Random things I find on the net.
This student has made almost a million dollars within four months by selling pixels on his homepage for $1 each!
posted by Beanbag @ 13:16
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This is a beautiful java applet that plays chess and displays its thought processes on the board.
The artwork is an artificial intelligence program, ready to play chess with the viewer. If the viewer confronts the program, the computer's thought process is sketched on screen as it plays. A map is created from the traces of literally thousands of possible futures as the program tries to decide its best move. Those traces become a key to the invisible lines of force in the game as well as a window into the spirit of a thinking machine.
posted by Beanbag @ 01:20
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xpy is a useful utility that helps close some security holes in Windows XP by tweaking certain registry settings for you.
Small tool which disables the default threats of a Windows XP installation. Besides disabling Windows and some of its components to communicate with Microsoft servers, xpy improves privacy settings and your system's security.Make sure you know what you are disabling or you may break some applications on your system.
posted by Beanbag @ 16:02
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Nice article on good programming practices.
As a software engineer, you might want any number of things out of your job - a steady paycheck, the opportunity to work on interesting projects, a springboard to the next better job, or maybe you just like hanging out with other programmers. But by "effective", I mean the ability to complete projects in a timely manner with the expected quality. After working on dozens of software releases, I believe the following practices will bring you there, and while they may involve sticking your neck out, I'd like to think they will also advance your professional reputation, career longevity, and personal satisfaction.
posted by Beanbag @ 14:51
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Another way to run Linux under Windows.
Cooperative Linux is the first working free and open source method for optimally running Linux on Microsoft Windows natively. More generally, Cooperative Linux (short-named coLinux) is a port of the Linux kernel that allows it to run cooperatively alongside another operating system on a single machine.It is currently geared towards KNOPPIX Japanese Edition. You may need to make some modifications to your distribution of choice to get everything working. See their wiki for more details. Also see The Slackware on coLinux HOWTO which contains some information that is useful for other distributions as well. Gentoo users should check out this thread.
posted by Beanbag @ 14:40
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Some useful circuits for hobbyists.
I have decided to compile a list of the top ten most needed circuits that are a must know for anyone interested in DIY projects. These are the basics that can all be interchanged and used in conjunction with each other to make many of the projects that we all love so much.
posted by Beanbag @ 20:11
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An article that discusses whether or not LED lighting is really that great.
Light Emitting Diodes are just now (in 2005) claiming to double the lumens-per-watt of typical incandescent bulbs. HID (High Intensity Discharge) lamps are still 4 or 5 times higher, and LEDs may never reach that efficacy. LEDs caused the lighting industry to think in new terms, like "wall plug efficiency" and LED marketing has become more clever. Here we discuss a few hopeful ideas or rumors, and some of the reality to support or dispel them.
posted by Beanbag @ 12:09
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Nice tutorial on using Qemu to create an instance of linux you can carry on your USB thumbdrive.
posted by Beanbag @ 16:07
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Here's a new Firefox extension to help you keep your bookmarks synchronized between multiple computers. It will synchronize your bookmarks through Foxcloud's server, or you can use your own FTP or WebDAV server. An additional benefit of using Foxcloud's server is you can view your bookmarks directly on their site after logging in to your account.
posted by Beanbag @ 12:21
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Lovin’ the look of the Casio G-Shock MR-G, and it doesn’t hurt that this rendition is even more shock- and scratch-resistant than its predecessors. Featuring a radio-controlled chronograph and solar dial, the case and the band are made of titanium. And the the glass is pure sapphire—making it fairly indestructible. The watch is also waterproof and features a stopwatch, analog/digital time display, automatic power save mode and 24 month run-time on a single charge in power save mode. They go on sale in February of next year and are running in a limited edition of 1,000. Price is about $1,300.
posted by Beanbag @ 12:06
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The Ethical Hacker Network has a good article on some tools for finding out about the wireless networks available around you, and also how to defend your own network against these tools.
Anyone interested in gaining a deeper knowledge of wireless security and exploiting vulnerabilities will need a good set of base tools with which to work. Fortunately, there are an abundance of free tools available on the Internet. This list is not meant to be comprehensive in nature but rather to provide some general guidance on recommended tools to build your toolkit.
posted by Beanbag @ 10:34
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Here's a way to create a custom Windows OS Installation CD, allowing you to completely prevent the installation of components you don't want.
nLite is a tool for permanent Windows component removal and pre-installation Windows setup. After removal there is an option to make bootable image ready for burning on cd or testing in virtual machines. With nLite you will be able to have Windows installation which on install doesn't include, or even contain on cd, unwanted components.
posted by Beanbag @ 17:12
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Another article on how to convert an ATX power supply into a lab power supply, posted on instructables.
posted by Beanbag @ 11:50
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Instructions on cobbling together a softbox attached to a flashlight.
I don't know how, but late at night I got the idea that I wanted to covert my new 3D cell Mag-Lite to a handy photo-lamp. Next morning I dug out some 250 GSM paper and some adhesive foil I've been saving for a worthy project and whipped up a quick ghetto-lamp
posted by Beanbag @ 16:42
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Hilarious look at how movies violate the laws of physics. Long but well worth the read.
Technonerds go to movies strictly for entertainment, and of course, the most entertaining part comes after the movie when they can dissect, criticize, and argue the merits of every detail. However, when supposedly serious scenes totally disregard the laws of physics in blatantly obvious ways it's enough to make us retch. The motion picture industry has failed to police itself against the evils of bad physics. This page is provided as a public service in hopes of improving this deplorable matter. The minds of our children and their ability to master vectors are (shudder) at stake.
posted by Beanbag @ 14:20
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Instructions on building a lab power supply using a spare power supply from an old computer.
Computer power supplies cost around $15, but lab power supplies can run you $100 or more! By converting the cheap (free) ATX power supplies that can be found in any discarded computer, you can get a phenomenal lab power supply with huge current outputs, short circuit protection, and very tight voltage regulation.
posted by Beanbag @ 15:11
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hack a day has some basic instructions on building a portable USB charger powered by a 9-volt battery. This will allow you to recharge your portable device through its USB port when you don't have access to a computer or a power adapter.
posted by Beanbag @ 03:45
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Latest version of Portable Firefox available, now at their new home on PortableApps.com. Lots of other cool applications there to check out.
Portable Firefox 1.5 has been released. New in this version is:
- An update to Firefox 1.5 Final (with all the new features)
- Compatibility with nearly all extensions when switching computers
- Enhanced detection of multiple browser instances
- Automatic repair of some common profile issues
- A splash screen for instant feedback
posted by Beanbag @ 16:23
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Another social bookmarking site similar to del.icio.us, with some unique features of their own. You can even sync your Simpy account with your del.icio.us bookmarks. Worth checking out.
posted by Beanbag @ 15:40
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