No User Serviceable Parts Inside? – a Maker’s bill of rights…Mr. Jalopy has a list of “rights” I think we’d all like to see as Makers when we buy our gadgets, parts and equipment. Screws not glues, replaceable batteries, stuff like that. The days of the Color TV tube tester at the drugstore are gone, but why give up control of what we buy? Link. Post up suggestions in the comments here and/or drop Mr. Jalopy an email.
Powerpage has a review and selected Griffin AirClick USB as Powerpick. I’ve been meaning to write about this- if you present on a Mac or PC the AirClick is the best remote I’ve ever used. As as added bonus it works as an iPod remote from 60 feet away (it’s RF not IR). So for presenting, remote control kiosks/projects and music it’s permanently in my gadget bag. Link.
Andy from ODEO sent this along from eirikso “I am using my Nokia 6630 to listen to the podcasts I subscribe to through Odeo. I have put together a guide on how to do this on my web site: 1. How to sync to your mobile, 2. Find the perfect software MP3-player for your phone and 3. Modify your headset“.
This page has a ton of HOW TOs on upgrading that old Palm that’s likely in some box packed away. Palm IIs, m100s, Palm Vs – while it might not be that useful as a PDA, it could be a great way to learn how to solder better, uplocking and how the guts of a Palm work. Link.
Available to order in 3 colors for a cool 200 bucks, the Muff Pack is a unisex shoulder bag that doubles as a handmuff. Kinda handy when you think about it. If you’re the type of person who constantly loses gloves around the city or find gloves to be cumbersome in general, this might be a fun alternative. The only drawback (well, other than the price) is that you may get suspicious stares on the train with your hand stuck in your bag. Link.
Steve writes “MSDN published an article by Tony Northrup on Using X10 hardware. It has a video tutorial. I hope they ave more of these in the future”. The video shows me tackling two very common problems in my 1950’s era home. First, in my bedroom , I use two lamps to light the room. It’s annoying to have to walk across the room in the dark to turn them on, and then to reach across the bed to turn them off at night. I fixed this in about ten minutes with about $100 in X10 hardware. Link.
…magnetic bracelet/choker from designer Terrence Kelleman. It’s entirely held together by magnetic force! This means that the 67 individual magnets are free to arrange and customize into a variety of design combinations and patterns. Not to mention that you can create both chokers and bracelets of varying lengths for a custom fit. I bet I could make my own as a cool present, but it’s kinda dangerous since everyone I know is laced with data. Link.
