The latest DIY ideas, techniques and tools for digital gadgetry, open code, smart hacks, and more. Processing power to the people!
Unsat_rbd writes “A few years ago I was unable to find a desk that fit all of my needs, so I built one using simple components from a local hardware store. The finished product was inexpensive, durable, and portable (I just moved for the 3rd time in as many years). The design was meant for 3 21″ CRT monitors, A/V equipment, rackmount computers, and a mini-fridge.” Link.
On Slashdot I saw that ThinkComputers.org has an overview of some of the new gadgets at CES (yearly consumer electronics show in Las Vegas) and their round up includes a laptop with an display on the outside of the case…. “ASUS had a really cool concept that is not in production yet, but may be in a year or so. It is a laptop outfitted with an Auxiliary display, or external display. This display is used for quick date book and note checking to save the end user the time. ASUS is working directly with Microsoft on this technology and Vista will be outfitted it support this type of technology.” images here and here. Awhile back we made our own DIY version since it seems it’s going to take a bit longer until you can actually buy these, the how to is here.
Chris writes “After reading this article about how to make a DIY Retro Cellphone Handset, I just had to post an article about how I made my Bluetooth Handset…surprisingly there is no how-to to do this (AFAIK). Although it’s very simple. Here is what you need: An old telephone or just the handset. I used an old telephone form former East Germany (GDR/DDR) called “Apart 2001″, produced in the VEB Fernmeldewerk Nordhausen/RFT in the year 1990.” Link.
We’re testing out an experiment on the MAKEbot (the instant message interface to MAKE Magazine) you can now search MSN and/or Yahoo over instant message with MAKEbot. So, try it out- add the MAKEbot to your buddy list (click here) and type ysearch and what you’re looking for (example: ysearch how to weld) or do the same for msearch (msearch msearch ipod hacking). And as always you can type search and what you’re looking for on MAKE and the magazine at all times using Google (search search cigar box guitar). Handy for phones that have AIM. Also try – photos, bookmarks, instructables, podcast and latest or help. Here are some screenshots of some bot action. Link.
Pastelero has a great use for an old scanner lamp, use it inside a PC! “I had a broken scanner around here, so I decided to do something with it. I decided to install the lamp inside my computer. And it worked!!! So I’ll try to explain what I did to make it work. I believe it’s different for different scanners, but you can try to figure out for yours!” Thanks Star! Link.
Wow, now you can upload a PNG image and have a part cut and sent to you, made from metal or plastic, no need to use CAD software. Simon writes – “I’ve just added support for PNG images. I’m really proud of this new feature, as it will allow even people who don’t know how to use CAD software to start creating with Big Blue Saw. There are still a couple of quirks to work out over the next few weeks, and the help files will need to be updated, but this feature was much needed.” Link.
Here’s our MAKE Widget (download it here) and a how to on how to make your own! – “Widgets are great–there is no denying it. Arranging these small, lightweight utilities on your Mac OS X Dashboard desktop puts lots of useful and fun possibilities at your fingertips and eyeballs. But when a widget you want doesn’t exist, there is only one thing to do: make it.” Link.
