Peter writes “In response to the earlier post, I’ve heard back from people who are using circuit simulation software to create highly accurate models of physical circuitry in software. The folks at Audio Damage use the free SPICE model and software to produce audio/music plug-ins like an upcoming bi-phase effects pedal model. That’s not the only geeky tool out there that’s useful for music: an add-on for MatLab lets you visualize MIDI music files.”Link.
This looks like a great DVD full of how-tos, here’s a review from Kathy Sierra – “Without a doubt the coolest present I’ve ever gotten is The Book of Cool, which is really a set of DVDs (plus a companion picture book) on how to do… cool tricks. You might not want to learn rope tricks, but how about rugby tricks, bar flairing, card magic tricks, or my favorite–skateboard tricks? Besides being cool–it’s also a simple and elegant example of video instruction…There’s something for nearly everyone in this thing and it’s quite a lot of fun to watch, even if you don’t want to learn how to do a fake reverse thumb spin with your pen.” Thanks Terrie! Link.
Holly writes: “Step by step instructions on making a batch of hard apple cider, from picking fruit through bottling and adding letterpressed labels.”Link. You can also see a very complete Flickr photo set here of making your own hard cider. Link.
Review of one of my favorite new devices of 2005 by Barry Gerber – “When I first heard about LeapFrog’s Fly Pentop Computer it seemed like a perfect product for a half-serious half-humorous review. After all it is marketed as a toy for ‘tweens (ages 8-13) and you conjure up one sort of functionality or another by writing with the pen on a piece of paper. I mean, how much could such a device actually do?”Link.
I wonder if parks will start installing meters now…“San Francisco based art collective Rebar decided to take the concept of a parking spot to the next level. On November 16th they installed an actual park in a parking space in downtown San Francisco for their project PARK(ing), “a temporary urban park”. People enjoying the park had to feed the parking meter (ie. pay the rent) in order to keep the park open.” Thanks Scott! Link.
The BBC has an excellent video (I could only get the Real Player version to work however) of virtual worlds, what people are making and how they’re making -real- money – “When it comes down to it, avatars – online characters – project your ideals and fantasies before you’ve had time to think of them. Which is what’s making online virtual worlds one of the hottest business propositions of dotcom boom Mark II.”Link.
Jackson has a review of Farm Show… he writes “Was hanging out at my family cabin in Washington State over the holidays, and one of the most eagerly awaited pieces of mail for the year showed up — Farm Show Magazine’s best of issue. It’s got all sorts of awesome DIY stuff. One dude turned an old Ford F-150 into a 10HP electric truck that’ll go 40MPH. Another dude took a tank from a rail car and turned it into a giant furnace that burns those big rolls of hay. It heats a reservoir of water that’s then piped to all the buildings on his property, with old truck radiators used as the indoor heating elements. The hinge for the furnace door is an 8′ axle salvaged from a John Deere combine. There’s a guy who built a wheelchair transporter out of a garden tractor, or the guy who modified a roto tiller so it could pull him in his wheelchair while he drove. There’s even an Oregon company featured that makes custom heavy-duty jeans which I’m totally going to pimp as a fashion statement. Anyway, you’ve got rural ingenuity, DIY, environmentalism and everything else that makes America grand. Highly, highly recommended.”Link.
Our websites use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Some of these are essential for the basic
functionalities of our websites. In addition, we use third-party cookies to help us analyze and understand
usage. These will be stored in your browser only with your consent and you have the option to opt-out. Your
choice here will be recorded for all Make.co
Websites.
Allow Non-Necessary Cookies
Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 16th iteration!