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Let’s pretend that matters
Nov 20, 2008 Comic Leave a comment
Today’s Dilbert comic strikes home with all of us nerds who spend their days toiling on internet enabled computers:
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ladyada’s toolbox
Nov 18, 2008 Hobby Leave a comment
Over at ladyada’s ranting, lady ada has a list of her suggested tools to get you started in electronics. Here are a few of her suggestions:
- Panavise Jr - PCB holder and general purpose 360 degree mini-vise. I use mine every day, they are the best thing for holding your circuit board steady, and the soft jaws are not conductive so you can do power tests at the same time.
- Diagonal cutters (model Xcelite 170M) - the best diagonal cutters, these are comfortable to use and have strong nippers for perfect trimming of wires and leads. I’ve used my pair every day for years. (I need to get myself one of these)
- 30W adjustable temperature soldering iron (Model XY258) - with a temperature control on the side and indicator LED so you can go from standard to lead-free to silver solder. Comes with a 1/16? tip which is good for through hole and some larger surface mount assembly. (Don’t underestimate the usefulness of a good soldering iron)
There are a few other tools she recommends and she actually sells her kit in the adafruit store. The only thing I would add to that list would be a little fan to blow/suck the solder fumes away. Of course that could always be your first project.
What would you add?
Star Trek trailer = Awesome
Nov 17, 2008 Movie Leave a comment
Apple Trailers has a new trailer for the upcoming Star Trek movie:
Check the official movie site for high definition versions of the trailer.
The USS Enterprise from its humble beginnings
Nov 17, 2008 Movie 2 Comments
Over at SlashFilm they’ve posted a graphical history of the USS Enterprise in honour of the upcoming Star Trek film. Fascinating!
The movie is slated to be released in May 2009. Here’s a teaser trailer to whet your appetite for Star Trek.
Lego-fied album covers
Oct 26, 2008 Uncategorized 1 Comment
Back in Romania I had (what I at the young age of 10 considered) an extensive collection of Lego. I remember I used to play for hours, making all sorts of space vehicles, castles and police stations all of these trying to mimic the latest Lego set I saw in stores (the ones we could not afford).
The Toyzone has a list of 20 Album Covers Recreated in LEGO. Many of The Beatles’ album covers have been recreated, including Abbey Road:
Check out the article for the other albums.
If you are into Lego, check out this site which has building instructions for (I would say) every Lego set ever released. Awesome!