Rich’s Liquid PC Project
Rich sent us a step-by-step on how he made a mineral-oil immersed PC. I like what he did in this project, adding bubbles really makes it seem more freaky that the PC is immersed in a liquid and still works. Link.
Blog
How many punch cards would it take to fit a 3-minute MP3?
“Assuming a non-Hollerith encoding with eight bits per column, and an MP3 file encoded at 128kbps CBR, there would be 36,864 cards in that deck, and the card reader would need a throughput of 205 cards per second. It might be wise to include an 8-column sequence number, however, so that a misordered deck can be repaired by a card sorter; with 72 data columns per card, the total is precisely 40,960 cards (40K cards), requiring a 228 card/second throughput.” [via] Link.
Phone mods on Pimp That Phone
Four contestants. Four phones. One Big Prize. We took four heavyweights from the digital art and design worlds, gave them a bottom-of-the-line touchtone phone, and challenged them to transform it into the “uberphone”. Watch their progress as they go head-to-head in the ultimate nerd deathmatch, and then cast your vote on the most tricked-out phone. I’m surprised Vonage sponsored something like this, nice. I hope they post the HOW TOs later. Link.
MacMod – and win some MAKE Magazine!
MacMod is pleased to announce and bring to you “The Great MacMod Challenge 2005 with dealmac.com”. Last years’ first annual challenge was a huge success. Everyone who competed last year was anxious to compete again and now is your chance as well. “The Great MacMod Challenge” is your opportunity to win some great prizes offered by our sponsors and have fun doing it, all while you reap the benefits of having a modded mac. All you have to do is mod an item that fits into one or more of the following categories… I can’t enter now, but I will help folks! Link.
Congress Crafts National Tech Recycling Plan
Recycling paper, plastic, and glass has become routine, but what are you supposed to do with the old laptop or analog television that’s taking up precious storage space in your attic or basement? Looks like the gov is looking for solutions in a proposed “Nation tech recycling” bill but haven’t worked out the details yet… Link.
Kenya pilots handheld education – Open Source + Pocket PC
In the final report of Click Online’s Africa season, we visit Kenya where a trial project using handheld computers could help reduce the costs of education in poor communities. In the Eduvision pilot project, textbooks are out, customised Pocket PCs, referred to as e-slates, are very much in. They are wi-fi enabled and run on licence-free open source software to keep costs down. Link.
Magnetic Jewelry
…magnetic bracelet/choker from designer Terrence Kelleman. It’s entirely held together by magnetic force! This means that the 67 individual magnets are free to arrange and customize into a variety of design combinations and patterns. Not to mention that you can create both chokers and bracelets of varying lengths for a custom fit. I bet I could make my own as a cool present, but it’s kinda dangerous since everyone I know is laced with data. Link.