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Quanta to build the $100 dollar laptop…

Tn-Laptop-CrankI think Quanta makes Apple’s Powerbook too, I wonder if they made the eMate“The One Laptop per Child (OLPC) organization, which hopes to bring a $100 laptop championed by MIT’s Nicholas Negroponte, has selected Quanta to serve as its original design manufacturer, or ODM. ODMs typically manufacture products, but also participate substantially in the final design. Although not many U.S. consumers know the name, many own Quanta’s products. The company produces systems for Hewlett-Packard, Dell and others. It is engaged in a long-running rivalry with Compal, also based out of Taiwan.” Link.

Turn a RSS feed into a audio with Feed2Podcast

Makeaud-1-1Robie from Pirateweather writes about a new service called Feed2Podcast that will turn your RSS feed (or any RSS feed) into a audio player so you can listen to the feed “They/we use new text to speech engine and your rss feed and turn your blog into a podcast instantly” It’s a pretty good text to speech engine – here’s what it sounds like with their preview audio player, click here to listen. Neat!

Build a MAME Cabinet in 24 Hours

Build a MAME Cabinet in 24 Hours

45Chris has a great arcade building how to, he writes – “…the cabinet construction was completed in 24 hours, but it took about three months to get around to the last few bits (like decorating the unit), so don’t complain if after one day you don’t get something that looks like the unit on the left! Please browse through the links at the top and bottom of each page. They will cover the construction diary (in blow-by-blow detail), the finishing of the unit together with a shopping list, prices and then information on the PC inside the unit. Finally you will be able to download some plans we created after building the device, together with some of the graphics that are on the unit.” Thanks Rick! Link.

Music sync’ed Xmas lights and more…

Music sync’ed Xmas lights and more…

2004 Xmas Lights Front ViewRob writes “One of my co-workers and his brother are somewhat serious about their Christmas lights. They welcomed the introduction of LED lights, because it meant that they could stop adding new electrical panels to their house. Of particular interest to MAKE readers are the technical notes on the sidebar of their site.” Link. But wait, there’s more! Snopes on another music sync’d home, and you can see it on Google video. Lastly, build your own – with MAKE!

Silverware Wind Chimes

Silverware Wind Chimes

Silverwarechimes
Here’s a cool idea to make a windchime out of silverware to get rid of pesky birds around your garden. Shauna says “A creative and fun alternative to store bought chimes is a homemade creation that will become a conversation piece. Using old silverware and some string, you can make a set of loud wind chimes that are whimsical and practical. And what better location for silverware wind chimes than in the garden, where your food originates?
Link.