Bernz

I have multiple electronic devices with Lithium Ion batteries: iPod, GPS, Nintendo DS Lite, etc.

What is the best strategy to increase the life of my batteries (especially for the iPod, which is a pain to replace!)?

For example, should I:

- use the device until almost-completely empty, then recharge it full;

- keep it on the charge when not in use;

- recharge it once in a while, even if not empty;

- etc.

I've read in the DS Lite user's guide that the battery has roughly a life of 500 recharges. Is there a way to increase this; or is there something that I should NOT do to avoid reducing this?

Thanks!

I have a web server running IIS 6 (sorry, UNIX guys!). I'd like to secure the access of my site to only some users.

In my wildest dreams, I'd like my users to have a USB key with a key/certificate on it, then they could plug it in any PC and, if the certificate is not blacklisted or expired, the users could access my site. Otherwise, it would be blocked.

I'd like the user interaction to be minimal, from the time they plug in the USB key. So, I'd like to avoid any configuration on the part of the users.

Ideally, the solution should work on both Internet Explorer 6 and Firefox.

Any ideas how I could make this happen? Thank you in advance for the detailed steps!

I'm looking at purchasing a SATA HD enclosure (tray) for backup purposes. An important feature is for the drive to be hot-swappable. However, I don't have any RAID controller, just a SATA controller.

Is the RAID controller required for this hot-swap feature to work?

We've lost alot of security rights on our files servers running Windows Server 2003 SP1. When looking at the security tab (under Properties), the list is empty...

We're suspecting a virus, HW malfunction or hacking... (I know, this is very broad).

Any ideas on what caused this and how to avoid it in the future?

I need to set up a company breakfast tomorrow morning for some employees (about 30). The breakfast must be simple to prepare, yet VERY original and not too expensive.

I want something that people will remember (e.g. not gross, but very unusual for breakfast).

A previous breakfast idea was KFC with beer.. Get the idea??

PS: ideas with alcohol are okay.