DEFCON for your iPod
MAKE Magazine will be covering the annual hacker conference DEFCON in Las Vegas July 29th to the 31st. If you plan to attend we’ve put together an iPod notes version of the schedule for all three days of DEFCON as well the complete speaker list. Download this zip for the schedule and this zip for the speakers. Unzip the files and place the folder(s) in the notes folder on your iPod. If you want to get “live” audio and video coverage from DEFCON click this link and click SUBSCRIBE. This will automatically download the content via iTunes all next week.
Great HOW TOs here. While software can reside on a microcontroller, it is my style to execute it on a laptop, allowing the hardware to be simple and flexible. In addition, a laptop has sufficient computing power and a full bodied user interface, so that adequate attention may be given to precise tracking (sub arcsecond over many minutes), precise goto (35 arcsecond rms from horizon to horizon), and all encompasing error correcting routines. My software also tends towards straightforward text interfaces, as complex graphical environments are hard to operate in the dark and injurious to night vision. Finally, the ease of developing software and getting bug fixes and enhancements out to users the next evening should not be underestimated for laptop and PC platforms. 
Change the color of the Apple on a PowerBook. You will need a hex wrench (I didn’t really pay attention to the size), and a credit card type device. You need to use your hex wrench to unscrew the 2 screws on the bottom of of the display. The angle is really bad so you may need to us a smaller size hex than the screws use so you can get at them from an angle. The screws are not in very tight but be careful, you don’t want to strip them or scratch them up too much. 
The Computer-On-a-Stick (COS) is a USB Flash Drive featuring its own Onboard Operating System together with a full suite of Microsoft Office-compatible applications. It’s Linux based and includes… the powerful Mozilla Firefox Web Browser, Evolution email, and Yahoo & MSN compatible Instant Messenger for superior Internet connectivity 
Modcast is a podcast (if you don’t know what a podcast is, see the FAQ) dedicated to bringing you the latest news from the tech modding community. It’s basically a radio show, but not live, geeky, and dedicated to technological discussions. The main focus is cool mods and hacks for your PC or home electronics, but sometimes we will discuss other topics.