Computers & Mobile

The latest DIY ideas, techniques and tools for digital gadgetry, open code, smart hacks, and more. Processing power to the people!

Google Talk – Debian users…

Google Talk – Debian users…

Talk Logo-1-1-2 Google talk for Debian folks…my prefered client CenterICQ [centericq.org] wouldn’t connect to Google’s servers. It turned out that the client decided to ignore the server setting if a login was specified as user@domain. I’ve made a patch, which remedies this error. After applying this patch the client will honour the choice of server eventhough user@domain is specified as a login. I’ve sent the patch to the CenterICQ author and the maintainer of the Debian GNU/Linux [debian.org] package (read the update) Link.

HOW TO conference call with Google Talk

HOW TO conference call with Google Talk

Talk Logo-1-1 Open up a copy of google talk on all computers with which you wish to conference. After one copy is opened make a new shortcut for google talk but at the end of it add /nomutex. If you installed it to the default folder then your shortcut should read “C:Program FilesGoogleGoogle Talkgoogletalk.exe” /nomutex. Open 2 instances of the software on every user’s computer. After this start a chain: User 1 should connect on one instance to user 2. User 2 will connect on his second instance to user 3. User 3 will connect using his second instance back to user 1. With this chain everyone is connected to everyone. [via] Link. Or install Skype.

Computerized Etch A Sketch

Computerized Etch A Sketch

Etch1 Older project, but I really like this one- I pulled the knobs off of an Etch A Sketch and attached it to two stepper motors which in turn are attached to the parallel port of a computer. This gives one the ability to control the plotter’s movements with a standard mouse or analog joystick (more intuitive interfaces than the knobs). Having a computer in the loop also allows one to record what movements are done, so one can edit them and play them back. This robotic device is also capable of erasing the Etch A Sketch by flipping the whole contraption upside down and tilting it back and forth. The assembly has been carefully counterbalanced so that it only takes a tiny motor to flip it. A pair of mercury switches let the computer know which way is up, so that the board can be rotated to the correct positions. Link.

The Bender PC – Case mod…

The Bender PC – Case mod…

Bender0021 Master modder Jan made a really neat PC- After finishing my last project, I just had to do something new. I thought about what to do for months and had several good ideas, but finally I fell for Bender. I’ve always been a big Futurama fan and I was 100% certain I’d be able to do this, despite how much time and money I’d spend. I would never have been able to finish this project if I hadn’t had help from my friends: Einhar Flå – for welding, Geir Gravem – who calculated the angles and proportions. So a big thanks to these guys… [via] Link.

The Super 0 Myth Project

The Super $500 Myth Project

Mythtv Building a $500 Myth box – Build the fastest, most stable, most brand-name, best looking, $500 PC I can muster. Hardware testing phase (nope, way too lazy) Super tune a stage 1 gentoo install. Compile a million small things, optimize, optimize, optimize. Edit some files, load some modules, press some buttons. Plug into TV, get some nachos… [via] Link.