How to and How do KVM Switch Flash Memory PDA Wireless Access Point

How Do and How To

Is there a way that I can use the same monitor with both my desktop and notebook computers, without constantly switching cables?

You need a KVM switch (KVM stands for keyboard, video, monitor). This lets you hook a single keyboard, monitor, and mouse up to multiple PCs and notebooks. The actual computers can run simultaneously, while the monitor displays only what's running on the selected computer; the mouse and keyboard control the selected system.

A button on the front of the KVM lets you toggle between systems. In your case, you wanted the monitor to extend the amount of data displayed on your notebook. That's no problem, as long as your notebook supports dual displays.

KVM switches are particularly useful in server rooms, where dozens of servers can be hooked into one KVM. For your purposes, though, a personal KVM switch is perfect. A good place to start is with a D-Link DKVM-2 ($49 direct), which can handle two PCs. (Similar switches are available from companies such as Avocent, Belkin, and Linksys.) The DKVM-2 comes with two PS/2 mouse ports and two PS/2 keyboard ports. As with most switches, the cables cost extra, so make sure you buy the shortest cables you can. Six-foot cables are about $15 each.

If you're using a notebook with only one PS/2 connector, you may want to use a docking station with two connectors.

There ought to be a device that can read various types of memory, from CompactFlash to Memory Sticks and SmartMedia.

Actually, there are several USB-based peripherals that can read and write to CompactFlash, Memory Stick, and SmartMedia—as well as IBM Microdrive, Multimedia Card, and Secure Digital.

The new, sleek Addonics Mini DigiDrive ($49 list) is easy to install and lets you transfer files from your computer to the cards and vice versa. It has four slots, so you can transfer files directly among the different media. (Addonics Technologies Inc

Also new, the Belkin USB 8-in-1 Media Reader and Writer ($45 street) has two card slots that are positioned vertically, which makes determining which way to insert the cards somewhat confusing.

Is there a portable scanner that can store strips of graphic images that can later be stitched together?

There are pen scanners that let you grab very small images, but if you want to scan larger images, you'll need a standalone device that's a bit larger. Unfortunately, so-called handheld scanners are difficult to come by. In the late 1990s, HP offered a handheld scanner known as the CapShare, which could grab an image piece by piece and stitch together a complete digital picture. It's been taken off the market, but you can always check out some auction sites.

Fujitsu recently unveiled a prototype, known as DigitalMemo, that's similar to the CapShare. But the company has no plans to introduce these products in the U.S.

There should be a USB device that acts like a key to access a computer.

The device that does this is called the SecuriKey (for 5 licenses, $789 list; for 500, $50 per user). Made by Griffin Technologies, it's a small usb device that locks your pc or notebook. It works simply by requiring the user to have two forms of identification. First, you need a password, and second, you need the key. As long as the key is plugged into the usb port, your system works as expected. You can set the system to lock, reboot, shut down, or suspend once the device is removed.

We had some problems: We set the computer to shut down on the SecuriKey's removal, but on removal, the system froze. Griffin is aware of this problem, and a fix will be available by the time you read this. We tested the corporate SecuriKey Pro. It comes with a full management console, so you can set up and activate numerous keys from one workstation. A personal edition was not available in time for review but should be out in early September. (Griffin Technologies LLC)

Is there a way to use a PDA as a remote control for a home entertainment system?

Having your PDA serve double duty as a home-entertainment remote control is a very appealing idea. Because PDA software can be upgraded so easily, you can add new remote features and device control codes as you purchase new equipment. Also, PDA remote-control software can support configurations for several systems.

Unfortunately, whereas the consumer infrared (CIR) transmitters used in most consumer entertainment devices have a range of up to 30 feet, PDA infrared (IrDA) is typically rated to work at a maximum of 3 to 8 feet. But all is not lost.

The HP iPAQ Pocket PC H3950 ($650 street), which includes Universal Electronics' NEVO software and CIR transmitters with a rated range of up to 50 feet. After configuring the application, we had no problems controlling a wide range of equipment from our testing distance of 25 feet away. The software has a nice graphical user interface and setup that includes the option to download new device codes from the Internet. (Hewlett-Packard Co.)

Several of the newer Sony Palm OS–based Clié models come with the Remote Commander, an infrared transmitter. We tested the Sony Clié PEG-NR70V ($599.99 direct) and found that transmission worked up to about 20 feet; the rating is a conservative 15 feet. The Remote Commander's interface lets you configure multiple devices, but if a control code isn't in the Remote Commander's database, you're out of luck. (Sony Electronics Inc.)

The Pacific Neo-Tek OmniRemote Springboard Module ($59.95 direct) adds a high-powered IR transmitter and remote-control software to Handspring Visors. The OmniRemote IR is rated to work up to 30 feet, and we found it effective at our tested 25 feet. You train the OmniRemote software using a remote that already works with the equipment you plan to control, tediously setting each button individually. (Pacific Neo-Tek)

Is it possible to install a wireless access point in an area that has no power outlets?

Running a new power circuit can be an expensive project. If all you want to do is extend your wireless LAN, you can run power through your Ethernet cable. With Power over Ethernet (POE), a device injects DC power into the two unused pairs of your Ethernet cable. This power rides along the same cable as your data. At the destination, a second POE device outputs the electrical current. As yet, there are no standards for POE, so be careful to avoid voltage and polarity incompatibilities.

The D-Link DWL-P100 adapter ($39 direct). To set this up, you simply plug your network into the base unit, which uses a 15V DC power supply to feed power onto the outgoing Ethernet cable. At the destination, a terminal unit outputs both power and data connections. (D-Link Systems Inc.)

I use Microsoft Outlook on a desktop and a laptop. I download e-mail, add contacts, and revise calendar entries in each. At the end of the day, after connecting them in a peer-to-peer network, I would like to synchronize my calendar, contacts, e-mail, and so on. What does this?

If you use POP3 e-mail, the best way to keep mail synced is to leave it on the ISP's server so that both computers can access it. If you use IMAP4 Internet mail, synchronization is built in.

There are intermediary Web services, such as ReadySyncGo! and Yahoo!, that let you sync calendar and contacts on multiple machines. In addition, a copy of the data is stored online and accessible from any browser.

Is there a program that can translate voice recordings into editable text?

In theory, yes. Your only hope is to purchase a speech recognition system like IBM's ViaVoice or ScanSoft's Dragon NaturallySpeaking and try to feed it audio from your handheld voice recorder. There's a slight chance it will be clever enough to turn your interviews into coherent text.

Whether you plug your recorder directly into your sound card or simply hold it up to the PC's microphone, even the best speech recognition apps will turn your recorded audio into gibberish. Trying both methods with an analog Panasonic recorder and the latest version of ViaVoice, we couldn't get a single word converted into text.

The problem is that a program like ViaVoice doesn't work well unless it's been trained to understand a specific person's voice and to compensate for a particular environment's ambient noise.

Is there a service that converts text messages to voice and delivers them to people's phones?

Fortunately, such a service still exists. Thinmail lets registered users send e-mail to a phone simply by addressing the e-mail to <phonenumber>@thinphone.com. A synthesized voice reads the message to the recipient. After listening, the recipient can reply, and moments later you'll receive an e-mail with a hyperlink to the recorded audio response.

Thinmail offers a variety of other services with its accounts. You can, for example, forward attachments to a fax machine and convert Word documents to text so they're readable on nearly any device, even BlackBerries and PDAs.

Thinmail costs $1.50 per month plus the service used. Text-to-phone messages cost 25 cents apiece; faxes are 75 cents for up to ten pages, and 1MB of data files costs $2.50 to store online for a year. (Thinmail Inc., www.thinmail.com.)

How can I control the windows environment via voice?

IBM's ViaVoice (starts at $29 direct). This tried-and-true speech recognition application lets you easily navigate through Windows with voice commands.

You need a good 30 to 45 minutes to install ViaVoice and train it. Once it's up and running, you can navigate through the Windows Start menu, launch applications, choose commands from the toolbar, and much more. Saying "Surf the Web" will launch your Web browser. The software won't handle every Windows task out of the box, but navigation macros let you program almost any task.