SolderSmoke – a continuing discussion between a couple of ham radio operators about all things electronic and geeky. We have been meeting on Echolink for some time now to discuss what was on our Workbenches and to kick design ideas around for new electronic projects. This Week: SuitSat. Jupiter’s moons. Back yard telescopes. Trip to […]
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Outstanding! SciAm is doing a podcast! “In this episode, Scientific American editor-in-chief John Rennie reflects on the Korean stem cell debacle; the National Inventors Hall of Fame announces this year’s inductees; and evolution defender Eugenie Scott discusses the importance of the decision in the recent Dover evolution trial. Also: hear outtakes from the CSI show you’re never going to see on TV.” [via] Link.
RFID Toys looks excellent! And it’s written by MAKE pal Amal Graafstra – “The book contains step by step guides to building various RFID based projects, and stresses the concepts involved as well as the steps themselves. RFID technologies covered include passive, low frequency 125KHz tags and readers, passive high frequency 13.56MHz, up to active, UHF 900Mhz tags and readers.” Thanks Matt! Link.
Wow, what a week for new books, here’s another I’m looking forward to (also from the folks who publish MAKE) “Only a Game takes readers on a fascinating exploration of Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) based on the experience of gamers and authors Mark Wallace and Peter Ludlow. When Ludlow’s online persona — an investigative journalist named Urizenus Sklar — began reporting in his virtual newspaper on underage cyber-prostitutes, real-life crimes, strong-arm tactics and scams that had become rife in the popular MMOG “The Sims Online”, the game’s creators (Electronic Arts and Maxis Software) found an excuse to ban Ludlow from the game.” Link.
From the same peeps that publish MAKE. I’m really looking forward to this book – “What does it mean to grow up with videogames? Even though videogames and computer games play a large role in the daily lives of millions of people, little has been written about the impact this activity has had in shaping the lives of those who play them. In Transmissions from Imaginary Places, 20 people close to the gaming world offer entertaining and thought-provoking essays and anecdotes on games and gamers, and how this often-obsessive activity has changed the world.” [via] Link.
Paul writes “You must have a million comments about the Exploratorium, but this place is the ULTIMATE Makers utopia. These are profesional makers who create exhibits from old, new, rare, common, bizarre, etc. objects and products. There is an entire set of exhibits made from Mac SE computers, old PCs, spectrum analyzers, etc…It’s Science at its “Makiest”.” Link. You can also check out the online exhibits here.
Chris writes in about this very Maker-friendly exhibit “Nostalgia and Technology: Embracing the New through Art and Design explores the way in which traditional forms and artful designs have been used to introduce revolutionary new technologies into the domestic space of the people of their day. The exhibition begins with a re-creation of a 17th-century cabinet of curiosities and subsequently highlights key moments in the development of new technologies, such as electricity, sewing machines, typewriters, point-and-shoot photography, radios, televisions, automobiles, space exploration, atomic energy and wearable technology. The exhibition ends with a 21st-century mirror image of the cabinet of curiosities, where 17th-century objects have been replaced by their modern counterparts.” Link.
