Sokie asks: "While trying to decide what screen capture software would work best for illustrating software reviews, I realized that there were many possible situations where this software just won't work. For instance, BIOS screens, Linux installs, that kind of thing. Then I got curious as to whether there might be a hardware based screen capture device available. After several searches on AltaVista and Google, I've come up empty." There may be several ways to do this, but it would be interesting to note if there's been a specific product designed for this purpose. Is there an off-the-shelf solution, or would methods like the ole camera-in-front-of-the-monitor trick work?

Bilz writes "ZD Net UK has posted an article on Nvidia's upcoming NV20 video chip. According to them, they state that during complex 3D scenes the card performs up to 7 times faster than a GeForce 2 Ultra."

Dodger_ asks: "Has anyone figured out the RCA eBook file format yet? The REB1100 looks perfect for carrying around to read technical papers and isn't too expensive($300) to boot. You can find even more info about it right here." These seem to be nice looking devices, and since they can be expanded up to 72MB (they come with 8MB) these would be able to hold quite a bit of documentation. Imagine converting the manpage library (or any other set of documents) to one of these puppies for some quality reading on your next long flight.

amulder asks: "I keep looking at the Raidzone.com Web pages. Their products sound interesting, and the prices are very sharp. They keep running full-page ads in Linux Journal. Currently, they are advertising a terabyte NAS (Network Attached Storage) box for just $22,000 It supports file system snapshots, has redundant root systems, with further snapshotted root filesystems which you can access from the front LCD panel. You can find more details on this device here. I have yet to find a real 3rd party review of their hardware in any of the computer magazines that I read, or technical Web sites that I have visited over the past 6 months. I just typed 'raidzone' into the Slashdot search box and found nothing. Are they reliable? How is their performance compared to other solutions? How does the company treat its customers?"

Ben Mesander writes: "Check out the cool looking iDitarod' parallel PPC Linux machine the folks at Terra Soft Solutions just shipped." This yellow rack actually packs a lot of power into a relatively small, mobile enclosure You don't even have to build a beowulf cluster out of this, but it's for deeper pockets than I've got -- as they suggest, though, it sounds like an easy way for a company or school to get a sweet little turnkey PPC cluster.

ContinuousPark writes: "The folks at the MIT Media Lab have been working on a $50 handheld Linux computer. 900MHz, 1mW, 200Kbps peering or hub-and-spoke internet gateways for wireless mode and a RS-485 wired LAN: 1Mbps multidrop. Loads of software on less than 1Mb footprint. They've called it the Pengachu Project: Cheap Wireless Linux for Everyone. Read about it here, an article on the kickoff event for the Digital Nations project."

alecbrown writes: "Orange, a mobile phone service in the UK is about to release a Mobile Videophone coming out in 2001. As far as I know it uses Microsoft's PocketPC platform, and works on GSM1800, since as Orange has a HSCSD service and no GPRS service yet it is probably based on the former technology. I hate to think how expensive calls will be on that."

Dan Mønster writes: "G.mate, the company behind the Linux based YOPY PDA, have given details on a new PDA -- this one with a head mounted display, but otherwise similar to the YOPY. The site also has a lot of new pictures of the YOPY." Check out the neat swoopy camera module, too. Question is, can they make the Yopy similar or lower in price than the similarly-spec'd iPAQ? And when can we get our hands on one?

Dice writes: "More benchmarks have come in and Tom (of Tom's Hardware) is expressing doubt in regards to the P4 in this article, "I have to admit that I started off being a believer in Pentium 4 and I still respect Pentium 4's future potential. However, right now I am genuinely disappointed. For the time being, I wouldn't let any of my friends or family members buy a Pentium 4 system. It's simply not justifiable."" Intel is definitely not impressing the hardware reviewers with their new chip.

Woodrow Stool asks: "My business is software development and I am updating my home office. Does anyone have any experience with the latest and greatest task lights for workstations, such as the Eclipse? Any other suggestions for the best reasonably priced task lighting for a workstation environment?" I love my Eclipse, but I wonder if there are better options out there.

LostScorp88 writes: "An engineer at Cornell University, Mr. Chris Ober, has developed a new glue for computer parts (mainly mobos/circuit boards) that allows them to be recycled. Previously, the glue used was too strong to be easily separated. The new glue allows the parts to be separated at high temperatures. Read the article [here]." Considering the problems (and expense) of properly and legally disposing of computer equipment, this small advance could have a big impact.

bbosilje asks: "I had a brainwave today and was wondering if anybody knows of any 'enhanced' digital dictaphone devices? Ideally the device would be small, use MP3 as the storage format, timestamp each voice recording outside of the audio stream, sync up to a desktop computer and have an organizer that you could use to keep a database of your dictated notes. This would be an awesome (read: lazy) way to keep a personal or work journal. The MP3 recorders that I have seen are primarily geared towards near CD quality playback without much said about recording. Does such a device exist? Is there a market?" Interesting thought. I've seen personal dictation devices on the market, but I don't know if they have any kinds of integration with a desktop PC and the appropriate PIM ^[?] software. Has anyone seen such an animal? If so, please comment about your experiences here.

SmackDown asks: "I am having trouble with my brand new Palm IIIc. After installing the OS 3.5.2 upgrade, it no longer correctly recognizes graffiti. The graffiti app displays my pen strokes as being jerky and nearly random. I have performed several soft/warm/hard resets each, and nothing works. Does anyone have any suggestions about what I should do?"

An Anonymous Coward asks: "I am regularly working with multiple computers and have given in to the fact that I need and will buy a KVM. However, I am in need of a device that can switch both standard PS2 (mouse & keyboard support) and also USB. From my searching I have found KVMs with Monitor + USB or Monitor + PS2, but not all three. Does anyone know if such a USB + PS2 + Monitor KVM exists?"

afrazer asks: "Anyone know if one could make a springboard module to easily turn the handspring visor into a wearable computer? It would have to let you plug in an input device such as a twiddler and a heads-up display of some sort. Obviously this would not be the most powerful wearable system, but good for keeping tidbits of information handy." This is a good idea! Have handheld manufacturers investigated this kind of usage in any way?

This (rightfully) angry Anonymous Coward asks: "When I got home, my front door was wide open! Evil types must have broken in. They stole my two Linux boxen, two monitors, laser printer, and ~250 CDs. They didn't trash anything, important things are backed-up, and the cat is fine. But I am pissed off!! I want to set up a simple Linux-based security system (umm...when i get a new box). I need help finding info on: digital cameras (outdoor?), motion detectors, lasers tripwires(??), etc. which can be hooked up in a manageable fashion to a Linux box. Can anyone help me?"

An unnamed correspondent writes: "In the most recent C`T "Computer technik" there is a great benchmark with a pentium 4 (1,5 and 1,4 ghz)vs a athlon thunderbird (1,2 ghz and 1,2 ghz ddr memory with the 760 chipset). If you think that that isn`t a fair race ... then read it now here and here in English. You should get a copy of the German paper version anyway -- great magazine, even beter benchmark. Now does anyone know where to get a 760 mainboard ;-)" Unnamed's cousin Noname also contributes a link to GamePC, which reviews in grand 13-page SE-style the 1.4 and 1.5 GHz P4 chips.

BBSOD asks: "I spotted this short article in Wednesday's paper. It states that Melbourne (Victoria, Australia) police are going to carry out tests on some models of Nokia phones for what appears to be a built-in speed trap detector. Now this got me thinking, often software writers add Easter eggs to their software so what about designers of consumer electronics? Can my microwave also be used as a personal organizer? Sure it's bulky, but try getting your Palm V to heat last night's special fried rice in under three minutes. So, what extra features have you heard of or seen in electronics devices that the manual didn't exactly feature?" Well, since we've already talked about Easter eggs in software, why not hardware?

code_slayer sent us a cool review of linux handhelds at COMDEX. You can see Qt Embedded (which has been released under the GPL) as well as MicroWindows, and a bunch of prototype boards. I'm still waiting for the 802.11 wireless linux handheld capable of displaying remote X applications, but it looks like we're getting closer.

grub writes: "The MPAA must be saying "Ho Lee Fook." Pioneer had introduced a rewritable DVD drive. The drive reads and writes in four formats: DVD-R, CD-R, DVD-RW and CD-RW, has up to 4.7GB capacity per DVD side and records on DVD-R at twice the normal speed." With 60GB drives now at reasonable prices, and drives three times that size coming out on the high end, 4.7GB no longer sounds like the mountain of bits it once did. Still, this is a wild combination: hopefully the world will soon agree on some nice DVD-RAM standards worth living with.