Aaron writes “Most of us cannot afford fancy 7.1 surround sound systems or feel that we do not utilize the computer’s audio functions enough to reap the benefit of one. However, most of us have stereos. That and a few cables is all you need to enjoy a nice audio system without damaging your bank account. In this article, I will show you an easy way to use your stereo as computer speakers for a nice sound system at a very low cost.” Thanks Star! Link.
“Bushmail is worldwide Email that works via HF Radio anywhere in Africa. It allows 100-KB Excel and Word attachments and is powered by just a 12-Volt battery, with an antenna that can be suspended from a tree. It requires an HF Radio, HF Modem and an antenna, which can all be installed on an easy Do-It-Yourself basis. Bushmail can also be used in a vehicle, with a Laptop PC being powered and charged from the cigarette lighter plug. It is extremely robust and even works during cyclones and with baboons swinging from the antenna. Bushmail does not allow browsing the Internet, as it is purely just a highly economical Email system. The HF Radio does allow Voice communication as well.” [via] Link.
Jakob writes “I saw the article on Boffer weapons you ran. I’ve made an even more detailed description of both a simple and advanced sword with blow-by-blow documentation. I don’t play live role acting, or similar games. But I had to make Boffer weapons with my scouts and I figured I might as well document the process so you could benefit from it as well. The description is both in danish and english.” Link.
Heyrocker writes “This is a coffee table built from the playfield of a pinball machine. It is pretty easy to build and best of all, it lights up! It was inspired by a bar in Seattle called Shorty’s, which has tables similar to these in its booths.” Complete how-to on Instructables! Link.
Simon writes “In case of emergency, floor-level lighting will guide you to the exit” – here’s the stairwell lighting my wife and I made from a $1.99 set of electro-luminescent wire we found in a sale bin at Ikea. Originally intended for holiday lighting it gives off enough light to make our dark staircase. It’s a low power way of putting light into places traditional electricians can’t reach…” Link.
The Lessig video-watching event in world (Second Life) has been set for tonight, Monday, January 16 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM PST. It will take place at Make Land in Tenera (tenera/84/196), Join Hamlet Linden for a screening of a Lawrence Lessig lecture on free culture, then stay for the discussion afterward. A perfect way to prepare for Professor Lessig’s appearance on Wednesday! More info on the event here and here.
Here’s a pretty simple how to for making your own project screen… “Home cinema is a great way to spend piles of money quickly. The projector costs a packet to buy and then more to run (about 10p an hour) and so you really don’t want to be shelling even more money out on a projection screen. A custom made projector screen will cost you around £200 at least. I hear you cry foul. Why get a custom made projector screen – can’t you just buy one off the shelf. Well yes and no. If you are going for a small image you can buy one off the shelf.” Link. Also, check out the Tyvek version on Instructables.
