From traditional crafts to modern crafts, we’re covering news and interesting projects to educate you and keep you inspired. Design trends and pop culture related projects are here to inspire.
Floating motion detecting web cameras…might need to do a MAKE version – “The system is being designed to detect and monitor the behaviour of beachgoers, and would alert lifesavers to people swimming outside a flagged area. The research is based on images from the web cameras of national surf monitoring group Coastalwatch, at Surfers Paradise […]
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!
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! Link.
A “Made on Earth” spotted on Google maps…“Welcome to Stonefridge. Yes, this really is a replica of Stonehenge – made entirely from refrigerators. Built using only human-power, the monument is now 2.5 fridges high.” [via] Link.
Merleon makes wonderful music with Electroplankton with the Nintendo DS – “In 2002 I moved to Japan and I began experimenting with music again but this time with the aide of a good computer and music editing software. I still felt uninspired and as a result produced very little in the way of music. Earlier this year, when I found out about Electroplankton, I was suddenly motivated to create a new type of music that I had never before attempted. When I finally had the chance to experience Electroplankton I instantly knew what my next project would be.” Link.
This week’s Cool Stuff Being Made video – heat treating! “You will see on this 18-minute video the many things that we use every day that are heat treated. As they say, heat treating puts the spring in springs. It also strengthens the metal used in axes, knives, saws, aircraft landing gears, jet engines, space ship launchers, computers, agricultural implements and oil drilling and refining equipment, to name just some. There’s also a scene toward the end that shows how many everyday things are heat treated. You see form one of the scenes the difference between a drill bit that is heat treated and one that is not. The former works while the latter fails.” Link.
Mitch writes “The following is the basic pattern for building cantilevered structures with Pennies. Although it looks trivial, we can build amazing structures with these pillars. All penny columns are ten high, a “stack”. Two side-by-side pennies held in place by a penny above them is called a “triad”. Below is a stack with two triads resting on top.” Thanks Tim! Link.
