EuroOSCON: Maker Faire Update
If you’re in Europe Oct 17-20 join us at the MAKE Faire At Euro OSCON! Phil Torrone: computer, portable device, and gadget hacking. Beth Goza: digital crafting in the virtual world. Nick and Dom Ludlam: open source promise.tv and digital TV hacking. Fabienne Serriere: electronics and computer hacks. Ewan Spence: podcasting projects. Ulrika Ek: crafting, linen, and silk screening. Fernando Botelho: open source computer for the blind. Bert Thomas: electronic gadget hacking. Melissa Coleman and Nadya Peek: spatial awareness with tactile feedback. Usman Haque and Adam Somlai-Fischer: low-tech sensors and actuators. Roger Ibars: self-made objects. Mark Hoekstra: master the stuff around you. Jo Walsh and Schuyler Erle: cutting-edge OS GIS and open geodata work. Link. Use this code (euos05makr) to get 25% off the conference.
If a household ladder is extended with a melodic function, it will develop into a real musical instrument. The ordinary ladder transforms into a soundladder. Stepping on a bar of the ladder creates a sound or tone which is different from rung to rung. So you can create a piece of music by stepping up and down on the ladder. Together with a partner you can even play a duet. 
The Atari brand has traded hands in the years since Pong hit the scene, but the new owners are still milking some mileage out of this game and 39 others with Atari Flashback 2. This $30 device offers a fun and affordable glimpse into the gaming’s past — one that, for better and worse, looks nothing like the present. 
Here’s another great app for your pre-2.0 PSP or your 
Excellent! Welcome to 1.50, PSP firmware 2.0 users! MPH has created a WORKING downgrader from PSP firmware 2.0 to firmware 1.50. This takes advantage of the toc2rta exploit and allows for the full downgrade of firmware 2.0 to firmware 1.50. I have tried this myself and have successfully downgraded from firmware 2.0 to firmware 1.50. Although this has been tried and found working, this does not mean there is no risk involved so use at your own risk. 
Nice Xbox projects – a solar powered Xbox running FreeBSD, controlled via a cell phone using GPRS and it’s a radio controller car too with web cam. Once the Xbox 360 comes out the old Xboxes will be dirt cheap to build projects like this. [