Monday, October 19, 2009

Turn Your PC into a Home Surveillance System [Security]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/uSevCRaXto4/turn-your-pc-into-a-home-surveillance-system

We've highlighted gobs of tools for turning your computer into a security camera, but if you're interested in building out a serious, multi-camera home surveillance system complete with wireless cameras, weblog MakeUseOf details how to do so.

The author uses an app called Active Webcam that's packed with features, and while it's not a free application, the trial version adds a small nag window to the corner of your webcam streams that the author thinks is completely tolerable for the price. Here's what you'll get when you're done:

I'm going to describe how you can set up a system of security webcams that will alert you to even the slightest intrusion into the space the camera is monitoring. We're going to create a remote surveillance system that could monitor your home, your camp, your apartment — or all of the above, all at the same time. In essence you can create a giant personal surveillance network without limitations.

If you've gone down the DIY route for putting together a home surveillance system using your PC, let's hear how you did it in the comments.



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WSJ Confirms Barnes & Noble "Nook" Reader Price at $259 [Ebooks]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/RFbykqatkJk/wsj-confirms-barnes--noble-nook-reader-price-at-259

According to the WSJ, the Barnes & Noble reader will be announced tomorrow at $259. The descriptions match our exclusive photos exactly. They found the device through a premature ad shown on the NYTimes website! Who scooped who here?

Features of the Nook include a wireless connection to download books from the retailer's online e-bookstore and an e-paper display from E-Ink Corp. that is separate from the color controls.

The only discrepancy we've found with our original story is that B&N was not priced lower than the Kindle, as our sources said it might be. It's tied at $259. But given the lending feature and color screen, a price match may be more than enough to compete with.

They also reveal the name as "Nook". It's kind of a dumb name. [WSJ via Engadget]




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Electrolux Brings Us One Step Closer To a Fireplace In a Can [Design]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/nZCVNHd1D4E/electrolux-brings-us-one-step-closer-to-a-fireplace-in-a-can

We like to put everything else in a can, so why not fire? That must be what designer Camillo Vanacore was thinking when he dreamed up this portable, capsule fireplace.

The concept involves some sort of magical ceramic from outer space that starts out opaque, but becomes transparent when exposed to the heat of a flame. The fireplace also seems like it would be small enough to fit in one hand. I wouldn't expect to go to the grocery store anytime soon to pick up a six-pack of fire—but it is an interesting design at least. [Six Different Ways via Apartment Therapy via DVICE]




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Lenovo IdeaPad S12 gets ION powerup on October 22 in Japan

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/lenovo-ideapad-s12-gets-ion-powerup-on-october-22-in-japan/

At this point, we're not really sure which date has been discussed more in the history of humanity -- the Mayan doomsday prediction or Microsoft's October 22, 2009 launch of Windows 7. Lenovo's S12 was originally supposed to be the first ION-sporting netbook on the scene, but the Chinese company opted to hold back the NVIDIA infusion till Windows 7 showed up, and has been shipping a version of the 12-inch IdeaPad with only standard netbook specs so far. Well, come this Thursday it's out with the old and in with the HD video-decoding new in Japan, where the ION-powered S12 will be unleashed with 2GB RAM, 250GB HDD, a 1280 x 800 glossy display, multicard reader and a HDMI port for company. Priced somewhere near ¥68,800 (about $757), the new machines (available only in white) are likely to dip below $600 when they make their inevitable journey Stateside.

[Via Netbooked]

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Lenovo IdeaPad S12 gets ION powerup on October 22 in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon prepping HP Mini 311, Mini 110 for launch

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/verizon-prepping-hp-mini-311-mini-110-for-launch/

Wait, hold up -- before you sprint down to your Verizon store (sprint... Verizon... never mind) to pick up that catchily-named Gateway LT2016u that just launched, you might want to mull over the next batch of netbooks primed to hit the carrier's outlets in the coming days. Subsidized netbooks still haven't proven themselves as viable products -- at least, so long as they're not subsidized down to $0 -- but Verizon's ready to keep on trying with the launch of a global 3G-equipped HP Mini 311 on October 22. Sickeningly, they want a full $249.99 on contract after $100 mail-in rebate -- but in exchange, you'll be getting ION, Windows 7, 1366 x 768 resolution on a 11.6-inch display, and a 1.6GHz Atom N270. Moving on, the carrier's current Mini 1151 will ride off into the sunset and be replaced by a Windows XP-equipped Mini 110 featuring a 160GB hard drive and 1GB of RAM; it'll launch once 1151 stock is depleted for $199.99 after rebate with a new two-year deal. Follow the break for details and specs on the 110 (spoiler: it's like pretty much every other 110, but with more voodoo subsidy math).

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Verizon prepping HP Mini 311, Mini 110 for launch origina! lly appe ared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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