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COMPUTER SEES YOU FOR WHO YOU ARE

"The first time ever I saw your face, I let you into my Windows."

With apologies to Roberta Flack, this could be the next tune your computer sings after installing Data Becker's "Face Lock," the first affordable facial recognition software for your PC. In this time of heightened security awareness, the science of Biometrics is flourishing more than ever before. Biometrics uses some physical attribute of the body to make an identification. Devices that identify by reading fingerprints or scanning retinas are examples of biometrics in action.

Face Lock is a program that employs some rather sophisticated techniques and complex algorithms to identify your face using an ordinary web camera and microphone. And it's very accurate. If you decide to grow a beard or mustache, wear your hair differently or forget your glasses, Face Lock will still be able to determine that it's you. Face Lock measures things that can't be easily altered such as the distance between your eyes. Holding a photograph up to the webcam won't fool Face Lock either as it can detect whether it's looking at a two or three dimensional image. Setting up Face Lock is simple. After installation, you create an administrative password and begin registration by sitting in front of the camera to have your face recorded. From there, you define what should and should not be protected.

Face Lock can be used to grant access to all of Windows at startup time or applied to specific applications. For example, when your child tries to launch the web browser, Face Lock will check to see if it's you sitting at the screen. If it isn't, no web surfing will be allowed. Someone trying to open your Quicken checkbook will be turned away. In fact, Face Lock could be an ideal way for you to chuck all those annoying passwords you have to remember. If it's you at the computer, everything works. If it isn't you, only the programs you want others to use will be accessible. It doesn't get much easier than this. Another biometric feature of Face Lock is vocal recognition. Just speak in a key phrase such as your name and only you will be granted access. Anyone else saying your name may cause your ears to burn but they won't be given computer access. For heightened security, Face Lock lets you use either or both facial and vocal recognition to gain access.

Finally, up to five people can be given a facial and vocal profile. This ability lets you tailor computer access with a great deal of selectivity. For example, little Johnny can be given access to any application dealing with his school work and certain games while also allowing mom to everything Johnny uses. But Johnny can't use mom's checkbook program to raise his allowance.

Face Lock sells for $29.95, requires Windows and is available directly from Data Becker at www.databecker.com.

PDA keyboard is all thumbs

If you're tired of using a stylus to enter data into your PDA, you may want to try a keyboard. But lugging a keyboard around may be impractical unless it's a very small keyboard like Seiko's Thumboard. Simply insert your PDA into the Thumboard's serial interface and start typing. The Thumboard covers the bottom third of the PDA while leaving the entire screen visible. The Thumboard's standard QWERTY layout makes typing a breeze with your thumbs. Holding the Thumboard and PDA in your fingertips positions your thumbs at a perfect angle over the little keyboard. I found I could enter data in much more quickly than with the stylus. But I suspect that like any data input device, it's one of personal preference. The only way you'll know if the Thumboard is truly for you is to give it a try. Check the Seiko web site to see if they make a Thumboard for your make and model PDA.

www.seiko-austin.com