Best non-iPod MP3 players?
Shane writes “I am looking for a high capacity MP3 player and the commercial reviewers all recommend either the Apple iPod or the Toshiba Gigabeat. Both have DRM and usability issues I don’t want. I want an MP3 player that allows me the freedom to use my music as I want without having to convert formats or limit me to only playing my music on one device. I curently have a NetMD player which works wonderfully but it is getting more and more difficult to efficiently copy podcasts and non standard albums (like santastic) to mini disc without burning real or virtual CDs.” My picks are: The PEZ MP3 player, the Linux based Archos PMA 400 (I also use the iPod 5G, just don’t do DRM, it’s possible). Post your suggestions in the comments!
Refik writes – “Have you ever wanted to create professional looking devices, video players, show maps and GPS data on it? Your imagination is the only limit now. A DIY project on how to use a color graphic LCD display and how to design your own gadgets….” 
If you are one of those people who never has the right cable when they need it then this project is for you. Turn one cat5 network cable into the Megatron of cabling by wiring custom adaptors and bridges. This straight through cable can transform into a crossover, serial, serial null-modem, cisco console, vga or vga extension cable by using four adapters, two links and one couple. 
MAKEZine.com is nominated for a 2006 Web Award – The SXSW Web Awards uncover the the best new websites and celebrate those who are building and implementing tomorrow’s online trends. MAKEZine.com is in – Educational Resource: From elementary school learning to advanced technology related tips, these are sites that help you learn. Churchill and the Great Republic, MAKEZine, Perduts pel Garraf, The Genographic Project, The Weather Channel: Weather in the Classroom. 
Here’s an illustrated guide to build your own gravity measuring device, pretty cool videos. “…a “basement science” experiment which reveals the universality of gravitation by demonstrating the gravitational attraction between palpable objects on the human scale. The experiment deliberately uses only the crudest and most commonplace materials, permitting anybody who’s so inclined to perform it. Einstein’s 1915 theory of General Relativity explains gravitation as spacetime curvature created by matter and energy. So, by demonstrating how every object in the universe attracts everything else, we’re bending spacetime in the basement.” Thanks bf5man! 
Tom writes “The first of 2 planned Robotic Feral Public Authors has been completed and is ready for its first field trial in London Fields next week: The robot has two sensors (air quality and carbon dioxide) and GPS location sensing. The sensors were selected to reflect the concerns voiced in our community pollution mapping workshop back in November, which identified air pollution as the key environmental issue of local residents. The robot communicates its Lat/Long position and sensor readings back to the Urban Tapestries public authoring system via a WiFi connection.” [
Another great how-it’s-made-site – “How Stuff Is Made is a visual encyclopedia that documents the manufacturing processes, labor conditions and environmental impacts involved in the production of contemporary products. It is a free, independent, academic resource published by engineering and design students, who research and produce summative photoessays describing these conditions of creation.” Thanks Star!