November 7, 2009
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(via JoernLoviscach)

neato.  metrics for signage?

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November 5, 2009
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[Justin] sent in his 1st place winning project from Northeastern’s Electrical Engineering Senior Design Capstone. It’s an interface that uses electrostatics to detect your hand position above it. As you can see in the video, it has decent resolution and can detect position on all 3 axes. When they uncover it, you can see the sensors arranged in a grid. They point out that each sensor isn’t just like a button, but rather detects a range of motion. They are using a pic 18×4550 to handle the sensors, which then communicates to the PC via USB. This could be pretty useful for musical performances as well as an alternative interface for people who can’t use a mouse.EO (via Electrostatic computer interface - Hack a Day )

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EOD TOOL ROLL
something like this would be soooo useful for audio adapters “in the field.”

EOD TOOL ROLL

something like this would be soooo useful for audio adapters “in the field.”

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November 2, 2009
Nitinol Wire will amazingly shorten in length (with significant force) when electrically powered (or heated by other means). It is easy to use, and the thin strands of wire can lift thousands of times their own weight.Nitinol wire returns to its original length when it cools.The direct linear motion of Muscle Wires offers experimenters a source of motion that is very similar to that of a human muscle, providing possibilities not available with motors or solenoids. (via Nitinol ‘Muscle’ Wire - $3.00 : United Nuclear , Scientific Equipment & Supplies)
this could be pretty useful for something or other.

Nitinol Wire will amazingly shorten in length (with significant force) when electrically powered (or heated by other means). It is easy to use, and the thin strands of wire can lift thousands of times their own weight.Nitinol wire returns to its original length when it cools.The direct linear motion of Muscle Wires offers experimenters a source of motion that is very similar to that of a human muscle, providing possibilities not available with motors or solenoids. (via Nitinol ‘Muscle’ Wire - $3.00 : United Nuclear , Scientific Equipment & Supplies)

this could be pretty useful for something or other.

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October 27, 2009
Marketing is becoming automated. 

Are You Ready for the Trend Toward Marketing Automation? : Innovation :: American Express OPEN Forum

And what does that mean anyway?  At the very least it’s part of a larger trend in automation.  Luckily, we’ll soon be helping create integrated systems to handle marketing, IT, and more.  When you can integrate processes over department boundaries, you can do two things: save money + increase internal communication (not the kind with your inner self though.  well, maybe?).

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There’ve been satellites orbiting Earth for half a century. But getting information to and from them is still a pain. Which is why Pentagon research arm Darpa is looking to finally hook the orbiting spacecraft up with reliable broadband connections. It’s part of a larger movement to extend terrestrial networks into space, and eventually build an “Interplanetary Internet.” In the meantime, we might even get less-than-crappy satellite internet service — if the project works out, of course.
Darpa recently issued a request for information about supplying “persistent broadband ground connectivity for spacecraft in low-Earth orbit.” The idea would be to give these satellites a near-constant feed of “100 kbps or higher” two-way connectivity, with end-to-end transmission latency of less than a second. Unlike most Darpa projects, which are meant to pay off years or decades in the future, this would be a near-term attempt. The agency wants the system “operational in the 2012 to 2013 time frame.”
Darpa’s deadline for ideas of how to pull it off is Nov. 5.

There’ve been satellites orbiting Earth for half a century. But getting information to and from them is still a pain. Which is why Pentagon research arm Darpa is looking to finally hook the orbiting spacecraft up with reliable broadband connections. It’s part of a larger movement to extend terrestrial networks into space, and eventually build an “Interplanetary Internet.” In the meantime, we might even get less-than-crappy satellite internet service — if the project works out, of course.

Darpa recently issued a request for information about supplying “persistent broadband ground connectivity for spacecraft in low-Earth orbit.” The idea would be to give these satellites a near-constant feed of “100 kbps or higher” two-way connectivity, with end-to-end transmission latency of less than a second. Unlike most Darpa projects, which are meant to pay off years or decades in the future, this would be a near-term attempt. The agency wants the system “operational in the 2012 to 2013 time frame.”

Darpa’s deadline for ideas of how to pull it off is Nov. 5.

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Looking back to the club scene of the late ’80s and early ’90s, Diesel’s new Flash for Fun collection uses a bright mix of specially coated denim designed to dazzle under black lights. The party pants look completely normal during daylight hours, making the transition to late nights a cinch. (via Diesel Flash for Fun Denim)

Looking back to the club scene of the late ’80s and early ’90s, Diesel’s new Flash for Fun collection uses a bright mix of specially coated denim designed to dazzle under black lights. The party pants look completely normal during daylight hours, making the transition to late nights a cinch. (via Diesel Flash for Fun Denim)

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When an instrument is being designed and built, the process is marked by long iterations.  The instrument creator makes something, then a musician tries it out, then its worked on a bit more and over the years an instrument evolves. In our case, this process has tiny iterations and the instrument is essentially build on the fly….
The live painting by Fernando, as well as the live collage and animation is an input into the instrument, kinda like the visions and emotions a violinist might experience when playing. The software by Dave and his curation of relationships between inputs and outputs, as well as content, drives the evolution of the instrument. My drumming provides a gestural rhythmic relationship to music that people can relate to.  Kevin’s musical passages are picked live to play off of the imagery and each other.  Then there is our collective communication happening on top, built from practicing together.
We are in sum an evolving video instrument?

When an instrument is being designed and built, the process is marked by long iterations.  The instrument creator makes something, then a musician tries it out, then its worked on a bit more and over the years an instrument evolves. In our case, this process has tiny iterations and the instrument is essentially build on the fly….

The live painting by Fernando, as well as the live collage and animation is an input into the instrument, kinda like the visions and emotions a violinist might experience when playing. The software by Dave and his curation of relationships between inputs and outputs, as well as content, drives the evolution of the instrument. My drumming provides a gestural rhythmic relationship to music that people can relate to.  Kevin’s musical passages are picked live to play off of the imagery and each other.  Then there is our collective communication happening on top, built from practicing together.

We are in sum an evolving video instrument?

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Developed with Skype for optimal performance. Super wideband audio. Unidirectional microphone helps eliminate background noise. Neodymium speakers for rich full range stereo sound 20Hz-20KHz. Innovative, light fold-flat design. Plug & Play instant use with excellent USB sound quality. Handy optional 3.5mm jack allows MP3 connection when travelling. Adjustable headband and microphone. PC and Mac compatible. Weighs only 124 g. (via Skype Shop - FREETALK® Everyman USB Headset)

Developed with Skype for optimal performance. Super wideband audio. Unidirectional microphone helps eliminate background noise. Neodymium speakers for rich full range stereo sound 20Hz-20KHz. Innovative, light fold-flat design. Plug & Play instant use with excellent USB sound quality. Handy optional 3.5mm jack allows MP3 connection when travelling. Adjustable headband and microphone. PC and Mac compatible. Weighs only 124 g. (via Skype Shop - FREETALK® Everyman USB Headset)

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