Daily Bits

DIY

DIY Super Mario Coin Block

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Every person who has played Super Mario has probably dreamed about having real life versions of some of the items found in the game. What better item to have in real life than the coin block that spits out coins when hit from the bottom? I mean, come on, we could all use a few extra coins here and there.

An Instructables member, who goes by name brunoip, has created a do-it-yourself Super Mario coin block and by golly, it works!
Real-life-coin-block
At first glance, the box may seem unassuming. Indeed, the main material that was used to create it can be described as “blah”: cardboard. If you gut this thing, though, you’ll find some interesting things inside:

  • An mp3 player
  • A servo motor
  • A couple of circuit boards

The mp3 player gives you that oh-so-familiar sound that the box in the game makes when coins pop out. The other elements give you the possibility of gaining real coins when the box it tapped. Here is the block in action.

You’re probably reeking with envy now – wanting your very own coin block. If you have the time and the skill, you can actually make one for yourself. The brilliant Super Mario fan who is behind this project has provided all the information that is necessary to make a real life coin block. ((Instructables)) And if you’re just that good, then why not create more than one and give them away? I am pretty sure that this coin block can come in handy. You even get to choose what currency to use!

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?

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

The Best Use for Pizza Box Supports

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I know someone who is very handy with old boxes and those sorts of things.  He’d get “trash” and cut them up to make them useful – like a DIY iPad stand, for example.  But, have you ever thought of making something useful out of those plastic pizza box supports that come with every pizza you order?  If you’re anything like me, you’ll end up with so many of those things.  Either that or you just throw them away every time.

Here’s a cool idea from Serious Eats: recycled pizza box support as a mobile phone stand.

Pizza Box Support

It’s rather simple, actually.  You just need to get that plastic thingamajig, and make sure you wash it thoroughly.  I would think that dishwashing liquid can remove all that grease.  (The last thing that you would want is grease to get all over your phone and probably ruin it.) Snip off the front leg and mount your mobile phone.  I am not sure about the angle – you might have to do a little bit of cutting off here and there to get your desired angle, but you get the idea.  I say it’s a cheap – not to mention semi-creative – alternative to mobile phone stands that you can buy today.

This got me thinking – what other “everyday things” can you turn into something useful like a mobile phone stand?

Via Serious Eats

 

3 Ways to Improve Your Family’s Budget Each Month

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It seems there is never a time when we are ahead on the money. No matter how many hours you work as a family, those hard-earned dollars don’t seem to stretch very far. The high costs of child care take a lot out of a second paycheck, and deductions for health insurance and taxes seem to take the rest. Then there’s a rent or mortgage payment, ever-rising utilities, grocery bills and so much more. Luckily, there are some ways that savvy families can make more money each month and save more money too. When you are able to break the cycle of stress and have some money in the bank on the 31st, life feels a lot better. After working that hard you want to be able to enjoy life instead of having sleepless nights worrying about how you can make the money last all month. [Read more…] about 3 Ways to Improve Your Family’s Budget Each Month

How to Set Up an Antique Business

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Did you know that there is a serious market for antiques? In fact, people are willing to spend decent money on vintage items and collectibles ranging from furniture and coins to jewelry and paintings. Like any business venture, it will take time and effort to build an inventory and find a target audience interested in purchasing on a regular basis, but in the end, just one sale could be worth the investment. If you’re interested in starting an antique store (online or brick and mortar), here are some things you’ll need to know.  [Read more…] about How to Set Up an Antique Business