PicoCricket -arty electronics for kids…
I saw these last week at the Exploratorium, and they’re amazing – “A Cricket is a tiny computer that can make things spin, light up, and play music. You can plug lights, motors, sensors, and other devices into a Cricket, then program them to react, interact, and communicate. For example, you can make a cat and program it to purr when someone pets it. Or you can make a birthday cake and program it to play a song when someone blows out the candles. The PicoCricket Kit is similar to the LEGO MINDSTORMS robotics kits. MINDSTORMS is designed especially for making robots, while the PicoCricket Kit is designed for making artistic creations with lights, sound, music, and motion.” [via] Link.
Eltoozero of www.destruc.tv writes “I built this case mod to be a nearly completely authentic looking Mac Classic, but with a Mac Mini inside, playing DVD’s through the floppy and running OSX, except it’s black.” Eltoozero said he’d write up more about his project if there is interest, so post up in the comments! 
Cmr8286 writes “This was done for a class I took last semester. The project was to reverse engineer a product and examine with what and by what means it was made. Instead of pasting the parts up on a board and lableing them, I thought this was a better way to present this particular product. It also has a nice sculptural appeal, I feel.” [
Don on the Wired blogs has a bit about free DIY bot creation “Microsoft and Conversagent are giving away free licenses for their BuddyScript SDK for MSN Messenger. Now developers can build their own IM bots for MSN Messenger at no charge. The free license period lasts “at least six months,” but the company will extend the licenses beyond the initial six month term for developers who create a groundbreaking bot.” [
BBC’s article on turning that old record collection to MP3s “With all the talk of MP3 and digital formats, it is easy to forget that music started off as analogue, on records. Chris Long shows how you can drag those magic vinyl masterpieces into the digital age.” [
Ryan writes in with an awesome Xbox hack! “An Xbox headtracker system – Built for around $6.00. I interfaced directly to a xbox controller pcb with photo resistors. Using some cardboard and tape and a led head mounted flashlight and some wire i made a useable headtracking system that is based on using the right thumbstick as an interface as it is usually for camera control in third person games, or direction in first person shooters.” 
Scott writes “Here’s an inside look at the legendary Survival Research Labs shop where they create the robots and machines for their amazing shows. It’s been at it’s current San Francisco location since 1982, but will soon have to move.” 