Multi-bot programming language accepting beta testers
Posted Jun 19th 2006 2:49PM by Evan Blass
Filed under: Robots

If you have what it takes to spend countless hours tinkering with
small robots, coding in a brand new language, and filing a stream of
bug reports, then the National Robotics Engineering Center wants you
to beta test its new multi-plaform bot programming software. Tasked
by the educational outreach department at Carnegie Mellon's Robotics
Academy with developing a commercial application capable of
controlling the most popular kits on the market, the team came up
with a language called RobotC, which can be used to write scripts for
both the NXT and RCX varieties of Lego Mindstorms bots as well as
that Vex Robotics kit we featured in our Holiday Gift Guide. As part
of the beta testing program, you'll get a free copy of the software
to play with in exchange for your promise to participate in the Bug
Tracking system -- which probably isn't much of a burden for those
hardcore enthusiasts who spend all day living, breathing, and
blogging this stuff anyway.
http://tinyurl.com/qjafr
Make yourself a human torch with Flash 8 and a webcam
Posted Jun 16th 2006 4:10PM by Jordan Running
Filed under: Fun

Back in December I mentioned a cool little Flash 8 demo by Grant
Skinner that interfaces with your webcam to make it look like you're
being snowed on. Okay, it sounds kinda lame when I explain it that
way, but it is pretty cool. Even cooler, though, is a new demo by
Skinner, which also requires Flash Player 8 and a compatible webcam,
that turns you into the human torch. While I don't have a webcam with
which to test it out, the screenshots look great even though Skinner
says they don't do it justice. Don't bother asking what this is good
for-it exists soley to be neat, and to teach you a bit about Flash
8's features.
http://tinyurl.com/p4xf5
Harvard Business Review: "Building the Green Way"
June 20, 2006 08:50 AM - John Laumer, Philadelphia

Author Charles Lockwood , speaking about his newly published article
in Harvard Business Review, reminds us that, “In the U.S., buildings
account for 39% of the nation’s total annual energy consumption,
whereas transportation (including cars) comprises only 27% of our
total energy use,…” His June 2006 HBR article begins with a
reminder of just how quickly the green building movement has become
practical and business-worthy. Deserving of a read in its entirety,
the full article, online version without photos, is available for a
limited time at this link . Charlie offers ten cardinal rules that
will be helpful for those who’ve not yet looked into the details of
green building (in truth, this probably means most big business
executives and developers). From HBR: “Building green is no longer a
pricey experiment; just about any company can do it on a standard
budget by implementing the following ten rules”.
http://tinyurl.com/o7rj4
Light Sleeper – It Design’s Cardboard Bed
June 20, 2006 08:00 AM - Leonora Oppenheim, Barcelona

Since you all loved the idea of Mothercare’s cardboard cot so much
(arrrgghhh who’d let their child sleep in something made out of
cardboard!) I wonder what you’ll think of this? A bed base made from
cardboard eh? Well we certainly like It Design’s concept, it uses a
sustainable, lightweight and cheap material, which for the urban
nomad is easily transportable. From the photos it looks great; simple
and easy to assemble, but I wonder how sturdy it really is? They have
photos of kids are playing on it, and even people doing yoga on it!
But still you might not want to put it under too much strain. The
Itbed is made from 7mm thick cardboard and is stabilized from head to
foot with by two lengths of webbing. It comes in several widths from
90 to 160cm and in two versions one for a futon, ideal as a guest
bed, and one for a regular mattress. It is a label from Switzerland
that has 'designed and produced compact and flexible furniture for
young and mobile urbanites since 1997. The label has been created by
the two architects Valérie Jomini and Stanislas Zimmermann.' Check
out other their other minimal lightweight designs and mobile
inflatable showroom! Thanks to tippster Zerlina ::It Design.
http://tinyurl.com/qeppn
No, I'm Sorry, It Does.
UPDATE!!: The saga continues at this post.
Every year I get a few kids in my classes who argue with me on this.
And there are arguers all over the web. And I just know I'm going to
get contentious "but it just can't be true" whiners in my comments.
But I feel obliged to step into this fray.
.9 repeating equals one. In other words, .9999999... is the same
number as 1. They're 2 different ways of writing the same number.
Kind of like 1.5, 1 1/2, 3/2, and 99/66. All the same. I know some
of you still don't believe me, so let me say it loudly:
(IT CONTINUES)
http://tinyurl.com/fn44j
Monty Python Toys

True fandom can't exist without product to fixate on. For example,
take a look at the collection of toys, plushies, and paraphernalia
based on the now classic comedy of Monty Python. True genius stands
the test of time, but everything can be helped with a little
marketing! Now you can be a Knight of Ni, or paddle around in your
own Rabbit With Pointy Teeth Slippers. Because even if you can't
appreciate the nuances of a Black Knight mini-plush, you can still
cop a little cool out of owning one, right?
http://tinyurl.com/o6xd6
Unimat 6-in-1 Cool Tool

I remember once someone told me about the best wedding gift they ever
received. He and his wife got matching Makita power drills. Now
that's romantic. Likewise, when I saw the Unimat 6-in-1 Cool Tool I
thought to myself 'who cares about picking out china and flatware?'
For the couple that likes to tinker together something like this
would be infinitely better. The Cool Tool is actually six machines in
one. Depending on the configuration it can be used as a jig-saw, wood
lathe, drill press, sanding machine, metal lathe or horizontal/
vertical mill. And with additional attachments (not included) the
system can be built upon to make additional machining tools! I can
definitely tell you that I'd use something like this much more than I
would nice table linens or a pretty vase.
http://tinyurl.com/ms82l
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