If you’re at the Portable Media Expo, pop by and say hi for the MAKE session! – “…hacks, mods, tips and how-tos that will likely void the warranty of just about anything you might consider to fetch or record podcasts. From the pages of MAKE magazine, to sharing his publishing tips and tricks, to a flurry of how-tos for mobile devices, this session will be action packed with everything you didn’t know was possible with a myriad of technologies.” Link.
A honey extractor, made from old parts and bicycle wheels “There are few people more symbolic of rural African ingenuity than the bush mechanics. People with no formal training in mechanical repair, or engineering, who build strange contraptions to solve everyday problems and maintain fleets of ancient vehicles that keep Africa slowly moving forward…Dr Garth Cambray, a self professed ‘bush mechanic’ (and biotechnologist by profession) shows how he designed and built a very low cost honey extractor from readily available scrap parts.” [via] Link.
MAKE was on G4’s “Attack of the Show” earlier this week – talked about the PEZ MP3 player, the “Fly” pentop computer and homemade high speed flash photography. Here’s a QuickTime of the segment (click here to view) or for iTunes users, click here and click SUBSCRIBE to have the videos and other MAKE goodies automatically downloaded. Let us know if this transfers over to video iPods!
In MAKE 04 we have a great article on circuit bending. You can modify a Casio keyboard (or other electronic audio stuff) and start playing some of the strangest sounds you’ve ever heard. But, there’s also Makers out there selling completed versions too, here’s an excellent circuit bent Speak and Spell for sale with audio samples on eBay. [via] Link.
This is one of those woodworking projects I’d love to squeeze in over the holidays – The “Impossible Triangle Illusion” made into a shelf. I really like the idea of turning these iconic examples of optical illusions into real objects, for this project, I have enough optical illusion books to actually put on a shelf too! Thanks Walt. Link.
Here’s a pretty good how to on turbo-charging an iBook – All parts including the iBook have been purchased for 1,598 euros VAT included. To compare, the same iBook 80GB 5400rpm without the SuperDrive costs : 1,677.99 euros VAT included and the PB 12″ Superdrive 1.2 GB with 80 GB 5400rpm : 2,168 euros VAT included. [via] Link.
Leadingzero writes “It seems that these days everyone has the handy little gadget that we have all grown to know and love- USB storage devices. However, the appearance of the USB leaves much to be desired: grey, ugly, and plasticky, they aren’t easy on the eyes, to say the least. But not anymore. Imagine a USB drive that you can display proudly on your desk or cubicle; a USB drive that is so undeniably cool, that it actually overshadows your own personal lack of said cool. Imagine the Homer Simpson USB drive…” Link.
