Neighborhood Satellites are handheld sensing devices that monitor people’s local environment. In its current prototype form, the satellite is able to sense air quality, light, and the presence of cell phone signals. The satellite also communicates through tangible behaviour. For example, when approaching air pollutants onscreen, the satellite inside the game will suck in air to capture specimen. Link.
Neat DIY Camera Bag with hard internal fiberglass shell- I feel like such a tourist (waiting to get mugged) with a camera bag, so I bought a messenger bag and hopefully I won’t stand out anymore. I also wanted it to fit in my backpack without getting crushed when I cinch my packs compression straps, so I made a hard shell insert. It’s faily common for backpacks to be cut and contents emptied without the person wearing the bag knowing. Link.
New book to get kids excited about space exploration– “Buzz Aldrin: Reaching for the Moon” (HarperCollins). The goal of the book, intended for 6- to 9-year-old readers that Aldrin calls “the third generation of space explorers,” is to re-ignite interest and excitement in the space program. Aldrin, 75, says he’s always considered it his mission to serve his country and the best way he can do that now is “by offering a vision into the future”. [via] Link.
Make reader Ron sent this in- looks interesting, anyone try it? Might be good for some prototyping. ShapeLock is a super strong plastic similar to Nylon or Polypropylene in toughness. However, unlike the two former plastics it does not need high temperatures or high pressures to form into useful shapes. ShapeLock is easily hand-formed into shape at just 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Link.
Nice keyboard hack- For programmers like me with wrist pain, I have made a simple keyboard modification that lets you press the Ctrl, Alt, and Shift keys with your thumbs. Just like those expensive $240 Kinesis keyboards, but made using a $30 K’nex building toy. (K’nex is like Lego but uses rods instead of bricks). Link.
Longtailer Chris Anderson posts up about using some tools to create a rocket launcher from your favorite video game. 1. Capture a scene from your favorite videogame (HijackGL). 2. Import it into a CAD program and isolate an object you’d like to have. 3. Send it to a fabricator, either a 3D printer or a computer-controlled milling machine, and watch it emerge as a physical object. We’re still a few years away from doing this easily- but home fabricating isn’t that far away at all…Link.
Build your own BBQ this weekend! Do you love tasty fresh char-grilled food but hate having to find somewhere to store the barbecue once summer’s over? Then why not build your own permanent brick version outside? You hardly need any DIY knowledge or skills so the project is quite an easy one, but bear in mind that lifting bricks can be strenuous Link. Here are a few resources to check out- Texas Griller, Backyard BBQ, About.com listings…
