Archive for the ‘Computers’ category

How to fix the iPad’s case and dock incompatibility

April 6th, 2010

As some of you might have noticed, you can’t dock the iPad when it’s in its protective case.

Here’s a simple solution that fixes the problem: use scissors to cut a bit of protective material off the case.

Visit JP’s blog for more pictures and precise measurements.

Cutting a slit on the bottom of the case will allow the iPad to rest properly on the dock

Cutting a slit on the bottom of the case will allow the iPad to rest properly on the dock

[ link to JP's Blog ]

Wireless Digital Picture Frame Webcam Mod

January 29th, 2010

Ryan from New-Zealand is at it again, slowly turning his home into Bill Gate’s mansion with video screens everywhere.

This time, he hacked a picture frame into a video monitor displaying the live image from a webcam.

Have a peek.

iPhone-Inspired Kitchen Computer

January 27th, 2010

iphone-inspired-kitchen-touch-screen-LG.JPG

Ryan from New-Zealand send us a nice writeup about his custom-made kitchen computer that apparently made his wife real happy.

Check it out.

Usual disclaimer: Please remember that as with any project involving mains power, make sure you know what you’re doing and  do it safely, or don’t. Also respect your local laws and building code.

Macbook Mod

December 8th, 2009

Tyler needed a Mac to do some iPhone development. Instead of running to the Apple Store, he recycled a used/broken Macbook and repackaged it in Linksys browser cases. Look it up…

boot1

[ part 1 ] [ part 2 ] [ part 3 ] [ via ]

DIY Arcade-Style Racing Console

November 10th, 2009

Need For Speed Shift

A few weeks ago, I swapped out the driver’s seat in my trusty Volvo 850 because it had an electrical problem. I definitely don’t want to throw out the old seat because it’s a super comfortable leather seat. It’s in my basement, waiting for me to make something with it.

Here’s something that I could do with it if I was a gamer and had some room: an arcade-style racing console.

Since I don’t nearly have enough room for something like that, I’ll probably just convert mine into an office chair.

link ]

USB page turner pedal for musicians

March 15th, 2008

USB page turner pedal for musicians

This is a project that will surely please guitarists, singers, or any other musicians that play on stage. Basically, you gut out a USB keyboard, keeping only the electronics and you build a pedal that you map to specific keys. This allows you to either scroll down a document (partitions, tablatures, lyrics, etc.) or even control a slide show or audio software.

USB page turner pedal for musicians [link][via]

How to cool down your Mac by speeding up its fans

March 13th, 2008

SMC Fan Control

My white Intel iMac has been working great ever since I bought it. Then along came Leopard. After getting the upgrade and installing it, my iMac became instable. All of a suddain, it would hang. Or at least, the video card would freeze. I could still connect to my computer with ssh from my laptop, but all the unsaved work I had going was lost. That’s until I realized that Leopard changed something to the machine’s firmware to slow down the fans – either that or Leopard runs hotter.

Anyways, if you’re stuck in a similar situation, go ahead and download the excellent SMCFanControl application. It lets you speed up your fans individually (my computer has 3 different ones). Apple, in its constant quest for the thinnest and most silent device on the market, tend to design dangerously close to the edge of the cliff. The computer’s ventilation system’s efficiency drops below the acceptable threshold once it gets a bit dusty.

Go ahead and install this little gem of a program.

How to cool down your Mac by speeding up its fans [link]

Leatherman Punch Down Tool

March 12th, 2008

Leatherman Punchdown Tool

I’ve never been a sys admin or a network technician, but I bet that when you need your punch down tool (a.k.a. Krone tool) the most is when it’s most likely gone missing. This clever hack is a useful one for anybody that does a lot of wire patching.

Don’t let the title fool you, I’m quite certain you can also do this with your Victorinox Cybertool or your trusty Wenger camping knife. Just make sure you measure carefully before cutting your tool.

Leatherman Punchdown Tool [link]

Long live the Polaroid Webcam

February 29th, 2008

Long live the Polaroid Webcam

What to do when the global stock of instant film has been depleted? Turn your old Polaroid camera into a web cam! Re-purposing this cultural icon (is it the theme of the week?) is a great idea, bringing this classic design into the 21st century. A great gift idea too.

Long live the Polaroid Webcam [link]

I altered the time stamp so this post shows up yesterday, because I was out having a nice dinner with friends instead of writing this entry. Hope you won’t mind.

NES Controller USB Flash Drive

February 27th, 2008

NES Controller USB Flash Drive

Turn a Nintendo NES controller into a retro USB flash drive that’s also a cultural icon. Now, why didn’t I think of this?

NES Controller USB Flash Drive [link]