DIY Drones
From thermal imaging to prosthetic arms, from computers to Hum-Vees, military technology has regularly been adapted for civilian uses. This process has been going on since Roman times so it should be little surprise that the current crop of conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq have bequeathed their own technological advances. One could argue that drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) are the signature weapon of the past decade. Now these automated spying and weapon platforms have been adopted by a growing community of hobbyists and there are indications that this technology could soon find commercial application.
Video Double-Feature: Keyboard Sound Test & Keycap Swap!
For those of you who haven't run out and bought mechanical keyboards on the basis of TheGeekery's strong recommendations (you've read and watched them, right?), what manner of madness is still holding you back from such a ludicrously expensive purchase? Obviously, it must be that you're not sure just how loud keyboards like the Filco Majestouch really are. Well, it's a good thing that we've got your back. Check out this video comparing the sound of ultra-clicky Cherry Blues, ultra-mushy rubber domes, and laptop-esque scissor switches:
Read on for a simple (very simple) guide to swapping out basic keycaps on Cherry MX-style keyboards.
Video Review: Filco Majestouch in Metallic Blue
For those of you too lazy to read all those words in the previous text review, here's a quick recap of the Filco Majestouch in Metallic Blueco Majestouch mechanical keyboard's features, pros, and cons presented in handy-dandy video format. I'll simply have to ask that you ignore what the auto white balance did to my skin in this video; it's quite horrific.
Keyboard Review: Filco Majestouch in Metallic Blue
Mechanical keyboards: the stuff of legends, history, and mystique. From the fondly remembered IBM Model M to the ludicrously overpriced "Porche-of-keyboards" Topre Realforce, these input devices have gone from everyday to rare and are now on an upswing back through novelty into niche. Expensive, complicated, and typically hard to find, mechanical keyboards can represent a culmination of design, workmanship, and ergonomics unheard of in standard "rubber dome" keyboards. . . or they can be convoluted, overpriced disasters.
My newest acquisition is, I believe, one of the former sort: a $155 Metallic Blue "Click Action" Full-size. Diatec's popular Filco Majestouch line has been around for some time now, but irreconcilable differences with EliteKeyboards of Diamond Bar, CA forced the Japanese-designed, Taiwanese-built mechanical boards out of US distribution for months after a rapid rise to popularity. Now back in force with a new distributor and new models on the horizon, the Filcos are poised to retake their position as a major mechanical keyboard for enthusiasts--if their time away from the market hasn't left them lagging behind the competiton.
Unsure of what a mechanical keyboard is? Curious about how Diatec's latest effort has turned out? Confused about the distribution of these devices? Read on to find out the answers to all your questions and more!
When Big Companies Do Small Things
Androidify, a new app you can download from the Android market, is a very simple application. You use it to create a simple, cartoonish avatar of people you know using a few simple props and features. In terms of clothing choices and raw variation, the application can’t even muster the amount of control you get from a Wii Mii. And yet, I found myself wasting copious amounts of time on this app this week.
Naturally, I asked myself why.
Google Disappoints, Still No Music Streaming
Oh sure, you could say that Google's new Honeycomb OS for tablets is outrageously cool, dangerously slick, and unbelievably desirable, and you could also say that the online version of their Android Market is exactly what the otherwise horrible marketplace needed to finally catch up to Apple's App Store, and of course, you could even say that having Cee-Lo Green video-call in and be smooth as butter for two minutes was pretty fantastic. . . but nothing changes the fact that Google completely failed to show their new music streaming service during their live video broadcast yesterday afternoon. That's alright though; services still exist to fill this hole in the Android product, just waiting to get AppBrain'ed.
What are these mystery services? Just how smooth was Cee-Lo? What is AppBrain'ing? Read on to find out!
FAA Condemns Directionally Challenged to Wander Forever
My Android device does a lot of cool stuff--audiobooks, internet radio, 3d gaming, emulation, ebooks, weather, email, and more--but the chief reason I decided to bump up to a smartphone after years of using their dumber cousins was Google Maps and its astoundingly awesome, free, voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation. To say that I'm hopeless with directions is a massive understatement: I could get lost on the way to the bathroom if it weren't for the soft blue glow of my LED nightlight.
Project: iPhone Griptape Sticker
Over the holidays I dropped my phone into the snow. Again. After cursing some, thinking some, and then cursing some more, I decided to make a backing for my phone that was less slippery than the glass or even the metal one I have. I went through a few materials (thin adhesive-backed silicone, adhesive sandpaper, and some others) when I arrived at the perfect solution that takes care of everything all at once: skateboard grip tape!
Update: These are now for sale at RF Laserworks!
Edit: Well, it looks like I didn't do enough homework before I posted these for sale! A couple angry people have told me that there's already a similar product out there. This is great! Competition is always good; the end user always ends up winning :)
Alternate Frame Sequencing sans 3D Glasses
...but then again, maybe the glasses aren't so bad?
Tagging Your iTunes Songs
By adding a list of tags to the songs in your music library, you can easily create playlists for every desired theme, mood or purpose. I use this technique, Comments Smart Playlists, when I set up background playlists for my RPG games. Tagging each song's comment field can also be used for a wide variety of uses such as presentations, movie soundtracks or simple amusement.