Do you find yourself frustrated when on the go, without all your applications and data? Copy the PortableApps software suite to a USB flash drive, iPod, or similar device, plug the unit into a PC, and all your apps–plus your contacts, documents, and bookmarks–are available.
I move from computer to computer a great deal (I mean PCs, even though I’m investigating on similar Mac-based solutions). More often than not, the computer I’m at doesn’t always have all the software I might need. It’s not always possible to just go and install anything I fancy on any machine I happen to use and this is where Portable Apps comes to the rescue.
It comes handy too now that Netbooks are becoming so popular!
Portable Apps Suite is effectively a wrapper for a number of very useful applications that can be installed on a USB flash drive (or any USB storage device, for that matter). To fire it up, simply double-click the StartPortableApps.exe on your USB device and you’re greeted with a nice little menu, similar to the Windows Start Menu, as can be seen on the screenshot above.
There are currently three versions of the Portable Apps Suite available for download. They only really differ in the amount of pre-installed applications they contain. Here are the various configurations:
PortableApps Suite (Standard Edition): ClamWin Portable (antivirus), Mozilla Firefox – Portable Edition (web browser), Gaim Portable (instant messaging), OpenOffice.org Portable (office suite), Sudoku Portable (puzzle game), Mozilla Sunbird – Portable Edition (calendar/task manager) and Mozilla Thunderbird – Portable Edition (email client) and runs comfortably from a 512MB drive.
PortableApps Suite (Lite Edition): Uses AbiWord Portable (word processor) instead of OpenOffice.org Portable and runs comfortably from a 256MB drive.
PortableApps Suite (Base Edition): If you’d like to pick and choose exactly which apps to include, you can try Portable Apps Suite (Base Edition). This is a stripped down package with just the PortableApps Menu, PortableApps Backup utility and custom folders, icons and autorun. It’s less than 1MB installed, so it’s a great option for smaller drives.My base download was the Standard Edition, to which I’ve added FileZilla, Nvu Portable, KeyPass and one or two others on a Kingston 8 GB.The usefulness of this application cannot be stressed enough. I don’t find many things more frustrating than when I need to go and change something on a computer I don’t normally have access to, only to find that my preferred software is not available. Now it’s simply a matter of popping in my pen drive and selecting the desired application. Nothing could be simpler.To download any new applications, you simply download the executable, then select “Install a new app” from the Suite’s menu and select the new application. To “uninstall” an application, you only need delete the directory from your pen drive. If only all application installation/uninstallations were this simple!
Flash drive are so popular and handy yet so weak when it comes to security.
Anyone can read your valuable data just by pluggin’ in your USB pendrive.
So what? Complicated encryption systems?
Software you’ll have to install on every PC? Not compatible with Mac?
For many institutions like the BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance) sector as well as outsourcing companies (BPOs/KPOs), security standards mandatorily need to be followed. Such organizations have to perform a balancing act between providing usability and flexibility versus data integrity and security. Kingston’s DataTraveler Vault is one such device that the flash drive manufacturer hopes to be the answer to flexibility and data integrity issues and is available in several size from 2GB up to 32 Gb.
The Kingston DataTraveler Vault features:
- A 256-bit industry standard hardware encryption that uses the AES standard.
- Auto-lockdown and auto format after 10 unsuccessful attempts.
- Complex password input system so that passwords cannot be easily guessed.
- The drive is waterproof up to 4 feet.
- The drive is FIPS 140-2 Level 2 certified by the U.S. government as being tamper-evident.
One thing that sets the Kingston DataTraveler Vault apart from the rest of USB drives is the ‘ruggedness’.
The Kingston DataTraveler Vault’s shell is made from aluminium while the rugged BlackBox is made from titanium alloy.
This drive is as easy: the first time asks you automatically to enter a secure password.
Any further access will open up (as AutoRun) a simple utility (that’s inside the pendrive) and that’s available for Windows and Mac OS X as well!
Gigabytes biting you from your PCs or Macs?
Discovering the (not so-) unique ability to fill every hard disk drive around?
Let’s consider three different solutions to the problem, three hard disk drives suited for every environment.
The bad guy: Iomega Prestige 1.5 TB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive
Ideal for adding capacity to your system, the stylish Iomega Prestige 1.5 TB drive offers sturdy aluminum construction along with a convenient stand.
It’s the easiest way to save photos, music, videos, and more. Plus the Prestige Desktop Hard Drive is powered by an Energy Star qualified adapter for a cleaner environment.
You feel really bored about your internal drive or need to feed your beloved desktop: chances are you’re in need for the WD!
WD Caviar Black 1 TB drives combine a high performance electronics architecture with a rock solid mechanical architecture to deliver the perfect storage solution for your fully-loaded PC or maxed out gaming machine. Cool drive operation, no-touch head technology, and leading-edge vibration protection ensure enhanced reliability and sustained data throughput.
Features list:
1TB Capacity
3 Gb/s SATA
32MB Cache/Buffer Size
7200 RPM Spindle Speed
145 Mbytes/s Buffer to Disk Transfer Rate
Grab the WD Caviar Black 1 TB now for US $ 99.99 and save up to 60% off regular price.
Fast, elegant, and ultra-portable, the Iomega Prestige 500 GB Portable is an ideal storage solution for mobile professionals, busy students, and anyone else who needs documents and media files to be available at a moment’s notice. For your peace of mind, this drive is designed to be both rugged and flexible so your files stay safe faced with the rough realities of travel.
Half-a-gigabyte you’ll carry around easily with you and that’s fast and smart to connect with its single-cable USB 2.0-powered operation.
So small and easy to connect you’ll be running the EasyCap USB with almost any video source for a wide spectrum of applications ranging from VCR tapes conversion to digital, home security, video editing 101 and a lot more!
EasyCap USB USB 2.0 Video Capture Adapter provides a link between a PC and a video device with RCA connector or S-Video connector, such VHS, VCR, DVD, TV, DV, analog camcorder, camera. The adapter is ideal for laptop and desktop computer. By the professional video editing software, you can create many special effects on your video files, or edit your movies.
USB 2.0 interface, plug and play. EasyCap USB supports brightness, contrast, hue, and saturation control and capture audio without the sound card.
Features support for all Video Formats: DVD+/-R/RW, DVD+/-VR, and DVD-Video. Applying to internet conference / net meeting. Support NTSC, PAL Video format. Include Professional and easy to learn & used video editor software: Ulead Video Studio 8.0 SE DVD.
EMTEC M300 2 GB Flash Drives feature a whimsical swirl design available in five fun colors. Each Lollipop drive comes with a cap holder, attachable to the drive with a small, beaded chain, so you will never lose the cap! Lollipop USB Drives are fun, functional, and make the perfect gift.
EMTEC M300 2 GB drives are available 2GB to 8GB capacities and the rubber lollipop caps are available in shades of red, orange, yellow, blue and green.
With a 54% off, the price is now US $ 12.99 for the 2GB version.
Not all portable hard drives are just the same! A poker of USB portable hard disks.
Check these four USB portable hard disk drives, we think it’s a nifty selection of portable solutions that may fit almost every users’ need.
Got a MacBook (maybe a MacBook Air or one of the very latest unibody models)?
Thou shalt get yourself nothing but the Iomega eGo Helium Portable Hard Drive.
Is there anything aroud that matches better your sleek MacBook/Pro?
At 12.8 ounces, not only it perfectly matches the aluminum curves of the MacBooks, but also your pocket.
Just one USB 2.0 cable and you’re backing up your data with Time Machine, for example.
Ruggedness? The built-in DropGuard feature protects the drive when dropped up to 51″ (Toshiba claims it’s 40% above the industry average)!
The sleek lines and ultra-low profile styling of this SimpleDrive were designed by Pinifarina, the very same design firm that gives Ferrari sports cars their stylish lines.Don’t let its beauty fool you. SimpleDrive is a high-performance external hard drive ideal for storing and backing up your music, video, photos and more.
Features in a nutshell:
Stylish, external 500 GB Hard Drive with USB 2.0 connection
The Iomega eGo 250 GB Rugged Portable Hard Drive comes in a camouflage pattern to add a unique look to your digital style.
The Drop Guard feature protects your drive even in the toughest travel environments and provides exceptional durability well over the industry average!
The Iomega eGo 250 GB Rugged Portable Hard Drive includes a black Iomega Power Grip band that not only looks cool, but also provides desktop stability and extra durability. Plus, the Iomega eGo Rugged Portable Hard Drive requires no external power supply.
Toshiba 320 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive is a cool compromise of performance, features and price.
The Toshiba Portable External Hard Drive fits easily within a laptop pouch, a knapsack or even a bookshelf. With a USB cable included, the drive can be plugged into just about any desktop or notebook with a USB port and used at home or at work.
What we like:
USB Powered for Portability/ 320GB Capacity/ Up to 480Mb/s Speed
Small Size Saves Desktop Space/ Compact/ Lightweight/ Just 6 oz./ Black and Grey
Even if you never used a vinyl album, barely remember VHS cassette or never troubled with audio compact cassettes, you may fall in love with these (now ancient media) and want to convert them to MP3 or whatever.
Or you may have tons of valuable albums and want to preserve that sound for eternity (or something like that).
Let’s look at three different solutions to the problem:
ION has created a revolutionary USB dual cassette deck allowing you to convert your cassette collection to CD or MP3 with included recording software. (no special drivers needed).
Ion Tape2PC comes bundled with EZ Tape Converter by MixMeister, which converts your audio cassette recordings directly into iTunes.
In just a few mouse clicks, you’ll be up and running with digital versions of your tapes.
Upgrading your favorite recordings has never been easier.
The AT-LP2D-USB stereo turntable comes equipped with a USB output that allows direct connection to your computer.
The system also offers: state-of-the-art recording software¿Cakewalk PYRO (for PC use) and Audacity (for MAC or PC); an integral dual-magnet Audio-Technica phono cartridge; and a USB cable and adapter cables.
The turntable also features a built-in switchable phono/line preamp that allows connection to a stereo system equipped with either a phono or line-level input.
VCR 2 PC’s transfer technology saves home movies, family videos, and personal tapes directly to a PC. Imagine never having to dig for tapes again or worry if they will work.
Once you save your precious memories to your computer, they will be saved forever in pristine digital format. Included EZ VHS Converter software can even export your video in MPEG4 format for compatibility with select mobile phones and portable multimedia devices!
Connect a VHS, VHS-C, or 8MM camcorder to the front panel jacks to backup your camcorder videos. When you’re finished archiving your videos to your computer, ION Audio VCR 2 PC
is the perfect VHS player for any room in the house.
Included software lets you burn your home movies to DVD, watch on your PSP, iPod or laptop computer. Player Features RCA audio/video inputs to archive from external sources like video cameras Composite video output and audio line output Auto tracking, variable speed slow-motion, playback, and rewind Soft-touch backlit buttons PAL version features SCART output Software.
The Creative Zen X-Fi has all the basic digital media player features you would expect to find in a non-iPod unit.
This includes being able to play MP3, WMA (including subscription and protected), WAV, Audible and AAC audio files, displaying pictures and videos, a voice recorder and FM radio.
It also includes WiFi capability and upgraded earbud headphones on the 16gb and 32gb models. There is also a stripped down 8gb that kind of seems like an after-thought.
The included upgraded headphones are a nice touch. Most players come with very cheap, crappy, earbuds but headphones like these would probably set you back $50 if you purchased the separately.
Kingston introduce a new gadget aimed at computer and camera users on the move, offering a diminutive all-in-one device that will allow you to store, transfer and read files between your PC and memory cards. The Kingston, DTCR/2GB, Flash Reader, USB Flash Drive looks just like a standard USB Flash drive, but flip the cover and you will disclose a cleverly hidden expansion slot that doubles as a card reader, compatible with the SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus formats (miniSD, microSD, RS-MMC, MMCmobile and MMCmicro cards can also be read when using an optional adapter).
The DataTraveler comes in two sizes, 1GB and 2GB, weighs only 0.528 oz (15g) and is ideal if you wish to minimize the amount of devices to carry when on the move, ensuring compatibility with all PCs and Mac and all cameras using compatible memory cards.
A handy, pocket-sized device that combines an easy-to-use wireless network scanner, that works even without turning on your computer, and a USB-connected Wireless-G network adapter.
Now you can scan for available wireless connectivity before turning on your computer.
If the scanner does find a network, just plug it into your PC and get connected: detected hotspots will be shown on a signal-power basis, from the most powerful to the least.
The intelligent scanning system is even able to filter other 2.4 GHz sources such as microwaves, bluetooth devices and cordless phones.
This handy road warrior accessory retails for around US$ 89.99 (before rebate)
Ok, we all love the image quality offered by DV video cameras (or even the latest model High Definition ones): but what’s better than a pocketful of simplicity? SourceCrowd.com is bringing you a small roundup of higly portable, take-everywhere gadgets that bring the FUN factor back into taking a snapshot or a quick movie and sharing it with friends and family. Forget about having to carry bulky battery packs, winding tapes or anything of the sort: just point, shoot, copy, watch & share!
These tiny videocameras, aptly called Flip Video, allow you to record a maximum of 60 minutes of digital video (on 1GB of storage, 512 MB on the 30 minute version) that can be copied straight into your PC as an AVI file. The camcorder has a 1.4 inch color screen for instant viewing, full 30 fps MPEG-4 video quality at VGA (640×480) resolution, video-out capability for viewing on your TV, built in mic and speakers, and a flip-out USB 2.0 arm for connecting straight into a computer.
Also of note, the RCA EZ105 Small Wonder, a small and sleek minicamcorder capable of recording 60 minutes of standard quality MPEG4 video or 30 minutes of high quality video. At the back of the slim enclosure is a 1.5 inch LCD display to view your footage, and the lens is capable of 2x zoom. It has the same video out capability as the Flip Video, and sports a built in tripod mount. This really is a bring-everywhere piece of kit, running on 2 standard AA batteries.
You can now record your videos anywhere and never worry about dust, sand or even kids crushing a $1000+ videocamera: these solid-state camcorders will get you through the most dangerous missions! All your birthdays, rave parties or whatever you get involved into, can be just a snap away from online viewing & sharing on youtube or e-mailing to your friends.
Square Group Ltd in association with Adobe, Apple and a slew of other partners organized an Adobe Creative Suite CS3 seminar at BFI Southbank in London last Tuesday, May 15, 2007. The seminar featured presentations from both Adobe and Apple about the new features of the many applications that make up Adobe’s new crown jewel, CS3, alongside demonstrations of related products from the likes of Eizo, Wacom, Extensis, HP and G-Tech. SourceCrowd was in attendance and can bring you an exclusive report from the event.
Before the seminar, attendees were able to peruse stands with a few interesting products on show. Eizo wowed the crowd with its stunning professional quality displays like the ColorEdge CE240W sporting hardware colour calibration, 14-bit color processing and easy profiling. Extensis was showcasing two of its software products for asset management: Suitcase Fusion, a font manager to organize, categorize and activate/deactivate fonts on the fly, and Portfolio, a complete multimedia files management tool. HP was showcasing the HP B9180 Photosmart Pro Printer, an eight-tanks pigment ink powerhouse which demonstrated stunning results on some of HP’s custom papers (especially impressive were the results on canvas-textured paper). Wacom had both the A4 Intuos3 graphic tablet and the Cintiq 21UX display available for hands-on demonstrations, making precise editing of pictures a breeze. Last but not least, G-Tech had the whole range of its external high speed hard drives solution on display. The elegant silver enclosures sport the latest in eSata and Firewire connections on the G-Raid2, G-Drive 250GB External FW400/USB2, G-Mini and G-Safe, with high-end fibre-channel RAID solutions also available in the G-Speed models.
Then it was finally time to immerse into the presentation!
The first speaker was Richard West, Apple Business Development Manager for the UK and Ireland. He started by stressing how important it is, in a multimedia communicational landscape, to put to good use the plethora of different ways that businesses have to reach clients, by customizing communications to target and focus on different markets. Adobe Creative Suite CS3, he argued, is the tool of choice to do so, allowing the use of a single creative process for multiple disciplines through its multiplicity of applications. Since output is so important to the designers and developers who use CS3, he then went on to demonstrate how colour calibration devices (in this case, the Pantone Huey Pro MEU113) can work in tandem with OS X ColorSync Utility (found in the Applications>Utilities folder) to prevent disparity between screen output versus print/web output. In particular he showed how it is possible to compare colour spaces graphically, and onscreen proofing of different colour spaces just by dragging and dropping images on the application. Microsoft’s Windows has “borrowed” the same functionality for its latest OS, implemented in Vista under the name Windows Colour System (located in the Control Panel).
Stay tuned for the second part of our report - coming soon!
Who said USB flash storage has to be dull and of strictly practical design? Surely Mimoco would not agree, as they add 4 Star Wars themed dongles to their line of stylish Mimobot USB Art Toy flash drives. These limited edition fashion statements let you store all your important files on a choice of Darth Vader, Chewbacca, Stormtrooper, and R2-D2 shaped devices. They come in 1GB, 2GB and 4GB densities (ranging from $79.95 to $169.95) and are available from Mimoco’s website.
All products names and icons are trademarks of their respective holders. SourceCrowd.com is not responsible for the availability and correctness of the information provided nor responsible for any damage that may occure to your equipment or you by using the published information.
Do you find yourself frustrated when on the go, without all your applications and data? Copy the PortableApps software suite to a USB flash drive
Flash drive are so popular and handy yet so weak when it comes to security.
Ideal for adding capacity to your system, the stylish 
7200 RPM SATA II
USB 2.0 Portable Hard Drive
So small and easy to connect you’ll be running the 
Check these 
Got a MacBook (maybe a MacBook Air or one of the very latest unibody models)?
Power-hungry? What about a SimpleTech 
Go for nothing but an 
The 
looks just like a standard USB Flash drive, but flip the cover and you will disclose a cleverly hidden expansion slot that doubles as a card reader, compatible with the SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus formats (miniSD, microSD, RS-MMC, MMCmobile and MMCmicro cards can also be read when using an optional adapter).
The 
is much more!
These tiny 
, allow you to record a maximum of 60 minutes of digital video (on 1GB of storage, 512 MB on the 30 minute version) that can be copied straight into your PC as an AVI file. The camcorder has a 1.4 inch color screen for instant viewing, full 30 fps MPEG-4 video quality at VGA (640×480) resolution, video-out capability for viewing on your TV, built in mic and speakers, and a flip-out USB 2.0 arm for connecting straight into a computer.
Square Group Ltd
seminar at 
sporting hardware colour calibration, 14-bit color processing and easy profiling. Extensis was showcasing two of its software products for asset management: 
, a font manager to organize, categorize and activate/deactivate fonts on the fly, and 
, a complete multimedia files management tool. HP was showcasing the 
, an eight-tanks pigment ink powerhouse which demonstrated stunning results on some of HP’s custom papers (especially impressive were the results on canvas-textured paper). Wacom had both the 
graphic tablet and the 
, 
) can work in tandem with OS X ColorSync Utility (found in the Applications>Utilities folder) to prevent disparity between screen output versus print/web output. In particular he showed how it is possible to compare colour spaces graphically, and onscreen proofing of different colour spaces just by dragging and dropping images on the application. Microsoft’s Windows has “borrowed” the same functionality for its latest OS, implemented in Vista under the name Windows Colour System (located in the Control Panel).
