USB monitors

We received an e-mail message asking about connecting a monitor to a USB port...

I found three monitors that connect via a USB port:
the LG L206WU-WF 20" Widescreen LCD Monitor...
the 19" Samsung UbiSync 940UX...
and the 4.3" Century LCD-4300U.

You will find adapters available from various sources...EVGA Corporation has a couple of USB-to-monitor adapters:

UV Plus+ | Model: UV16
Part Number: 100-U2-UV16-A1
Max Resolution (Analog and Digital) 1680x1050

UV Plus+ | Model: UV12
Part Number: 100-U2-UV12-A1
Max Resolution (Analog and Digital) 1440x900

USB ID (for humans and animals)

"Medic ID bracelets or medical alert emblems have only a word or phone number on them. MedicTag is designed to let you carry all your emergency information with you at all times..."

MedicTag is a USB digital memory chip drive that contains your emergency information. Any emergency service, ambulance, police or rescue squad with a laptop computer can have instant access to all your emergency information: emergency contacts, existing conditions, allergies, medications...

It could be useful to: joggers, cyclists, hikers , hunters, those with alzheimer's, those who live in areas where natural disasters could happen (hurricanes/fires/floods/earthquakes/tornados)...

The CARE Memory Band is a USB drive-integrated wristband.

For pets, there's the PetSafe Micro I.D. Rescue Collar (available in 3 sizes PETCO retail stores nationwide and online).

free encryption software

TrueCrypt is encryption software: it can keep your files from being accessed unless the correct password/keyfile(s), or encryption keys, are used.

TrueCrypt will hide operating systems, also!

BEFORE USING THE SOFTWARE, I strongly recommend you at least browse through the TrueCrypt User’s Guide. It is included in the download, and available to you after you execute the file you downloaded. It is best that, before you use TrueCrypt, you become familiar with: some of the terms, what the software will do and how it will perform, and where you can refer to if you have a question. The Beginner's Tutorial chapter can be viewed at http://www.truecrypt.org/docs/tutorial.php

[One of those terms you will need to be familiar with: a TrueCrypt volume is also known as a "container", a file that contains the encrypted files.]

After you download the setup file (from http://www.truecrypt.org/downloads.php), and execute it, you are offered to: "install" it, or to "extract" it. If you choose "extract", you can save the files to a folder...and carry and use it on an external drive. This is a version of "traveler" mode (which can also be used if TrueCrypt is installed to an operating system).

The User's Guide states that there are two ways to run TrueCrypt in ‘traveler’ mode:
1) After you unpack the binary distribution archive (what you downloaded), you can directly run TrueCrypt.exe.
2) You can use the Traveler Disk Setup facility to prepare a special "traveler" disk, and launch TrueCrypt from there.

You will need to create a TrueCrypt file container on the USB flash drive (see the Beginner’s Tutorial), so...

Before you use TrueCrypt on a USB flash drive, know that:
1) If you encrypt the entire USB flash drive, you will not be able run TrueCrypt from the USB flash drive.
2) Before you choose the size for the TrueCrypt container on a USB drive, if you leave enough space on the USB flash drive for TrueCrypt (not IN the "container" file - along WITH the "container" file), you will be able to run TrueCrypt from the USB flash drive (see the Traveler Mode chapter in the User's Guide).

It is not difficult to use...do not fear trying it to see if it will work for your security needs.

USB ports and hubs

We've had conversations about using USB devices...

Someone in our (Ustream.tv) chat room suggested we review "USB Hub Design and Windows".

Per the USB Implementers Forum, the specification for cable lengths is 3 meters to 5 meters.

I have used longer cables, but only for devices that do not need to be powered by the USB port. And, I have USB devices that cannot be powered by certain computer ports because the ports do not provide enough power for the device: because of bad experiences I do not trust USB devices that use Y-cables.

When considering using powered hubs, keep in mind that what is considered to be a "compliant bus powered hub" has only four ports.

kudos to SanDisk

After using Windows ReadyBoost, I cannot recommend it:  I did not notice any performance enhancement...
 
I was using ReadyBoost on a SanDisk Cruzer Micro USB Flash Drive.  I decided to cease using ReadyBoost, and use the drive for storage.  I was unable to format the drive (I suspect ReadyBoost may have written to the drive too much:  as with other types of storage, flash drives have limitations as to how many times they can be written to).

I contacted SanDisk for assistance.  We traded a few messages about troubleshooting back and forth.  After not being able to get it to work, I was told to send the drive to them...and they would pay for shipping!  (I had to print the label, and package the drive.)

I always tell people, BEFORE purchasing something, inquire as to the return policy.  I recommend you consider SanDisk for your memory and storage needs:  I was not put through "support-hell"...I gave them the benefit of considering their suggestions, and they trusted I had done reasonable effort to resolve the issue.

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When I plugged the new drive into a Windows XP computer, the U3 software launched...and seemed to be causing my computer to become unresponsive.  I was able to remove the software, but it did not go very smoothly.  I have an identical SanDisk Cruzer Micro USB Flash Drive with U3 software, and have had no problems with it.

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password manager

Wayne called and suggested KeePass (http://keepass.info/): "...a free/open-source password manager or safe which helps you to manage your passwords...You can put all your passwords in one database, which is locked with one master key or a key-disk. So you only have to remember one single master password or insert the key-disk to unlock the whole database..."

A lover of portable software (that which will run from a USB drive), I found KeePass Password Safe Portable (http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/keepass_portable)