Homebrew Home Automation Project
Marc writes “I was looking for a good IR Blaster/Remote (any suggestions?) for my own PVR computer when I came across this well documented and photographed X10 project”. The PDF is an excellent HOW TO. Link.
Blog
Make an InfoMate a DIY Ambient Orb
The InfoMate is a device that provides visual / auditory / sensory / etc. information relating to the status of various “tasks.” The tasks may range from checking email or stock quotes, to motion detectors, remote control of the coffee pot, to snail mail checkers. The InfoMate “end device” is artwork: a picture, a sculpture, or other object that integrates the electronics in such a way that it is not obviously an electronic device. The InfoMate is essentially the poor man’s Ambient Orb. Unlike the Orb, it requires a PC and internet connection to work. Link.
VintageTech – they can convert anything…
I tend to think companies like this will be really important in the next 50 years….VintageTech has the expertise to convert from just about any media format to any number of modern formats. Old or obsolete data can be read from its original media and migrated to contemporary formats. Like stringy floppy. Link.
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.
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.