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Archives: March 2006

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March 31, 2006

How transistors of an integrated circuit are made (video podcast!)

John writes - This podcast is drawn from the "UVA Virtual Lab" (www.virlab.virginia.edu) which uses 3D virtual reality animations to explain electronics, microelectronics and nanotechnology. This podcast explains how the transistors of an integrated circuit are made - Link. This complements our earlier podcast on "How Semiconductors and Transistors Work." (here).

Real-life optical illusions

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Vurdlak from the Mighty Optical Illusions blog writes - "In this week edition I've concentrated more on real-life optical illusions, posted in my "outdoors" section. Now you can see some really amazing pictures of Merging Planes, Salvador Dali, Einstein's ever-glazing eye .. etc!" - Link.

PlaydoJam - Eyetoy like game in your browser!

Wow, I'm on a Flash developer list and one of the members sent out this amazing "game" that uses your web camera (iSight or whatever) to play basketball - the motion is used to smack the ball around, like the PS2 Eyetoy, it's a lot of fun! Great use of Director! - Link.

HOW TO - Logging into Windows XP using RFID

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Amal writes - "With RFID being impervious to dust and dirt, and being totally contactless, it's a perfect candidate for desktop authentication. In this feature, you're going to build a covert RFID enabled USB keyboard that keeps its enhanced functionality a secret from the general public. You'll be using open source software to enable the login process on your Windows based computer." - Link.

Related:

MAKE VIDEO PODCAST - Getting "Chipped" - Interviews - Link.
HOW TO: Create RFID Access for Your Front Door - Link.
Interview with RFID implanter - Link.
RFID Keyboard, safe - RFIDToys...Link.
World RFID reading attempt - MAKE AUDIO - Link.
Do-it-Yourself RFID projects with RFID Toys...Link.

Star Wars Catnip Toys

Cats are Star Wars fans too! Make your kitty happy by making some cool Star Wars themed catnip toys. Bonnie says,"Make your own Star Wars catnip toys that look like a mouse droid, Gonk the Power Droid and Darth Vader's glorious helmet. Meow. Complete with cute photos of a rather happy cat at the end!" Link.

MAKE VIDEO PODCAST - Car with voice recognition capabilities

New video! Bre writes - Bre and his friend Cielito hung out in Ajay's car with voice controlled functionality. His speech recognition system is set it up with 4 mics, two of which capture his voice and the other two cancel noise interference. With the windows wide open in traffic, Ajay was able to boss his media player to search and play specific music files and adjust the volume all with voice commands that left his hands free to drive.

My favorite part was when he tried to confuse his computer and the computer started asking clarifying questions! With a full-on snazzy computer in the trunk accessible through the 7-inch touchscreen, Ajay's project is just beginning. What other applications will he find for the voice controlled computer in his car?

Click here to get the video (MP4) delivered automatically with iTunes. This video will play on PC/Mac/Linux/PSPs and iPod video devices - Link.

HOW TO - Make a Polaroid pinhole camera

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Housekey writes - "To do this, all that is needed is a Polaroid Land camera, some small screwdrivers, and a small sheet of thin metal. These cameras can be found on eBay, or better yet, at yard sales. It will be made into a pinhole camera with several pinholes that can be switched into place, for use in various light conditions etc." - Link.

Zelda NES Cartridge = Hard drive

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If you have an old NES cartridge, they make excellent cases for hard drive enclosures - like this gold Zelda one [via] - Link.

Budget DIY lighting system

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Adrian writes - "A flexible lighting system is something that I have wanted to play with for a while, but like everything else in photography it seems to be a fairly expensive area to get into, at least when you consider the relative simplicity of a light-bulb. Thankfully there are a number of cheap and widely-available or easily-made items that can provide most of the same functionality at a small fraction of the price. For under US$75, this article will show you how to put together a flexible and robust lighting system that is both useful and relatively easy on the hip pocket." [via] - Link.

HOW TO - Make a blinking courier bag light

Joe writes - "This simple LED light can replace the reflector hang tags that everyone loses from their timbuk 2 courier bag. It uses a 555 timer to alternately flash each set of 9 LEDs, for 18 blinking LEDs of goodness." - Link.

iMac MAME cabinet

Calhoun writes - "After a run of mini-upright cabinets, I decided to once again try out a cocktail (or sit-down) style cabinet. Based on the flat-panel iMac, this machine too is LCD-based. For space concerns, that is fortunate. I think, like Apple, I'm done with large, heavy CRT's. " [via] - Link.

Human Catapult

I don't know anything more about this than it looks like someone made a human catapult. After launch the projectile-sapien springs a parachute and glides to safety. I bet this was in Australia - [via] - Link.

HOW TO - Make an Apple 30th birthday cake

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Robert writes - "As part of their Apple 30th anniversary comic, Nitrozac and Snaggy from the Joy of Tech have posted an Apple I birthday cake how-to. It's a hilarious and fun read... and their cake is insanely great." - Link.

BOOM 2006

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Shannon writes - "For years, when I ask my boyfriend what he wants for his birthday, he replies "to blow stuff up." This year I've actually managed to make that happen, and we're holding a birthday "blow-out" (literally) for him at this weird/cool venue in Hunters/Bay Point this year. Several self-appointed blowing-stuff-up-experts will be on hand and many, many gigantic stuffed animals will give their lives for their country. Thought it might be kind of up your alley and/or make for some nice photos." - Link.

Update: More photo - Link.

ABC's American Inventor - Recap, Episode 3

Here it is the third episode of ABC's American Inventor. Before we get started, be sure to check out our coverage of the two hour premiere, the 2nd episode and the forum where you can post about it.

Read full story

March 30, 2006

Weird DIY Instruments - Les Luthiers

Sonoradar writes - "Les Luthiers are a comic musical ensemble from Argentina. They fashion their own instruments -DIY style- from everyday objects, they call them "Informal Instruments". Some of their inventions are a little wacky, how about a violin made from a ham can, or a bass made from a barrel. This site is in spanish, but just looking at the pictures can give you some fresh ideas. BTW when they perform, they are HILARIOUS." - Link.

H4X0R1Ng the U10 interface

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Justin writes - "Making games for the U10 is fun, but I also want to be able to customize the Flash Lite UI that runs the rest of the device. I've gotten pretty far, so I thought I'd share what I learned in hopes that others are looking into this and can share what they have learned." - Link.

Previous and related:

iRiver u10 - Plays Macromedia Flash...Link.
Make your own apps on the iRiver U10? - Link.
HOW TO - Creating a Game for the iRiver U10 - Link.
iRiver u10 - Link.

Modified Power Wheels...

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Jason writes - "This guy is really making his powerwheels faster! He has added lights, horns, and they go twice as fast! 12.1 MPH in a Power Wheels Harley Davidson. That is fast. You can certainly MAKE your kids Power Wheels more useful for longer with these tips!" - Link. Coolest.Dad.Ever.

Live blogging ABC's American Inventor! 9pm PST

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OK Makers, we're going to live blog ABC's American Inventor. If you're on IRC, visit #make on irc.freednode.net and chat with us, or stop back here on the MAKE blog and see the recap after the show. We'll have lots of images and descriptions of all the "inventions".

Post in the MAKE forums during and after the show, or now - Link.

Previous:

ABC's American Inventor - Recap, Episode 2 - Link.
American Inventor - Live blog, full recap! - Link.
American Inventor discussion - MAKE forums - Link.

Weird keyboards

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Here are 10 really interesting (and weird) keyboards, their top pick is my favorite - "The keyboard is hidden inside a decorative, washable tablecloth. The electronic is woven into a fabric, which finds itself between layers of water resistant felt as sandwich material. The soft felt surface makes it a pleasure for fingers to tip - a cosy keyboard." [via] - Link.