TOOLBOX
FAVORITE THINGS
As chosen by Dick DeBartolo, “MAD’s Maddest Writer.”
Desktop Earbud Speakers
perpetualkid.com
A real attention-getter for your desk, these 500 XL Desktop Earbud
Speakers look exactly like a pair of iPod earbuds — except they’re 500
times bigger! The sound is not knockout great but it’s impressive for
their size and price, and people will freak out when they see them on
your desk. They’ve got a built-in amp, and can be powered by batteries,
USB, or a standard wall-plug power supply. Podcast:
twit.tv/dgw528
Mini Surge Protector Charger
belkin.com
So you have just two outlets next to your desk, and way more than two
devices to plug in. This surge protector is the perfect answer. Plug it
into one outlet and you get three outlets, plus two USB charging ports!
It has a rotating plug so you can face the device in the direction that’s
most convenient. A green LED lets you know the outlet is powered and
the surge protection is on. Podcast:
twit.tv/dgw534
Cubicaller
cubicaller.com
When someone comes to your cubicle and you’re involved in your
work, how do you know they’re there? I installed the Cubicaller. It
comes with self-adhesive velcro tape so it installs in a minute. You can
choose from 12 different sounds such as doorbell, duck quack, fanfare,
and meow. Podcast:
twit.tv/dgw381
Socket Sense
socketsense.com
Hate those big “outlet killer” power adapters that take up the space
of two outlets? Here’s a surge strip that expands! You can extend
the strip sockets by about 8" by pulling on both ends. The adjustable
sockets are also set on an angle to make sure a transformer plug does
not block another socket.
OpenIt!
enjoyzibra.com/openit
If you hate those almost-indestructible plastic blister packs that so
many new small electronics are packaged in, check out the OpenIt!
It looks like pruning shears but instead of small branches, it cuts
through heavy-duty plastic shell packages. There’s also a retractable
box-cutter built into one side of the handle, and a mini screwdriver in
the other, so you can open the “kid-proof” battery compartment of
your new gadget. Podcast:
twit.tv/dgw496
Stealth Switch
thinkgeek.com
Playing games at school? Don’t want to get caught? Stealth Switch is
the answer. Install the software and plug the hidden foot switch into an
available USB port, then just a tap of your toes will hide the current window, hide all windows, or hide all except the one you want! (For PC only.)
Dick DeBartolo wears two hats, which is why he looks so strange when you meet him. He’s had something published in every
issue of MAD for the past 40-plus years! His other career is as the Giz Wiz, as in Gizmo Wizard. Dick does the Daily Giz Wiz podcast, along with tech genius Leo Laporte. Check out Dick’s gadget reviews at
gizwiz.biz and follow him at
twitter.com/thegizwiz.
180 Make: Volume
16
