My favorite things from 2010

Here are some of my favorite things from 2010, some techy, some not so. Merry Christmas everyone:

Lenovo Laptops - Built like a tank, styled like a brick, Lenovo (Formerly IBM) laptops are certainly not considered pretty. But that's part of the appeal to me. That, and the fact that they just seem to go and go means they are always top trumps for me

Ubiquiti Wireless (www.ubnt.com) - For years I used the high street branded wireless gear (Dlink, Netgear etc.) and then I discovered Ubiquiti and have never looked back. The most reliable, well put together tech gear I think I've ever used. And cheap. Ubiquitous.....


Cactus Supertrousers (www.cactus.co.nz) - Bombproof trousers made right here in NZ. Feel like stiff cardboard when you first buy them, but after 2 years they are as comfy as an old gin soaked friend

Leatherman - Laugh, but yes, I am one of those tools that carry a multitool around on my belt all the time. But I use it every single day and if I forget it it's like having one of my hands cut off

Microsoft Active Directory - If you've got more than 15 or so computers to look after, nothing comes close.....

Group Policy (www.grouppolicy.biz) - and if you want to manage and automate everything on your network, then Group Policy is the most powerful friend you have

Google Apps - Want to write a document, and share it with others so that they can write on it, at the same time,via the web? Get Google Apps. Love them or not, Google have created a cloud based product that is so good it's scary. Oh, did I mention that it's free?......

iPhone 4 - "Tried the rest, now get the best"........ Seriously, good that Android and Windows Phone are, they don't come close to the iPhone. I've used everything and I always come back to it. The 4 is the most complete handheld device I ever used, oh, and apparently you can make phone calls on it too.....

Danny Macaskill. Watch clips of this fella and his amazing skills on a bike on YouTube. Makes me want to be 18 again.... And braver than I am now....

John

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The quest for the perfect classroom speakers....

I've written previously about my quest for a perfect speaker system for the classroom. One that finds that balance of ease of use, value for money, and of course great sound. Well this week I discovered the M-Audio AV20 and AV40 systems and I think I've finally found the perfect system.

If you are looking for a powered, 2.0 speaker system thats well made, and well priced compared to other mainstream brands, then these are well worth listening to


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone