The Apple Wheel Replaces the Keyboard

Are you still making regular typing errors with the keyboard? Apple may have an answer to all those keyboard woes. The Apple Wheel replaces the keyboard and replaces how text is entered into the computer:

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Keystroke Monitoring

It is like a keystroke recorder but much more sophisticated. It is a form of hacking that can monitor all keyboard activity:

“Computer criminals could soon be eavesdropping on what you type by analysing the electromagnetic signals produced by every key press.

By analysing the signals produced by keystrokes, Swiss researchers have reproduced what a target typed.”

link: Keyboard sniffers to steal data

Unlike former keystroke recorder methods, hardware does not need to be attached to the target. The hacker with the right equipment just has to be near.

Catherine Forsythe

Three Reasons That the Asus Eee 900 Is Not for Students

I am writing this on an Asus Eee 900. I have had it since Thursday to do a review. I will preface these remarks by saying that I have been a fan of the Asus Eee line. It is a terrific idea, if the little machine is used in the right setting. Unfortunately, this is not a machine for students. Here are three basic reasons why I would not recommend this Asus Eee 900 for academic work:

• the keyboard remains a problem. It is fine for making a brief note or two. However, if this is for a lecture setting, then it becomes a problem. It is tiring to use. And, if you know how to type by touch, this will lead to multiple errors. If you are a hunt-and-peck typist, this will be a tiring machine to use. Posture will be a problem. There may be a few surprising aches and pains with long term use of this machine.
• the battery life is an unpleasant surprise. The battery on this machine that I am using is relatively new. It has been ‘out-of-the-box’ for less than two weeks. If a student is intending to use this machine for two consecutive one hour classes, then it would be problematic. The battery life on this machine would be struggling as the two hour mark approaches. That is disappointing. - I did check to see if this was a problem specific to this machine. Six other people with the Asus Eee 900 report that is this approximately the expectations from the battery.
• the costs remain high. The costs of the Asus Eee 900 may be dropping. Any price point that I could quote here would not be valid in a few days. The price range, though, is comparable to a full sized laptop - or close enough that it bears serious consideration.

The Asus Eee line has many positive attributes, like the speed of boot up and the security of the solid state disk. In some settings, the Asus Eee machines would be ideal. However, there are too many basic fundamental concerns to recommend this to students for use in an academic setting.

Catherine Forsythe

The Asus Eee for School

As a preface, I should say that I am a fan of the Asus Eee. It is affordable, lightweight and, for the most part, easy to use. However, that being said, personally I would not recommend an Asus Eee as a substitute for a full laptop for school.

The deciding factor, for me, is the keyboard. It is small and one has to change how one normally types. If speed is essential, as when taking lecture notes, then the small keyboard is a hinderance. The alternative is to carry a larger keyboard to use with the Asus Eee.

The problem with the additional keyboard is not only more thing to haul about during the school day. It means a balancing act between having the Asus Eee, a keyboard and perhaps a small attached-to-the-chair working space, that often is found in lecture theatres. It just makes it cumbersome.

With the possibility of four or five hours of lectures to attend during a day, working this way becomes more and more of a chore. Having a conventional sized laptop is just easier.

Catherine Forsythe

Laptop or Desktop for University

For students beginning college or university in the fall, there is always the question of whether to buy a laptop or a desktop for school. The choice, without any hesitation, would be a laptop for me. As a student, you simply need the versatility.

You will find that class notes are easier to maintain if they go directly onto the laptop. These notes can be printed out later, if you prefer to use a hard copy to study for tests. Keep in mind that the laptop will be with you in the library, in labs, in seminars and so forth. Because it is such an essential piece of equipment, here are five suggestions about what to keep in mind when selecting that laptop:

• Since the machine is going to be use so extensively, select one with a comfortable keyboard. Make sure that your hand fits the keyboard and try the keys. Keyboards have a responsiveness. See if the ‘feel’ of the keys suits you. You don’t want to have keyboard issues. You want the keyboard easy to use and suited to how you type.
• Check the hinge that connects the laptop screen. You will be opening and closing the laptop numerous times. You want to have a solid hinge so that, over the months, the laptop screen stays in place.
• Select a laptop with high memory capacity. If possible, put in as much RAM as possible. RAM is not expensive now and it is the single best way to improve the functioning and speed of the laptop. If you happen to be working with large data bases, you will appreciate having the increased RAM.
• Try the laptop monitor under different lighting conditions. Does it have the same clarity? Classrooms have different lighting conditions. You want to have the same clarity on the laptop screen when you sit by a window as you would during a low light slide presentation.
• The final suggestion is to backup. This is essential. You do not want to lose school material at any time during the semester. One of the easiest ways to backup is to buy an external hard drive along with the laptop. You will find that your ‘academic life’ is on that laptop and having computer problems during the school year is a disaster. Having a backup of what is on the laptop will pay off eventually.

These would be my essentials. Other people’s priorities may vary. Some students are using a combination of desktop and small laptop like the Asus Eee. The drawback to that system is the keyboard issue. The Asus Eee might not be ideal to use through a day of several classes. You might be able to carry a keyboard to plug in and use it that way, but keep in mind the extra equipment that needs to be transported.

There is one last thing to check. If disaster does strike, how good (and how fast) is the repair service for that laptop company. You will want to have that machine fixed and back in your hands in as few days as possible. This is something you want to know and how never to have to verify. May the computer gremlins be kind…

Catherine Forsythe