Month: December 2011

This year’s hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes definitely inspired me to dust off the emergency gear in my basement, such as the battery-powered lanterns, the shortwave radio, the first aid kit, the dynamo flashlight, and the like. It also made me realize, after going several days without power, my online lifeline to world is now my mobile phone (no landline). If it goes, so goes my ability to communicate. Not good. So I thought it would be a good idea to discuss here what you use to keep your mobile devices going through a blackout. Here are a few choices…

To bend 3mm aluminum plate to make custom project enclosures, British DIY audio enthusiast Rupert Hirst starts by cutting a channel along the inside of the intended bend, on a table saw, to a depth of 1mm, with a blade about 3mm thick. Then he uses a homemade bending brake to actually form the bend. The results, as you can see, are really impressive. [Hack a Day]

Come stuff our donation bra at the 1st annual HackerMoms “Leave It to Beaver” gallery event! Art and artifact gifts under $50 or over 20 years old, handmade, Oakland local, sweet designs. Plus, we’ll have beer and music. Kids naturally welcome. When: Saturday, Dec 10 from 12-5 pm. Where: 1721 63rd Street, Berkeley (across from […]