Remember the pencil sharpener attached to the edge of the chalkboard in your 2nd grade classroom? Probably not, but X-Acto, the company most likely responsible for that product is seventy-five years old and still going strong. For those of you who like to kick it old-school, you can still get a brand new vintage-looking pencil sharpener. 

Check out the X-Acto 1001 Ranger 55 heavy-duty pencil sharpener.   All-metal construction with steele dual cutters will ensure your pencils are sharp and ready to scribble your brain droppings all over the place.  Mounting screws are for wall or desk mount.  Purchase at a reseller for about $29.99: Click Here

X-Acto also manufactures a vacuum mount sharpener complete with chrome and a sturdy build. Available at numerous resellers ranging from $23 – $29: Click Here&nbsp

  

No matter your budget, you are sure to find a gadget gift from the list below for that special writer in your life.  We have recommendations ranging from $9 to over $500 and many of the items have been covered in-depth at some point on the blog.  Delve into the archives or go to the manufacture/resellers website to find out more.  LitCentral wishes all of the Founders’ Blog readers happy holidays and an abundant New Year.

1.

Fisher Space Pen - Packed with technology, the Space Pen is, without exception, the best pen on the market for travel.  The website offers a large selection at very reasonable prices.  When purchasing, keep in mind most writers will utilize the clip accessory for attaching the pen to journals. Starting as low as $9 – Fisher Space Pen Co.
2.
Backup USB Flashdrive - Most folks hesitate backing up their work because it means a trip into unknown territory.  What if I buy the wrong thing?  What’s the right thing?  How big? How much?  Put their questions and reservations to rest, and gift them a USB flashdrive.   A 1GB flashdrive will suffice most writers, however if they want to backup more than just text files you may want to consider up to an 8 GB. Patriot makes one of the best 8GB USB flashdrives on the market for only $24. Newegg is a trusted resource for computer gear with very reliable shipping.

3.
Laptop Cable Security Kit – This is a compact, retractable version of the notebook cable lock. Great gift for any writer who sets up shop in a cafe, bookstore or library.
$29.50 SecurityKit.com

4.
Lighted Folio for Kindle -For those writers who have already moved into Kindle territory, the Periscope is a great add-on gift. FYI…It’s worthy of one merit geek badge.  $49.95

5.
DormVault Laptop Safe -The high rate of laptop theft on college campuses should be enough to galvanize anyone who disputes the need for additional laptop security.  If you know of a young writer living on campus with dozens of English papers and creative writings residing on their laptops, please…help them help themselves.  ThinkGeek – $59.99

6.
Paper Shredder -  One should never consider tossing entire copies of their work in the round file – be it their best masterpiece or their worst nightmare creation. You know what they say – one man’s trash is another man’s… Avg. Price $60 – $150 – Start your research here: Paper Shredders: Reviews

7.
Retro Fan – Writers often enjoy the classics both in their choice of literature and surroundings. The Desk Fan Store has some great antique-looking desk fans to keep your writer cool.

$133 – The Desk Fan Store

8. 
Smartphone – Smartphones can help a writer stay connected, networked and organized.  If you read this blog, you know that I’m partial to BlackBerries with a tactile keyboard. If the writer is an Apple fan and already on the AT&T network, by all means check out the iPhone. And although I haven’t tried it yet, I’m hearing a lot of great feedback about the Google Droid.  Start your research by checking out the models available via the writer’s cellphone carrier or read in-depth smartphone articles on the blog. As low as $49 with 2-yr plan.

9.
24″ Monitor – Don’t wait for the writer in your life to discover the benefits of an extended monitor, just gift it to them already. Extended monitors come in all sizes but the 24″ is just about right for writers wanting to open two applications within the same screen.  If you can afford it, TWO monitors are BETTER than one.  Dell manufactures some of the best 24″ extended monitors at reasonable prices. Expect to pay at least $500 for a great monitor, but $250 can still get you something decent.  Stay away from glossy screens – bad on the eyes for extended periods of reading. Starting at $189

10.
Netbook – If your writer is anchored to a desktop or a huge 17″ notebook and you want to encourage them to get out and write amongst the living, then a netbook is a great alternative solution.  These are not powerhouse machines. Netbooks are optimized for light computing tasks like word processing and heavy internet usage – perfect for the mobile writer.  A writer needs a decent screen (11″ +) and full-size keyboard that allows them to comfortably compute away from their desk for a few hours at a time. Newegg is a trusted source to shop.  The Acer Aspire A󊾲 is one of the most popular netbooks sold at $429. (Pssst…don’t worry so much about looks and hard drive space, but rather go for at least 2GB memory, long battery life and a decent front side bus ((FSB)) of 800Mhz.)

This November we’re giving away product samples at LitCentral Founders’ Blog.  Throughout the year we conduct numerous product reviews for some of the finest tech products on the market. Our goody box is piling up with product samples, and the season for giving is fast approaching.  The product samples have been used for testing purposes, but are in excellent condition.  Items include ergonomic mice, laptop bags/backpacks, Field Notes and an OtterBox BlackBerry Tour case.

It’s as easy as 1 – 2 – 3 to win.   Here’s what you need to do to enter:

1)     Select the Contact tab on the blog 
2)&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp In the Message field write THREE ideas for future blog articles, focusing
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp on technology as it relates to writers or technology in general.
3)     Include in the Message field your name, email and state location.
         (Winners will be contacted by email.)
 
Week 3/4 Give-a-Way

 

This week we’ll be giving away an Otterbox Impact case.&nbsp To learn more about the case click on the linked photo above.

Your entry should look like this:

Three ideas for future blog articles focused on technology and writing:
1.
2.
3.

First Name:
Last Name:
Location: (state)
Email address:

ONE ENTRY PER PERSON PER WEEKLY GIVE-A-WAY.  To choose a winner, we will drop all entries into a "hat" and draw blindly – winners will be drawn in sequential order.

Deadline for Impact case give-a-way entries is November 27, 2009 6 P.M. PST. 

RULES:
1.      The give-a-way is open to US residents only.
2.      Items are new with the exception of being handled for testing purposes.
3.&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Prizes shipped via USPS. LitCentral incurs shipping and handling cost.
4.      Allow 4 – 6 weeks for delivery.

 

No need to check the calendar.&nbsp It’s true.&nbsp We are fast approaching 2010 and still the most you can hope to get out of a laptop battery is 3 – 5 hrs.&nbsp “But, but…” I know, I know, there’s a robot on Mars and a man on the moon. Go figure.

Until manufacturers can figure out the short-lived battery dilemma, external batteries remain the only key to unfetter the mobile writer.  We’ve all seen the chaos that can ensue over the lone outlet jack in the airport terminal or Starbucks cafe.  It’s an ugly site and quite frankly, degrading as much as it is ridiculous – human beings hovering over a single outlet jack like a squirrel burring a nut for the winter. Rise up from the muck and mire people and go forth hauling 20+ hours of battery life with the HyperMac extended battery.

The HyperMac can charge the entire range of Mac laptops plus your iPhone, iPod, and any other device that connects via USB.&nbsp For me, that includes my BlackBerry tour, Jawbone Bluetooth, and Cannon PowerShot.&nbsp HyperMac offers four different external batteries ranging is size from 60-watt-hour to 222-watt-hour, priced between $199.95 – $499.95. The life of the battery is good for 1,000 charges.  This means you can use the HyperMac every single day for the next two years and 288 days. 

Leave the brick at home
You know that big rectangle block that’s part of your A/C adapter chords?&nbsp It’s heavy and cumbersome to pack, but a necessary evil if you plan on using your laptop for more than a few hours.&nbsp The HyperMac allows you to leave the brick at home after you’ve charged the external battery.&nbsp I don’t advise this for travel, but it’s a great benefit to cafe bloggers and writers who hang out in the bookstore and the alike.

What’s the best HyperMac model for writers?

I imagined “worst case scenario” which would include consecutive use of my laptop for more than 10 hours.  Chances are this “worst case scenario” takes place over the pond on an 8-hr flight between NY and Europe, but before taking flight I’ve already experienced a 1-hr delay on the runway and a 3-hr wait in the terminal. Oh, and did I mention I started my journey in California four hours ago? Add it all up and 16-hours of extra battery juice would suffice. Plus, I have the 3 – 5 hours that comes with the internal battery. 

The HyperMac 100-watt-hour battery (above pic – second battery from the top) offers over 16 hours of juice AND!&nbsp AND! it weighs only 1.6 lbs.&nbsp You could fork out another&nbsp $100 for an additional 7 hrs of juice in the 150-watt-hour battery, but isn’t the real price you’re paying measured in pounds – 2.4 lbs to be exact?&nbsp Even my worst case scenario doesn’t call for 22 hours, so the extra hours are gratuitous.&nbsp Yet, I will never be able to shed the extra weight which is only .6 lbs less than the MacBook Air!&nbsp Let’s say your gear bag weighs in at 5 lbs, including MacBook Air, cables, books, etc. What’s an additional 3 lbs? Do me a favor, go to your local sporting goods store and pick up a 3 lb hand-weight used for aerobic exercise.&nbsp Tote that baby around the store for 20 minutes while you check out the latest camping gear, mountain bikes and footwear and then come back and ask that question. Mobility should be top priority when choosing your gadgets.&nbsp&nbsp &nbsp

The folks at OfficePOD believe the ability to work from home is a trend that’s here to stay.  I think their product is ideal for writers with a backyard and who are in need of &quotspace&quot to write.  You wouldn’t think twice about a shed for housing the lawn tools, a greenhouse, or playhouse for the kids, so why not an office pod?  So often writers find themselves carving out work space at the kitchen table or on the couch – only to be interrupted by the kids, the dog, the telephone or solicitors banging down the front door.

There’s lots of benefits for corporate too, such as reducing commute time, more focused employees, etc, however the OfficePOD would be absolutely ideal for writers seeking solitude and a special place designated solely for the depositing of their brain droppings. The OfficePOD is energy efficient and designed in great part with recycled or recyclable products. Each pod is delivered and constructed by a specialist team and measures approximately 7′ x 7′.&nbsp To date, this brilliant idea is only available in the UK for £14,950 ($24,273).

 

I can imagine this trend making its way into future book deal or screenplay negotiations – "I’ll take 50% up front and an OfficePOD out back." For those of us in the USA, perhaps one of these may someday be available at our neighborhood Costco – right next to the prefabricated tree house and the trampoline set.  Hey, anything is possible.

Via JKontherun

I was grasping for a terse explanation of the OtterBox Commuter, thinking what niche does this case fill(?).  OtterBox’s own marketing lingo sums it up – "It’s protection without the bulk."  Ah yes, that’s exactly what I was thinking – well almost – because you have to include the benefits of a hard outershell amongst its top attributes. 

A lot of folks do not like to carry their phone in a holster on the hip.  They prefer to ensconce the case inside a leather pouch that they can then drop in a bag or large pocket.  However, their justified fear is that it’s just a matter of time before they fumble the naked Tour while taking it out of the pouch and drop it on the ground.   What follows is a mild cardiac arrest as they check the device for damage!

Enter the Commuter case….

The OtterBox Commuter case falls somewhere in between the Impact Series and the Defender Series with the latter offering mega protection and the former providing semi-protection. This rugged case comes in two separate pieces: a rubber casing and an industrial plastic shell.  The rubber envelopes the device and the plastic shell easily assembles around the outside of the rubber casing, offering additional protection and a smooth surface.  Why is the smooth surface such a big deal?  Because it allows the device to rub "nicely" with its surrounding –  be they a leather carrying pouch, a pant pocket, a suit pocket or a purse. The rubber around the parameters feels solid in hand, offering a firm grip on the device.

&nbsp
Commuter VS. Defender

In our last OtterBox review we covered the Impact and Defender cases for the BlackBerry Tour. I commented on the bulkiness of the Defender case.  That’s one big noticeable difference between the two cases.  Unlike the Defender, inside the Commuter case the Tour keyboard and the screen are fully exposed but protected by (approx.) 2 – 3mm deep of surrounding rubber barrier. The Commuter comes with a screen protector but does not come with a holster.  So, if you want to carry the Tour on your person, sans a big pocket, you will have to pair the Commuter with another pouch case.

Defender (L) Commuter (R)

Defender (Top) Commuter (Bottom)

How does it pair with the OEM BlackBerry case?

First and foremost, yes the sleeping function works with this combination.&nbsp The Commuter fits snug inside of the OEM BlackBerry case that comes with the Tour (see pic) and would most likely fit very similarly inside any pouch case (with elastic sides) designed for the Tour.&nbsp However, most pouch cases have elastic sides which won’t allow for the leather to stretch and conform to the Commuter.&nbsp If you absolutely do not want to spend additional money, then I would say you can get away with this combination. If money isn’t an option, and you really want a great pouch to pair with the Commuter, then I would recommend an open-top, all-leather pouch like Nutshell. Nutshell’s leather will stretch over time and fit the Commuter like a glove.  

Commuter paired with OEM BlackBerry pouch

Also included in the package are a screen protector, installation card and dusting cloth.

Click here to purchase: $34.95

&nbsp

Someone sent me the link to this product at www.zazzle.com and I laughed out loud.  The best thing about the shirt is it’s customizable.  Think about it… if you happened to be standing behind someone in line with their blog printed across their back, wouldn’t you be curious to know what they write about?  Bloggers are so often faceless folk, so spotting one in the wild is so paparazzish. And though the holidays are all but over, I can’t think of a more creative gift to give a blogger…just because.  Comes in all sizes and many color combos.  Price: $22.75 Click Here.

Herman Miller never ceases to be innovative, focusing most of their ergonomic design on chairs (i.e. Embody Chair, Aeron). However, recently the company has embarked on a new ergonomic quest – the desk.  Introducing the Envelop – aptly named because of its sliding, flexible support surface called the "infield".  This area of the desk slides forward 7" and slides down 7" allowing you to customize your desk according to your body type – literally "Enveloping" you.  Take a look at the guy in the picture.  Can you not imagine yourself writing all day in that position?  Go to Herman Miller to find out more. ()

 

The Founders’ Blog has written in-depth about the advantages for writers of multiple monitors or even just an extended monitor.  Remember the goal with having large extended monitors is not to expand a single window 24" (or however big your monitor), but rather to open multiple windows inside of the allotted space.  This dynamic speeds up productivity, allowing a writer simultaneous access to multiple apps and the internet. 

To speed up the process of positioning two windows to fit within a single screen, Windows 7 has included windows management functions within the OS. You simply drag a window to the top or sides of the screen, and it will be maximized or resized to take up only half of the screen.

The most recent Mac OS X Snow Leopard does not offer the windows resizing feature, but you can purchase a shareware product called Cinch for $7 and accomplish the same thing.

To view videos showcasing the benefits of resizing windows check out the following links:

Windows  7

Mac OS X 10.5 or 10.6

QWERTY computer keyboards have been accessible by consumers since the dawn of PCs (personal computers).&nbsp Sure, desktop keyboards have become more ergonomic and sleeker, but the shape of the keys has remained consistent until&nbsp now. &nbspWell…sort of.&nbsp The new chiclet keyboard is mimicking fashion -&nbspmeaning you have to go way way back to find the design in certain gadgets manufactured in the 80’s.&nbsp

What’s the difference?
The difference between a chiclet and a standard computer keyboard key is the individual keys no longer have slanted edges, but rather straight edges.  When you take away the slant what’s left is the finger pad landing in the shape of square – a chiclet.  The square shape leaves more space between keys and more room for fingers to spread out.
&nbsp
My experience…
I’m due for a new laptop this year and so I’ve been busy testing various models.  I really like the space chiclet keyboards offer in  a laptop layout.  Although I’m not overwhelmed with the key responsiveness (kickback after compression), I find my fingers are less cramped even on a full-size laptop keyboard, and my speed and accuracy are just a tad better.  Albeit tertiary, I have to admit, the chiclet keyboard has become a feature in a litany of features I am factoring when determining my next laptop purchase.

 

Laptop vs Desktop Chiclets
To date, Apple is the only computer manufacturer that has embraced the chiclet keyboard for its entire computer lineup. I’m a fan of the Mac - and love it "til death do us part".  However…. I absolutely do not care for the modern style keyboard in Mac’s desktop design.  There’s just not enough ergonomics to account for the time I spend at a computer pounding away on the input device.  I don’t care about looking cute, I care about being efficient. 
 
Is the chic here to stay?

I said I like the chiclet, and I do, but did I mention the keyboard I love? Lenovo’s ThinkPad keyboard is without a doubt the best non-ergonomic keyboard I have used.  The key responsiveness is perfect and the sound it makes is music-to-my-ears.  I use the touchpad rather than the pointing stick.  I have it in a desktop set up as a dock extension from my Tablet PC. If I were Lenovo I wouldn’t touch a thing…(The sound of screeching breaks before a CRASH!) Too late…  Guess what walked through the door at this years 2010 CES show?  Yep, an all new chiclet keyboard design on the new ThinkPad 𕠤E and Edge series.  (BTW… the X100E is a great affordable ultraportable laptop, but hold out until spring/summer for the duo core version.)

Therefore, given that Apple is 100% married to the chic, and Lenovo dumped perfection to embrace it, I guess you know where I’d place my bet on whether the chiclet is here to stay.&nbsp Given how long it took the computer industry to "somewhat" circle back in fashion, I would say the chiclet is here to stay. That is until NUI (Natural User Interface) become the next hot thing.

In summary,  chiclet keyboards are not revolutionary by any means. In fact, they are probably more of a fashion statement.  However, as mobile keyboards go, anything that offers more typing space is a good thing.   To the contrary I think the whole &quotspace issue&quot on a desktop keyboard is arguable or gratuitous at best. Desktop keyboards should be focused on ergonomics.  I think the desktop manufacture who manages to pack uber ergonomics into a minimalist design with ThinkPad-like key responsiveness will win the writer’s prize.  To date, it really doesn’t exist, but give it some time.

 

Images Courtesy of Hothardware.com, Apple.com and Lenovo.com respectively.

&nbsp&nbsp