ROBOT magazine

As if I needed more things to read the Fall 2006 issue of ROBOT has hit the stands, at least as far as Wally-Mart is concerned. Just barely got into it, but as always its packed with stuff. I just wish that the Baraboo School District would show some interest in the educational potential of the many organized robotic programs out there. Right before the end of the last semester I mailed all the Science teachers in the district a brochure for the ARRL (American Radio Relay League) Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology. Lets just say I was underwhelmed with the response. Nobody asked a single question. This program is free, and you get to keep the supplies/equipment and I feel is a productive way of spending a week. Maybe next time I'll try the math teachers.
For more information go to Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology
or talk to one of your local Amateur Radio operator in your area. If you do not know any you can search this database by location.

Tech Heads Unite!

After the demise of the beloved Tech TV, after the merger with G4, intelligent tech talk was hard to find. With the advent of IPTV things improved greatly. Shows like systm, the broken, DLTV and in the podcasting world with TWIT, Diggnation and many others things have been brighter. Just learned today that Chris Pirillo of the original "Call for Help" and the illustrious Leo Lepore are getting the band back together in a virtual sense with the "launch" of UndoTV.

Still remember Chris Pirillo and the Christmas song special...Anyone have a copy?

Chemistry is Fun

It certainly has been a while since my last post. However it is not due to lack of ideas. For this I have to blame the publishers of MAKE magazine, for making me aware of more stuff that I do not need but surely want.

In the dangerous chemicals department the Minwax Wood hardenener seems to have the most potential. Nothing like turning cardboard or cardstock into something it was not meant to be..plastic. If I could get some plans to build the HALO Scorpion tank....now that would be a project. And yes, I have seen the LEGO version of the HALO Scorpion tank, but what I really need is schematics. Help please. Wait, there are 3 versions of the Lego flavor (Version 2)
(Version 3)

And for that showroom shine nothing better than...Future Floor Wax from the Racine, Wisconsin homeboys of Johnson Wax. Now you can make your non porous projects shine like that car you can't afford.

But be careful out there, you cutting edge do-it-yourselvers, as getting you ingredients for your next prank, er, experiment may get you in trouble with the law. Now I am all for making sure that the wrong goods do not end in the hands of our enemies, but perhaps we should have more geeks in DHS, Consumer Product Safety Commission and other watchdog organizations. The following story in WIRED magazine illustrates some of these issues. The business in question is the United Nuclear Scientific Supplies.

For others suppliers for the amateur scientist crowd also check out Edmund Scientific, American Science and Surplus, Alumilite (for casting resins).

Of course there are any others like Jameco, JDR, etc for electronics and robotics, but that is for a different day.

If I could just get my hands on a print McMaster-Carr catalog...yes I know the catalog is online, but I can't help it. I like books.