Steampunk Sewer Cleaner

I really like this genre of art — maybe it’s because of my early love of Anime and Myst. Enjoy!

This piece was built by Alex Holden. Alex says of the project…

The pictured device is a prototype of Joseph Bazalgette’s patent sewer maintenance machine, as demonstrated at the Great Crystal Cyberdrome Exhibition. Its boiler is fired by miasma and it is fitted with a variety of cleaning and pest-control ancillaries. Unfortunately the high manufacturing cost and the temperamental nature of their modified rat brains meant that after the initial batch of fifty had escaped Bazalgette was forced to employ men to maintain London’s sewers. Even today, you can put your ear to a manhole cover in our capital city and hear the distant clanking of brass wheels on brick walkways and the squeal of exterminated rodents.

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Creativity, Cars, And Ninja Cows

I came across this old drawing that my friend, Jeff at Jaggedsmile, did after a conversation we had. You see, when my wife and I used to travel, in the BK (Before Kids) days, she told me about a game she used to play with her sister when they traveled. They used to look out their side of the car and count cows. The person with the most cows at the end of the trip was the winner. On a particular trip we took in through southeast we revived this old game for fun. At the end of our trip, my wife informed me she had counted several hundred cows. Not to be outdone I told her I has counted about a hundred that were visible, while the remaining several hundred were “ninja cows” practicing their camouflage skills. Chick-fil-A would have loved it!

Ironman Case Mod - Awesome! [PICS]

How’s this for creative computing? To see all the steps in detail, visit Random Access. Now, go build your own and send me your images to post here. Have fun!

clipped from www.microcenter.com Body armor for the case? I wanted this case to incorporate aspects of several types of Iron Man armor, starting with his original dull gray steel. Although rivets were not always in evidence, these would add to the effect of heavy plate on the panels. Starting with the case itself, I anchored short lengths of aluminum angle (L brackets) to the top and front edges of the chassis. These were used as anchor points to attach two curved steel panels at the bottom front and top rear of the case. To strengthen the sheet metal, I riveted ribs of aluminum bar stock to the outer edges using two rows of heavy nickel wire for the pins. To create a layered articulated armor on the top, sections of PVC plastic were cut and then anchored to the aluminum angle with sheet metal screws. A final PVC panel was attached to the front and a piece of foam rubber trimmed to fill the gap between the sections. The foam was trimmed to a smooth shape with a razor blade, and then covered with a layer of epoxy Several layers of shredded fiberglass-reinforced epoxy were built up over the surface of the PVC with only a light sanding in between. I wanted a slight ripple effect to simulate hammered metal. I prefer to add pigment to the epoxy so that if the surface gets scratched, there is a solid color exposed. The color layers also make it easier to visualize the final effect and in some cases, can be used as the final finish instead of paint. Ribs made from strips of half-round wood trim were cut to fit the drive bay opening. Two at the top were glued in place; one was attached to the front of the DVD drawer; the fourth rib was attached to the front of the DVD drive using foam mounting tape (this allowed the rib to flex; pressing on the right edge opens the drive tray). For the mask, I went to a recent version of Iron Man - the 2005 and 2006 release of “Extremis” (also available as a graphic novel of the same name). I used the circuit-style lettering in the title for the IMD plaque. To make the case more than just an armored shell, I wanted to give it a purpose - even a fictional one. Readers rarely see Tony Stark testing his armor. He always seems to rush off, slap something together that works perfectly and is well finished, miniaturized, and usually violating several laws of physics - but hey, it’s fiction, right? But what if he had to troubleshoot something? That’s what we do in real life… so I came up with the concept of an Iron Man Diagnostic Unit. Since Tony no longer keeps his identity secret, it means we needed to identify that the unit came from Stark Laboratories. Letters were cut from sheet brass, then dots drilled, edges filed, and lines chiseled. The background was printed on a laser printer, then glued between two sheets of 1/8″ high impact plastic. The brass letters received a soft satin finish, then were glued to the plastic. Four small magnets (Tony has always been big on magnets, although his are usually transistor-powered) were glued to the back to allow placement of the plaque on any flat ferrous surface. I was going to stick this on the top of the CPU heat sink, but there wasn’t enough clearance between it and the side panel. So that became the title - Stark Industries IMD. But what to run diagnostics on? The Iron Man mask is probably one of the most characteristic parts that while frequently changed still has similar features, such as no nose, slitted glowing white eyes, and a slash of a mouth. The mask was attached to the mesh panel, then the clamps positioned and anchored from the rear with short screws. Two holes were drilled in the mesh behind the eyes. A pair of white LEDs were hot glued onto the mesh to cause the eyes to flicker when the hard drive is accessed. A heavy duty stainless steel switch was located in the side panel, presumably to open and close the clamps (or turn on the power in reality). The bottom of the case was anchored to the base plate treads. The rest of the system components were installed, and cables organized a bit, but spiffed up with some chrome convoluted (AKA split loom) tubing. Then it was time to tear it all down and switch out the stock Intel heatsink with a big blocky Peltier cooled one. Then I stuffed it all back together, and took these final pics.

Quotable Quote - Plato

Those who tell the stories change society.

- Plato

Could New Movie Be Too Much Star Wars?

Not according to George Lucas, but what will the fans think?What do you think? Comment below.

clipped from www.cnn.com Set in the years between episodes II and III — “Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge of the Sith” — of the big-screen “Star Wars” chronicle, the movie and series present fresh adventures of Jedi warrior Anakin Skywalker, his mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and other colleagues. The movie introduces a female Jedi, Ahsoki, who is Anakin’s young apprentice. “It’s like ‘Band of Brothers’ in space, with Jedi,” Lucas, 63, said. “You can tell lots of stories. They come up all the time.” He also is moving forward with a live-action “Star Wars” TV show focusing largely on new characters removed from the Skywalker family. That show will be set in the decades between “Revenge of the Sith” and the period when the original film, 1977’s “Star Wars,” takes place. So can fans ever get enough of “Star Wars”? “I don’t know,” Lucas said. “I’m thankful every year that it keeps going.”

Mandatory Ping Pong In The Workplace

By E. Brown

I had lunch today with my friend, Tim, who gave me a tour of his offices afterward. What struck me was 2 things:

1. Everyone seemed genuinely engaged in what they were working on
2. Everyone seemed genuinely happy and content

To some of you who read this, my examinations may be commonplace, yet to others of you this may be foreign and even a little bit envious. I would venture to guess that many of you fall into the second category. You have never experienced a work environment where you were genuinely engaged, believed in what you worked for everyday, and were happy and content to go to work.

Many people I talk to long for this kind of workplace. There are numerous studies that show the value of this kind of workplace. My friend Alex is on a crusade to promote “happy” workplaces. So, what can you do?

Well, you have a couple options. One of which is to look for this kind of organization that you can give yourself to — one that you appreciate and one that appreciates you! Another option is to attempt to create this kind of environment within your current workplace. Is it doable? It depends on the level of influence and determination you have. Explore all your options. Wouldn’t you rather get up excited about what you’re doing for work rather than dragging your rear into a dull lifeless job while waiting for retirement?

It’s possible. I have seen it. Granted, I have seen it in a handful of places, but those are becoming more frequent. Get started today! Bring a Foosball table into the office, have an afternoon that you take the staff to the movies, do something — anything to make work fun and engaging.

BTW- did I mention, Tim’s office was having a mandatory Ping Pong tournament? Everyone had to play singles or doubles. What do you think of that? Mandatory fun!

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Weird Week In Review - Feb. 29

Your one stop review of all things from WeirdGuy - Have fun!

Corporate Culture: Know What You’re Getting Yourself Into

Feel The Love

A New Iron Man Trailer Released - Promising This Movie To Be The Best Marvel Debut Yet

Related Links
- Weird Week In Review (Feb. 22)
- Weird Week In Review (Feb. 1)
- Weird Week In Review (Jan. 25)

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Feel The Love

Writing about learning, innovation, and fun, I had to include the new game being developed by Eskil Steenberg. This is a game that learns while the players and developers do too. Follow the link to learn more about LOVE.

clipped from www.boingboing.net Eskil Steenberg is a solo game-developer who’s bent on creating an entire massively multiplayer online world single-handedly, using procedural generation techniques that cause the game to build itself by starting with clever rules and exploring them outwards. Based on the reports at Rock, Paper, Shotgun, it sounds like Steenberg’s really got something, and the screenshots are drop-dead knockout gorgeous. The game itself, dubbed Love (as in For The Love Of Game Development), is an exploration-based moderately-multiplayer FPS with astounding impressionistic visuals and a procedurally generated universe. Since Steenberg is a one man show, he’s relying on clever maths to build the world for him and then clever gamers to come in and help him figure out where to take it, and what to do with it. Related Links - FLOW Theory - flOw, the game - The FUN of FLOW

Bring Back The Word “Sticky”

By E. Brown

I was telling a friend about the various projects I consult on. When I brought up online learning and performance management, I used the word “sticky”.

“Wow, now that is a word I haven’t heard since the early days of the Web,” my friend exclaimed.

I knew what he was referring to. Sticky was a word used to describe a Web sites combination of architecture, UI, and content. If a site was sticky it kept the attention of visitors and kept them coming back often. In essence a site retained it’s audience.

Today I use the word sticky in regard to learning. Learning is sticky when:

1. It is fun and enjoyable.
2. It captures imagination and stirs creativity.
3. It engages the learner through interaction and team work.
4. It excites and drives the learner to know more.
5. It encourages the learner to apply “fun approaches” to work and more.
6. It creates a positive and practical experience.
7. It increases mental flexibility and agility.
8. It is a fresh and new approach to common learning methods.
   

Ultimately, when a person retains and applies what they learn, then the learning content is sticky. If you are in the business of teaching, training, and development don’t be satisfied with only spreading information. Look for creative, out of the box, and fun ways to make learning…well, Sticky.

Let’s bring back the word “Sticky.”

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- Online Learning: Retention is Everyone’s Issue
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Weird Week In Review - Feb. 1

Your one stop to review all things on WeirdGuy. Have Fun!

Steve Jobs vs. Amazon’s Kindle
Is Steve out of touch with reality or is he onto the next “insanely great” idea? Read for yourself. Read More

Can Starbucks Come Back?
Wise up Starbucks! You are no longer the only player in this space. Read More

USA Today and Creative Learning — About Time!
Hmmm…sounds vaguely familiar. How can we use these tools to creatively teach and communicate? Read More

Designer Chair For Dr. Evil? (PIC)
OK, this made me laugh. I mean, it is a legit design and I am sure it is very comfortable, but… Read More

Eco Friendly Creative Learning Game
Here, from Sust, is another creative learning game. Teach your child how to build an Eco-Friendly house and more… Read More

Creative Ways To Make Complex Information Simple
I applaud the creativity used and out-of-the-box presenting of complex information. Take this for instance — an org chart. Typically they are presented… Read More

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Eco Friendly Creative Learning Game

Here, from Sust, is another creative learning game. Teach your child how to build an Eco-Friendly house and more… Enjoy!

clipped from dustbowl.wordpress.com

iPhone Air Guitar

Great for parties and finding new ways to impress your geek friends.

clipped from dustbowl.wordpress.com So so fun… google shows you how….. code.google.com

Top 10’s of 2007

A great list but, by no means comprehensive. Enjoy!

clipped from lifehacker.com When we launched our Lifehacker Top 10 series back in March we had no idea what a big hit it would be. That Letterman guy’s really onto something! While we’re milking this whole “best of 2007 list” thing, we compiled the top 20 most-viewed Lifehacker Top 10 lists of 2007. Top 10 iPhone Applications Top 10 Free Windows Downloads Top 10 USB Thumb Drive Tricks Top 10 Free Computer System Recovery Tools Top 10 Wi-Fi Boosts, Tweaks and Apps Top 10 Free Video Rippers, Encoders, and Converters Top 10 Free Wallpaper, Fonts and Icon Sources Top 10 Body Hacks Top 10 Ways to Sleep Smarter and Better Top 10 Google Products You Forgot All About Top 10 Must-have Firefox Extensions Top 10 Ubuntu Applications Top 10 Ways to Clean Up Your PC Top 10 Mac OS X Tweaks Top 10 DIY Office Projects Top 10 Free Mac Downloads Top 10 Food and Drink Hacks Top 10 New and Improved Apps of 2007 Top 10 Home Networking Tricks Top 10 PDF Tricks

Your Virtual Snowglobe

For the holidays, here is your very own virtual snowglobe at AlbinoBlackSheep by E-Tractions. Try it out for yourself. You can shake it and watch the snow and little people in side go swirling about, screaming helplessly! What fun! Or, you can sit and watch what happens as the inhabitants interact within the globe. The music is fun but can become a tidbit annoying. Regardless, here is my gift to you!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Voyeuristic vs. Imaginistic

By E. Brown

I have an ongoing debate with my best friend. We tend to disagree about some television programs. She likes Grey’s Anatomy, Brothers & Sisters, and Desperate Housewives, while I like shows such as LOST, Heroes, and Battlestar Galactica.

I will make fun of the drama and dysfunction of the shows she watches and she will give me a hard time about the geeky sci-fi make-believe shows I watch. Granted, we watch some of each others shows, but the tell tale sign is that I can busy myself with others things while Brothers & Sisters is on (heck, I can skip it all together) and she can do likewise with my enjoyed programming.

Yet, it occurred to me the other day….

The Difference
The shows I like are make-believe and that is why they are compelling to me. I do not want to watch “real to life” drama because I get enough real world drama every day. Through the news I read, or watch, I understand there is a great amount of hurt, brokenness, and dysfunction within the world without having to watch it. This is voyeurism.

Does this mean I am trying to escape reality? No, there is no way to accomplish that outside of mind altering prescriptions. Call me optimistic, but I like shows were the characters are pitted against challenges that I can relate to, set in creative and imaginative “worlds” where they rise above the pains and sorrows they face. Better to stimulate imagination.

Loss Of Imagination
I have tried to instill in my children the joy of reading. Taking the descriptive language of the author and using their imaginations to create the characters and worlds within their minds-eye. We have been reading such classics as:

• Journey To The Center Of The Earth
• Around The World In 80 Days
• Moby Dick
• 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
  
• The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader
• The Swiss Family Robinson
• The Silver Chair, and others.

Why is there a loss of wonder and imagination amongst many today? Could it be we are bombarded by the “real world” so much we lose the ability and turn to coping mechanisms because of stress?

Imagine
Imagination is defined as:

the action of forming new ideas and concepts or images; the ability of the mind to be creative or resourceful.

Imagination reduces stress. It breeds innovation across vocational fields. It stimulates mental activity. Imagination is fun. It breaks new ground. It looks at issues and problems in a creative new way.

So, how about you? Are you voyeuristic or imaginistic? Let me know in the comments area below.

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Profile In Creative Learning Games - Timez Attack

By E. Brown

From Big Brainz comes acclaimed edutainment game, Timez Attack. Where else can you see response like this to a Math game:

My son actually paid for half of the program himself! Do you think any kid would do THAT for a set of flashcards?!
Nancy Salacinski, Montana

I am a second grade teacher… My daughter in fourth grade begs to play this the moment we get home. My older middle school daughter also wants to play because it looks so cool. My teenager who is 17 had friends over the other day. It even spellbound them!!!
Nicole Schmidt

Big Brainz has created a game that engages learners on multiple levels. Timez Attack is fun to play and explore:

• It is a high-end video game, not unlike what you’d see on a PlayStation.
• There is a competitive aspect to the game that keeps you coming back for more.
• There are repetitive sequences set up to reinforce learning and retention.
• There are changing environments to keep the learner engaged.

This game has an excellent blend of teaching and game play. Some edutainment titles lean too heavily on the entertainment side and consequently, the learning is lost in light of the storyline.

If you have never seen or played Timez Attack, you can download a free version (without changing environments) or you can purchase the full version for $40 which will give you the dungeon, Mechanized World, and Lava World.

While Timez Attack is for learning the multiplication tables only, I sure hope Big Brainz has more topics they are exploring. This is fun learning done right!

Related Links
- Profile In Creative Learning - Bert Smets, Hopla
- Stop Putting Your Class To Sleep And Engage The Learner
- Entertainment’s Educational Impact

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