Ask LH: What Awesome Things Still Require A Wire?
Dear Lifehacker, Everything is going wireless nowadays. Optical drives are being removed from computers in favour of getting content from the internet, mobile data is becoming fast enough to replace wired connections for the average person, and there are few peripherals I really use anymore. Am I missing out by ignoring the wired world? What’s still worth plugging in?
Build Your Own USB Flash Drive Bracelet
Whether you just really like easy access to your data on the go, or you like the idea of a flash drive loaded with emergency information, this DIY project should be right up your alley. You’ll need a few things to get started, but it’s easy enough to do in a weekend. Grab your duct tape, and let’s get started.
Setting Up A Recovery USB Stick
If your system gets a malware infection, booting can be next to impossible — and even if you’ve followed all the best security precautions, sometimes hardware or software failures can render your system inaccessible. Make sure you’re prepared by setting up a recovery USB stick ahead of time.
DIY Two-Sided Flash Drive Keeps Your Files Organised, Saves You Space
If you carry around more than one flash drive with you — maybe you want to keep your work and personal files separate, or maybe one of them is a bootable Linux drive — this DIY double-sided drive will save you a bit of space and keep your flash drives in one convenient package.
Extension Cables Avoid Feeling Around For USB Ports On The Back Of Your iMac
iMac users have forever struggled with the desktop’s annoying USB ports, always having to reach around the computer and feel for a USB port just to plug in a flash drive. The guys at Sugru have a solution: just tape (or Sugru) some extension cables to your iMac to “add” ports onto the front of your screen.
Hack A Power Strip Into A USB To Keep Accessories From Draining Electricity
One of the problems with having a lot of accessories plugged in around your computer is that even after you turn everything off they’re still draining power. Instructables user schubertj wanted a way to automate the powering off of his speakers, monitors and printer, so he hacked a USB into a power strip so it’s powered by the computer itself.
Hack A USB Flash Drive Into A Swiss Army Knife
The Swiss Army knife is the go-to multi-tool for all types of people, but it hasn’t seen much in the way of technological upgrades over the years. Instructables user dr_weidinger wanted to add a modern twist to his, so his grabbed an angle grinder and hacked a USB flash drive onto the knife’s can opener.
