_Underscore {…}

Does anybody really enjoy controlling their laptop? It is a question I’m putting to myself, just now. In sight of my recent taking to computing mobility around the home I have had to use the laptops default method of input. Now, I didn’t think it was that bad for a while. I used it, got used to it, got comfortable with it - and then learnt to loath it.

Maybe it is a problem in a specific minority that I unfortunately fall victim to. My laptops trackpad is rather nifty. It just looks like a plain silver square that blends into the surface, but has some under lying benefits that I didn’t discover until a year after purchasing it. That is of course taking into consideration that my setup is assembled so that I never interact directly with the laptop (its a laptop + xbox + extra two screens mangle).

The Problem

The way it works could be found to be intuitive with practise and a desire to interact to use this method of input. Neither of which I hold. This is how the track pad works. As usual you move your finger across the surface and it will detect differing temperature or the breaking of light beams to control the movement of the mouse on screen. Subtly it has certain under lying abilities. The most obvious one being the quick tap on the surface that gives you a mouse click.

Then we have the extra controls that I only recently discovered. Tapping the top right hand corner of the pad will toggle the current window between maximised, tapping the bottom right hand corner of the pad will minimise the current window, tapping the bottom left hand corner of the pad will click the windows orb for you and scrolling your finger from top to bottom along the right side of the pad will scroll the current window.

I think they have just packed in to much, tried too hard and it has had a negative impact on the input device.

The Solution

Just keep it simple. We don’t need manufactures stuffing all this functionality into the trackpads. Its overloading them. I suggest try demoing a laptop before you buy it, its an investment that you don’t need screwed over on. Or just buy a mouse.

ZeroIdentity.org has reopened its doors. Its back and better than ever.

“The aim of this project is to provide knowledge about security to all members. We provide simulated scenarios and vulnerabilities, to know how it functions. Zero Identity is a safe, free, and legal environment for all to enjoy.”

If you have never been to ZeroIdentity.org then what are you waiting for? Go check it out. It’s a great source to unleash all your geeky knowledge. We have many people with different areas of expertise’s that can help with a problem, teach you new skills and generally make you laugh.

The community is a great part of Zi. Some of the members are really decent people, great for a laugh or a chat on the IRC and always willing to teach or be taught. The fact that you’re on the Internet reading this blog post pretty much makes you a person that could fit into the community. I urge you to try out the site; you will probably learn a lot.

Zi has missions that are simulating real life situations that you have to try and beat. They’re very educational, but fun educational. If you run a website that they are definitely worth a try, you might quickly find just how little (or whole lot) you know about achieving security for your site. A personal favourite is the encryption missions that teach encryption techniques and how to break them, and steganography missions that teach you how to conceal information. Zi have an E-Zine which always has some good reads in it. Check out Tech Head Magazine - Issue #1 that was just released with the site.

There’s much more content that can be seen over at Zero Identity , so go check it out all ready! I’ll be there for help, if you ever need it just shout at me.

Isn’t this day just neglected?

Google seem to really have taken to the idea of april fools this yea, what with Virgle (?) and the Wake Up kit. And I was really amused by major nelson’s xbox daily update (not available on site, you have to view it on your xbox dashboard). I don’t think that people really take advantage of this day. But it is very amusing when a good spoof takes place.

Damn people, go all out!