Need a Tool? - May 12, 2008

Maybe you're making a deck for the summer, digging a hole for that stereotypical white picket fence, or you just want to assemble that IKEA bookshelf. These things take tools, some cheap, some expensive, but either way there's nothing worse than being limited to creating something because you don't have the tool you need. Sometimes cost can be a prohibiter, or maybe it's just not worth buying because you'll only use it once.

With this frustrations like this in mind, Berkeley, CA opened the first "tool library" in 1979. Library patrons could and can still borrow tools, equipment and "how-to" instructional materials, usually free of charge.

It's a brilliant idea, and thought locals should know about this. Here's the link to the Berekely tool library. As a result of this initiative, dozens of other tool libraries have opened across the U.S.

Vacuum Forming My Leatherman - May 9, 2008

Last night I had my good friends Marcelo and Ken over at my apartment, and we decided to try to put my vacuum forming machine to good use.

Unfortunately, I didn't have the right tools to make a perfect mold, but this was a fun first attempt to see what happens. Basically, I put a sheet of styrene on aluminum foil, and placed it in my oven for 5-6 minutes on 350 degrees.

Once it was done in the oven, I turned on the vacuum, pulled out the styrene, and threw it on top of the Leatherman with the aluminum foil facing up. I also poured water on top of the wood beforehand, so it would form more of an air tight seal.

The result was mediocore, as I really needed a frame to hold the styrene sheet. Also, I need rubber on the edge of the frame, so that it forms an airtight seal when I push down on the vacuum forming machine's platform. Here's the video link in case the video has trouble playing outside YouTube, and the video:

Set Information Free – May 8, 2008

The beauty of Web 2.0 is the idea that information on the web is now provided by everyone, and that the hope is if enough people participate, then the truth will come out.

Wikis are a great example of how the Internet's population is allowed to control the information provided on/about anything. This seemingly poses a problem, since it allows anyone the ability to lie or fabricate information, yet only factual evidence continues to surface to the top. Why?

This answer is crowd control. It's a beautiful thing! At the same time information is being created, it is also being read instantaneously by a subjective audience. Any information that is incorrect is likely to be altered within moments. Also, the individual who provided false information can be castigated by the readers, and be prevented from altering content in the future. Of course there is the occasional delinquent who alters the information temporarily, but it isn't a large enough problem that wikis fail.

Wikis are awesome because they can react faster than the Merriam Websters, Encyclopedia Britannicas, etc of the world, but at the same time retain topics about important people, places, events, movements, and almost anything important that ever happened. As a result, you can get information about popular cultural or ancient history with a few clicks of the mouse.

So, why the long flabbergasting about the incredible power of crowd sourced knowledge? I’ve started to come across thousands of YouTube videos that have now been “removed” or “no longer found”. Specifically, I wanted to watch videos that had surfaced of old racist Disney videos, not because I’m a racist, but because I wanted to see just how bigoted Disney was at the time. Unfortunately, YouTube had taken them down. I know the reason they took them down was due to copyright laws, but I think that the videos should not have been censored.

Americans and reporters have a right to access this type of information. Disney is clearly not making money off these older clips, nor are they gaining some sort of obscure royalties from them. The fact that Disney is asking that these videos be removed from YouTube is obvious recognition that they are ashamed of the videos. Disney, however, still does not have the guts to stand before America and apologize for the stereotypes they portrayed in their films.

The Disney example is just one of many. I ask YouTube and all the other companies to take lead from Digg’s founder Kevin Rose, and no longer sway to the demands of people trying to dictate the substance of their content.

We have a right to know, we have a right to information, both good and bad. Just because a technology platform exists that not one person can control, does not mean it should become the subject of criticism. Big media and old, slow moving corporations are forever afraid of socializing their content, and it’s time they get passed that. I’ve heard arguments on both sides of the equation (e.g. if NBC doesn’t make money on the shows they produce, than they can’t invest in future production OR people shouldn’t have to be restricted to when and where they view their content), and I feel that there is a happy medium. Maybe it’s a universal ad revenue sharing platform, or perhaps it’s a something else, but I know one thing for sure, things have to change.

It's Official, I'm a Wantraprenuer - May 7, 2008

Wantrapreneur (n)

An individual that considers, ponders, talks about, or wants to run their own business, like an entrepreneur. Often times the wantrapreneur will frequently cite the many obstacles to doing so.

Many “wantrapreneurs” will waste months, years, and decades choosing and deciding upon a business concept before taking the first step.

Example of using it in a sentence: Silicon Valley in California is known for having many wantrapreneurs.

Ghostly Swim - May 6, 2008

For a nice little morning pick-me-up, try checking out Ghostly Swim. Adult Swim of the Cartoon Network partnered up with Ghostly International, a collection of musicians, to produce an album. It's pretty nice to listen to, and it's free!!! That's right free. Free music, free, free, free!!!! You can even download it! Do it now, stop what you're doing and download it now, go, do it now, faster!!!

Maker Recap - May 6, 2008

This past weekend was a blast at Maker Faire. I was inspired and in awe at various moments throughout the day. The passion and excitement in the air was tangible as I talked with various makers. From rocketry experts to knitting mavens, Maker had every type of imaginable hobbyist in attendance. I really would like to have spent more time learning about electronics, but to no alas.

Sosia and I wanted to attempt to build our own LED contraption, but the line to purchase the kit was far too long. Instead, I settled on buying a monster corn dog that completely destroyed my appetite for 2 whole days.

Here are two videos I took that I'm especially excited about. The first demonstrates the awesome power of two Tesla coils, and the second shows Richard Jacobsen demonstrating how to make a vacuum forming machine for under $300 (although I found I could do it for much much less).

Enjoy!

Tweekender - May 2, 2008

I hope to see you people at these two things this weekend.

The Weird Street Faire

Make Faire!

NBC & Improv Everywhere

I’m sure many of you are well aware of the various flashmob events that have happened around the US recently (e.g. No Pants Mission or Grand Central Freeze) that have garnered tons of attention from news stations and police units. They’re spontaneous…so how does a company leverage them?

NBC put some serious thought into it, and decided that helping enable them is better than forcing the company into the flashmob in an unnatural way. In Improv Everywhere’s latest flashmob, NBC helped assist Improv Everywhere by lending them the equipment necessary to cover a little league game the same way a MLB game might have been covered, Goodyear blimp and all!

Why it’s important – This demonstrates that even the biggest and most corporate of companies can associate and integrate itself with popular grassroots movements in a noncontroversial manner. By being able to be apart of these widely watched and discussed communities, NBC elevates the significance and multifaceted attributes of their brand.