The Pogoplug

The Pogoplug is a small form factor Linux computer from Cloud Engines that sells for only $129. It's a Linux appliance with three hooks to the outside world: power, ethernet, USB. No GUI, no bundled apps, just Linux in a bick. (spec sheet PDF)

The Pogoplug is positioned and marketed as a way to mount USB drive(s) online. You can access those drives through a web browser or your iPhone through Cloud Engines servers. It's secure and it's free. When you install the Pogoplug software (Windows, OS X, & Linux), the drives attached to your Pogoplug show up as available drives on your computer. If you're online, your laptop can use the drives attached to your Pogoplug at home.

Accessing your drives online is pretty cool, especially if you have more data than fits on your computer's hard drive. Sure you bought a big ass external hard drive to hold all your data but how do you get to it when you can't cable into it? How do you access those files when you're not at home? Use a Pogoplug!

It doesn't stop there. After you read the FAQ read about the web API.

More? The docs tell you all about sharing files with others, publishing to Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace, publish RSS feeds, and create your own URLs.

Pop the hood and the fun begins. My pal Mike Staszel's OpenPogo is the place to go. Turn your Pogoplug into a web server, transmission BitTorrent client, Tor box, run MySQL & PHP, or Ruby on Rails. The list goes on and on. For 129 bucks.

The first generation Pogoplugs were really kewl white bricks. 4"x2.5"x2" Sleek, stylized design, nice lines.

The second generation Pogoplug on the other hand looks like something from Hello Kitty or My Little Pony or Barbie Gone Wild. Yeah the new ones have multiple USB ports and a fancy tail to keep your cords all neat and proper but they're PINK! Hot pink. No thanks, I have lots of USB hubs and zip ties.

In case you were wondering, I've got 4 Pogoplugs.