Quickie: Round Up--DIY special

Free Neighborhood Wi-Fi

The Fourth Street hotspot is part of a communal wireless project called Neighbornode, started by then New York University grad student John Geraci as a way to add a community-building aspect to the common practice of using a neighbor’s Wi-Fi network to get online. Anyone with a broadband connection can start a Neighbornode. When someone uses the node to access the Web, he is first directed to a home page with a message board, classified section and photo page to help locals recognize one another. Here's how to do it in your hood' Link.

How to Make a "Live" Transparent Desktop

ZaphodB42 writes "We've all seen that spiffy "transparent" desktop hack on the net. But thats ancient history. Here is a quicktime movie of a "live" transparent desktop. Ok, you've probably figured out that its not a "real" transparent desktop. For one thing, I did not have all the camera angles perfect, so things do not line up exactly. The video cameras I have do not have a wide enough zoom lens. But with a little more time, I'll get things aligned and post a new video. Still a neat trick". Link.

Google Desktop 2 Beta - Sidebar!

Wow, I liked the sidebar in the demos I saw of the next version of Windows, you could "roll your own info bar" - but you don't need to wait for Windows now - Google today introduced Google Desktop Version 2 with a Google Sidebar, a panel on your desktop which provides convenient, one-glance access to all sorts of personalized information that is similar to the sidebar that you are going to see in the upcoming Windows Vista (previously Longhorn)... [via] Link.

Play a game only for people - computers can't do it...

Arimaa is the first game designed specifically to be hard for computers to play, while easy for people. With its billions of combinations and push-me-pull-you gameplay conditional value strategy, it's too much for brute force computing. And yet, it's simple enough for a child to play [via] Link.

Instant Labeling Tape

Very clever...simple, customisable, do-it-yourself signage system. By "blacking out" elements of a 14-segment display font on the tape, all you need is a black permanent pen to create your own temporary signs, labels and installations. Think moving house and labelling boxes, putting up official-looking signs or teaching your kids how to make letters. [via] Link.

DIY solar bike light

...a solar-powered bike light, modified from a solar flashlight. (I did find one product that is advertised as a "solar bike light", but it's not good: it uses an incandescent lamp rather than LEDs, and it's a one-piece unit so the whole big thing has to mount on the handlebars). With my home-made version, the solar cell and batteries mount on the rear rack, as you see here. Link.

Unlock the PSP to full resolution with the PMF Player

Some caveats, but this is nice. Are you angry that Sony has limited your memory stick videos to "Nintendo DS" resolution? (320x240). Well, a PMF player has finally been released, allowing you to view clips at the PSPs Native Resolution (480x272). Link.

HOW TO - ROM hacking...

G4's Attack of the Show has a short guide and software listing on how to edit game ROMs (the programs that run on Nintendo cartridges, emulators, etc). The really neat thing is you can change the graphics of games, add your own, as well as edit parameters in the games. Link.

Flying insect highspeed photography

This website shows a hand made set up for taking highspeed inflight pictures of insects. Included is a pdf of the circuit board layout and a series of improvements and different photos illustrating improvements. The gallery of pictures is truly inspiring. Link.

Circuit Bending Games

...examples of game cartridges and portable systems that have been circuit bent to create a nice glitch aesthetic & sound...Jumpstart has been bending the Gauntlet game on Sega Master System II here. Link.

Easy mount speakers

Mike writes "Many people may already be aware of this mounting method. It is very old, but very useful as well. It is cheap, easy to do and very strong. I post it here for the newbie that has yet to get into the do-it-yourself scene in hopes that it may inspire them to get some power tools and make something. Something as simple as mounting your surrounds with a mount you made could be just the spark they need to begin an adventure into the wonderful world of do-it-yourself". Link.


Die Dulci Fruere