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Product Watch
By: Kamil Z. Skawinski
Before diving into this month's batch of product reviews, I'd
like to begin with a correction. When I reviewed Laplink's PC
Mover software for the August issue of MMM, for some odd reason
I was provided with the network-only version of the product, one
that didn't come outfitted with a standard USB cable-and this
was a point about the software I had criticized as a drawback.
The $49.95 full-version, however, does include this data cable.
I regret the mix-up and apologize for any inconvenience the
flawed review might have caused anyone. Mea culpa, mea culpa,
mea maxima culpa....Trust ELI Security Appliance www.trusteli.com Price: $199.99 MSRP + $119.88 (1 year Managed Service Term) What's Hot: The ELI unit is designed with simplicity in mind and it offers users an easily configurable "set it-and-forget it"-style security solution. What's Not: This is a very expensive solution that affords protection for computers, wired and wireless, as well as other data devices which are connected to your home/small business network. If, however, you use a laptop both at home and out on the road, you'll need to have additional software-based solutions deployed on that mobile PC-a solution that'll cost extra. And although ELI protects against viruses, it doesn't ferret them out if you already might have them. What Else: ELI is a DSL modem (it can also interface with an external modem for cable users), it's an Ethernet router, it's an 802.11G wireless router, it's a 4-port switch, and it's a web, virus, and spam firewall with anti-spyware and anti-phishing technologies all built-in. TrustELI is a broadband-security company with a mission: to provide Internet users with of broadband security solutions which are flexible, powerful and comprehensive yet uncomplicated and unintimidating for average users to set-up and use. The company's consumer-oriented product offering, ELI (short for Electronic Lifestyle Integration) incorporates security and firewall capabilities that utilize the same technologies used today by many large corporations. And because this technology is gateway-based, it's designed to protect every device on the home or small office network regardless of the operating system. Getting an ELI up-and-running is a fairly painless process: simply direct your browser to its IP address (http://192.168.1.1) and access the wizard that lets you select your ISP from the provided list. Unfortunately, not all U.S. providers are listed; fortunately, there is a manual configuration option as well as a one-size-fits-all "generic cable modem" setting that worked just fine with my TimeWarner RoadRunner connection. Once successfully connected to the Internet, you can then easily configure your security settings via your TrustELI account (https://my.trusteli.com/). The ELI unit gets updated up 30 times each day, thus ensuring that its security capabilities will effectively safeguard the network and connected devices from continually changing Internet threats. In fact, it'll start updating itself immediately after you connect everything properly, blinking a prominent red LED on its front panel for as long as that upgrade takes place. There is no additional software to download, install, or fiddle with-everything is handled automatically by the ELI unit and the online configuration screen/menu. Users don't have to deal with a complicated series of menus and settings commonly found on other routers and/or hardware-based firewalls. The unit is configured solely via your individual online account. Simplicity, alas, has its price: there's a limited selection of configurable options across four basic categories: router, e-mail, firewall and parental control. While the product is well designed, especially in terms of defensive capabilities, there are a few noticeable shortcomings. First, ELI detects viruses only as they enter the network and doesn't scan systems for existing infections. Consequently, its anti-virus feature is best regarded as an added level of security and not a substitute for a good desktop anti-virus utility-ergo, you'll likely have to either have to scan for viruses using an online scanner, download and install a gratis anti-virus program, or purchase a separate anti-virus utility to ensure that all of your computers are free of existing infections. Second, if you use a notebook PC at home or on the road, your mobile machine will require a separate software-based solution for protection beyond the safe environment of your ELI-protected network-so, you'll have to pay extra for the security software you'll need when away from home. ELI can be a good solution for the multi-computer household or SOHO-based business if you aren't a big "techie" and don't want to spend your time fiddling with software settings, updates, etc. The appliance-like solution ELI affords can be worth the hassles and headaches it saves. However, it is an expensive solution that isn't as comprehensive as it should be-for "maximum safety" on the road and for protection from viruses and spyware at home, you'll still need additional software, gratis or otherwise, to stay ahead of some problematic pests. Adesso CyberPad www.adesso.com Price: $199.00 MSRP What's Hot: An easy-to-use digital solution capable of transforming the "hieroglyphics" you regularly create at your business meeting into readable, understandable and reproducible text-and-graphics that you can actually understand, share and utilize productively at work. What's Not: This device does a great job with all but the most illegible of scribbles-so, if your writing rivals that of a doctor's prescription pad, you might come away feeling like you've gone back in time and bought yourself an Apple Newton. What Else: Comes with a nice zip-up case with plenty of storage for papers and CD-ROMs, a fresh pad of writing paper, 4 rechargeable NiMH batteries and a fast one-hour charger (offering 20+ hours of actual use and 68 hours of stand-by charge-time) plus a generous assortment of useful software. Shortly after my CyberPad arrived for review, Mother Nature delivered a basement-flooding series of thunderstorms my way. As a result, I got to spend some quality time with this product only after grappling with a lot of expensive home repairs. Needless to say, I wasn't in the best mood thereafter and the Adesso CyberPad could've easily wound up badly disadvantaged by my own emotional baggage during its review. However, it turned out to be a most pleasing product. The CyberPad resembles a fancy clipboard with a small LCD display and a row of buttons running down one edge. Unlike competing products, it requires no special expensive paper to "record" or import your handwritten notes and sketches into your Windows XP/Windows 2000 PC. The experience of using the device is, in fact, very reminiscent to using a Tablet PC-except that you're not carrying around an expensive and sensitive PC with you, and you're dealing with a lightweight yet flexible device-and-writing pad that doesn't have to be particularly babied. And when connected to your PC via the enclosed USB cable, the CyberPad can also be used as a handy graphics tablet-simply swap the ballpoint pen nib for a plastic tip, remove the paper pad from the clipboard and, voila, it's a drawing or navigation pad.
The package includes a soft leather-like zippered portfolio,
a digital pen (which is powered by a single included AAA battery
and which uses a standard ink refill), a quick battery charger
with 4 AAA NiMH batteries, and a generous collection of bundled
software. The CyberPad's standard 32 MB of built-in memory
stores approximately 150 pages of notes, and there is an
available SD card slot for extra data storage (it would have
been nice had Adesso incorporated a USB connection for a
thumb-drive).
Writer Information
Written by
Kamil Z.
Skawinski, Science and Technology Editor
Kamil Z. Skawinski is a freelance writer specializing in technology issues who lives in Milwaukee.
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