Mash-up artists and remixers have lacked a single, killer app, but they may have just gotten it. Ableton Live 5 now (finally) supports MP3s, instantly searching your entire hard drive for audio files. Drag and drop audio in, and the software instantly tempo-matches and slices up beats for manipulation. Once this hits public beta shortly, we may see the mash-up scene explode. Link.
A neat How-to on building your own office irrigation system. There are retail systems for over $60, but this DIY version can come in around $30 or so. Pump, tubing, connectors, dripper, timer, a few other things- and you’ll have the greenest cube. Link.
A few months ago we posted up about the $11 Mattel JuiceBox project, some photos in the MAKE Flickr Photo Pool and some resources for hacking up these little guys for other projects. Slashdot has a story on it today with a lot more comments and resources that might come in handy too. Link.
Interesting article on Forbes- Standard & Poor’s Equity Research reiterated a “sell” rating on Audible. They cite podcasting as a growing threat. It does seem that a lot of people are listening to more things they might have discovered (and bought) on Audible, I think the market for Audible content is actually increasing if they can become the hub for all great things in spoken word (free and fee). Link.
Our TVs are safe for now! Maybe (Previous info and interview here). The Motion Picture Association of America is unlikely to push for a broadcast flag component in DTV legislation establishing a 2008 hard date because the bill’s main author, House Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX), is against the provision. Meanwhile, the MPAA will keep briefing House and Senate members on a broadcast flag bill’s importance and seek other ways to get the content protections it wants. [via] Link.
Neat videos. Self-described as a cross between a mechanical engineer and a choreographer, Ganson creates contraptions composed of a range of materials from delicate wire to welded steel and concrete. Most are viewer-activated or driven by electric motors. All are driven by a wry sense of humor or a probing philosophical concept. Link.
Here’s a periodic table of Perl operators. You can download the PDF for free or order one through Cafe press at cost. The sources are primarily Michael Lazzaro’s “Perl Operator List, TAKE 6”, Larry Wall’s Apocalypse 3: Operators and Luke Palmer’s Synopsis 3: Summary of Perl 6 Operators. [