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    How useful is the fingerprint reader?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by I♥RAM, Aug 31, 2008.

  1. I♥RAM

    I♥RAM Notebook Deity

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    Just wondering, I know a lot of people have that fingerprint reader installed in their system. How useful is it? & How much can you customize it?
     
    I♥RAM, Aug 31, 2008
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  2. PvD

    PvD Notebook Consultant

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    It's really useful, sometimes you will have to type your password 5 times every time that you turn the computer, and with the fingerprint reader you just swipe your finger and that's it, I really love it.
     
    PvD, Aug 31, 2008
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  3. Polarix

    Polarix Notebook Evangelist

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    Piece of crap. Mine rarely works.
     
    Polarix, Aug 31, 2008
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  4. I♥RAM

    I♥RAM Notebook Deity

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    :confused:
     
    I♥RAM, Aug 31, 2008
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  5. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    Honestly...I tried it...but prefer just typing everything in!!!....I like to be *old school* sometimes, I guess ;) :)

    Maybe someday, I will revisit!

    ;)

    Cin.
     
    Cin', Sep 1, 2008
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  6. Pai

    Pai Notebook Evangelist

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    I noticed that the finger print reader is somewhat slow if you are a skilled/fast typer, especially when you know the password by heart. It is imo much easier to just type the password in, it does come in handle when I get too lazy to type. =P
     
    Pai, Sep 1, 2008
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  7. happymud

    happymud Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well I just purchased my first laptop with fingerprint reader. I find myself using it alot but then again I am lazy lol. its just a nice feature to lock your PC. Its also nice to use it to switch users.
     
    happymud, Sep 1, 2008
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  8. own3d

    own3d Notebook Evangelist

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    Its a bit of a gimmick tbh because it takes just as long to type a password in and you have to have a password and the fingerprint reader set at windows startup not just the reader so its not that secure (Imo)
     
    own3d, Sep 1, 2008
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  9. own3d

    own3d Notebook Evangelist

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    I'l add to that and say if I had to pay £60 extra or anywhere £20+ extra then I wouldn't bother having it.
     
    own3d, Sep 1, 2008
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  10. billy_b0b

    billy_b0b Notebook Consultant

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    My xps m1330 is coming the mail with one by default. I've never had one and I'm kinda looking forward to it.
     
    billy_b0b, Sep 1, 2008
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  11. Zagarinsky

    Zagarinsky Notebook Consultant

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    Same here. I'm going to do some research to figure out how secure it is, how to make it secure, etc., and then depending on what I find, it may replace all my passwords.
     
    Zagarinsky, Sep 1, 2008
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  12. T-Q

    T-Q Notebook Consultant

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    Does it only work with the Windows password or all passwords such as one for my email account?
     
    T-Q, Sep 1, 2008
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  13. Sgt. Hollywood

    Sgt. Hollywood Notebook Evangelist

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    It's more of a neat feature than anything really needed.

    Although I do like that fact that all I do to log on is swipe.

    You can also assign webpage passwords to the finger swipe and also program starts. For example I can launch BF2142 with my left ring finger and Firefox with my right middle.

    BUT be careful to still remember your main password just in case, ie don't get too lazy it slips you mind...The work around for that is a bit fun.
     
    Sgt. Hollywood, Sep 1, 2008
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  14. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    I like the idea, that since I don't use it now....I can always use again at a later date ;) :)

    It's always good to have options available! :cool:



    Cin ;) :)
     
    Cin', Sep 1, 2008
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  15. Enduct

    Enduct Notebook Consultant

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    Just remember not to burn your fingertips on the stove...
     
    Enduct, Sep 1, 2008
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  16. canada16

    canada16 Notebook Evangelist

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    i dont even have it installed, apparantly it never recogonised my british finger. LOL

    I hate it
     
    canada16, Sep 1, 2008
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  17. psygn

    psygn Notebook Evangelist

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    Seems gimmicky to me. Then again, I have never swiped my finger on them before. I just press CTRL + Enter to log into websites on my browser. I enter my information manually for other sites like PayPal, GMail, etc.
     
    psygn, Sep 1, 2008
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  18. Sgt. Hollywood

    Sgt. Hollywood Notebook Evangelist

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    Perhaps it was a french fingerprint reader and its still upset about Agincourt?
     
    Sgt. Hollywood, Sep 1, 2008
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  19. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    LOL....^^^^^^
    So, to be safe I need to stick with the keyboard! ;) :) :p :rolleyes:


    Cin ;) :)
     
    Cin', Sep 1, 2008
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  20. merlin_72032

    merlin_72032 Notebook Evangelist

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    It is the new feature that I can't live without! I really like it. For example, I can combine my website password with the reader, and it works amazingly well. :D
     
    merlin_72032, Sep 1, 2008
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  21. LiTh07

    LiTh07 Notebook Evangelist

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    i LOVE my reader on my m1530.... once it learns your finger, it works great
     
    LiTh07, Sep 2, 2008
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  22. tripwire

    tripwire Notebook Enthusiast

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    Don't use it at all.
     
    tripwire, Sep 2, 2008
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  23. ITSONLYCLEO

    ITSONLYCLEO Notebook Enthusiast

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    along the same lines of usefullness. for me.. my primary use is antitheft and unauthorized use..

    can anyone tell me if I an set it up so that as soon as the system is turned on it needs a swipe and activates the lojack..
    im also going to put in a keylogger..(suggestions?)


    yeah.. paranoia sets in when you've had your home broken into.. ... and a host of expensive personal electronics go bye bye..

    ty! :)
     
    ITSONLYCLEO, Sep 2, 2008
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  24. billy_b0b

    billy_b0b Notebook Consultant

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    I have been using Password Safe - http://passwordsafe.sourceforge.net/ - for years and it has been great. I'd be really impressed if this fingerprint reader takes the place of it.
     
    billy_b0b, Sep 2, 2008
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  25. billy_b0b

    billy_b0b Notebook Consultant

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    Easy fix.... decent home security (i.e. Brinks) and a few handguns ;)

    EDIT::: I see you live in NJ. Never mind on the gun thing - you live in a communist state.
     
    billy_b0b, Sep 2, 2008
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  26. mindonmatter

    mindonmatter Notebook Enthusiast

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    I couldn't wait to get it.....

    .....and now that I have it, I don't use it.

    Honestly, I have no need to restrict access to my PC.
     
    mindonmatter, Sep 2, 2008
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  27. ITSONLYCLEO

    ITSONLYCLEO Notebook Enthusiast

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    hahaha...

    my having a gun.. bad thing..
    id shoot them in the feet and work my way up.. filthy thieves..

    but..I digress..
    vengeance belongs to God..

    ... I had to get adt.
    ...
    exhale...

    for those who want a good true crime story pm me...

    needless to say..I don't make any friends locally...

    Im afraid that if someone sees the new system.. and notices the fingerprint reader.. not only would they try to steal it.. but.. id lose my fingers to boot..
    can I set it up to work with my big toe? ..yes.. im serious.. but I can't help but laugh either..lmao..
     
    ITSONLYCLEO, Sep 2, 2008
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  28. hooligan001

    hooligan001 Notebook Evangelist

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    i use mine all the tme to log in! saves typin passwords over and over again... especially after sleep or hibernate.

    plus its cool haha
     
    hooligan001, Sep 2, 2008
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  29. meaCulpa

    meaCulpa Notebook Guru

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    Getting used to the finger print reader was a bit painful in the beginning. Now I use it regularly. I use it for windows login, software launching, application login (such as email, Skype etc), even for locking windows and shut down.
    I wouldn't challenge the security concerns of using the fp reader but from usability point of view, it is a good feature.
     
    meaCulpa, Sep 3, 2008
    #29