35,000 LEGO pieces were assembled to make the lifesize LEGO desk and then taken apart and glued back together again. Man! $2,000 worth of LEGO bricks plus the labor.
"Here are some facts about The Desk:
- Approximately 35,000 LEGO bricks were used. This includes almost all the pieces from 32 Blue Tubs (#3033), almost 300 (!) small baseplates (8x16 studs), and 63 blue plate packs from LEGO Shop-at-Home. A few other pieces were also bought from private collectors (226 tiles so the drawers could slide, et cetera).
- The desk weighs about 120 pounds, I think. I have not actually weighed it... but I think that is close.
- About 7 pounds of glue were used. Brand: Oatey, All-Purpose (PVC, CPVC, ABS) Glue.
- The desk has the following dimensions (inches, WxHxD): 60" x 29.5" x 30".
- It has 7 working drawers (six small, one large).
- It has a folding lid in the top that conceals a hole for computer cables to drop through.
- Yes, the top is bumpy -- studs up. I offered to make the top smooth, but the client specifically requested otherwise. Whatever. I also offered to build a retractable keyboard tray in the front, but that was not wanted. Nor a mosaic of the company logo on the top or sides.
- Yes, I was paid to build the desk. Don't ask how much. It was worth my time."
- ericharshbarger
[via MAKE Magazine]
So Windows Vista has been released and you might be having problems finding drivers. Well RadarSync has centralized resources for Vista drivers.
[via LifeHacker]
Get your one-day-sale while supplies last at WOOT.
"What is Woot and who's behind it?
Woot.com is an online store and community that focuses on selling cool stuff cheap. It started as an employee-store slash market-testing type of place for an electronics distributor, but it's taken on a life of its own. We anticipate profitability by 2043 – by then we should be retired; someone smarter might take over and jack up the prices. Until then, we're still the lovable scamps we've always been. But don't take our word for it: see what the online community has to say at this Wikipedia article."
- WOOT
[via Gizmodo]
Well I am out sickly today, but I thought I would still get the weekly update to ya'll. Peace!
"Temporal Motivational Theory (TMT):
Utility = E x V / Gamma D
Utility is the desirability of getting something done. E is expectancy, or confidence. V is the value of the job, and includes not only its importance but also its unpleasantness. Gamma stands for how prone a person is to delay doing things. And D means delay, or how far away the consequences of doing, or not doing, the task are.
The bigger the top number compared to the bottom, the less likely a task will be put off. So if you expect to do well at a job (E), and it's a pleasant thing to do (V), and you're not prone to being delayed by distractions (Gamma), and it has to be done right away (D), you're not likely to procrastinate."
- TorontoStar
This is a pretty funny video of an actual kittie washing machine. I doubt the wifey could take her old cats to this, but it was pretty funny.
[via Gizmodo]
So Spb has cool PocketPC software and now an online club. It ain't no Glee or Wee Club, but it is free and does have some cool links to software, ringtones and software.
"Spb Software House, a leading developer of award-winning software, has launched a new Web site that offers support forums, free downloads, ring tones, themes, and more. The site also includes a listing of useful accessories, as well as some reviews, and links to the vendors."
- PocketPCMag
[via PocketPCMag]
So you got family and friends that are sooo close that they constantly want to keep track of where everyone else is at? Well that's kinda freaky and probably has some privacy boundaries being crossed, but GPSGate can git-er-done.
"You need to approve which people can track your position and then you need to set up on your PC or device how often you want your position updated. You will also be able to install a Google Earth plug-in and view positions on a satellite map. We geeks who can't control our spending would probably even find it fun to track the FedEx truck right to our house, which may be coming in the future as Franson develops the business tools portion of the service."
- Geek.com
[via Geek.com]
TellMe is an alternative for 411 services. You can install either a voice or SMS software alternative on your PocketPC.
[via TechCrunch]
ITSecurity has some tips on improving your firewall security. The only sure security is to completely shutoff or hibernate your computer when it is not in use. With a home network file server, that is easier said than done with multiple users banging on it at various times of the day.
ITSecurity Firewall Improvement Tips:
- Install SP2 on your Windows system
- Enable auto updates for your firewall
- Tweaking the settings for your usage
- Keep settings consistent across the networks
- Add multiple layers to your PC and security system
- Use strong passwords
- A 128-bit WEP encryption on your wireless network (WPA2 is better than WEP)
- Standby is your PC's best friend
- TEST #1: Looking for leaks
- TEST #2: Checking the ports
Wired Gadget Lab's has a cool blog entry about DIY Home Network Projects. The comments is really where the gold is on this entry. Users commented on all kinds of setups and configurations. Below is mine.
Home Network
- Wireless 4-port Router
- Wireless Print Server
- Windows Server 2003 with two (RAID1) 160GB drives as the main file server.
I have my laptop(s) and gaming console on the network as well. The only glitch in my home metwork is my wireless print server. It is a version 1 and is not very stable with WPA2. For what ever reason, it is always disconnected. The RAIDed file server is running a cheapo PCI RAID card that could do RAID5, but I just went with RAID1 for frugal reasons. What is your configuration?
When dealing with life have you ever had the need to count down/stop, count down/repeat, count down/up, or count up? Well just install TimeKeeper and you can have upto 32 timekeeping instances running any of the afore mentioned timekeeping states.
[via DownloadSquad]
So I had this issue a while back where my work's domain script would change the registry value for my DHCPNodeType value. The result was that my laptop couldn't see any of my home computers or printers due to the fact it was trying to resolve the peers using WINS and not NETBIOS. A friend helped me narrow this down and we did it through a similar software package. TCPView would have been very handy as well.
"TCPView is a Windows program that will show you detailed listings of all TCP and UDP endpoints on your system, including the local and remote addresses and state of TCP connections. On Windows NT, 2000 and XP TCPView also reports the name of the process that owns the endpoint. TCPView provides a more informative and conveniently presented subset of the Netstat program that ships with Windows."
- Microsoft TechNet
[via DownloadSquad]
I would love a house like this. For one, it is straight out of the Hobbit and two it is completely environmentally friendly...and it is straight out of the Hobbit. Frodo would approve!
"You are looking at pictures of our family home in Wales. It was built by myself and my father in law with help from passers by and visiting friends. 4 months after starting we were moved in and cosy. I estimate 1000-1500 man hours and £3000 put in to this point. Not really so much in house buying terms (roughly £60/sq m excluding labour)."
- SimonDale
[via Make Magazine]
So I have been trying to find a replacement for the previous web stat metrics I was using. I am currently running SiteMeter, Google Analytics and FeedBurner's Stats. I am not really thrilled with any of them because I cannot input a date range and get back all of the pages viewed in the top 100 views. I will press on.
So I have been doing some research and trying to find the best bang-for-my-buck on the Mobile Browser front. I have come up with a good list, but not sure if it is the complete list.
So performancing.com stopped their metrics service (WITHOUT WARNING!!!) and I lost all of my web stats for this blog. Burn me once shame on you, burn me twice shame on me! If anyone has any suggestions for blog web metrics/stats, then leave a comment. Feedburner has a new stats package which I am going to give a try.
So this theme looks like a certain new phone recently released. Hurry and get the links before they are shut down.
[via EngadgetMobile]
Energizer is keeping up with technology. I have seen this before, but now that I have a PocketPC, my battery goes pretty quickly.
[via SlashGear]
Taking microbreaks throughout the day is good for the eyes, mind and body in general. I stare at a computer screen almost 8 hours a day, so to be reminded to look away is a good thang. Workrave is a small utility timer that helps remind you of some simple exercises to do throughout the day.
[via LifeHacker]
When I was into car audio, I ran only Alpine. I was an Alpine junkie like no other, but I could quit whenever I wanted. It is good to see that they are still innovators and in pace with today's technology.
[via Engadget]
CellTradeUSA will allow you to trade someone's mobile provider plan for yours. I.E. If you have a SPRINT account, then you can trade someone with a Cingular account. With Cingular being the only one currently offering the Apple iPhone, then this might be a good service to take advantage of.
[via LifeHacker]
If you have ever needed to transfer data between computers, then you have either used a shared network drive, USB drive, email, etc. The Belkin transfer cable is just another way to upgrade your settings and files to another computer. Another tool in the ol' IT bag.
[via Engadget]
SO sometimes I need to convert a video to a certain format and don't have the time or energy to research how or what I will need to do this. Well Any Video Converter is here to save the day or at6 least make it a little easier.
"Any Video Converter is an All-in-One video converting tool with easy-to-use graphical interface, fast converting speed and excellent video quality. It allows you to effortlessly convert video files between every format, for FREE! It can convert almost all video formats including DivX, XviD, MOV, rm, rmvb, MPEG, VOB, DVD, WMV, AVI to MPEG-4 movie format for iPod/PSP or other portable video device, MP4 player or smart phone. It also supports any user defined video file formats as the output. Any Video Converter makes it easy for anyone to enjoy the any format video with your iPod, PSP, mobile phone or MP4 player."
- any-dvd-converter
[via DownloadSquad]
DareJunkies is a crazy idea. I know I wouldn't have the guts to do some of the dares. Would you?
[via UrbanEola]
I thought Tree Goats were a hoax at first, but they exist. This is just crazy and weird. Someone give these goats a mountain to climb.
"In drought-ridden conditions when there is little else to eat, goats will climb up a variety of trees in many of the warmer countries in the world. It is an unusual sight here in Britain where we have plenty of grazing at a lower level and fewer goats. My family had a couple of goats on our little farm in Wales, who greatly enjoyed climbing the roof of our old barns and took delight in jumping on top of the car roof . No wonder the Chinese have a proverb saying 'If you don't have any worries, keep a goat!'"
- the-tree.org.uk
[via Digg]
What a crazy couple of weeks. I had the previous week off, but spent it agonizing over a cracked tooth with an exposed nerve. Merry Christmas! Then my insurance changed and my dentist was no longer "In-Network." Happy New Year! I finally got the root canal and am on my way to recovery. I hope you enjoyed the last two weeks of posts.
Which should technology should I invest in, HD-DVD or Blu-Ray? Major Nelson makes a strong argument for HD-DVD. Of course he works for Microsoft, but the arguments are still compelling.
Her is a list of the sites that Major Nelson referenced in the podcast.
Well as you now I have a pocketpc and with that I am able to utilize SlingBox Mobile. It would be nice to have a cool, non-bulky set of blueetooth headphones to make my pocketpc phone even sexier.
[via Engadget]
TIME.com has rated the 50 coolest sites of 2006.
[via Digg]
What is the difference between 1080p and 1080i? HDTVOrg gives a nice overview.
[via Digg]
Major Nelson has the top XBOX 360, Arcade and Original XBOX games for 2006.
