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February 7, 2008
Your Psycho Girlfriend on BBtv
A tutu made of severed baby doll heads? A taxidermed possum that projects a keyboard from one of its hind legs? It's maker fun brought to you by HP Lovecraft and Salvador Dali. Actually it's brought to you by BBtv.
Text-o-possum / Your Psycho Girlfriend - Link
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
Feb 7, 2008 11:08 AM
Arts, Interviews, Makers |
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January 7, 2008
MAKE Interview: Modding consumer electronics devices into DJ tools with Gijs Gieskes
"Spinning beach ball of death" and "Loading PCB" - video, (Gieskes, 2007)
Interview/Article by Jonah Brucker-Cohen
In the illustrious world of case-mods and console hacking, artists and makers are re-inventing the design and function of these ubiquitous consumer electronics devices by creating hybrid systems and creative artifacts that challenge the corporate status quo. Taking this credo to an extreme with his inventive hardware projects is Dutch artist and maker, Gijs Gieskes. From casting a Nintendo Gameboy in concrete in order to build a garden path with "GameBoy Bricks" to creating an analog version of the hated spinning cursor in the Mac OSX operating system with "Spinning Beach Ball of Death", Gieskes' work and live performances are an inventive look at how closely entrenched we've become in the world of glitchy hardware and scrambled noise producing machines. MAKE recently caught up with Gieskes to discuss his practice, philosophy, and exactly how important the current crop of hackable consumer electronics might be to future generations.
Read the full interview with more videos by clicking below.
Read full storyPosted by Jonah Brucker-Cohen |
Jan 7, 2008 03:00 AM
Interviews |
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December 2, 2007
Bug Labs - videos
Robert Scoble has 3 interviews with the folks from BUG labs (Peter Semmelhack & #38;Jeremy Toeman) makers of a forthcoming open source hardware platform for creating a variety of hardware applications...
- Video one, introduction - Link.
- Video two, final shipping plastic - Link.
- Video three, open hardware - Link.
Related:
- Bug Labs (photos) - Link.
- Bug labs - hardware, first look - Link.
- Bug labs - Link.
- Bug Labs BUGbase & BUGmodules - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Dec 2, 2007 12:00 AM
Interviews, Open source hardware |
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November 7, 2007
Musical Caps Lock prank
How to wire a greeting card sound chip to a keyboard key on a mark's computer. Hilarity (or an ass-whipping) you can bank on.
This is basically the same hack we blogged about before (see below), but these instructions hold your hand a bit tighter.
How to make a prank musical caps-lock keyboard - Link
Related:
- HOW TO - The Singing Keyboard prank - Link
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
Nov 7, 2007 04:00 PM
DIY Projects, Electronics, Interviews |
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April 27, 2007
Plush objects
I really like this interview with Blythe Church who makes plush versions of everyday objects - [via] Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Apr 27, 2007 05:00 AM
Crafts, Interviews |
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April 6, 2007
Reinventing The Past and Bizarre Future With Niklas Roy (Interview)
Jonah writes -
I just finished up a Gizmodo Gallery on Berlin-based media artist, Niklas Roy. Roy's work is an astonishing glimpse into the future of recreating modern systems with outdated components. His approach focuses on innovative ways of imparting a sense of history onto today's technological objects and experiences.
Gizmodo Gallery: Reinventing The Past and Bizarre Future With Niklas Roy - Gizmodo - [via] Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Apr 6, 2007 05:00 AM
Interviews |
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February 16, 2007
Networked accessories and more with Martin Frey
Jonah Brucker-Cohen has a great interview with Martin Frey -
In the rapidly changing world of consumer electronics and portable devices, a trend is occurring amongst artists and designers to embed social problems and concerns into these objects to shift their intended focus and intent. Taking this credo to an extreme with his work into technologically enhanced objects and accessories is German artist/designer Martin Frey. From creating a watch that keeps track of time and positioning data to guide you towards your destination with his "Just in Time Watch" to integrating GPS and motors into the soles of hiking boots with "Cab Boots", Frey is interested in the connections and clashes between physical realities and digital data displays.
Gizmodo Gallery: Networked Accessories and More with Martin Frey - Gizmodo - [via] Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Feb 16, 2007 06:30 AM
Interviews |
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February 14, 2007
Ask Nathan Ball about his battery-powered rope ascender and needle-free injection technology projects
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Nathan Ball who made this battery-powered rope ascender (and needle-free injection technology projects) that's making its way around the news sites agreed to answer questions from MAKE readers, so post up your questions in the comments and once we get a enough good ones we'll pass them along and post the questions & answers back here...
Pictured here -
Nathan Ball, hangs 50 feet in mid-air from his battery-powered rope ascender, a device that can raise more than 250 pounds at 10 feet per second. Ball is the 2007 winner of the $30,000 Lemelson-MIT Student Prize, an award that recognizes students at MIT who have demonstrated remarkable inventiveness.The Rope Ascender created by Atlas Devices is a powerful new tool that enables "reverse rappelling" up buildings and other vertical surfaces at unprecedented speeds.
More:
Atlas Devices, LLC - Link.
Ok Makers, ask some good ones.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Feb 14, 2007 10:44 PM
Interviews |
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January 31, 2007
Homemade Zamboni - Interview with the maker...
I really like Pop Sci's podcast series, the latest is an interview with the maker of an awesome homemade Zamboni, Jonathan Coulton writes -
"Inventor Damian Renzello has been making portable skating rinks and related accessories for years, so it's not surprising that it's come to this: a homemade super zamboni that blows snow, shaves ice, and looks totally awesome. I love projects like this - the false starts, the dangerous accidents, the madness - I think those are the three ingredients that make up what they call "Yankee Ingenuity." I was a little disappointed to find out this wasn't a meaningless, self-destructive quest for a personal homemade zamboni, and instead the latest invention from a genuine entrepreneur. I should have known from the photo--it's far too well built to have been cobbled together by a crazy person." - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jan 31, 2007 03:22 AM
Interviews, Transportation |
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January 23, 2007
CRAFT: Interview with Amy Sedaris, Author of I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence
Natalie scored an interview for CRAFT with the crazy funny Amy Sedaris - She writes...
"Opening up the book, I like You: Hospitality Under the Influence by Amy Sedaris, is like going into another world. The world of Amy. Which for anyone who's a fan of her work, from the Comedy Central TV show and movie, Strangers with Candy, to her many comedic scene stealing guest appearances -- you know and love Amy's world. Opening up this book really grabs both sides of your senses. Your crafting sense will love the kitschy ideas. You'll find yourself saying, "I want to make this!" (cupcakes, tea towels with pom poms, root beer floats, and lots more) and then your human sense kicks in and you just can't stop yourself from laughing out loud hysterically (by yourself, alone, at home to the point that maybe the neighbors can hear you) over her comedic genius. If at any point you are looking at the beautifully shot photos and find yourself saying, "wow, she looks absolutely gorgeous in that shot." You only need to turn the page and see another photo of Amy in one of her many special funny faces. But don't let the comedy overshadow this beautifully designed and well-written book. I love all the illustrations, photography style, and graphic design. I Like You is chock full of helpful and informative nuggets to help you make stuff out of everyday things. That's the underlying message and the humorous way in which it's presented is a major added bonus!
I was really excited to get the chance to interview Amy Sedaris for the CRAFT Blog where we talked about the book, her projects, and growing up as a Girl Scout. " - Link.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jan 23, 2007 01:01 PM
Crafts, Interviews |
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January 21, 2007
Jetset Nerdcore Interview
My pal Zadi over at Jetset interviewed Doc Pop and in the video he's got an awesome circuit bent Speak and Math with a photoresistor and really nice loopers! Check it. - LinkPosted by Bre Pettis |
Jan 21, 2007 03:57 AM
Interviews |
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January 2, 2007
New Years' Resolutions
We've been trying to think up ten things Makers should resolve to do in the new year and so we asked our columnists and technical advisory board to each send one or more of their resolutions to share with our readers. We got a lot more than ten, but they're all worthy of adding to your list; if we all followed even some of them, the world would be a better place. What could be a more makerly way to start the year?If you have a resolution you want to share, we'd love to hear it!
Bunnie Huang:
1. Learn something new from a child or teenager, especially in your area of greatest expertise. I find the perspective of innocent novices to be most refreshing and enlightening.
2. Revisit an old science book you read growing up and see how your (and society's) perspective on things have changed.
3. Find someone you've always admired and tried to emulate, and thank them for being such an excellent role model, and ask them about some good stories about the "way things used to be done".
4. Find an important social topic and dig as deep as you can; follow up and look for citations, references, and raw data. For example, I learned that some theorists dispute the carbon-reduction ability of certain hydroelectric technologies, because the dams flood large regions causing them to decay, releasing methane (20x more potent greenhouse gas than CO2) into the atmosphere. Global warming appears to be a very richly textured topic with lots of unintended consequences just being realized. Unfortunately, a lot of important issues are summarized with a few "talking points" by the press and political groups. As technologists, I think we have the responsibility to always question our assumptions, and to listen to both sides of the story, and to make sure that we are moving deliberately and cautiously as a society.
5. Learn a new tool. Maybe that means picking up a new programming language, or perhaps it means learning how to use a new kind of CAD software. Or maybe it means learning a new kind of calculus or statistics, or perhaps getting into the shop and using the mill you always meant to use. Putting aside your well-worn and efficient tools is often hard to do, but it's also hard to grow when your tools limit your abilities. My new tools for the year are Solidworks and a laser cutter--I have little mechanical engineering background, and I'm hoping that learning tools like these will expand my understanding of the world and my capabilities.
Saul Griffith:
I'm going to (re)resolve something I've tried before. That is to encourage myself to only make things of a quality that I will be proud of when they still exist in 100 years. Basically to become a maker of heirloom quality things, not just things.
Tom Igoe:
For me, I want to get back to actually making a few things instead of making examples. And to see to it that the things I make can be easier taken apart when needed, to be recycled. Sort of the opposite of Saul's idea, but I think two ends of the same useful spectrum. If it isn't kept for a long time, it should be able to re-enter the biocycle or technocycle fully.
Also, learn to use an ammeter.
I've seen (and taught) a lot of people in the post-BASIC Stamp era who can build plenty of simple circuits but who never learned to use an ammeter, and therefore can't say how much energy their circuits consume. Once you do learn, you start to look for ways to reduce power consumption all over the place. It's a tiny thing, but it's a very practical step that enables you to act on the more abstract but important act of reducing energy use.
While we're on it:
Play around with solar cells and super capacitors
and
Use only rechargeable batteries
Erica Sadun:
I resolve to stop buying things at the dollar store--those things that I see and say "Boy, I could mod that into a really cool device"--until I empty my already-full box of dollar store devices. First project? Modding those $1 TV remote controls so I can control my TiVo (which lives in the Living Room) when I'm sitting in my office.
William Gurstelle:
I resolve to find a time and opportunity to work one on one with a younger people to make something physical, tangible and most of all, cool. Something like a go cart, a catapult, a spud gun, etc.
Joe Grand:
Here are mine (as of today, subject to change, no warranty, implicit or otherwise, is assumed, send in coupon for rebate):
1) Try to learn more skills outside of my comfort zone and experiment/build with components or parts that I've never used before. Things like machining, welding, more analog electronics, motor control, sensor interfacing, etc. Being in the embedded/digital electronics world for so long, I want to branch out to expand my toolkit of skills for future projects. It's just too easy to rely on skills and materials you're so used to using. But, having just built an automonous, thermal tracking robot with sophisticated machine vision and ridiculous mechanical interfacing with a few guys in a short amount of time (less than 2 weeks from start to finish), it was an eye opening experience to branch out from my comfortable skill set (with some expected failures along the way :).
2) One pleasure of being an inventor, entrepreneur, and self-described "professional hobbyist" is the freedom to create new products and get them to the masses, whether for sale, released for free, whatever. This resolution is to build at least one new product this year that will benefit the hobbyist/electronics community. Probably using some new piece of technology and creating a simple, easy-to-use interface to control it (like my previous GPS, RFID, Emic text-to-speech modules, etc.) It's a great feeling to see others using things I've created to make *better* things. My pieces are just stepping stones or building blocks to some really amazing projects that other folks are working on. It makes the pain, heartache, and suffering of development and debug all worth it.
3) A non-technical one ... Trying to keep a balanced life (for me: eating, sleeping, working, running, swimming, cycling, hanging out with Keely) is difficult, but absolutely necessary. Being at a funeral the day before Christmas this year reminded me that there is more to life than what takes place behind the computer (or soldering iron, milling machine, etc.)
Steve Lodefink:
I don't typically make resolutions. I simply don't have the resolve. With that being said: this year I resolve to learn threadcraft well enough to develop and tailor a late-1940s style box-cut loop-collar-type sport shirt of the kind that I admire but can no longer find at reasonable prices. If that works out. I will make some pants as well.
Gareth Branwyn:
My New Year's Resolution is to learn more about electronics and robotics. People think that because I write on these subjects I'm an expert, in some omnipotent sense. I'm not an electrical engineer. I'm not any sort of engineer. I'm a technology writer first and foremost, and an enthusiastic student of hands-on high technology. I think this perpetual student status is what makes me good at explaining complex tech subjects to others -- I always feel like I'm not too many steps beyond the person I'm explaining things to. But I want to go deeper, to understand more of the theory behind the work, and to be able to go beyond building kits and following how-tos to forging some paths of my own.
I also want to spend more time passing on what I know. In this vein, I've just posted a "Thumbnail Guide to Soldering" on Street Tech. It has illustrations by Mark Frauenfelder, taken from my Absolute Beginner's Guide to Building Robots book. I plan on putting up more of these Thumbnail Guides on Street Tech, based on common hardware hacking questions we get at ST. So, I guess that would be another resolution.
Eric Wilhelm:
Create more order. I find that once you have order, maintaining it isn't that hard. Apply this in practice to my garage.
Learn a new language. Probably will be Ruby; Spanish will come next if I can reach a comfortable level with Ruby.
Respond to or otherwise deal with every piece of email sent to me within 1 week or as soon as possible. Maintain an inbox that fits comfortably on one screen without scrolling.
Say "good morning" with a smile, and mean it -- start each of my personal interactions out on a positive note every day.
Try to have either a lower mass or lower volume of possessions by the end of the year. Get rid of things I don't use and probably will never use; don't buy anything that might fit this description.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Posted by Arwen O'Reilly |
Jan 2, 2007 05:40 PM
Interviews |
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November 23, 2006
Interview with food hacker Canida
Arwen sent in our last Thanksgiving interview! "Christy Canida has been slowly building up a really quite amazing guide for fledgling or experimenting cooks on Instructables. Beautifully instructed, she started out teaching the basics and has documented her way through an astonishing number of delicious meals. With a wicked sense of humor and an instinctive grasp of what needs explaining and what can be left to the imagination of readers, her Instructables home page is worth checking out any time of the year for interesting ideas in the kitchen. Orange ginger miso turkey anyone?"
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Nov 23, 2006 11:13 AM
Holiday projects, Interviews |
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Liquid Nitrogen ice cream? Fractal pecan pie? A recirculating gravy fountain? - An interview with Turkey Tek
Arwen has a fantastic interview (make sure to see the photos) she writes - "Liquid Nitrogen ice cream? Fractal pecan pie?? A recirculating gravy fountain??? I couldn't believe my eyes when I first saw Turkey Tek's Thanksgiving Instructables way back in April, and I've been not-so-patiently waiting to see what they put up this year. To keep myself occupied while I wait for Thanksgiving to come and go and for TT to disclose this year's escapade, I thought I'd ask a few questions about what makes Turkey Tek tick."
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Nov 23, 2006 10:23 AM
Holiday projects, Instructables, Interviews |
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November 22, 2006
Interview with a turkey fryer
Arwen has a couple of interviews from Thanksgiving makers - here's the first, a turkey fryer how-to'er, she writes -
I did a series of interviews with Instructables users about their fabulous and varied Halloween projects, and noticed recently that the Thanksgiving contest is just wrapping up. I was curious to see what Instructables users cooked up when they turned their skills toward the kitchen, so I interviewed a few of the creators of my favorite Thanksgiving projects. I'm salivating just reading Ryan Hays' deep-fried turkey Instructable. While most of us may not have a turkey fryer just lying around, it looks to be a worthy investment. If you like extremepumpkins.com, then this looks to be the logical next step...
Read full storyPosted by Phillip Torrone |
Nov 22, 2006 02:19 AM
DIY Projects, Instructables, Interviews |
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November 11, 2006
Colbert Interviews Dean Kamen
Here's a fun interview from The Colbert Report on Comedy Central - 11/09/06: Colbert interviews Dean Kamen who we profiled in MAKE 04 - Link.
More:
- William Lidwell interviewed übermaker, technology visionary, and science evangelist Dean Kamen for MAKE 04. In this exclusive web extra, the conversation with Kamen continues. Learn Kamen's views on wasting time, creativity, Stirling engines, and his advice to Makers - Link.
From the pages of MAKE:
- Dean Kamen: The Dean of Engineering - MAKE 04 - Page 30. Subscribers--read this article now in your digital edition!
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Nov 11, 2006 07:45 PM
Interviews, Makers |
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October 31, 2006
Carving melon balls - Interview with the Maker
Steve Anderson (a.k.a. Irregular Shed) has a lovely set of instructions for carving melons this Halloween. And he's got a point: why stick with boring old pumpkins when melons are easier to carve and the insides make such great eyeballs, too?... - Interview by Arwen O'Reilly, Staff Editor.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Oct 31, 2006 01:22 AM
Halloween, Interviews, Makers |
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October 28, 2006
Cloroxbot - Interview with the maker
The perfect example of "cool doesn't have to be complicated," Chaintool's robot costume made out of old Clorox bottles rocked the Southwest last year. Made out of "laundry detergent bottles, crutches, and football shoulder pads," it looks more like an early Star Wars prototype. Chaintool talks about his favorite tools (of course!), the importance of space exploration, and why Halloween is great. What's he wearing this year? You'll have to wait to find out - Interview by Arwen O'Reilly, Staff Editor.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Oct 28, 2006 09:49 AM
DIY Projects, Halloween, Holiday projects, Interviews |
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October 25, 2006
USB Hub Monster - Interview with the maker
Hmmm...What to do with those pesky cords and cables? Of course! Whip up a creepy-cool USB monster! At least that was Ed Lewis' plan. Not content with just making pop-up pyramids, oobleck, a paperclip bow and q-tip arrows, or causing havoc around Squid Labs, Ed turned his creative juices to the ever-present problem of tangled USB cables. And now the world is a better place for it. He told me a few things about his creative process, his next project, and what he missed at Burning Man - Interview by Arwen O'Reilly Staff Editor.
How would you describe yourself?
Restless and a bit messy. After spending a lot of time writing about other people doing things as a journalist, I decided to start doing more things myself. Instead of letting ideas get backed up, I'm determined to get them out as fast as possible. It's a bit of a dangerous road and I find myself wanting more tools to play with and more tools to use them on, but that's just how it goes. I'm also a big believer in interaction and I find myself attracted to projects that make people want to pick them up and play with them.
How on earth did you come up with the idea to make that bizarre USB spider monster?
There are so many USB devices out there and a tiny amount of ports to plug them into, eh? I figured that a hub would be the ticket, but then there's the problem of jamming them all the devices into a tiny space. Extension cables were the next logical step and with some armature wire laying around from another project and I figured that putting the two together would allow for several ports to be accessible and separate. So I had an idea to create a USB squid that would be plopped onto a desk. But I didn't have the patience to try to find some rubber squid to destroy so it turned into a spider. And once that happened it had to get some glowing red eyes. They just tie the whole thing together, really.
After making it I realized that I had gone and made something so completely against the clean and sterile nature of boring computer parts. The only downside is that I now feel kinda bad about bending the poor guy's leg up to patch in a flash drive or card reader. I now spend more time just putting him in different poses than using him for his hub qualities.
What interesting projects are you working on right now?
There will be another hub monster, that's for sure. The spider's getting lonely and a cerberus desk lamp creature will be along in a little while to keep him company. I'm just waiting for the packages from eBay and newegg to roll in before that happens. Other than that: an international analog clock, a modified Rubik's Cube, and some experiments with fabric and magnets on a scale that will hopefully become massive.
I've also become fascinated with mailing pieces through the mail and seeing if they make it. A wooden postcard with the addresses burned out arrived in two pieces and an acrylic variation of that is now on its way to Brooklyn. Another will have an oil and water wave box which hopefully won't explode en route. And then there's a low tech mass mailing of stenciled pieces of wood than I'm planning. I'm still looking for volunteers to receive them. Preferably on the east coast and with a decent digital camera. Any takers?
What new idea (in or outside of your field) has excited you most recently?
I'm not sure what field I'm in exactly. I do love cool uses of bamboo and the Starry Bamboo Mandala that I saw pictures of from Burning Man this year was pretty brilliant and was the only thing that made me wish I'd gone this year.
What's one tip you'd give to other makers or users of Instructables?
Make lives better with the cool stuff you bring into the world. There's already plenty of suck.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Oct 25, 2006 06:12 AM
DIY Projects, Interviews |
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October 19, 2006
Interview with Biological Closed System Roboticist Andy Gracie
Andy Gracie makes robots that interact in closed systems with fish, plants, and insects. In this interview, he gives some insight into his work. It's a must read for roboticists thinking about mixing it up with some biology. Photo from his project that takes the electrical impulses from a nearly blind fish and filters them through an emotional robot to feed a plant. - Link
Posted by Bre Pettis |
Oct 19, 2006 12:36 PM
Interviews |
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