Way back in the beginning of time (March), I did up a post on the USB Smart Privacy Mouse, available from USB Fever ($19.99). I've since gotten myself a sample, which I plan on raffling off to one of you fine readers.
But first, a quick test drive, so you know what you're getting into.
Back in March, I touted the privacy mouse's abilities to aid you in outwitting your boss, as it allows you to assign "hide" and "appear" designations to your open applications.
First step: Install the driver, which takes all of five seconds with the accompanying CD. After that, you can plug the mouse in to the closest USB port, at which point the Quick Button icon will pop up in your toolbar. After double clicking it, the following dashboard will pop up:
These are the applications I had open on my computer. After giggling at Fleshbot's tagline, I set about personalizing my settings.
At this point, I returned to Fleshbot, where I sometimes like to look for new, free porn, often available over at RedTube. (Don't judge people! I used to write adult content!)
I scrolled down through the posts, confident in the knowledge that, if my husband were to suddenly arrive home from work, all I would have to do is hit the mouse's side button with my thumb, and he would never ever know that his darling wife sometimes looks at free Internet porn.
I read about nude calendars, erotic photographers, and Buck Angel. I read about Catwoman porn, porn organization, and the world's hottest weather girl. After awhile, I heard a key in the lock, and I rushed to finish reading a post on sex blogs.
The door in the other room opened. "Hi honey!" I heard him shout, as he dropped his keys on the kitchen table. I scanned my screen: "...roundup of some of the hottest moments from the sex blog scene..." I heard him sweet-talking the cats. I scanned my screen: "Walking pantyless near the ocean? Better not try that in the winter!" I heard him walking toward me.
::click!::
He leaned over to kiss me hello. "Were you productive today, bunnykins?" he asked me (don't ask, punks). "I got a lot done," I replied. "What are you working on now?" he asked, glancing at the screen. "This is just another review collation for that publisher," I replied. "Good," he said in that way I hate, because I know he's just checking up on me to make sure I didn't watch Project Runway repeats all day.
He headed off toward the bedroom, to change out of his work clothes. I moved to shut down Fleshbot for the day, though it didn't matter either way. When you click to hide a certain application, it doesn't even show up in your toolbar!
In the end, I thought it was a pretty nifty gadget to have, though — more than anything else — I was excited about the fact that the glowing scroll button turned from blue to purple whenever you moved it:
Are you sold? If you'd like to win the one free privacy mouse I have available, let me know, in the comments, what you've got to hide.
Related: Outwit Your Witless Boss