375269
submission
MotorMachineMercenar writes:
I'm a thirty-something geek who works in finance, plays computer games and wastes time on the internet — ie. I spend pretty much all my time in front of a screen. Lately I've started looking for a hobby, something outside the slouching-in-front-of-the-computer realm, and hopefully something to do with my hands with concrete stuff. I'm not talking about the gym, martial arts, photography or books (do that already), but something novel, high-tech and creative. The potential to actually make new discoveries applicable in the real world would be a huge benefit.
The most appealing choice I've found thus far is BEAM robotics, although I'm quite skeptical of the potential for new discoveries. So perhaps a robosoccer challenge would be a better option. Amateur rocketry sounds like fun, but I'd like to keep traveling without being subjected to a "routine" cavity search.
197951
submission
MotorMachineMercenar writes:
This article on RedOrbit claims that painting your roof white is more environmentally friendly than installing photovoltaic cells. While the overall environmental impact is difficult to gauge accurately, I'm glad to see critical thinking of "environmentalism" so we don't end up doing more harm than good, or jumping to hasty, badly researched and emotionally driven conclusions.
88732
submission
MotorMachineMercenar writes:
This year's Ozzfest will be free! Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne made an announcement that tickets will be necessary but available for free. From the article: "For the last few years, ticket prices have steadily climbed [up to $150 a pop] as artists demand more and more money for summer tours," Sharon Osbourne said. "We certainly want everybody to make money; however, we also want the kids to be able to afford to come out and have an incredible experience." But she concluded: "We're not about to have 20 chanting monks. We're not going to save the forest," she said. "We just rape and pillage and go home."
The tour seeks to become financially viable through concession sales, and it expects corporate sponsors to contribute a "mite more" this year. Bands are encouraged to sell their own merchandise to cover their touring costs. The tour will kick off July 7th and there are no bands aside Ozzy's confirmed, yet.
The economics of this are intriguing. Is this yet another victory for "free" content? It certainly is the first large-scale experiment of for-profit concerts without relying on ticket sales. As there are many more people who would like to see the headliners than who can afford them — major reason why ticket prices creep up -, how will the market or Ozzfest deal with this? They announced there will be tickets so they can limit the number of people entering; a prudent practice of course. But this means you'll certainly find tickets on eBay. So perhaps this is a fine way to balance the market: you can get a free ticket if you "wait in line" for hours, or just choose to get one from an auction if you so prefer.
48488
submission
MotorMachineMercenar writes:
I just took a roadtrip over a long weekend and noticed that I need to lug around too many chargers. I have a charger for my cell phone, Nintendo DS Lite, my two digital cameras and an iPod. Sometimes I will have one for a portable HDD and laptop. In addition I have to carry a plug converter as some of them have been bought overseas. That's up to eight gadgets just to give juice my power-hungry devices, and they take precious space and weight in my bags.
Is there any way to limit the number of chargers without gimping my roadwarrior gear? Most devices have more or less fixed batteries, "smart" chargers and proprietary plugs, but is it possible as DIY or is there an existing product? I'd like to see a universal charger for which plugs for any current and future devices could be added. What are the limitations and caveats with 240 vs 120, wattage, cutting and connecting cables, etc.?
