DIY Projects

Here’s another great HOW TO on running a full OS (Linux) on a portable flash drive (this would work fine on music players like the iPod too). It’s pretty handy to carry around, all your docs, bookmarks, applications, ready to go on any system. Link.

Here’s an update on the iPod nano alarm clock dock…I’ve cannibalized a set of old Apple pro speakers, an extra iPod dock and an iPod speaker accessory meant for the iPod Shuffle. Right now it all works, it gets power and sounds out – next up is to make a cool looking clear enclosure and mount it on the wall, or hang it. Here are some pictures…
Link.

After years of frustration and living with sub-par answering machines, I’ve finally decided to create my own. Sure, it sounds like a daunting task, but thanks to Mark Spencer of Digium, Inc. we now have a fantastic piece of software to work with called Asterisk. Asterisk is a complete PBX system and well known in the VoIP world. While it is admittedly overkill for the task of a simple answering machine, it met my goals… [via] Link.

Very cute and clever project over on Instructables – Otis writes “Tired of buying high-priced toys for your furry friend to chew on? make your own with an empty paper towel roll and some peanut butter”. Link.

John writes “Today I was given two drive blanks for an AS/400. Normally these would go right in the trash but I spotted an opportunity to build a handy orginizer for my far too cluttered desk. IKEA watch out!” Link.

Plasma televisions look great hanging on a wall without any visible wires, but they require a lot of wiring and effort to look that good. To install a plasma television using WireTracks, you must set up both the electrical and signal cables. [via] Link.