Cool tools really work. A cool tool can be any book, gadget, software, video, map, hardware, material, or website that is tried and true. All reviews on this site are written by readers who have actually used the tool and others like it. Items can be either old or new as long as they are wonderful. We only post things we like and ignore the rest. Suggestions for tools much better than what is recommended here are always wanted. Tell me what you love.
Comfortable, durable nylon band for timepieces
I never take my watch off, and this watch band has held up through two years of hiking, yard work, showers, swimming, etc. The original british grey nylon has weathered a bit, but the stainless steel hardware still looks great, and there is no fraying or visible wear on the tough nylon strap. I have the two-buckle version, but there is a a four-buckle version for extra security. The long tail of the strap doubles back through the keepers and stays out of the way. I never liked the way rubber straps feel on my skin, but the nylon in this band has never irritated or chafed.
-- Brad Reese
They take a licking and keep on ticking. Much more comfortable and uncluttered than traditional watchbands, especially for those that work on keyboards all day. Sun, snow, salt: they handle it all. And when they finally wear out, a new one costs $17.
-- PJL
Zulu Watch Bands
$17
(various colors/sizes/buckles)
Available from County Comm
Manufactured by Maratac Extreme
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Casio Protrek Solar Watch
Cinch Belts
Swatch Original
Wireless memory card
I am a dermatologist and often take clinical photos of my patients with a digicam to add to their electronic medial records. With the Eye-Fi, a wireless 2GB SD memory card, I can take a photo and by the time I return to my computer the photo is waiting for me. Set up is very easy. You just plug the card in like you would any other memory card, do some basic configuration (the software works with Mac/PC) and you can send photos to the computer via the wi-fi you configure, or send direct to an online site like Flickr. You can also set the card up so several wi-fi are recognized (home or office, for instance), although you must program each individually. If you are using remote wi-fi access (that you have set up), needless to say, you will only be able to put photos online. In the office, we use the Eye-Fi to send to a local computer only. For someone with a built-in or USB SD card reader or Bluetooth, the Eye-Fi may have less benefits. For my purposes, it's spectacular. Previously, all patient photos would be downloaded as a batch and then each would be tediously attached at the end of the day. With the Eye-Fi, the photos are made available right away and they can be attached right when we write each patient's note. The flow is much better. Surprisingly, I haven't noticed any issues with the card draining the battery either. A few caveats: at any one time, one card can communicate with only one computer and one online site. You can, however, set up your account so your card can communicate with multiple computers. In order to switch computers, you go into the Eye-Fi manager on your computer and change the settings (i.e. if you're switching from work and home). While my use and situation may be unique, I also started my somewhat technophobic father-in-law on an Eye-Fi several months ago and it's been working well for him. Previously, he used to just fill up cards and then buy a new one (luckily, with the price of SD cards, that was still cheaper than film, but this is much better!). All he has to do is remember to keep both the camera and computer on, and the Eye-Fi enables him to share his photos online with us with virtually no trouble. At first, he had a few issues and concluded the card was broken. However, I showed him all he needed to do was make sure the computer was on with the Eye-Fi manager running (it can be set up to automatically run when you boot your computer). Undoubtedly, this technology has major potential to revolutionize digital photography as we know it. I look forward to future drivers that could support instant upload via any unlocked wi-fi your camera wanders near.
-- Jeff Ellis
$100
Available from Amazon
Manufactured by Eye-Fi
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Lumix TZ1
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Folding safety blade for cleaning glass
I work in the beverage industry and use this scraper for removing stickers from cooler doors that other guys with pocket knives, razors, car keys, etc. couldn't budge. The Trim 10 has wide, super thin, very flexible blades about 4 inches long that really conform to the surface of the work. I find it picks up more material per stroke and gets down to the bottom of things better than a single-edge razor blade. The holder has a very elegant folding design that allows for safe, touchless blade changes and compact, safe transport -- a much smaller, flatter package than a lot of utility knives. The scraper comes in a nifty case that holds a few extra blades, which can be purchases separately. A modular handle is also available for heavier work, but I never need it. I get mine from a janitorial supply company in Austin. I believe the scrapers are popular with window tint installers, too.
-- Christian Taylor
Unger Trim Scraper
$6
(Trim10)
Available from ReStockIt.com
Manufactured by Unger
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Durable media card/stick boxes
These durable cases protect your memory cards from getting wet, contaminated with dirt, or in my case lost. I have misplaced numerous memory cards due to their small size. With these cases not only do I not lose the cards, but I use the cases to organize them. The cases are small and compact (about 4.25" x 2.25") and only about 1" thick. They're available for almost all media types: SD/Mini SD, XD, Compact Flash and for MS (Memory Stick) cards. Each holds anywhere from 4 to 16 memory cards. I now use them to organize all of my media. So my wife has hers (I am not allowed to touch them since I have lost some of her photo flash cards), some for work (sorted by major projects) and then my own personal use cards. All I have to do now is grab the case I need for work, for instance, and I know I will have everything I need. These card cases have an o-ring seal Pelican says is "water-resistant." Though I wouldn't want to find out if they're waterproof, I think they only back off that claim to protect their tail. I have owned Pelican cases for my cameras for years and have found they're pretty much bulletproof. I also have one case for my laptop and use Pelican's cases for work to ship expensive equipment. My only complaint with their card cases is I wish that they had different colors to chose from so I wouldn't have to label them.
-- Scott Newton
Pelican Cases
$19
(stores 8 SD cards)
Available from Amazon
Manufactured by Pelican
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Making money from films
Scott Kirsner has compiled an online list of the best ways to sell your video creations online. Everyone is making video, but few figure out how to sell them. Kirsner gives you 21 different sites that pay videomakers and dissects the monetary deal each one offers. I haven't found anything as useful anywhere else. It is the equivalent of the first version of a "Writer's Market" for digital video producers. This list is free, part of a longer downloadable e-book he hopes you will buy, the Future of Web Video. I did; the rest of the book is a bargain for anyone serious about peddling a video of whatever length. I hope he keeps the list updated.
-- KK
Getting Paid: Sites that Help Filmmakers and Video Producers Make Money
Free
Available from Scott Kirsner
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The Complete Animation Course * The Animation Book
Quick, easy cord hack for mobile Macheads
Every Mac comes with a long, bulky power cord and a small 2-prong nub. You can interchange them, but both are far from optimal for travel and field work (i.e. conference/convention blogging). Here's my fix: use a power cord from a Sony PlayStation. There are other cords that will also fit into the Mac power brick, but the PlayStation cord is easy to find. Where the Mac power cord is too thick to easily coil or toss in a bag -- and has a ground prong* so it's limited to those types of AC outlets -- the PlayStation cord is ostensibly perfect. It fits into the Mac power brick, coils up nice and small and has two prongs. Plus, you can leave your giant Mac cord at your desk back home and don't have to deal with dust bunnies every time you get ready to go out the door. I always keep one PlayStation cable stashed in my bag, so I only have to transfer the brick to the bag. This trick's good for any Mac laptop from the last 4-5 years, I'd guess, if not longer. In the last four years, I've used it on a 12 inch PowerBook, 13 inch MacBook, MacBook air and 2 MacBook pros. There used to be a video game where you had to fit shapes into brackets before an entire rig blows up. Can't remember what it's called, but that mindset is kind of how I first recognized the shape on the Mac plug.
-- Brian Lam
*NOTE: using a ground prong is a safety precaution; although it's generally not advisable to switch to a two-prong, this has worked fine for me for years and if you're in a pinch, I highly recommend it.
Sony PlayStation Power Cord
$6
Available from Amazon
Manufactured by Sony
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PowerSquid
Key-ring multi-tool
This 1.6 oz. tool, manufactured by the makers of the previously-reviewed Utili-Key, can fit on a key chain or in a coin purse, which is where I keep mine. I most often use it for tightening the tiny screws on my glasses, but the small #1 Phillips and flat, pliers, wire cutter/stripper, sheet shear and rule markings (bonus!) are all unbelievably useful at the frequent odd moments you need the right tool which is anywhere but near (particularly the pliers). I have yet to try to go through airport security with it, but the TSA says pliers/screwdrivers and "tools" less than 7 inches can be carried on.
-- Dale Simpson
Swiss Tech Micro-Plus 8-In-1
$10
Available from Amazon
Manufactured by Swiss+Tech Tools
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Apron with pot-holders
We avoid clutter in our kitchen, so all towels and oven mitts live in a drawer next to the stove. Accessible, but nowhere near as handy as this apron that puts two padded mitts at your side, literally, right where you need 'em, whenever you 'em. So simple, so elegant. The slits lessen your below-the-belt coverage, of course, but the convenience is a worthy trade.
-- Steven Leckart
$18
Available from Design Within Reach
Manufactured by Royal VKB
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