Without a source of radiation to generate waves at a frequency somewhere between the ultraviolet and the infrared, you're (literally) left in the dark. But the FlashCard from Lumatec is a neat device which allows you to bounce photons off objects so you can see them before you trip over them. In other words it's a torch - measuring just 3-by-3.5 inches and only as thick as a couple of playing cards. Sealed in a waterproof shell that's been dive-tested to 100 feet, the long-lasting beam is ready to shine long after the sun takes off for the day.FlashCard: US$6.99. Lumatec Industries Inc.: +1 (512) 389 3399, fax +1 (512) 389 0808.
The LYNXX Inmarsat-B transportable Earth station is just what you need for online exploring in the middle of nowhere. Just unpack the unit from its travel case, snap the flat-panel satellite antenna into place, and start communicating. Digital voice is a snap at 16 Kbps, and the 64-Kbps data-transfer rate makes it easy to send video clips from your Mount Everest base camp back to all the jealous souls in the office at home.LYNXX Inmarsat-B: US$34,500. California Microwave Mobile Satellite Products: +1 (516) 273 4455, fax +1 (516) 273 4583.
Digital cameras are swell for Web publishing and other online stuff, but what can you do when you need to convert those pixels into hard copy? If you only want to print snapshot-sized colour images, Fargo's FotoFun! printer will do the trick. This small unit uses thermal dye-sublimation technology to crank out 4-by-6-inch glossy prints that come pretty close to regular colour photo images. On heavy paper, you can even print your own colour postcards.FotoFun! for Mac and PC: US$400. Fargo, Inc: +1 (612) 941 9470, fax: +1 (612) 941 7836, on the Web at www.fargo.com.
The next time you need to make a multimedia presentation, leave the slide projector, video camera, and transparency projector at home, and just take the VID-P100 instead. This multi-headed monster comes equipped with a video camera that has a 10-power zoom, backlight, adjustable fluorescent sidelights, video output, and an RS-232C interface so you can control the whole show from your laptop. Now all you need is a fantastic demo, a nice smile, and a strong sales pitch.
VID-P100 Presentation Stand: £3,250. Sony Electronics (UK): +44 (01932) 816 300.
Using a wrist support at the base of your keyboard is better than nothing, but having that spongy slab there encourages you to keep your wrists in the same place no matter where your fingers roam. PC Pucks are designed by Back Basics Ltd. to go under the base of your hand and slide across the desk, thereby keeping your wrists in a neutral position while you type and operate the mouse. Not only will PC Pucks decrease the stress on the tendons in your wrists, they'll even give you '70s-style air-hockey flashbacks.PC Puck: US$10.95 a pair. Distributed by Viziflex Seels, Inc.: +1 (201) 487 8080, fax +1 (201) 487 6637.
This odd-looking putter, called The Thing, was designed by a physicist and would-be pro golfer. Unlike standard off-centre-shafted clubs, The Thing's balanced shaft improves stability, while the small clubhead eliminates twisting on impact. The square grip keeps your palm parallel to the club face. And though the rugby-football-shaped putting head will get plenty of weird looks out on the green, it's better than a traditional putter at creating overspin.The Thing: US$89.95. Natural Golf Corporation: +1 (708) 781 3000, fax +1 (708) 781 0280.
Are dull desks a thing of the past? The Executive Power Desk, designed by multimedia artist Marcia Stuermer, looks like it's straight out of the Stone Age. But if you take a closer look, you'll see that, along with fossil-like carvings, the desk has electronic components embedded in it. Look even closer, and you'll discover it's hand-carved out of wood. Once you get the desk, you'll want to spruce up the rest of your cave with a stony bed, chair, lamp and clock for that real Flintstones feel.Executive Power Desk: US$2,000. Contact: +1 (415) 861 1933.
The poor saps in the back of the plane are happy to seaason their "food" with the salt and pepper from those little paper envelopes, but Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class passengers expect something better for their gourmet meals. They use a matching set of miniature chromium-plated planes designed by Rodney Fitch and Co.: a jet-engined pepper pot and a prop-driven salt shaker. The sculptures are too cool not to keep, and the airline knows it. The bottom of each shaker reads: "Pinched from Virgin Atlantic."Upper Class salt shaker and pepper pot: Free if you steal them. Virgin Atlantic Airways (UK): +44 (01293) 747 747.