Daily Archives: November 3, 2008

Video: How Consumer Reports reviews gadgets

Posted on November 3, 2008 by Rob Beschizza

Consumer Reports is renowned for the rigor and comprehensiveness of its tests, as well as its independence from advertising money. Last week, it hosted a lab tour covering the work that it does, from the everyday testing of cameras gadgets … Continue reading →

ES&S electronic voting machines can favor specific candidates

Posted on November 3, 2008 by Joel Johnson

Threat Level reports on problems with electronic voting machines made by ES&S that can register votes for candidates other than the one selected by the voter. While the machines can be deliberately miscalibrated, it’s also possible that bad user interface … Continue reading →

Power On Self Test (afternoon edition): The Sun Also Rises

Posted on November 3, 2008 by Rob Beschizza

Think you’re into computers? This is Dean of Pittsburgh. Do you have a 12GB Solaris 10 “Beastserver” rack the size of a refrigerator in the middle of your living room? Well, do you? Mustard Hamsters

Video: Crafting a sword from metal and leather and brawn

Posted on November 3, 2008 by Joel Johnson

Here’s a lovely video of two swordsmiths making a blade, set to some pleasant fingerpicked guitar. It’s from the Mad Dwarf Workshop, an Indiana smith(y?) run by two young men who certainly don’t fit the traditional mold of the pot-bellied … Continue reading →

Lexon Jet Lights by Theo Williams: Expensive, pretty flashlights

Posted on November 3, 2008 by Joel Johnson

I will share the expression of surprise with Technabob: I wouldn’t think I’d be excited by the design of a flashlight, but Theo Williams’ elegant little fobs are quite attractive. And not horribly expensive, provided you ignore the bargain basement … Continue reading →

Cyber Commander flash remote for DSLRs

Posted on November 3, 2008 by Joel Johnson

Cyber Commander is a radio remote control for camera flashes. It’s got tons of features in its $180 price — the ability to control up to sixteen lights from up to 400 feet away, including not just triggering their flash … Continue reading →

Video: Gradius a la Little Big Planet

Posted on November 3, 2008 by Joel Johnson

A Japanese savant has recreated the original first level of side-scrolling classic Gradius in Little Big Planet. A crafty feat — the little enemies on puppet sticks and the clacking laser planks just slay me.

Latest Asus PC cases ship flat-packed

Posted on November 3, 2008 by Joel Johnson

Asus’s newest PC cases for DIY builders ship flat-packed, saving on storage and shipping costs. Obviously not all cases will be able to be broken down like this, especially if they ship with power supplies, but I’m surprised it’s taken … Continue reading →

Robot City, Pittsburgh

Posted on November 3, 2008 by Rob Beschizza

Robot City is a brownfield site in Pittsburgh, a railway roundhouse and abandoned cokeworks that once served as handmaiden to America’s industrial revolution. Carnegie Mellon University plans to develop a high-tech robot testing site there for its Field Robotics Center. … Continue reading →

Bjork explains TV

Posted on November 3, 2008 by Joel Johnson

Professional weirdo* Bjork opens up a CRT television and attempts to explain how it works in this video that appears to be from days of weirdo yore. She offers incalculably valuable technical advice that we can all apply to our … Continue reading →