26 posts tagged “boat”
AutoTether
Boating Safety
Link: AutoTether
An important device for boating is the emergency stop lanyard, which is connected to the engine kill switch and worn by the boat operator, so that if the operator falls overboard, the engine will stop. However, it does restrict movements and can cause false emergency stops when the connection gets pulled off accidentally.
The AutoTether solves this problem by doing it wirelessly. The main unit, which has a wireless signal receiver, is connected to the engine kill switch. A mobile remote unit worn by the operator (or any passenger) sends radio signals to the main unit. If the operator or passenger falls overboard, the radio signal transmission is cut off, since radio signals cannot travel through water. The main unit detects the signal cut-off, stops the engine and sounds an alarm at the same time. The system operates by AAA batteries, with low-battery warning indicators.
The AutoTether kit comes with one main unit and 2 mobile remote units. It can accommodate a total of 4 remote units (extras can be bought separately). Other applications include using it at a beach or around a pool, if you don't want a young child to go into the water unsupervised. You can also set a range for the remote unit so that when the remote unit goes out of range, the main unit will sound an alarm.
Dick has written a fuller article on this gadget in PowerBoat Magazine. Here's the link.
Did you know?
... that Dick was involved in the production of a Playboy Club musical Little Annie Fanny, and Leo did a TV commercial for Clarks Shoes.
Party Line
The PhoneMate Just In Case Beeper (Episode 540) brings back memories for Paul Pigozzo from London, Ontario, not only of his grandmother's rotary phone with 30 feet of cord, but also her "party line" - one telephone shared by several households, and the telephone gives off different rings for different households.
Naturally, whenever a rotary phone is mentioned, Leo inexorably talks about Steve Wozniak's Rotary Cellphone again.
Listen to Episode 614
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
The AutoTether solves this problem by doing it wirelessly. The main unit, which has a wireless signal receiver, is connected to the engine kill switch. A mobile remote unit worn by the operator (or any passenger) sends radio signals to the main unit. If the operator or passenger falls overboard, the radio signal transmission is cut off, since radio signals cannot travel through water. The main unit detects the signal cut-off, stops the engine and sounds an alarm at the same time. The system operates by AAA batteries, with low-battery warning indicators.
The AutoTether kit comes with one main unit and 2 mobile remote units. It can accommodate a total of 4 remote units (extras can be bought separately). Other applications include using it at a beach or around a pool, if you don't want a young child to go into the water unsupervised. You can also set a range for the remote unit so that when the remote unit goes out of range, the main unit will sound an alarm.
Dick has written a fuller article on this gadget in PowerBoat Magazine. Here's the link.
Did you know?
... that Dick was involved in the production of a Playboy Club musical Little Annie Fanny, and Leo did a TV commercial for Clarks Shoes.
Party Line
The PhoneMate Just In Case Beeper (Episode 540) brings back memories for Paul Pigozzo from London, Ontario, not only of his grandmother's rotary phone with 30 feet of cord, but also her "party line" - one telephone shared by several households, and the telephone gives off different rings for different households.
Naturally, whenever a rotary phone is mentioned, Leo inexorably talks about Steve Wozniak's Rotary Cellphone again.
Listen to Episode 614
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Plane Clean Air Filter
Health and Hygiene/Travel Accessories
Link: PlaneCleanAir
Today's gadget is the WTHII mystery gadget for May 2008. It's not a CD washer, a flying saucer or a suction cup for the ceiling, as Leo guessed. It is the Plane Clean Air Filter. You attach it to the air nozzle above you on the aeroplane and you get your own personal air filter.
It claims to remove 99.5% of the all airborne bacteria, viruses and allergens, which are also blocked off by the air stream. For the price, you get air filters for 10 flights and you can buy refills.
Dick's Boat on Law And Order
As previously reported, Dick's boat will appear in an episode of Law And Order: Criminal Intent sometime in June, all covered in a big top. Read about it on Dick's website. Its previous film appearance, on Pride and Glory starring Edward Norton and Colin Farrell, has yet to be seen on the big screen, as the film has been put off to a 2009 release date.
Watch DGW Live
Leo reminds everyone that you can watch the recording sessions of DGW, and Dick's clutter, every Tuesday at 1 p.m. Pacific time.
Don't forget either that Dick is joining Leo at the TWiTLive Studio on 20 June 2008.
Dash Express
Dick dashed into Robert Currie, President of Dash Express (Episode 572) and got a ride from him, and more. Robert Currie explained in more details how the Dash Express works in collating its sources of traffic information. Leo did too but why would Dick listen to him?
Amazon has a Father's Day special offer for the Dash Express. $100 off.
Still Connected
Wally H's Connectix Quickcam (Episode 580) is still connected, which he uses as a networked security camera.
Mad Minute
No Mad Minute again today. Has Leo run out?
Listen to Episode 586
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Safe-T-Bug
LED Light
Link: Panther Vision
From Dick's favourite LED gadget makers Panther Vision, the Safe-T-Bug has 5 ultra-bright red LED flashing lights which you can attach (by pin, adhesive or magnet) to your cap, backpack, clothing or even your dog's leash for showing you the way. It is so new it's not even on Panther Vision's website yet. A real scoop by Dick!
The Queen Mary 2
Dick had a great time on the Queen Mary 2. Listen to Dick's account of how well-equipped the Queen Mary 2 is, and learn what is the difference between a boat and a ship.
Dick has posted some of his QM2 photos on Flickr. Here's the link.
More Gas
Ray from San Antonio in Texas was prompted by the recent references to the Mad "It's A Gas" recording to look for his Mad CD which had Alfred E Neuman on its cover. Lo and behold, or Hark, It's A Gas was on that CD.
Leo was sent a disco version of "It's A Gas" which Leo plays on the show. The belches were made by Dick and Sara Fowler. Leo also found a big-band version of "It's A Gas" on seeqpod (thanks to the chatroom), which he likes better.
Mad Minute
Alfco FastFoods's new service: Ordering by Letters.
Listen to Episode 581
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
The Queen Mary 2
Dick had a great time on the Queen Mary 2. Listen to Dick's account of how well-equipped the Queen Mary 2 is, and learn what is the difference between a boat and a ship.
Dick has posted some of his QM2 photos on Flickr. Here's the link.
More Gas
Ray from San Antonio in Texas was prompted by the recent references to the Mad "It's A Gas" recording to look for his Mad CD which had Alfred E Neuman on its cover. Lo and behold, or Hark, It's A Gas was on that CD.
Leo was sent a disco version of "It's A Gas" which Leo plays on the show. The belches were made by Dick and Sara Fowler. Leo also found a big-band version of "It's A Gas" on seeqpod (thanks to the chatroom), which he likes better.
Mad Minute
Alfco FastFoods's new service: Ordering by Letters.
Listen to Episode 581
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Snappy Video Snapshot
Screen Capture Device
Link: Atomic Internet
Dick's Gadget Warehouse
This is not a reproduction of an Easter Island statue, but a product from the mid 1990's, made by Play Inc, called the Snappy Video Snapshot. You connected it to a parallel port of the computer. It had composite video in and out, which you hooked up to a video source such as your VCR or TV set, and when you pressed the Capture button, Snappy Video Snapshot would do a screen capture for you. It would also cost you $199.
It was ranked 39 in PC World's 50 Greatest Gadgets of the Past 50 Years in 2005. The latest iteration of this product was Snappy 4.0, still available at the time of writing on Amazon.
Play Inc went on to create the Trinity Video System. One of its CEOs, Paul Montgomery, had previously worked with Tim Jenison at NewTek, which produced the Video Toaster, and now makes the TriCaster, a video switching system which Leo has just bought for the TWiTLive.
Here's a clip, from 1990, from the TV programme Computer Chronicles (from www.archive.org), with Paul Montgomery and Tim Jenison showing a demonstration of the Video Toaster on an Amiga.
Two years later came the Video Toaster 2.0. Here's the promotional video to show what it was capable of in 1992.
Here's a clip, from 1990, from the TV programme Computer Chronicles (from www.archive.org), with Paul Montgomery and Tim Jenison showing a demonstration of the Video Toaster on an Amiga.
Two years later came the Video Toaster 2.0. Here's the promotional video to show what it was capable of in 1992.
Gotcha
Jonas from Norway enjoyed Episode 556's Gotcha, as he loves pranks and jokes with his gifts. However, he hasn't needed to use Gotcha yet, since all he needs to do is give his friend one of Leo's TTTT gadgets like the toothpick bird. Cheaper too.
Law and Order
Woody Allen finally decided not to use Dick's boat for his next film after all, but Dick's boat will now appear in Law And Order. Dick will tell us about it next week. Meanwhile, you can read about it on Dick's website.
Listen to Episode 565
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Jonas from Norway enjoyed Episode 556's Gotcha, as he loves pranks and jokes with his gifts. However, he hasn't needed to use Gotcha yet, since all he needs to do is give his friend one of Leo's TTTT gadgets like the toothpick bird. Cheaper too.
Law and Order
Woody Allen finally decided not to use Dick's boat for his next film after all, but Dick's boat will now appear in Law And Order. Dick will tell us about it next week. Meanwhile, you can read about it on Dick's website.
Listen to Episode 565
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
VCR Plus
TV Programme Code for VCR
Link: VCR Plus
Dick's Gadget Warehouse
VCR Plus, started by Henry Yuen of Gemstar, was a system of codes for recording individual TV programmes on your VCR. Each programme had its own code, so that you could just enter the code into the VCRPlus-supported VCR machine or remote control, and your VCR would start recording the appropriate channel at the right time. Watch this TV commercial from 1987.
Audible Jingle
Geoff Smith has made an "Audible Pick of the Week" jingle for TWiT. Check out his ringtones on thegeoffsmith.com/.
Keyboard Cleaning
Mike of Eagle River, Alaska took Leo's advice to heart and put his keyboard into the dishwasher, let it dry for a few days, and even put it in the oven. The result upon reconnection? Sparks flew.
Listen to Episode 560
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Audible Jingle
Geoff Smith has made an "Audible Pick of the Week" jingle for TWiT. Check out his ringtones on thegeoffsmith.com/.
Keyboard Cleaning
Mike of Eagle River, Alaska took Leo's advice to heart and put his keyboard into the dishwasher, let it dry for a few days, and even put it in the oven. The result upon reconnection? Sparks flew.
Listen to Episode 560
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Ziszor
Portable Paper Shredder
Link: Ziszor
Turn-The-Tables-Tuesday
This time, it's Leo's turn to do a "What's In the Box?" routine, and Dick's turn to guess what it is. It's Ziszor, a portable, hand-held shredder. It runs on 4 AA batteries, comes with 4 Ziszor catcher bags, and you shred your paper trail right into the bag. Ziszor's slogan is, Don't let your mail be your trail. But as Leo demonstrates, it can't shred Colleen's credit card, though it will shred your English spelling into oblivion.
A Wireless Toaster
Karen Toast Conger, of ToastFloats, used to work for WatchGuard, a network security devices company. As a parting gift, she was given a very special toaster. Her colleagues bought her a Cuisinart toaster, took it apart, and put a WatchGuard Firebox X Edge wireless router into it. A wireless router, security device, and a toaster.
Listen to Episode 557
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
A Wireless Toaster
Karen Toast Conger, of ToastFloats, used to work for WatchGuard, a network security devices company. As a parting gift, she was given a very special toaster. Her colleagues bought her a Cuisinart toaster, took it apart, and put a WatchGuard Firebox X Edge wireless router into it. A wireless router, security device, and a toaster.
Listen to Episode 557
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Power Failure Light
Emergency Light
Link: Hammacher Schlemmer
Hammacher Schlemmer has come up with this emergency light called the Power Failure Light. This device attaches itself between the socket and the bulb. It has a built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery, so that if there is a power cut or power failure, the LEDs on the device will automatically light up to save you groping for a flashlight in the dark. An alternative to Energizer's Light-On-Demand (Episode 539).
Film Set
Dick's 1974, 50-foot long houseboat is in the final shortlist for Woody Allen's next film. Dick has met the location manager, Woody's production designer Santo Loquasto, and now the man himself. They like the boat, although it may look too grand from the outside.
Leo's Sense of Direction
Ian writes in to correct Leo on what he said in Episode 520 about Tasmania's location in Australia. It's an island state in the southeast corner of Australia, not the southwest.
Listen to Episode 544
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Film Set
Dick's 1974, 50-foot long houseboat is in the final shortlist for Woody Allen's next film. Dick has met the location manager, Woody's production designer Santo Loquasto, and now the man himself. They like the boat, although it may look too grand from the outside.
Leo's Sense of Direction
Ian writes in to correct Leo on what he said in Episode 520 about Tasmania's location in Australia. It's an island state in the southeast corner of Australia, not the southwest.
Listen to Episode 544
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Sparxline Helmet Strobe
LED Helmet Light
Link: Sparxline
From Sparxline, the Helmet Strobe is an LED light you put on your cycling or skating helmet that gives off a strobe light as soon as it senses motion. It increases your visibility in the dark. Auto-on and auto off. The battery can last for 80 hours, and visibility is up to half a mile.
A Victechian/Victekian Studio
Leo is in the process of decking out the TWiT Offices with TV lights and other tricks. He's turning the Victorian house into a live studio for the TWiT network.
Ghoulishly Yours
Jeff Mayers writes in to report the news that a documentary film is going to be made by John Landis about Bill Gaines, called Ghoulishly Yours.
One Foot On The Ground
Back in the day, when a bed scene in a film was shot, the man was required to have one foot on the ground.
Listen to Episode 531
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
A Victechian/Victekian Studio
Leo is in the process of decking out the TWiT Offices with TV lights and other tricks. He's turning the Victorian house into a live studio for the TWiT network.
Ghoulishly Yours
Jeff Mayers writes in to report the news that a documentary film is going to be made by John Landis about Bill Gaines, called Ghoulishly Yours.
One Foot On The Ground
Back in the day, when a bed scene in a film was shot, the man was required to have one foot on the ground.
Listen to Episode 531
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
ITT Mariner Night Vision
Monocular for Night Vision
Link: Optics Planet
Dick's Gadget Warehouse
From 1994, Dick got this Mariner Night Vision Monocular, which is still working well. It gave you perfect vision in the night, especially if you wanted to find an unlighted buoy, including the Key Buoy. No longer available, it was made by ITT, which is still going strong, and their products are now up to Generation 3, including the high-end NightQuest 6010.
Jerkstopper
Pod78G lost a laptop because the cheap power connection broke off, and writes to thank Dick and Leo for introducing him to the Jerkstopper (Episode 507).
Email Scam
Dick has received a Nokia Promo Winning Notification via email, saying that his email address has won him a prize of £500,000. All he has to do is to fill in a form with his name, address, occupation, country, telephone, age, and finally, his next of kin.
Listen to Episode 525
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
Pod78G lost a laptop because the cheap power connection broke off, and writes to thank Dick and Leo for introducing him to the Jerkstopper (Episode 507).
Email Scam
Dick has received a Nokia Promo Winning Notification via email, saying that his email address has won him a prize of £500,000. All he has to do is to fill in a form with his name, address, occupation, country, telephone, age, and finally, his next of kin.
Listen to Episode 525
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
Tom Bihn's Western Flyer
Travel Bag For Laptop
Link: Tom Bihn
Turn-The-Tables-Tuesday
Leo was going to do the new Logitech VX Nano Cordless Laser Mouse, but has decided to leave it for Dick to cover. Apart from pens and watches, Leo cannot get enough of laptop bags. Tom Bihn specialises in bags, which are all well made, sophisticated, componentised, customisable cases with optional add-ons and inserts.
Leo has the Western Flyer, but recommends the SuperEgo for Dick, who can take an Ego Strip with it. The SuperEgo can carry Dick's laptop with room to double up as an overnight bag. For the ultimate briefcase, try the Empire Builder.
Extras include the Horizontal Brain Cell (an insert for storing your laptop), the Absolute Shoulder Strap (which tucks away neatly inside the bag but turns your bag into a messenger-style bag), and the Freudian Slip (a briefcase organiser).
Dick has been using a Targus bag for his laptop (probably the Targus Flare Backpack in Episode 394), but is now sorely tempted to get a Tom Bihn bag.
Toasting Don Quixote
Karen Toast Conger, who lives aboard a catamaran and travels around the world with her family (Episode 512), has taken up Leo's invitation and sent him a photo of her boat, the Don Quixote. It's a Lagoon 380 catamaran. You can see Toast's boat on her website, and on Flickr too. She and her two young girls sing along to the Letters Jingle.
Listen to Episode 522
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
Leo has the Western Flyer, but recommends the SuperEgo for Dick, who can take an Ego Strip with it. The SuperEgo can carry Dick's laptop with room to double up as an overnight bag. For the ultimate briefcase, try the Empire Builder.
Toasting Don Quixote
Karen Toast Conger, who lives aboard a catamaran and travels around the world with her family (Episode 512), has taken up Leo's invitation and sent him a photo of her boat, the Don Quixote. It's a Lagoon 380 catamaran. You can see Toast's boat on her website, and on Flickr too. She and her two young girls sing along to the Letters Jingle.
Listen to Episode 522
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
