Operation Gadget

Category: Miscellaneous Gadgets

  • R-Driver II USB 2.0 to IDE Cable Is Ideal for Copying Data from Hard Drives Being Replaced

    Reading Time: < 1 minuteEarlier today Engadget pointed out a review of the R-Driver II USB to IDE cable adapter that retails for less than $35. The review they noticed was published on theGadgeteer.com and gives basic information about the product. I did some research on this and other USB 2.0 to IDE solutions and…

  • Replacing the APC Uninterruptible Power Supply Battery Protecting Our VoIP Lines

    Reading Time: < 1 minuteAmazon.com put many APC products including Genuine APC Replacement Batteries on sale. I discovered that I needed a replacement battery the other day when the power at the Home Office sagged for a moment. All of the computer equipment in the basement including my Linux development server, VoIP Telephone Adapters, DSL…

  • Fossil Reportedly Exiting Smart Watch Market

    Reading Time: < 1 minuteAccording to SpotStop.com, a site devoted to MSN Direct-based products, Fossil is exiting the Smart Watch market. The article says: Fossil has made their last MSN Direct watch, at least for the foreseeable future…. {We} hear Fossil is no longer going to make new watches and will re-direct their technology efforts…

  • How Not to Discolor Your Baseball Caps in the Dishwasher

    Reading Time: 2 minutesA Ball Cap Buddy helps your baseball caps maintain their shape in the dishwasher. Make sure you check the ingredients of your detergent. [ Photo: Lids.com ] I often wear baseball caps when I’m working outside my house. In weather like we’ve had recently (95 degrees Fahrenheit and 90 percent humidity), these baseball caps…

  • Unpacking My CanoScan LiDE 500F

    Reading Time: < 1 minuteCanoScan LiDE 500F Flatbed Scanner: I got my new, inexpensive CanoScan scanner on Wednesday. I bought it to replace my fax machine in the new VoIP-based Home Office. [ Photo: Dave Aiello ] I received my CanoScan LiDE 500F Flatbed Scanner the other day. It’s a very inexpensive color scanner that…

  • Deal on Cardo Scala 500 Bluetooth Headset at Amazon.com

    Reading Time: < 1 minuteTreonauts published a review of the Cardo Scala 500 Bluetooth Headset which is considered a worthy alternative to the Palm Bluetooth Headset for the Treo 650. There are a couple of things that make the Cardo Scala 500 stand out and probably make it a better choice: there’s a great deal…

  • Ftech Solar 7 Bluetooth GPS Receiver Reviewed by Ubergizmo

    Reading Time: < 1 minuteI IMed with Hubert Nguyen from Ubergizmo.com yesterday who told me about his nice review of the Ftech Solar 7 Bluetooth GPS Receiver. There are a lot of buzzwords in that product name, so let me summarize. This is a solar-powered GPS that can communicate with a Bluetooth-capable handheld or notebook…

  • Replacing a Fax Line and Fax Machine with a Fax Service and a Scanner

    Reading Time: 3 minutesAs we progressed through the process of replacing our POTS lines with VoIP for the home office, we ran into a couple of issues that needed to be researched. One important one was the issue of how to send and receive faxes. Several people who I’ve talked to about the trade-offs of…

  • Bike-Powered VoIP System Created for Use in Developing Countries

    Reading Time: < 1 minuteJonathan Maus told us that Inveneo has developed a bicycle-powered, Linux-based VoIP phone system for use in developing countries. No kidding. I found an explanation of a Pedal and Solar Powered PC and Communications System on the Inveneo web site. This article does not discuss the inclusion of the Asterisk open…