Writing on the Mall » Cell Phone http://www.writingonthemall.net The Official Blog For Marietta College Students, By Marietta College Students Sat, 03 Sep 2011 20:13:34 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Consider GadgetTrak To Keep Your Laptop Safe http://www.writingonthemall.net/consider-gadgettrak-to-keep-your-laptop-safe/ http://www.writingonthemall.net/consider-gadgettrak-to-keep-your-laptop-safe/#comments Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:58:59 +0000 Patrick_H http://www.writingonthemall.net/?p=1318 GadgetTrak is a service that you install on your computer (desktop or laptop…works better for laptops though) that will allow you to track its location and take pictures from the webcam if your laptop goes missing or is stolen.  And just recently, they published some of the fruits of the service’s labor.

This post on their blog discusses several laptop recoveries that were highlighted by local news stations across the country.

If your laptop or phone goes missing, you can access a page on their website, which activates the program’s tracking mechanism.  As long as the laptop is connected to a wi-fi network, it will log location information and take pictures with the webcam.  The information can then be given to police to recover the laptop.

I have used the software before and have found it is very easy to install and set up.  Accessing the tracking switch is easy, and viewing logged information is clear and straight-forward.  If there was more crime on campus, I would suggest this a bit more, but if you travel a lot, I think this is a must-buy.

The service costs $25 a year and is available on non-linux laptops, Windows OS phones, and Blackberry.  There is an iPhone/iPod Touch app, but it is free and does not function in the same way as the other versions.

GadgetTrak also offers lost and found tags, which provide a code and a website to help give lost gadgets back to their rightful owners.  5 tags are $10.

EDITOR’S NOTE/FULL DISCLOSURE:  Writing on the Mall received a free copy of MacTrak for review purposes back when author Patrick Hahe wrote for Examiner.com.

]]> http://www.writingonthemall.net/consider-gadgettrak-to-keep-your-laptop-safe/feed/ 0 Free Laundry? http://www.writingonthemall.net/free-laundry/ http://www.writingonthemall.net/free-laundry/#comments Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:36:25 +0000 Patrick_H http://www.writingonthemall.net/?p=686 I’m hearing that the use of washers and driers at MC will be free starting in the fall, with the trade-off of no more phone service in rooms. Have confirmed with students, but am confirming with officials. Full details to follow as I get them.

As a side note (so I don’t feel like I’m wasting a post on about 40 words), there is a new Calendar page that is up and running.  Anything that is happening at Marietta College or in the city of Marietta will appear on that calendar.  So take advantage of it to help you find things to do on and off campus.

]]> http://www.writingonthemall.net/free-laundry/feed/ 0 Peek at E-Mail Without Laptop or Phone http://www.writingonthemall.net/peek-at-e-mail-without-laptop-or-phone/ http://www.writingonthemall.net/peek-at-e-mail-without-laptop-or-phone/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:54:28 +0000 Patrick_H http://www.writingonthemall.net/?p=36 An interesting little device has popped up recently, called the Peek.  It’s an e-mail device.  And only and e-mail device.  According to Time Magazine, it does that thing very well.

At $80 for the device and $20 a month for service, it could bode well for those on a pay-as-you-go (aka PAY-GO) service that is popular for many college students.  But for those of you on monthly plans with cell phones from within the past year or so, my suggestion would be to forward your mail to a G-Mail account and then use Google’s online platform.  it’s quick, simple, and easy to use.  And best of all, the only charge is airtime.

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Quick Info:

Device: Peek
Pricing: $80 for the device, $20 a month for service (no long-term contracts)
What’s it do: Wireless E-Mail device
Pros: E-Mail, anywhere, wireless access, up to 3 accounts
Cons: Monthly service charge, only does e-mail
Suggestion: Save your money unless you’re on a PAY-GO cell phone plan
WotM Rating: Cool Factor – 3/5, Practicality – 1/5

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