Those with doctorates in artificial intelligence are never the best stewards of houseplants. Programmer Bryan Horling says he’s killed whole swaths of greenery inside and outside his rural western Massachusetts home. But at least one plant will survive, thanks to a computer-controlled plant watering system — a simple network of plastic tubing and an aquarium […]
The East Austin Studio Tour starts tomorrow, and boasts a huge list of artists, crafters and studios who will have work on display and interactive projects for visitors. I’ve been going through the list of participants and am overwhelmed by the diversity and by the amazing talent that folks can check out. I’ll be volunteering […]
When Ken Schroeder was repairing appliances for a living, he decided that a spring-loaded switch from a dishwasher would be ideal as a trigger for some kind of device that his dog, Bender, could activate. Two years later, while studying industrial design at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Ken mounted the switch behind the sensor […]
Here ya go, best of GeekDad for the week! How to Become a LEGO Millionaire The economy may be in the tank, but collectors of rare goods will always be doing well when there are obsessed people in need of special pieces. And that includes LEGO. A Starter Guide to Roleplaying With Kids One dad […]
Photography by Amber Henshaw The area around the house of Azmeraw Zeleke in northern Ethiopia is littered with burnt-out mortar shells left over from a war with neighboring Eritrea. For months, Azmeraw wondered what he could do with them as he saw them being sold around Mekele town (about 800km from the capital, Addis Ababa). […]
Graffiti doesn’t have to be destructive or polluting, I’m seeing a new trend in eco-graffiti or “guerilla gardening” that’s gaining traction. Here’re a few examples: Edina Tokodi (aka Mosstika) interview on Wooster Collective Moss graffiti instructables by users splnlss and ladybird Manual for City Farming Plant Modules by N55 If you’ve got a favorite example […]
The fine folks at Robots.net have started up a robot-friendly version of EMS Labs’ TGIMBOEJ (The Great Internet Migratory Box of Electronic Junk) project. Looks like there’s some juicy junk in there. I definitely have some amazing robot parts to add. Hell, I got bots I could toss in the box. Semi-cannibalized B.I.O.-Bugs, anyone? TGIMBOEJ […]
