Researchers at the University of Essex are using Linux and tiny embedded computer modules to build fleets of unmanned aircraft that fly in flocking formations like birds, while performing parallel, distributed computing tasks using Bluetooth-connected Linux clustering software. The Gumstick modules measure 3.1 x 0.8 x 0.3 inches (20 x 80 x 8mm), and weigh “less than a tablespoon of water,” according to Gumstix. Link.
Amazing project that guts a Mac Mini and adds batteries. This is a pretty detailed article with photos, and great step by step. The Mac Mini ran for just over One Hour and 50 Minutes (1:50) on the Li-ion Polymer batteries! Link.
I just created a Wikipedia directory of local tool-lending libraries. After some light googling, I found twelve– three in the SF Bay Area, two in upstate New York, and the rest scattered. But I would imagine there are many more, and I hope people add to the list. Link.
WiFi antenna made from Pepperidge Farm Pirouette Cookie Can. This article will describe how to make a cheap, portable, high performance (15-18 db) directional antenna out of commonly available parts that can be purchased in most grocery and hardware stores. Link.
Handy if you’re looking for that special look. These are the instructions to make the robes. We wanted to make the robes with as few pieces of fabric and as little sewing as possible. I had never made anything resembling clothing before so patterns from the store were out of the question (too complicated). Link.
I just got our 2nd issue in the mail! A lot of folks have been emailing and IMing me about how to get started in podcasting and here it is! We have a great how-to along with tips, tricks, software to use, gear suggestions and a lot more. You can get the magazine at most books stores or by subscribing and if you want to get an idea of what’s covered in the article- here’s a video I shot for a friend of the podcasting 101 section. Link (QuickTime 3mb).
The videos are really amazing– …a system for capturing multi-thousand frame-per-second (fps) video using a dense array of cheap 30fps CMOS image sensors. A benefit of using a camera array to capture high speed video is that we can scale to higher speeds by simply adding more cameras. Even at extremely high frame rates, our array architecture supports continuous streaming to disk from all of the cameras. This allows us to record unpredictable events, in which nothing occurs before the event of interest that could be used to trigger the beginning of recording. Link.
