Category: starred

Multimeters are a vital part of any electronics project, but learning how to use one isn’t as simple as it looks. Thankfully, the above video from Adafruit walks you through pretty much everything you need to know.

Adafruit’s video guides you through the basics of using a multimeter, including what those numbers on the display actually mean, how to pick the right voltage, and how to replace a fuse when you inevitably pick the wrong voltage and blow one. Even if you’ve been using a multimeter for ages, the video’s a simple and nice way to brush up on the basics.

Collin’s Lab: Multimeters | YouTube

via Lifehacker
Learn How to Use a Multimeter for All Your DIY Electronics Projects

via Gizmodo
How To Turn Dry Pasta Into a Rocket Engine

If you’d like some room to spread out and work but your garage or basement doesn’t have a lot of room to spare, this wall-mounted, fold-out workbench may suit your needs. You’ll need the materials and tools, but this pegboard bench will give you room to work and store tools, and folds up nicely when you’re done.

While the draw of this particular workbench is that it folds up easily, and then folds down onto its legs when you need to work, but hidden inside is plenty of pegboard wall storage for tools, cables, and other things you might need when the bench is deployed, as it were. In addition to giving you a place to work, it also offers some helpful storage to keep your tools out of the way, even when it’s all folded up.

Instructables user WorkBoots09 put this bench together, and while you’ll definitely need some special tools and you’ll have to get the pegboard, plywood, and other hardware required, but once you have everything you need, even WorkBoots09 acknowledges that an amateur woodworker can make this project happen. Hit the link below for a full-walkthrough, complete with photos.

Wall Mounted Folding Workbench | Instructables

via Lifehacker
Build This Wall-Mounted, Folding Workbench to Save Space In the Garage

via Dilbert
Dilbert 2014-02-02

Ohio State University is not giving up on licensing or spinning out the software that spawned a rival startup after a first attempt at commercializing it broke down.
Earlier this week, I reported that Dublin-based nSpireU LLC intends to launch this spring with software written from scratch since November. Founder and CEO Jason Adams said his talks with the university had ended a month earlier.
University attorneys are investigating if nSpireU is using any of the university’s copyrighted code…

via Columbus Business News – Local Columbus News | Business First of Columbus
OSU investigating rival nSpireU for potential infringement

via Gizmodo
Lego Ghostbusters is now official!

Chances are you’ve clutched a lightsaber or two in your time, whether that be an inexpensive imitation of the iconic Jedi weapon, or a deluxe model. You may even be a veteran duelist, but unless you’re willing to commit murder with a Star Wars toy …
via Engadget RSS Feed
Sabertron: a foam lightsaber game that finally proves who’s got the most midi-chlorians

Dell continues making bets on Android in its computing lineup with a new $129 device that brings Google’s mobile OS to any TV or display with HDMI input. The new stick runs Android Jelly Bean, also supports MHL connections (mobile high-def) and offers Bluetooth and mini USB for mouse, keyboard and other device connectivity. In addition to onboard connectivity for Bluetooth, the new Dell Wyse Cloud Connect also offers 802.11n dual-band Wi-Fi and the standard Google Play store for Android software. It’s an enterprise and business focused device, however, and also has Dell’s Wyse PocketCloud software preloaded to help it act as a virtual terminal for remote computers. This is, in effect, supposed to be the long-vaunted and sought-after thin client PC you can carry with you in your pocket that still manages to provide access to all your files, software and communications back home. Of course, that doesn’t mean it can’t also provide entertainment options to business travellers, since it’s capable of full HD output and should be able to easily run Netflix’s Android app. That “multi-core” Cortext-A9 ARM SoC might not be the most muscular mobile processor in the world, but Dell does specifically tout its HD and 3D graphics abilities in its specs sheet. It has 8GB of onboard storage, and 1GB of RAM, plus a micro SD slot that supports up to 72GB of additional space. Based solely on surface impressions, you could do far worse in a pocket computer for those gruelling weeks on the road if you’re a frequent business traveler. It’s interesting to see Dell move in this direction, effectively taking a page out of the playbook of devices like the Ouya and the Gamestick but cutting out all the nonsense and painting it with a business brush. Weirdly, more than anything else over the past half decade at least, this makes me want a Dell computer. Go figure.
via TechCrunch
Dell’s $129 Dongle Puts Android On Any Screen With HDMI Input

(NSFW: Language/Gore) If you haven’t seen the original Robocop in a while, dust off that old BetaMax, VHS or DVD and drop what you’re doing. We just rewatched it, and it’s one of the most awesomely cheesy films of all time.
via The Awesomer
Honest Trailers: Robocop (1987)