2007 September 02 | Trend Squad

Yoggie Pico Laptop Firewall

Yoggie Pico (Image courtesy Yoggie) Running a few pieces of anti-virus and anti-spyware software on a fast desktop workstation shouldn’t result in very much of a performance hit but on a slower laptop it can actually be quite noticeable. So the Yoggie Pico offloads those network monitoring tasks to a small USB dongle that serves as a miniature firewall. Powered by Linux and a dedicated “security processor” the Pico uses 12 built-in security applications including anti-virus and anti-spyware and only requires a very ‘thin’ client software to be installed on the actual computer.

The Yoggie Pico is considerably more effective over software solutions since it provides an actual physical separation between your laptop and the network you’re connecting to (like a free internet hotspot for example.) A low level driver redirects all the network traffic to the Pico before Windows and the TCP/IP stack see it meaning that any attacks on your system will hit the Pico well before it has a chance to affect your files.

At $179 plus a $30/year subscription fee for updates the Pico isn’t exactly cheap but if you prefer paying for anti-virus and anti-spyware software rather than using a free version this might be a great alternative.

(Please note: Andrew is not an expert on network hardware so if any of my statements grossly misinterpret how the Pico is designed to work please forgive me.)

[ Yoggie Pico ] VIA [ Popular Science ]

Written by Trend Spotter on September 2, 2007 | No Comments

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$1256 Microwulf Supercomputer Smaller Than Bread Box, Runs At 26.25 Gigaflops

Microwulf

Do you ever suffer from computer-related performance anxiety? If so, you’re definitely not alone, and Calvin College student Tim Brom has the cure: a built-from-scratch 26.25 gigaflops supercomputer that runs off one standard wall outlet, will fit on your desk, and cost less than $2500 to build in 2006 (building a copy today would cost only $1256). The supercomputer, called Microwulf, consists of four microATX motherboards, each with a dual core CPU and 2 gigs of ram, all connected with an 8-port Gigabit Ethernet switch. The whole shebang also includes a CD/DVD drive and a 250 gb HD, and runs Ubuntu Linux. Microwulf’s price to performance ratio, as well as its performance to power ratio, is thought to be among the best on the planet, and it’s certainly more portable than any other supercomputer out there.

Microwulf isn’t for sale, but if you want to try to build your own, there’s a complete hardware manifest on the Microwulf website, and ClusterMonkey has a fairly comprehensive article on the design and construction process. Good luck; if you can make it work I’ll buy one from you.

[ Microwulf ] VIA [ Slashdot ]

Written by Trend Spotter on September 2, 2007 | No Comments

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Stylish Arcade Coffee Tables Make Your Home Less & More Geeky

surface tension Contemporary Arcade Coffee Tables (Images courtesy surface tension)

First off I like how surface tension describes these gaming tables as “contemporary arcade coffee tables” since it makes their product appealing to both hardcore gamers and casual players who don’t necessarily want a living room filled with consoles, cables and controllers.

While the tables are nothing more than an Intel PC running Windows XP, iTunes, Firefox, MAME, Messenger and other apps it’s the fact that the computer and 19-inch LCD display are hidden inside a relatively attractive coffee table that will appeal to the company’s target demographic. To keep it’s secret hidden the table also includes a fold-out set of arcade joysticks and buttons and uses a tinted glass top that hides the LCD display when it’s not turned on. For other PC related tasks like surfing the web or IM’ing an external wireless multimedia keyboard is necessary.

The Game Table currently comes in three versions only differentiated by their external finishes and will set you back about $6,600. And while the photos conveniently don’t show them I assume anyone buying this table will also want to find a way to hide the unit’s power cord.

[ surface tension Contemporary Arcade Tables ] VIA [ Cribcandy ]

Written by Trend Spotter on September 2, 2007 | No Comments

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The Original Command & Conquer Now Free!

Command & Conquer (Image courtesy EA)

While I’ll always prefer exploring a well designed first person shooter I have to admit I have a soft spot for the real-time strategy game Command & Conquer. I was introduced to the game shortly after I bought my first PC and it was one of the rare titles that could actually tear me away from the likes of Doom or Rise Of The Triad. As a result I’ve even tried many other RTS PC games over the years but for whatever reason C&C remains the only one I enjoy playing.

Well believe it or not August 31 marked the 12th anniversary of when the original Command & Conquer was released and to celebrate the event EA is now providing a Windows XP compatible version of the game for download on their website for free. In fact the game is provided as two separate ISO files for playing as either the Nod or GDI (ie the good guys or bad guys.)

You can find the download links and EA’s announcement of the C&C anniversary on their website and when it comes to downloading the ISO files I recommend using a download manager that allows resumes since the files are about 560-580 Mb each.

[ Command & Conquer 12th Anniversary ] VIA [ Uneasy Silence ]

Written by Trend Spotter on September 2, 2007 | 1 Comment

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Porsche Design Eton P’9110 Emergency Radio

Porsche Design P'9110 Emergency Radio (Image courtesy Weathersnob.com)

I’m sure at one point I was happy to hear that Porsche would be lending their design sensibilities to products other than cars but so far I haven’t exactly been blown away. While the car bearing the Porsche name is a design icon other items like this emergency hand-cranked radio don’t really stand out in my opinion.

Sure it has a cast aluminum housing and precision knurled knobs (you gotta have knurling) but besides that I don’t see much difference between this emergency radio and what’s for sale at the local Best Buy or Wal-Mart. However I also believe that looks aren’t everything and besides being powered by a hand crank the Eton P’9110 also includes an AM/FM/Shortwave radio, emergency siren, cellphone recharger and an LED flashlight.

And while such a device is a must have if you live anywhere that’s prone to power outages caused by nasty storms I don’t think the Porsche Design stylings quite justify the $200 price tag.

[ Porsche Design Eton P’9110 ] VIA [ Autoblog ]

Written by Trend Spotter on September 2, 2007 | No Comments

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