Robot Magazine has a great article about how to machine custom robot parts. In this article [Matt Bauer] shows the basics of making custom robot parts and skeletal brackets for his humanoid robot creations using a CNC mini-mill. He uses a custom jig overlay designed to make cutting thin sheet stock much easier and to protect his equipment. This template concept creates a platform for many other custom parts going forward. [Matt] includes the .nc g-code files as well as a "how-to" PDF in a ZIP file.
Sometimes, a little bit of noise can be fun. This little noise synth called the Nandhopper, is a quick simple project to get started. The parts list is pretty short, mainly material for the sensors and a 4093 Quad, 2-input Schmitt trigger and NAND gate. You end up with an easy to use, fairly small 1-Bit synth. If you don’t know what a 1-Bit synth sounds like, watch the demo video. Sure, it just sounds like noise to us, but that’s music to some people.
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Keeping track of billable hours is a crucial task for companies and individuals alike. And although there are literally hundreds of time tracking and time card applications, most are designed to be used in a very specific ecosystem. This can get tricky if you are working on a proejct with both employees and contract workers, and your tracking system is only designated to work based with regular employees. If you are a freelancer and you work with clients and collaborate with other developers, time reporting can be even more problematic.
These are the types of hurdles TimeXchange, which officially launched today, hopes to help overcome. TimeXchange, which bills itself as "part web-app, part social network," is designed to reduce data entry redundancy and help people using different backends work and collabrate together more efficiently.
This is how it works: you sign up for a TimeXchange account and create a new project, select your role in the project and then indicate if you are working by yourself or on a team. If working on a team, you can invite other users, indicate what level of control they have (can they approve timesheets, can they see budget and billing information), etc. If you are invited to join a project, you simply respond to an e-mail, and create your own free TimeXchange account so that you can collaborate with the rest of your team.
Here's where TimeXchange is different than a base level time or budget management repository: you can easily export your data into other formats or integrate with other services. You can export your data (either project or individual) as a PDF, CSV or QuickBooks file. In the near future, support for 37Signals Basecamp API and an iGoogle widget will allow you to import existing Basecamp project data and to-do lists.
SeeqPod offers a web-based music search engine and media player. The service lives in a gray area of the internet because it offers the ability to find and play songs and videos that have been illegally uploaded to the internet without the copyright holder's permission. But SeeqPod doesn't actually host any of the files.
SeeqPod Mobile will let users search the web for songs that can be streamed to your mobile phone using a built in media player. The program includes a choice of skins and will work with Windows Mobile 6.0 or newer devces with a variety of screen sizes. Unlike the web application, SeeqPod will cost you $15, although the company will be selling the app for $10 at launch.
The company will also attempt to make a few bucks by including links for purchasing songs in the search results.
As expected, Mozilla has pulled the plug on Firefox 2. There will be no more security updates, and no more support for the web browser. When users download and install the latest update for Firefox 2, they're greeted with a message suggesting they upgrade to Firefox 3 which is generally both faster and more secure than Firefox 2.
Of course, some people don't like the way Firefox 3 handles bookmarks or tabs, which could make them reluctant to upgrade. But I'd recommend upgrading for the security enhancements alone. You can always search for Firefox add-ons that enhance the bookmark manager or tab positions.
If you're the sort of person who's constantly adding things to your Amazon basket in order to increase your purchase price so that you can qualify for free shipping (not that I've ever been guilty of that), I've got good news for you. Today is Free Shipping Day.
What that means is that hundreds of retailers are offering free shipping on items ordered through their web pages today. There's no guarantee that orders placed today will arrive before Christmas, and restrictions on price and location may apply. But if you're looking for a small bargain, it might be a good time to check out some of the participating stores.
If you have a SlingBox and a BlackBerry, get ready because on December 30th you'll be able to download SlingPlayer Mobile in a free public beta. The public beta supports BlackBerry Bold, Curve 8900, 8820, Curve 8320, Pearl Flip 8220 and Pearl 8120. Firmware must be version 4.5 or higher.
Some EDGE-only models will also work but due to slow video streaming and other versions it is not officially supported in the public beta. SlingPlayer Mobile is already available for PocketPC, Windows Smartphone,Palm OS and Symbian S60 and UIQ.
What does it all mean? You can carry a TV around in your pocket! The SlingBox set top box captures your home cable or satellite signal and allows you to watch it via the internet using the SlingPlayer software. I generally use mine while traveling - my parents don't have cable at all - so at their house I can snuggle up with my laptop and watch whatever is on at home.
I would think the BlackBerry would make for some tiny TV viewing, but it could certainly pass the time in airports and other places where you spend a lot of time waiting. And if you have one of those careers where you carry a BlackBerry because you need to know what is going on in the world, well, this would be the perfect way to be able to watch CNN and other news stations when you need information.
The public beta is free, beginning on December 30th. Other SlingPlayer Mobile players have a 30 day free trial before purchase is required. SlingPlayer Mobile is $29.99. You can expect the BlackBerry version to follow the same pattern after the initial public beta is over. You also need a SlingBox to make everything work and those start at $179.99.
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When it comes to saving time and money, sometimes the best approach means rolling up your sleeves and doing it yourself. Check out the best DIY projects featured here in 2008 and beyond.
Note on our definition of "most popular": These are the posts that were viewed the most by readers, a number which is often skewed by Google or Digg or links by other popular sites. As such one could argue that most views does not equal best, and one would be right, so we did a little pruning to keep the list high quality.
Most Popular DIY Projects Published in 2008
First, get a load of the most recent stuff: the most-viewed DIY posts of this past year.
While 2008's list is pretty good, we've had some doozies appear on these pages beyond the last 12 months. Check out our most-viewed DIY posts of all time.
Most Popular Do-it-yourself Top 10 Listicles of 2008
If your DIY chops are more needed at home, at the office, in the garage, or with the camera, check out our most-viewed DIY top 10 lists that published this past year. These listicles package the best DIY technqiues around a certain theme.
Firefox users who stuck with version 2 are seeing their last update today, so Mozilla is putting on the push to upgrade to Firefox 3. And that's probably a good thing.
Firefox 3, after all, bucks the trend of most software version changes and out-performs its older brother—it was our favorite feature, actually, and it stacks up well against the competition. And by this point, most of the popular extensions have updated to support Firefox 3.
Sticking with 2, despite the push, would mean losing updated anti-phishing filter results and no further security or stability upgrades. We don't know how many of our Firefox users are still on 2, but grabbing a copy of 3 is definitely in the cards for most, we'd reckon.
Unhappy to be given the not-so-gentle nudge? Glad Firefox 2 got this long on the stage? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
The recession has brought with it widespread layoffs, which means many of us will kick off the new year looking for a new job. But where should we start? Photo by Egan Snow.
For this week's Hive Five, we want to hear all about the web site(s) you've had luck with when you're looking for work.
Hive Five nominations take place in the comments, where you post your favorite tool for the job. We get hundreds of comments, so to make your nomination clear, please include it at the top of your comment like so: VOTE: Web Site Goes Here. Please don't include your vote in a reply to another commenter. Instead, make your vote and reply separate comments. If you don't follow this format, we may not count your vote. To prevent tampering with the results, votes from first-time commenters may not be counted. After you've made your nomination, let us know what makes it stand out from the competition.
About the Hive Five: The Hive Five feature series asks readers to answer the most frequently asked question we get—"Which tool is the best?" Once a week we'll put out a call for contenders looking for the best solution to a certain problem, then YOU tell us your favorite tools to get the job done. Every weekend, we'll report back with the top five recommendations and give you a chance to vote on which is best. For an example, check out last week's Hive Five Best Sites for Finding Deals Online.
Windows/Mac/Linux (All platforms): FilePhile is a peer-to-peer, multi-platform app for getting files of unlimited size between yourself and anyone else willing to give it a try.
After registering at FilePhile's site with an email address and password, you grab and install a copy of the Java-based app, launch it, and add email addresses to your buddy list. Sending a file is a simple right-click on someone's name, but you can limit the bandwidth eaten up by FilePhile in its preferences. The transfers themselves are encrypted, and, as the site boasts, can be any size. That's about it, but that's probably all you need.
FilePhile is a free download for Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. It requires a Java platform version 1.5 or later to run. Thanks YadidCorvus!
Many of us will have more time than money as the new year approaches - if you're going to spend some coin, why not give the gift of learning, hacking, modding and making?
Give the gift of making! Check out the largest selection of DIY kits, open source hardware, science and engineering fun for all ages - at MAKE Magazine's Maker Shed!
All platforms (Windows/Mac/Linux): DIY holiday decoration-makers, The Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories cooked up software that designs paper snowflakes and prints out the outline PDF for easy cutting. Here's how it works.
Run Snowflake and drag and drop the control points of the starting flake to design your own angles and crystals. The resulting flake will have a closed, symmetrical path that anyone with a laser cutter (or just a pair of scissors) will be able to cut along to create a snowflake you can hang on your tree or in the window. This app is really quite fun to use, check out a quick screencast:
Snowflake is a free download for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
New VB scripter Troy modified a script for Outlook that lets him know when he's forgotten an attachment on an email (not counting his company logo).
Troy writes:
I started a new job back in July, and had to fill out a form to get access to a client's network. Unfortunately I sent the email without the form. As part of my new job I had been working on learning VBScript, so this was the perfect opportunity to test my skills. With a little searching I was able to find an example of what I needed, and tweaked it to account for my signature's company logo.
In short, Troy modified a script Jack Stowage originally posted in the comments here to work for him. Since he attaches his company logo in his outgoing message signature, this version of the script lets you set a base messages attachment number (in his case, one logo file) and compare from there. So if he sends a message with the word "attach" in it and it only has one file attached (the logo)? Outlook pops up the notification shown above.
While much creative insight happens while your mind wanders, the key is being able to interrupt your daydreams in time to notice, scientists say.
News site Boston.com tells the story of how Arthur Fry dreamed up the multi-million dollar idea of Post-It Notes while daydreaming in church.
Many scientists argue that daydreaming is a crucial tool for creativity, a thought process that allows the brain to make new associations and connections. Instead of focusing on our immediate surroundings - such as the message of a church sermon - the daydreaming mind is free to engage in abstract thought and imaginative ramblings. As a result, we're able to imagine things that don't actually exist, like sticky yellow bookmarks.
But just slipping into the trance-like daydream state isn't enough to use it to your advantage. You've got to notice when you have your Post-It thought.
In his experiments, [psychologist Jonathan] Schooler distinguishes between two types of daydreaming. The first type consists of people who notice they are daydreaming only when asked by the researcher. Even though they are told to press a button as soon as they realize their mind has started to wander, these people fail to press the button. The second type, in contrast, occurs when subjects catch themselves daydreaming during the experiment, without needing to be questioned. Schooler and colleagues found that individuals who are unaware of their own daydreaming while it's happening don't seem to exhibit increased creativity.
Therefore, awareness of your own daydreaming—and the random thoughts it involves—is the trick to capturing any good insight. So next time you're deep in a daydream about how hot your co-worker will look on your first date (once you get up the courage to actually ask) or the sick yacht you'll buy when you finally win the lottery, keep a mental eye out for your next big idea. Photo by Kr. B.
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If you have a SlingBox and a BlackBerry, get ready because on December 30th you'll be able to download 
When it comes to saving time and money, sometimes the best approach means rolling up your sleeves and doing it yourself. Check out the best DIY projects featured here in 2008 and beyond.
Firefox users who stuck with version 2 are seeing their last update today, so Mozilla is 
The recession has brought with it widespread layoffs, which means many of us will kick off the new year looking for a new job. But where should we start? Photo by 
Windows/Mac/Linux (All platforms): FilePhile is a peer-to-peer, multi-platform app for getting files of unlimited size between yourself and anyone else willing to give it a try.
Many of us will have more time than money as the new year approaches - if you're going to spend some coin, why not give the gift of learning, hacking, modding and making?
All platforms (Windows/Mac/Linux): DIY holiday decoration-makers, The Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories cooked up software that designs paper snowflakes and prints out the outline PDF for easy cutting. Here's how it works.
New VB scripter Troy modified a script for Outlook that lets him know when he's forgotten an attachment on an email (not counting his company logo).
While much creative insight happens while your mind wanders, the key is being able to interrupt your daydreams in time to notice, scientists say.