The latest DIY ideas, techniques and tools for digital gadgetry, open code, smart hacks, and more. Processing power to the people!
Run a Mac, on a stick. “Running Linux, Windows or applications like Firefox, Thunderbird and AbiWord from a USB flash memory device is old hat. How about a Mac 128K or Plus on a USB key? Using a ‘portable’ Mac system you can: play with old system software and applications without dusting off your old Mac, impress your friends, or show others what the older Mac system looked like, use Mac on Windows and Linux.” Thanks Jim! Link.
If laser cutting your Powerbook isn’t your thing, here’s a HOW-TO on replacing the glowing white Apple logo with the old school rainbow colored Apple. The tricky part is taking off the back case, but they have some pretty good tips on getting it off without damage. The logo was replaced by multicolored “Roscolux” gels. [via] Link.
Wow, Intel smacks what they call “gadgets” a bit – they think the $100 laptop effort is more of a gadget than a “grown up PC…not dependent on servers in the sky to deliver content and capability to them, not dependent for hand cranks for power.” It will be a fascinating to see what happens in the next couple years. I think it’s not just one solution, but many…The $100 laptop seems to be using, or will use an AMD processor, not Intel, I wonder if that’s why they’re down on it? Link. See our less than $100 version made from an Apple eMate here.
This is a great idea, one place on the web that may eventually contain every camera with all the important things you need to know about just about every camera – “Camerapedia.org is a free-content encyclopedia of camera information. The intention of the camerapedia Wiki is to be a repository for information and links to information about all still camera brands and models. You know your camera equipment better than anyone. Please share that knowledge with everyone and contribute.” Link.
Ask MetaFilter has an excellent question (How to make things?) with some great replies – “I’m looking for books that tell general building techniques, for example, how to weld, basic wood working principles, how to fabricate things, etc. Also, websites or blogs that cover that sort of thing would be nice. Also, I’d prefer books that suggest ways to build things without a lot of tools (For example, I own a circular saw and a Jigsaw but no table saw). In short: I’m looking for things that will teach me basic building techniques from wood to metal and electronics.” Link.
I’ve always thought instant messaging was fast lightweight way to get information – often better than opening up a browser on your computer, or trying to use a phone to browse the web. So, we’re now in “beta” of a new way to get the latest from MAKE, it’s a little MAKE buddy you’ll be able to add to you buddy list on AIM/iChat. Right now you can get the latest posts, news, gadgets and events from MAKE, and have the little MAKE buddy message you when there are new posts if you choose. We’ll also add queries, for example you could type “How do I weld” and the buddy would send you a link. Here’s a screen shot of him now, once he’s ready for more testers I’ll let you know! Image – MAKE Buddy.
I think most of the online worlds will eventually swing this way – Multiverse is in beta “Make a complete Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) or virtual world for less money and in less time than you could have dreamed possible. Participate in the game industry’s most exciting frontier. Build the features that make your game unique, leveraging the expertise of the networking and infrastructure experts who helped build the web. Deliver your vision to a built-in market of players–without having to ask a publisher’s permission or give up your intellectual property.” [via] Link.
