News From the Future
For everything that is gained, something is lost.
Science
DIY science is the perfect way to use your creative skills and learn something new. With the right supplies, some determination, and a curious mind, you can create amazing experiments that open up a whole world of possibilities. At home-made laboratories or tech workshops, makers from all backgrounds can explore new ideas by finding ways to study their environment in novel ways – allowing them to make breathtaking discoveries!
Made On Earth — Power Pack
Finally, you can recharge your iPod with Clif bars.
Skateboards for schools!
Javier writes “Cool idea for enabling kids to actually make something usable in shop class: from the website: “The fact is, kids have always wanted to make skateboard decks in their woodshop classes but teachers and students never knew how to put the concave shapes and turned up nose and tail in the wood. Decks cut out of plywood and pine stock just don’t work! And where do you drill for correct wheel placement in order to get proper flex and balance? Well, Skateboardsforschools.com has taken care of all of that for you!” [via]. Link.
New Brother Innovis Sewing Machine in Japan
Forget mobile phones, even the coolest crafty gadgets seemed to get launched in Japan first. Starting in Feb, Brother will launch a new line of three embroidery/sewing machines that have preprogrammed designs from Peanuts, Disney and Hello Kitty (of course)! This one doesn’t seem to have a USB attachment option to a computer, but there is a card reader so you can also do your own designs and load them up on the machine. You can also download more designs from their special site on the Net. Brother also will be selling software so you can convert your digital photos into embroidery. Not sure if its an update to their existing software mentioned here in a software review. Link and translated press release.
HOW TO – Make a Stereo Miniature Microphone and Battery Module…
Here are two great how-tos from the Sony mini disc forums “How to build a high quality stereo / binaural miniature microphone Required parts: – 2 omnidirectional miniature electret microphone capsules (get the best ones you can find / afford – your selection will have a major influence on the sound quality) – 3.5 mm stereo connector with cable, preferrably shielded – a few inches of heat shrinkable tubing, slightly larger diameter than the capsules” Link.
Homebrew games and Emulation on PSP 2.50
Time to dust off the PSP, play all the applications you make or download from homebrew sites…“PSP Updates forum moderator and hacker guru Fanjita has completed his first release of a new loader for 2.01+ PSP’s called eLoader. While 2.60 is not currently supported, this is a major accomplishment in unleashing homebrew on all systems. This amazing feat shows how frightfully resourceful developers can be when put against certain system restraints. This leap has indisputably opened the door to homebrew for PSP gamers who play on newer firmware.” Link.
Fixing your car on a budget…
Ben writes “A few weeks ago I replaced my failed lighter outlet in the ashtray/cupholder region of my 1994 Lexus ES300 with a new DIY plywood one. The new cover has a mount for my Sirius satellite radio and a new lighter outlet. I tried to keep the production quality as high as possible while keeping costs down.” Link.
