Here’s how to make your own Canon Digital Rebel XT remote. “Instead of paying $20+ for a fragile remote on a short cable that has less features, I picked up about $10 in parts from Fry’s.” The article has a link to a how-to PDF and example photos. Link.
John writes “When I first saw the Dakota disposable cameras at a locals camera store I knew I’d be buying a few so I could make a camera that only exists in my dreams, a digital stereo camera. After seeing the Use the (PureDigital) Dakota Digital Camera with your PC, I ran out and bought a few of these $11 dollar gems and set to work hacking them up. I figured I’d write up how I did it in case anyone else wants to try it themselves. It’s a pretty easy hack all things told, but still darn cool.” Link.
Obeyken writes “Electronic / kinetic bug art. I build these small, insect-like sculptures with simple motion-detecting “antennae” that respond to various stimulus such as movement, vibration, or air currents. When picked up, handled, or otherwise stimulated, the bug comes to life as its LED eyes blink rhythmically. I have one sitting on my monitor right now that blinks as I type. They’re constructed from LEDs, bits of wire, guitar strings, and coin-cell batteries (the PCB battery holder is the bug’s “body”). My original plan was to deploy them throughout San Francisco as a sort of “electronic graffiti” but thus far they haven’t survived too long in the wild…” Link. You could also make your own, the design is the how-to.
McWhizzleteeth has a follow up how-to on making two-tone text for wall posters made from the text of books – “The “Origin of the Species – wall hanging” project makes a nice use of opacity masks in Illustrator, embedding an image in a field of text by changing the opacity throughout. But pulling this off can be difficult to figure out. This guide will run you through the steps to embed an image in a field of text merely by changing the opacity of the text itself.” Link.
Ever wanted to know what’s in a Rocket Maker’s toolbox? Stefan shows you! “Estes Industries, the 44 year old model rocket company, is now publishing its newsletter, “Model Rocket News,” as a webzine. The current issue includes a piece I wrote called “The Rocketeer’s Toolbox.” It features numerous photos of well-used items from my own toolbox.” Link.
A couple free ways to make flip books – PC: “Flipbook Printer is a program that lets you make your own printed “Flipbooks” from avi movie files using business cards. Makes a great present – have the kids send a flipbook of them waving hello to the grandparents, or send your loved one a movie of you smiling or blowing them a kiss. It’s the ultimate in low-tech movie making!” Link. For Macs try “Movie Flipper“.
“Early users of Microsoft’s Xbox 360 are coming up with innovative ways to fix some of the first reported glitches plaguing the new videogame console. One of the fixes involves dangling the unit’s power supply in midair with string…Other 360 owners joined in, saying that once they cooled down overheated power units — by using fans or in one case, a half-filled bottle of frozen water — their consoles stopped crashing.” [via] Link.
