will this cause?  what won't be compatible?  when will they drop support for older versions? how many service packs will there be before it will stop crashing?

it's a catch 22.  we're bored with what's already there, so we want something new.  but something new typically creates problems, and problems are eventful, too eventful, so we desire to go back to the period of boredom that preceded the all-too-eventful upgrade.  but, again, this is windows 8.  everyone is expecting something huge, something awesome, something that will map the direction forward.

but again, this is WINDOWS eight.  WINDOWS has a spotty past.  microsoft itself has less clout in being a forward-thinking tech company. 

and back to their spotty past, let's start at Windows 98SE.  it had problems, but it was pretty good. 

then came Windows ME.  that was basically like a new skin on the old Windows 98, but it bombed. one of their greatest misses.

then came Windows XP.  a vast improvement.  a great stride.  this had staying power.  almost every office still has computers with XP.

then came Vista.  again, it bombed.  not in the same vein as ME, this was a drastic overhaul, but it wasn't good. it was half baked. one of their greatest misses.

then came Windows 7.  very rocky at first.  some people are still pissed.  but it's stuck around, it's had greater staying power. people eventually upgraded, overcame obstacles, and learned to love it.

now, are we ready for 8?  by the pattern i just laid out, this is set to be another bomb.  has microsoft corrected themself, are they able to come out with back to back hits?  who knows.  i'm not sure if it even matters.  for offices, yes, for individuals, no.  people are migrating left and right to apple.  it's a hemorrhage microsoft needs to stop.

spencer--so today a new detail emerges about windows 8. have you gotten used to windows 7 yet? well don't get too comfortable, because windows 8 will be dawning soon. this new detail is all about boot times, specifically the much faster boot time in windows 8. from a dead stop, this OS can boot in less than 8 seconds! impressive? i imagine. however, does that not leave open to speculation how realistic this is with a general run of the mill computer? can we achieve these times with any old computer or are we talking a fresh out the box fully loaded overclocked type computer?

maybe if i read a bit more i'd have the answer to that, instead i'm just trying to extrapolate from this one bullet pointed feature. regardless, here's my point: windows 8 will be emerging soon. things will change. speeds will increase. hardware will evolve. don't get left behind with a kvm switch that doesn't support these changes.

via Gizmodo

spencer--this is an interesting take on apple's approach to the patent wars by Jesus Diaz at Gizmodo.  there's a lot of back and forth between some major companies over whose products are infringing on whose patents, etc.  the thing is, apple was the first one to really step into this smartphone/tablet game.  they weren't actually the first, but they took it to a whole new level.  for that reason, they patented everything, as they had the right to do so.  a grip of original thought and design went into the first iPhone, and almost everyone who came to compete, naturally copied elements of that original thought and design.

via gizmodo

spencer--so, who wants to send us their instagram shots of connectpro kvm switches?  it's not like a contest, there's not like a prize.  but imagine if there was... you'd be all over this for the chance to win a free ipad.  we're not giving away a free ipad.  but still, imagine..

anyway - i'm still interested in seeing instagram shots of our kvm switches, so send them to sales[at]connectpro.com.  here's what you do:

1. download instagram on your iphone or whatever else it can be downloaded on.

2. launch the instagram app.

3. take a picture of your kvm switch.

4. apply filter, etc.

Japan Trend Shop via Random Good Stuff

spencer--if you're a power user, the last thing you want to do is trade in your radical mouse with stellar performance for a cutesy like wireless bit that may or may not work as expected.  but... you never know.  maybe it works great.  maybe you're not a power user.  maybe you just love things styled after animals so much that you'll sacrifice performance for a half-smile that the person in your neighboring cubicle will surely give upon first glance at the new mouse on your desk.  who cares, you don't have to justify yourself, just get the dang mouse if you want it.  it's cute, right? 

spencer--even though i'm a fan of apple, and appreciate all their good qualities, i still recognize that their app store policies suck for other businesses.  did they create an amazing environment for books and music and magazines?  yes.  does that mean they always deserve a 30% cut of everything every purchased to be used on their apple devices?  no.  the app store has previously dictated that all apps who sell content, must provide links so that the content can be purchased through the app store, giving apple a cut.  they want people to read books using their nook app, but they don't want people buying those books directly through barnes and noble, they want people to buy books from barnes and noble, through apple.  so they can get a piece (or most) of the profit.

amazon is now releasing a kindle cloud reader that lets their customers read books through a web browser using HTML5.  The benefit to the customer is they don't need to run the Kindle app, though I'm not sure why that's really a benefit.  aside from that, they can read their kindle books from any web browser, using their computer or another computer, or i guess someone else's iPad.  the benefit to amazon is more clear, the less they focus on the kindle app, the less customers will try and buy books through the app (allowing amazon to retain that 30% cut).  amazon has done a decent job at making people less focused on the device, more focused on the fact that you can read your kindle books on any of a range of devices, with bookmarks etc.. all being synced.

so, if you had a connectpro dvi/usb kvm switch, with 4 systems hooked up... you could read your kindle book on any of those computers.  pointless, i know.  but still...