Make: Online: September 2005 Archives

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Archives: September 2005

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September 27, 2005

Working PSP Firmware 2.0 to 1.50 downgrader...

Excellent! Welcome to 1.50, PSP firmware 2.0 users! MPH has created a WORKING downgrader from PSP firmware 2.0 to firmware 1.50. This takes advantage of the toc2rta exploit and allows for the full downgrade of firmware 2.0 to firmware 1.50. I have tried this myself and have successfully downgraded from firmware 2.0 to firmware 1.50. Although this has been tried and found working, this does not mean there is no risk involved so use at your own risk. Link.

Making Make in a virtual world...

Here's a quick video of something we're tinkering with - a virtual MAKE in Second Life (a very maker friendly virtual world). Special thanks to widgeteer Max case for helping me out with this. Check it out, it's just a test, once I buy some land, I'll have copies for residents. QuickTime (MOV) 22mb.

Zen Micro Car Mount from an Altoids case...

Make your own Zen Micro car mount - a durable and stylish, yet cheap, car mount for the Zen with easy to find items. The Parts: Two full-size Altoids tins, One big-size plastic paper clamp thing, One can of spray paint, some velcro strips. Link.

Solar powered handbag

A solar-powered handbag designed by a student from Brunel University promises to make finding keys and other items at the bottom of a bag easier. The handbag, dubbed Sun Trap, uses a solar cell attached to the outside of the bag to trap energy from sunlight. The energy is stored in an internal battery which lights up the lining. [via] Link.

Making a Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Composite Bike

Here's a pretty detailed article on building a carbon fiber/epoxy composite bike - It took about three months, cost about $1000, and the maker did the whole thing in his garage! He even tested the deflection and strength of the beam before (and during) riding it. [via] Link.

Doing things with Flickr....

Here's a great collection of tools, projects and Flickr toys via the Flickr blog - the latest one really looks fun. Mediamatic held another in their series of Flickr event in Amsterdam on September 19th. Called Playing Flickr v2.0, the event was held in the city's Post CS building and involved attendees SMSing tags to a server which then displayed photos matching those tags on a series of giant screens. Flickr user slabbers grabbed the shot at right of one of his own photos appearing on screen. Link.

Solar powered net controlled RC Xbox...

Nice Xbox projects - a solar powered Xbox running FreeBSD, controlled via a cell phone using GPRS and it's a radio controller car too with web cam. Once the Xbox 360 comes out the old Xboxes will be dirt cheap to build projects like this. [via] Link.

September 26, 2005

Traffic data, on your wrist watch...(A DIY Traffic Gauge?)

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Microsoft released a public beta of the upcoming traffic channel for their wireless SPOT watches. I'm a fan of the technology and use my watch to get RSS feeds (see previous HOW TOs / posts)... Here's an overview, photos and a lot more about the new traffic data for your wrist....

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HOW TO - CVS Night Vision Cam

Master Modder Adds Infrared to His Favorite Disposable Camera - The basic idea is that infrared light is not visible to the human eye, but every camera has a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and by default they show infrared light. So camera makers install an infrared filter to block the light. Then if we add several infrared LEDs to the camera, they will act as a flashlight for the camera. So let's jump right into it. [via] Link.

TOOLBOX: FLY pentop computer from LeapFrog

Leap MAKE pal Chris Ford writes "The FLY pentop computer from LeapFrog is a new toy that Leapfrog is putting out. It is supposed to be released Oct 12. It recognizes handwriting and repeats what is written. I had the pleasure of trying one out last night and was absolutely blown away. It's writing recognition is exceptional (I have horrible penmanship and it didn't even skip a beat). It works as a scheduler and keeps your appointments. It does math (basic arithmetic)...

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HOW TO make a polarized lens

So you want a polirized lens for your camera, but aren't willing to shell out the big bucks for a step-down attachment and the lens itself. Here's a HOW TO on making a polarized lens for your camera using a pair of sun glasses. Link.

CVS camera on a RC plane...

Douglas writes "I finally got one of the first videos up. This was the first attempt at flying the plane with the (hacked CVS disposable video) camera attached. I need to work on the balance of the plane a little more, it tends to be back heavy. This is just a short video I took in a big field, I flew some circles and you can see me and the jeep but most everything else is just a big boring field. Once I get the balance down I will fly over something more interesting"... Link.

Mouse Hacking

Scott writes "Just a quick, simple hack I did to totally change the feel of my Logitech scroll mouse. (basically, removal of the scroll wheel detent spring.) This will probably also work on many other mice with scroll wheels". Link.

Cracking the DS Wifi

With all the stuff going around with the PSP 2.0 firmware being cracked and Gizmondo now running unsigned code, it’s easy to forget about the other handheld that’s currently breaking blocks and opening new features to developers of homebrew. The DS. [via - via] Link.

September 25, 2005

Homebrew PDF Reader For Sony PSP

First steps to making the PSP an ebook reader - An anonymous programmer published a PDF file reader for the Sony PSP with source code. PSPPDF is still pretty simplistic, but the base functionality of displaying text from a PDF file on the Sony PSP is working. Now the Sony PSP homebrew community is tasked to make the PDF viewer better. [via] Link.

HOW TO make a Beer Can Padlock Shim

Here's an interesting HOW TO on making a padlock shim to open up padlocks - it's based on a retail version, but made from a beer can. I have a couple old locks that I don't seem to have the combination for any longer, handy! Link.

Record your Skype calls...

This might be a good podcast recording tool - PowerGramo is a powerful recording solution for skype. You can record and replay any call in an easy and smart fashion. Best of all, all records are encrypted. You are the only one to review them after you login Skype. Also it's very simple to share them with your friends. PowerGramo provides popular small audio format instead of large wav file... Link.

Robot dog fashion

Homemade clothing, for your robot dog - An art competition at the Marunouchi shopping district, named "the Tokyo Competition 2005". Some 40 robot dogs accompanied the would-be artists during the performance. Link.

Metrocard art...

A little while ago I posted about some clever Metrocard art projects - and now here's a lot more - Noah's Metro card art collection. Purses, belt buckles and more... Link.

September 24, 2005

TOOLBOX: Review of Personal Powerstation for the 92x0

Hand cranked phone charger, radio, torch and "exercise in physics" all in one, as AAS (All About Symbian) look at the latest 'really pratical' gadget. Link.

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