I feel special now, because my little C100 does

[Akil]

I feel special now, because my little C100 does have a smartCard, but apparently big brother C110 and C111 do not :D. I heard a lot of negative reviews about the SmartCard, but, I'm here today ladies and gentlemen, to demolish those negativities.

The SmartCard is a great invention. When used properly, you can lock on the computer at the BIOS level, which means that there's no way that someone is getting into your system. When my computer starts up, I see a brief ACER splash screen, and than it looks for my SMartCard. If it's not in there, that's it. I won't be able to get into my computer.

Secondly, I have my SmartCard set so that when I'm in Windows, and I remove the card from the computer, it will automatically, lock the computer. Then, when I want to unlock it, all I have to do is reinsert the card and, voila no password to type!

I've heard people say that they're smartcard causing the blue screen of death, but when I updated my system, using WIndws Update, a new driver was found for my smartcard media. Now the reader is faster, and I don't have any issues.

Secondly, one using the SmartCard can encrypt, and decrypt data as he/she sees fit, and the passphrase for the key,is stored in only one location. . . . that's right on the SmartCard.

I have had no problems with my SMartCard whatsoever, and would encourage any other C100 user's (or anyone fortunate enough to have a smartcard reader) to fully utilize this amazing pieace of technology.

I'd be more than happy to entertain any questions regarding the SmartCard and it's uses.

Cheerio

[ron@baumanis.net]

Hmm...i never even activated my smart card...for what?...there is absolutely nothing on my laptop as far as information that I have to protect...and my work partners are so computer illiterate they wouldn't even be able to turn the tablet on, let alone look at anything on it...
As far as security -- if someone wants to steel my Acer, they are going to reformat the hard drive anyway...and the smart card is not going to keep someone from steeling it if they want it.
I am happy to hear that the Smartcard works for you, though. I know people here complained when Acer stopped providing it with it's newer tablets, but Acer literally stated "there has been no demand for it."

[Akil]

Well Ron,

The great thing about the SmartCard is that it won't let the comptuer get to a point where you can format the drive. Go ahead and give it a try. Boot up your computer with a boot CD, and see if it'll start.

Like any new innovation people are going to be skeptical about it. Acer is absolutely right, there isn't and won't be an immediate demand for the SmartCard, but come to think about it... neither was there a demand for Tablet PC's when they were first introduced....

Cheerio

[mlambert890]

quote:Originally posted by ron@baumanis.net

Hmm...i never even activated my smart card...for what?...there is absolutely nothing on my laptop as far as information that I have to protect...and my work partners are so computer illiterate they wouldn't even be able to turn the tablet on, let alone look at anything on it...
As far as security -- if someone wants to steel my Acer, they are going to reformat the hard drive anyway...and the smart card is not going to keep someone from steeling it if they want it.
I am happy to hear that the Smartcard works for you, though. I know people here complained when Acer stopped providing it with it's newer tablets, but Acer literally stated "there has been no demand for it."

I don't doubt there's been no demand for it, but it was a forward thinking feature that is becoming a requirement in corporate environments. This isnt really a personal use thing as much as it is a corporate thing. It's a big pain for me on the 110 as I had to go buy an annoying USB smartcard reader since the one PCMCIA slot is taken up by my 1xRTT card and my company utilizes x.509 client certs on smartcard for VPN logon. When Im on a train or in a coffee shop, to VPN in and check email I now have to break out the USB reader. The 104 would have been FAR more convenient for me, but the other features of the 110 won out :(

[Akil]

Good Thinking Mlambert,

For all you Amex owner's out there, I am sure you're aware of the Amex Blue card? (https://www66.americanexpress.com/ca...2062259767/0/n) What's the little chip that you see on it? Guess what that is... it's a SmartCard chip; but wait, I thought the SmartCard was just Acer's attempt at innovation...

Not only can the SmartCard be used for security, but think of all your Debt Cards, Credit Cards, Insurance Cards, drivers License, and all your other cards, being combined into one convenient card...

Enter the SmartCard.
Get the concept behind it?

I love my Acer even more, because it has a SmartCard. True, it could get stolen, but it's a comforting thought to know that my Nemesis will be helpless, and will have to come begging to me for my SmartCard.

Cheerio

[jstigall]

I've always treated the smartcard slot as more of a frilly feature that shouldn't be there. Its true I can put my Amex blue in there, but that is next to useless. Encrypting files with it is useless because I don't have anything so important that if my pc was stolen it would matter. Plus if it were stolen I bet I'd leave the smartcard in there anyway. If I were encrypting files the smartcard would always be in there and it would be a pain. The locking feature is okay but I never let my tablet out of my sight so its the moot point.

[Akil]

There seems to be general hostility towards the SmartCard. Such an innovative and amazing piece of technology, and people see it as a nuisance... Embrace the SmartCard, learn to love it, and one day it'll pay you back. Everyone is right, it is a small and somewhat "frilly" feature, but since you paid big $$ for the unit, why not put it to use? I know personally, that I didn't dish out $2000+ dollars, for me not to FULLY and wholley put every possible feature to use (including the SmartCard)!

Remember, the same biased and negative feelings that people in general have towards the SmartCard, is the same feelings that had towards out Tablet PC's when they first came out.

Quote:

"I don't see the need for a Tablet PC, i like the pen and paper..."
~Anonymous

Just something to think about...

Cheerio

[Akil]

Think of the SmartCard as the key to your house. You don't forget to take that with you when you're going out... and what happens if you do forget your key? Can't get back into the house now can we?

I too, like everyone else take my Acer Tablet with me everywhere... however, I still like to take security cautions. It's not that I have any highly confidential information on my tablet, but at least I can rest easy knowing that my computer (like the door of my house) is locked )

Cheerio

[smoussa]

People will still steal your laptop. The smartcard is not a deterent. The only difference is that when someone steals your laptop and find that they cant use it, they will use it as target practice. Either way it's gone.

[ron@baumanis.net]

That is what I meant earlier -- while for those people who absolutely must protect their data from snooping eyes it is perhaps helpful, in the longrun, it provides no protection if your laptop is stolen.