« Bert Simons' head | Main | Dekotora my ride »

November 25, 2006

No more misplacing your flash drive

Flash drives are getting smaller and smaller, and at the same time their capacity keeps getting bigger and bigger. All of this means the chances of losing your flash drive, and of that loss being disastrous, keeps rising.

To guard against that, I've taken the clever step of embedding my flash drive into a regulation sixteen pound bowling ball. Let's see if I send that through the laundry by mistake!

Posted by Chris Spurgeon at November 25, 2006 05:28 PM

how the hell do you use this?

Posted by: sam j at November 26, 2006 12:52 PM

External USB cable :-)

Posted by: Snake at November 26, 2006 02:03 PM

nice one.. i use mine atached to my walelt chain :) and i think u use it with a cable, right? IF u would really use it, lol :)

Posted by: Pedro at November 26, 2006 02:20 PM

granted that is extremely cool, how do you manage to get that thing mated up to your computer?

Posted by: court at November 26, 2006 03:58 PM

How will that fit in a computer

Posted by: David at November 26, 2006 04:10 PM

Heh. Do you plug your bowling ball into your computer or your computer into your bowling ball? Also, does bowling with the ball compromise the integrity of the data?

Posted by: Tom at November 26, 2006 04:36 PM

Of course now you have a USB extension cable to lose! (Assuming you really use this and it's not "art")

Posted by: Chris Holt at November 26, 2006 05:38 PM

You're not a very creative person, are you Sam? You take a USB extension cord, and connect it.

Posted by: Kyle Floyd at November 26, 2006 07:40 PM

Wow-- I want my 5-min back from trying to understand the humor in this...

Posted by: Jeff at November 26, 2006 08:13 PM

I'd love to see that connected to a Laptop =]

Posted by: Greg at November 26, 2006 08:19 PM

Simple, you just plug it in, let go, and watch as it rips the USB port from your computer.

Posted by: Trevor at November 26, 2006 08:47 PM

Works best if your computer is a ball return.

Posted by: Bob at November 26, 2006 08:51 PM

Ya thats a gr8 idea but whn u want to conect it u need to use one more cable

Posted by: M L B at November 26, 2006 09:58 PM

What is the capacity of that thing? A few terabytes at least (compared to the size to a thumb-drive) full of crappy ideas like this one, it would have been cheaper to insert your usb drive into a 16lb stone, and probalby cooler.

Posted by: bowl-a-crap at November 27, 2006 03:20 AM

But, does it hook?

Posted by: Kingpin at November 27, 2006 06:46 AM

Im interested in the capacity of this thing.

Posted by: janet at November 27, 2006 11:49 AM

Nice pool in your backyard...

Posted by: PJ at November 27, 2006 12:25 PM

It would have been better if the jack was flush mounted. Then you could still use the ball or possible find a small retractable usb cable.

Posted by: Jim at November 27, 2006 02:23 PM

You really should install TWO flash drives for the finger holes and ONE drive for the thumb hole. Then it would confuse everyone when the ball is sitting on the ball return during the bowling tourney.

Posted by: Sterling Augustine at November 27, 2006 02:31 PM

To everybody being critical of this, please lighten up. This was not meant to be a practical solution, it is funny because of its absurdity. Any critics of this probably never laughed at the move Airplane or Monty Python. It is absurdly funny, nothing else. So for all of you brainiacs whining about having another cable to lose, you miss the point. Thanks for the laugh Chris o-)

Posted by: Sean at November 27, 2006 02:33 PM

the sad thing is, is that the bowling ball is probably worth ten times as much as the USB key

Posted by: mcintyrep36 at November 27, 2006 02:34 PM

here's an idea, take a flash drive and connect one of those retractable usb cables to it. Embed the whole thing far enough into the ball to not stick out but with a slot for the cable to pull back into, then you can actually bowl with it and you have your cable to make attaching to a computer easy.

Posted by: Neutrino at November 27, 2006 02:34 PM

here's an idea, take a flash drive and connect one of those retractable usb cables to it. Embed the whole thing far enough into the ball to not stick out but with a slot for the cable to pull back into, then you can actually bowl with it and you have your cable to make attaching to a computer easy.

Posted by: Neutrino at November 27, 2006 02:35 PM

how do you hook it up to the computer

how do you hook it up to the computer

how do you hook it up to the computer

how do you hook it up to the computer

how do you hook it up to the computer

how do you hook it up to the computer

how do you hook it up to the computer

how do you hook it up to the computer

how do you hook it up to the computer

how do you hook it up to the computer

idiots



i

d

i

o

t

s



Posted by: stupid at November 27, 2006 02:36 PM

Hey Kyle if it took you 5mins to figure this out then you may want to get a refund on your education as well!

Posted by: SloppySeconds at November 27, 2006 02:37 PM

yeah. it's supposed to be practical.

Posted by: masterofNone at November 27, 2006 02:37 PM

So, really, you're telling me you've got sixteen pound balls. And you can plug them in. Very impressive.

Posted by: Penguin at November 27, 2006 02:40 PM

Ok so that would in fact be the perfect gift for my Brother in Law he has got to be on of the most interesting computer users I have ever seen. Here's an example of his style: http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/8828/megacompyxn0.jpg

Posted by: Endersothergame at November 27, 2006 02:45 PM

Okie, did that.. now i lost my USB cable... No worries! I embeded a new usb cable into felixble 2 inch pipe...

Posted by: Frank at November 27, 2006 02:47 PM

Ok so that would in fact be the perfect gift for my Brother in Law he has got to be on of the most interesting computer users I have ever seen. Here's an example of his style: http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/8828/megacompyxn0.jpg So lemme know the details and such

Posted by: Endersothergame at November 27, 2006 02:48 PM

What I want to know is if you have tried bowling a game with it.

Posted by: austonian at November 27, 2006 02:55 PM

Doesnt this defeat the purpose of having a portable flash drive handy. This is the backwards thinking that plagues people with low intelligence. You bought the flash drive to be small portable data and then kept loosing it so embed it in a bowling ball defeating the purpose of buying it in the first place.

Posted by: Bill at November 27, 2006 03:07 PM

Pros: Hard to steal.

Cons: Hard to travel with. Kudos.

Posted by: Matt at November 27, 2006 03:13 PM

Anyone who doesn't find this hilarious is in serious need of a humor transfusion. Well played.

Posted by: Dwayne at November 27, 2006 03:14 PM

is that the 16 or 32 mb version?

Posted by: mat m at November 27, 2006 03:36 PM

Wow...that is the most pointless thing I've seen in a while...You must have quite a bit of free time to be doing stuff like this. For God's sake just wear it on a cord around your neck...That just defeated the whole purpose of decades of work, trying to make these things smaller.

Posted by: Shibz at November 27, 2006 03:40 PM

I'm just grateful the guy wore clothes when taking the picture! That could have been very bad!

Posted by: soopafly at November 27, 2006 03:52 PM

so what happens when it rolls over and squashes the head of the usb connecter?

Posted by: josh at November 27, 2006 04:11 PM

Huge problem.. the port is above the surface. If you roll it the plug will snap off leaving your data stranded inside!

Posted by: Cerium at November 27, 2006 04:13 PM

Kingpin: It hooks exactly the way that's been said four times above your comment... Poster: Dunno who you are but that gets props for being an entirely useless mod. Mods are more fun useless :D

Posted by: Chris at November 27, 2006 04:15 PM

Why oh why didn't you recess the connector enough to actually be able to bowl with it too?

Posted by: Pete at November 27, 2006 04:22 PM

Might as well surgically implant one in your body, ( under your skin or sumem ), you’ll never lose it again!

Posted by: blacklabelrum at November 27, 2006 04:35 PM

Unlike your other critics, I can see only one problem. Why does the USB connector protrude? Surely you could have recessed it, and included a screw or bayonet fitted cover. Otherwise, how do you still use it as a bowling ball? Other than that small engineering issue, it looks very, very cool. And silly. And very much a funny hacker solution to a common issue.



Posted by: Rob Masters at November 27, 2006 04:39 PM

But will it BLEND? That is the question.

Posted by: Deviouster at November 27, 2006 05:08 PM

If this thing gets knocked over and starts rolling say goodbye to the end of that usb drive... Still pretty cool though. It would have been cool to attach one to a large ball and chain.

Posted by: ATony at November 27, 2006 05:31 PM

It would be cooler if the bowling ball were transparent and the USB Drive was illuminated with some neon color!

Posted by: Judas at November 27, 2006 05:33 PM

i just wish, it will roll, and fall down from your desk on to your foot, that would be the coolest , unless you put it under the desk which is unlikely, because you can't show you innovation off to others

Posted by: canyo at November 27, 2006 05:46 PM

it looks like it would make a nice keychain... FOR THE INCREDIBLE HULK!#!@#!!

Posted by: fairuza at November 27, 2006 06:09 PM

Good job, you ruined a bowlingball and a fash drive in one smooth move. you cant bowl or save data! GG

Posted by: terrivle at November 27, 2006 06:34 PM

Good place to keep a DB of the team scores.

Posted by: Gary at November 27, 2006 06:40 PM

I want to see a flash drive permamently attached to your right hand's thumb and forefinger. You can then demonstrate by making the shape of the letter 'L' against your forehead.

Posted by: chunder at November 27, 2006 07:13 PM

So if the ball ROLLS off it's holder there, it destroys your Flash card. Sounds inGenious!

Posted by: thud at November 27, 2006 09:06 PM

It looks like that might roll over and crush the usb connector.

Posted by: mbm at November 27, 2006 09:18 PM

I'm with Rob Masters- you've got to make it a flip-out or somesuch; it's no fun if you can't send your data through a ball return.

Posted by: Bobcat2022 at November 27, 2006 09:47 PM

i love it! i would bye 1 4 my Mom!

Posted by: nj at November 27, 2006 10:35 PM

hey, this isn't funny. I lost my bowling ball last week.

Posted by: pixelshot at November 28, 2006 12:15 AM

How true.

You can buy the smallest flash drive and yet have to attach a long obvious cord so as not to lose the flash drive. www.winnipegjobshark.com

Posted by: Trevor Nohcud at November 28, 2006 01:20 AM

Why would you worry about 5 mins, Jeff, when the you're going to waste the rest of it anyway? "Trying to understand the humour". good grief.

Posted by: Chris at November 28, 2006 06:10 AM

now all you need to do is put a usb extension cord through another bowling ball and put it on this site again! nice one

Posted by: kman at November 28, 2006 06:25 AM

Just add a length of bomb-wick and you'll have a classic Spy Vs Spy type explosive! http://www.pushhamburger.com/bomb%20wick%20burn.gif

Posted by: SteveD at November 28, 2006 06:49 AM

I'm with ATony... Do it again with a clear/cateye ball and a lighted flash drive! Oooh, that would have its place on the shelf above my system.

Posted by: Corejack at November 28, 2006 07:12 AM

Couldn't you liven it up a bit and reach the female side of the market, by filling the other finger holes with water, and simultaneously use it as a flower vase?

Posted by: NomoneyNohoney at November 29, 2006 08:09 AM

That's about the best use for a Galaxie 300... a stand for a flash drive.

Posted by: Steve at November 30, 2006 07:48 AM

The idea is hilarious, but the comments are priceless! I guess that's how you separate the enthusiasts from the hopeless geeks... it's amazing to me that anyone took this seriously! It's a JOKE, kids!

Posted by: geargirl at November 30, 2006 01:11 PM

you're sick....i love it

Posted by: microvirus at November 30, 2006 06:15 PM

Guess it take all types. Bit of a waste of a perfectly good bowling ball.

Posted by: South at December 1, 2006 08:52 PM

I have always liked the band Galaxie 500, but being Scottish have never understood what it meant. So it's a bowling ball. That's funny. I can see The Dude now, while the Nihilists listen to Galaxie 500. Youse cunts are mad by ra way :-)

Posted by: Chris at December 5, 2006 04:27 PM

That bowling ball would also come in handy anytime shitty windows decided to have one of it`s hissy fits.. STRRRRRRRRRRIKE!!!!!



Posted by: wallace69 at December 12, 2006 03:17 AM

i found the bowling ball (with flash drive) funny.

but after reading all these stupid comments and crap

i'm left depressed, lighten up people.

Posted by: blah at December 18, 2006 06:48 PM

fyi: they're actually named after the ford galaxie 500 car, produced in the 60s and 70s. funnier to think that they decided to name themselves after a bowling ball, though.

Posted by: no one important at December 18, 2006 07:16 PM

lol, I'll take two.

Posted by: Mark at December 19, 2006 02:13 AM

"i found the bowling ball (with flash drive) funny.

but after reading all these stupid comments and crap

i'm left depressed, lighten up people." Me too.

But it was short lived : )

if your angry dont share it. pleeeeeeeeaaaaaase

Posted by: LucFace at December 19, 2006 02:21 AM

Great idea. Off course it is impractical. Thats the whole idea! Get a sense of humor, folks! And off course the drive should not be flush with the ball: An USB drives connector allways protrudes, otherwise you can't connect it to your PC (cables is SO impractical). It should have a cap though: May i suggest you make a cap from ANOTHER bowling ball :o) /Rob

Posted by: Rob at December 19, 2006 02:31 AM

Ok. I'm 55 and not a computer wiz in any sense of the word. BUT, I am shocked to see how many people don't see the humor in this. Come on! It's hysterical! Lighten up! Thanks, Mr. Spurgeon, sir, for the giggles.

Posted by: 55yearoldnongeek at December 19, 2006 05:25 AM

i think embedding a flash drive smack in the center of a clear bowling ball would be funny. your data would be safe from loss, and compromise by theft. lolz omfg dam!!!

Posted by: ob1 at December 19, 2006 11:06 AM

i lose my thumbdrive lots of time.. that's a good one

Posted by: WTJ at December 20, 2006 05:58 AM

And i remember when 32 mg was a good size flash drive.

Posted by: Vintage Computer Manuals at January 21, 2007 02:25 AM

I, for one, am interested in exactly *how* you drilled out a regulation B-Ball.... figure a hand-drill just wouldn't "cut" it... LOL

Posted by: Kevin at January 23, 2007 11:55 AM

Actually, I went to a bowling pro shop and had them drill the hole. They have a big-ass drill press that can hold a bowling ball rock solid. He only charged me $15. MUCH easier than trying to do it with a hand-held power drill!

Posted by: Chris Spurgeon at January 23, 2007 12:07 PM

I'm just sorry to see all the rude comments people leave about this. Very interesting idea, well done.

Posted by: TapeMan at January 23, 2007 06:05 PM

Awesome! The Japanese have a word for such inventions, ideas interesting in theory, but hopeless (and hilarious) in practice. Chindogu. Worth a Google search for anyone who saw the humour in this.

Posted by: Moebius Jones at January 25, 2007 09:49 AM

Hi,

I found your blog via google by accident and have to admit that youve a really interesting blog :-)

Just saved your feed in my reader, have a nice day :)

Posted by: Florian at January 28, 2007 11:59 AM

God some of you people are thick

IT'S. A. JOKE.

You don't have to use it for anything it's just cool. Though bowling with it would be fun...

Posted by: Joel at February 4, 2007 11:19 AM

A good sign to look for - if a girl tells she enjoys the sport of bowling - then it is time to move on.

Posted by: Glendale Winnipeg at February 16, 2007 08:25 PM

Just make sure that it is encrypted in transit(as it is going through the ball return) or you may get a PCI Compliance fine;-)

Posted by: What? at March 13, 2007 07:22 AM

...It should have a cap though: May i suggest you make a cap from ANOTHER bowling ball :o) ...

-- Posted by: LucFace at December 19, 2006 02:21 AM

ROFL. I can see it now. Two balls, side by side. In the middle, between them, they are connected; one ball a flash drive, and one ball a cap. Then, truly this computer would have 16 pound balls. Aye, to all ye Scotts! Watch Burger King's "I AM MAN" commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGLHlvb8skQ



Posted by: Falconer at July 29, 2007 03:19 PM

It's stupidly absurd, that it's hilarious. Seriously, guys... lighten up!

Posted by: Stephen at September 27, 2007 08:24 PM

does the bowling ball still work?

Posted by: bowler at May 20, 2008 06:19 AM