CONTENTS
Editorial: The phoney internet.
Travel: Crono Key has lost and found function with no subscription fees!
Technology: Wipe your old computer clean of data with Redkey USB before disposing of it.
Stationery: O-Check Design Graphics Standing Weekly Scheduler.
Gadgets and Gear: Twin tool: two essentials your other tools don't have.
Books and Writing: Pocket Full of Do.
Miscellaneous: Clean the wire mess on your desk with CableManager.
PD: Store
Contact Prowling Dog at prowlingdog@protonmail.com
EDITORIAL: The phoney internet.
According to a worrying article in the Intelligencer less than 60% of internet traffic is human. The problem is bots, pieces of software that “faked clicks, mouse movements, and social network login information to masquerade as engaged human consumers". This is on top of the phoney accounts that people have. If you have a website you cannot trust that the number of visitors logged actually is human. This also applies to those who pay for ads - you have no way of knowing if the ads were clicked on by bots or humans; you may be paying for nothing. The scarier bit is we often cannot distinguish what is real and what is not. This is true "1984" stuff.
Read the full article here:
http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/12/how-much-of-the-internet-is-fake.html
Contact Prowling Dog at prowlingdog@protonmail.com
TRAVEL: Crono Key has lost and found function with no subscription fees!
There are lost and found schemes out there. They may be stickers or key chain fobs with a return address for your lost keys (yes, there are honest people who will do the right thing). Most of these charge an annual subscription. Crono is different.
Made by Swiss Advance, the less well known Swiss manufacturer of camping equipment, including multi tools, this key tool has a forwarding address. Take a photo of your keys together with the Crono Key Finder, ID and address. Instead of paying a subscription for a service that hopefully you will not use, you pay a fee for service only if you lose your keys.
Pair this up with the Twin Tool (see Gadgets and Gear below) and you are all set to go.
Organise yours here:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1715344978/crono-key-multi-tool-with-lost-and-found-function/description
Contact Prowling Dog at prowlingdog@protonmail.com
TECHNOLOGY: Wipe your old computer clean of data with Redkey USB before disposing of it.
What do you do with your old computers? Give them away? Hand them in for recycling? Throw them away? Do you realise that the data on them is still accessible, even if you have deleted it all? Yes, pressing the delete key still leaves traces of your files there for any tech savvy person with a few software tools to retrieve and reconstruct your personal files. Ouch.
Redkey promises to delete your data from the computer for ever. You insert the USB key and start the wipe program. After a previous successful campaign Redkey is back with an updated version.
More information here:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2048675152/redkey-usb-the-ultimate-cyber-security-tool/description
Note 1: The Redkey is USB-2 Standard A. In response to PD's enquiry about a USB-C version (the new version of USB being introduced into devices - see PD: Cool Things issue 163, GHOST_URL/prowling-dog-cool-things-issue-163/), the creator wrote, "Unfortunately I cannot get the technology in the USB-C form at present - it was something requested in the original project too. Instead, I'm going to try and include a small adaptor (USB A-C) in the accessory kit this time around. The ability to include it depends on the success of the project, but things are going very well at present, so hopefully I will be able to." PD will keep you updated on this.
Note 2: In addition to wiping your files, PD recommnends running a strong degaussing magnet over your hard drive or SSD memory drive.
Contact Prowling Dog at prowlingdog@protonmail.com
STATIONERY: O-Check Design Graphics Standing Weekly Scheduler.
South Korean stationer O-Check Design makes some very desirable products. Its Standing Weekly Planner is a case in point.
This simple design is a weekly planner that does not take up much space.
Website (in Korean only):
http://ocheckdesign.cafe24.com/product/detail.html?product_no=817&cate_no=1&display_group=9
Contact Prowling Dog at prowlingdog@protonmail.com
GADGETS AND GEAR: Twin tool: two essentials your other tools don't have.
PD sees and tests lots of EDC tools. Many are slight variations of each other; most are good however this little tool has two essentials that you will be grateful for when you need them.
Seeing it for the first time, this cylindrical tool could pass off as a piece of jewellery. It is made from a solid piece of polished steel but is tiny and light weight. Each end has a secret cap that you unscrew to reveal the tools:
- A tiny non-magnetic screwdriver for eyeglasses and other small jobs. If you are on the road and the arms of your glasses come loose you will know how frustrating it can be to tighten the screws.
- A tiny tungsten tip punch that that can fit those tiny holes needed to release a SIM card or reset your phone, tablet or other device. It can also be used to open a parcel or score something with.
The tool will fit neatly into your pocket, purse or hang on your key chain. It is a travel essential. By having the tools hidden it will not shred your pockets. The tools are hand made in Italy.
For those who love technical details here they are:
To add one to your essential kit email Maurizio Antolini at cybdrg52@hotmail.it. He makes the tools to order. When PD heard about this tool (unsolicited) he ordered one and is impressed by the service and quality of the workmanship.
Contact Prowling Dog at prowlingdog@protonmail.com
BOOKS AND WRITING: Pocket Full of Do.
This little books gives you bite-sized bits of thoughts and observations about the business of being creative.
The book is written by entrepreneur Chris Do, the founder and CEO of The Futur, an education platform for business professionals.
Get some inspiration here:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thefutur/pocket-full-of-do-a-book-by-chris-do-ceo-of-the-fu?ref=discovery
Contact Prowling Dog at prowlingdog@protonmail.com
MISCELLANEOUS: Clean the wire mess on your desk with CableManager.
Does the back of your desk have a mess of cables like spaghetti? You need CableManager.
This is a cable conduit system for your desk.
There is a large range of modules for all needs.
For a neat desk head over here:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/111365441/cablemanager-no-more-messy-cables-29?ref=discovery
Contact Prowling Dog at prowlingdog@protonmail.com
PD: Store
X90 Planner
The X90 Planner has been thoroughly tested by PD and featured in PD: Cool Things 178: https://www.prowlingdog.com/prowling-dog-cool-things-issue-178/
The planner is hard back but opens flat. It is clearly laid out and uses quality paper. It is undated, so you can start working on your goals immediately. There are 90 days in the planner, the ideal length of time to achieve goals.
From US $31.95 plus shipping. Local taxes may apply in your country.
BUY HERE: https://90xgoalplanner.com/?ref=107
Contact Prowling Dog at prowlingdog@protonmail.com
Important disclaimer: Remember that crowd funding sites are not stores. You may decide to back this project and provide funds, however there is no guarantee that any project will be delivered - the rate of failure is about 10%. PD is in no way accountable for the success or otherwise of any project and writes in this column purely for entertainment purposes, and will in no way be held liable for any failure or money lost by anyone. It is a case of "buyer beware". It is a sad reflection on the era we live in that PD must resort to this type of disclaimer.
Note: Photographs and illustrations are from the relevant websites and are the copyright of the respective owners.
© 2018 Prowling Dog