STAYING COOL Even though there have been efforts in recent years to make PCs more power efficient and to generate less heat, the latest high-end systems draw more power and generate more heat than ever before. Plain old heat sinks, with or without cooling fans, are sufficient in most cases. But when more is needed, the FreeZone CPU Cooler from CoolIT Systems, Calgary, Alberta, uses fluid heat exchangers, thermoelectric coolers and a heat sink to keep CPUs cool. The CPU cooler installs easily in most PCs without modification and does not take up a drive bay or PCI slot. The chiller/pump module can be mounted in place of the case fan and plugs into the PC's internal power supply. The fluid heat exchanger mounts on top of the CPU. The maintenance-free device enables extreme CPU performance while reducing fan noise. MSRP: $399
CARD COLLECTING Most business people are too busy—or too lazy—to organize collected business cards, let alone store all the info in some kind of manageable database. Those suffering that condition can get fast relief with CardScan Executive Version 8 from CardScan, Cambridge, Mass. The desktop USB card scanner comes with automatic contact management software combo and can synchronize with Outlook, PDAs, smart phones, ACT, Lotus Notes and GoldMine. The bundled software starts automatically when a business card is scanned. Color scans take only three seconds, and the contact info is stored in a digital address book. Other contacts can be dragged and dropped into the database from e-mail and Web sites. Stored contacts can be exported to iPods and Dymo LabelWriters and mapped using MapQuest.com, Google Maps, Ask.com maps, Expedia.com and MultiMap.com. A Duplicates Wizard helps eliminate redundant records. The Executive version, with software licensed for one user, costs $260; a two-user version is expandable for more users and can share contact files across a network. MSRP: $400
PUBLIC
SAFETY Many businesses offer visitors
wireless Internet access; it's almost expected
these days. And as long as the business already
has Internet access, it doesn't cost anything—that
is, unless one of those visitors happens to be
a hacker. GuestGate from INTELLINET NETWORK SOLUTIONS,
lets businesses offer guests Internet access without
compromising network security or the privacy of
other guests. Out of the box, the device secures
network data using Host Network Protection technology
and also restricts connections between guest computers
via Layer 3 client isolation. Guest computers
can connect to GuestGate by a direct connection
to one of its ports, to a LAN switch that's connected
to one of its ports or to a wireless access
point that's connected to one of its ports.
The device automatically adjusts to the Internet
settings of a guest's computer so no one has to
make any adjustments to any of the visitors' computers.
The device also offers bandwidth control and password
access for tighter security, and it carries a
lifetime warranty. MSRP: $249
KEEP IT CLEAN Everyone wonders from time to time who might have been the last user of a public keyboard and what germs they might have been carrying. This can be a genuine concern in libraries and schools and a more urgent one in doctors' offices. The SpillSeal Washable Keyboard from Unotron, Irving, Texas, can put those worries to rest. It can be sprayed or wiped down with disinfectants or fully submersed in water or hospital-grade cleaning solutions. The 104-key wireless keyboard comes with a PS/2 adapter for universal compatibility and features 15 hot keys. It's resistant to strong water pressure, dust, debris, sand and ice, has a detachable wrist rest, and is available in black or light gray. Other washable peripherals include a mouse and business card scanner. MSRP: $80
