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DIY Turing Machine

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Now why would anyone want to build a working Turing Machine with scrap metal? I wouldn’t know the creator’s real reason, but if I think “Just because I can” is a darned good answer.

Let’s go back a bit in time and refresh our memories about the Turing Machine, which was created by English mathematician Alan Turing. Wikipedia tells us that the machine is “a theoretical device that manipulates symbols on a strip of tape according to a table of rules. Despite its simplicity, a Turing machine can be adapted to simulate the logic of any computer algorithm, and is particularly useful in explaining the functions of a CPU inside a computer.”

The name Turing may also ring a bell because of the Turing Test, which is the basis of measuring artificial intelligence. Think robot movies!

Anyhow, a guy named Jim MacArthur has showcased his hardcore DIY skills when he created his own Turing Machine from scrap metal, and he uploaded a video on YouTube earlier this month. His short description of his creation:

This is a mechanical universal Turing machine (given an infinite track). It uses ball bearings as its memory and has no electrical components, other than a small motor used to drive it. This is a quick overview video filmed at Maker Faire UK 2011.

What’s the use of this machine? Not much, especially if you are not into computer science, but MacArthur still deserves kudos for drumming this up! Think you can one up him?

Books2Barcodes: Books in QR Codes

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Have you ever heard of QR codes? They’re barcodes in two-dimensional form, and they are fast gaining popularity. They have been around for a while, and some people have even resorted to using QR codes for their tombstones!

I just discovered a more “intelligent” use for QR codes, though. A group of archivists, engineers, and library scientists have put their heads together to start a project called Books2Barcodes. Basically, their goal is to convert classic works to QR code form. People can then easily access the books via their web site.

The thing is, you will need a barcode-scanning app to read the QR codes and re-convert them to text that you can actually read. Practically any mobile phone with a camera and the app installed can do this for you. Here’s an example – parts of Lewis Carroll’s The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland.
Alice in Wonderland QR Codes

Obviously, no human can make sense of those images, but with the tools mentioned above, it is no issue. I know what you might be thinking – what is the advantage of converting books to QR codes, only to have to re-convert them to readable format? The brains behind the project state:

“…to make the classics of yesterday accessible to today’s technology. Although the task of converting books to barcodes is difficult, time-consuming, and impossible to automate, we believe this cultural contribution is necessary, regardless of the logistical difficulties.”

One possible advantage I can see is regarding storage – this format may take less space, but I am not sure. In any case, if you are interested in reading some classics in QR code form, check out the other titles at Books2Barcodes.

A Sea of Tweets: Another Way to Show Japan Your Support

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It has been over a week since the first earthquake hit Japan and tsunamis wreaked havoc. Some of us may have already moved on with our lives, reading the occasional news report of what’s going on in Japan. Others may be getting their act together with regard to disaster preparedness. Have you showed your support for the victims of the quakes and the tsunamis in one way or another?

Last week, we published an entry about a fundraising drive for Japan. It is not too late to chip in. You can also check with the Red Cross to see what you can do to help. While not everyone may have a lot to spare, there are other ways by which you can express support.

Here is one interesting initiative that I discovered: A Sea of Tweets. This movement is spearheaded by artists Mark Skwarek, Tamiko Thiel, and John Craig Freeman, who are converting tweets into paper cranes and placing them in front of Mt. Fuji and along Japan’s coastline. The act is purely symbolic, but the message is strong and clear: there are people who care and want to show their support.

How do you participate? It is rather simple: just use the hashtag #seaoftweets to your tweet, and it will be counted and converted to a paper crane.

To learn more about this movement, visit A Sea of Tweets. More than using the hashtag, please remember to look at other practical ways you can send some help. Even the tiniest bit of help will be appreciated!

Battlestar Galactica PC Mod

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Here’s another DIY project for you. It may be a tad more complicated than the DIY mobile phone stand I wrote about the other day, but you will not regret looking at these images.

Battlestar Galactica may very well be the best sci-fi TV show ever created, and those who fell in love with it know the emptiness that the end of the show brought. If you think I am exaggerating, go get the DVDs and watch!

So anyway, this guy called Boddaker must have been a hardcore fan, as he created a modified PC set up about three years ago, based on BSG. It may be three years old, but I think staring at the images will never get old. Words will not do his creation any justice, so here, take a look – and have something ready to wipe that drool.

The set up in all its glory.

The most welcome sight for many a pilot in the show – and the stressed out viewers as well.

Ingenious use of the logo.

Roslin’s favorite weapon. This one’s not so deadly and looks prettier, I think.

And how many times did DRADIS give you a near-heart attack while watching the series?

If those images are not enough to satisfy you, here is a video from the creator.

And if you want to give this a try yourself, here are the specs.

  • EVGA nForce 590 SLI motherboard
  • AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ CPU
  • Two EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS graphics cards in SLI
  • 4GB (2x2GB) Crucial Ballistix Tracer Red DDR2 800MHz
  • Cooler Master 850W modular PSU
  • Pioneer slimline slot loading DVD drive
  • Logitech G15 keyboard and G9 mouse
  • IZ3D 22″ 3D monitor
  • Western Digital RaptorX 150GB HD (x2)
  • Swiftech pump, blocks
  • Black Ice Stealth 360 radiator
  • PC Ice clear fluid
  • Primoflex red tubing
  • 10″ LCD
  • 2.5″ LCD (x3)

You can probably one-up this guy simply because of developments in technology, but he will always be the first to execute such a concept.

Via bit-tech

Printing in 3D with Bone

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3D printing is fast growing in popularity, and while access to 3D printing may not be that prevalent yet, the interest is definitely there. People have been printing all sorts of things in 3D these days – even chess sets! I don’t think there’s anything cooler – as of now – as what Juliana Meira do Valle and Michael Storey have done. Juliana is a DXArts/Art major and Michael is a Mechanical Engineering major. That is a perfect combination for this kind of project, don’t you think?

Basically, they decided to make meal to use as material for 3D printing. With this meal, they printed out, well, bones. How did they do it? They had two recipes for the bone meal.

Initial Bone Recipe

Powdered Bone Meal — 5 parts by weight.
12x Powdered Sugar — 1 part by weight.
MaltoDextrin —- 1 part by weight.

The other recipe resulted from the fact that they needed something stronger.

Secondary Bone Recipe

Powdered Bone Meal — 4-5 parts by weight.
UF plastic resin glue — 1 part by weight.

The result? Awesomely realistic bones!
3d Bones

This project has huge potential in many different aspects. Think about it – if someone can create “real” bone material, then 3D printing can be used for a host of medical purposes! Less critical – perhaps – but no less interesting is printing out entire skeletons for museums and similar purposes! Mark my words, we are going to hear about 3D printing a whole lot more in the months to come. In the meantime, hats off to these two students!

Via Open3dp

Why Pi Is Wrong

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2Pi
I am going out on a limb here and throw a challenge to hardcore Pi lovers out there.  It feels weird, to be honest, as I have made it a point to “celebrate” Pi Day ever since I heard about it.  In fact, yesterday, I joined countless other people around the world in making a toast to 3.1415…

One day after International Pi Day, however, I discovered a video by Vi Hart, who is a self-proclaimed anti-Pi person. So why is Pi wrong? Allow Vi to explain it all to you – with a nice looking raspberry (I think) pie to boot.

Indeed, every math student who had to struggle with all those formulas might agree with Vi.  I have to be honest and say that I love how Vi neatly illustrates how Pi makes things confusing.  Still, I am not about to abandon the idea of celebrating Pi every year.  If, however, you want an alternative to Pi, check out The Tau Manifesto.

Via Vi Hart