Category: Computers

MIDIbox SID

Are you tired of virtual synthesizers, samplers and wavetable machines? Are you seeking for the unique sound of the vintage homecomputer days. “Did you know that the sound device from one of the most popular computers of the 80’s – the C64 – can produce awesome sounds like a modern synth? Did you ever build a low-budget synthesizer by your own? Well, maybe the MIDIbox SID could be interesting for you. :-)”
MIDIbox SID
Must… get… soldering iron warmed up… Must build!
-John

Build Your Own MP3 Player

Why buy when you can build? Sure, they have slick interfaces, nifty looks, warranties (who needs ’em?) and stuff like that but just think of the pride you can show when someone asks you what that ‘thing’ is your listening to is? (Ok, just as a suggestion, don’t house it in a coconut or a old Ronsonol can)

The Super-Simple pocket size mp3 player
Yampp7
MintyMP3
PJRC MP3 Player

Commodore 64 Makes a Comeback?

Sigh… The computer of my youth has been reduced to a joystick and a couple of buttons. I guess its better than the Atari guys, they don’t even have that. Too bad you can’t add a keyboard and a 1541 to it and relive the glory days of yesteryear… Then again, maybe its best that technology has marched on. Typing in games sucked big time.
Commodore 64 Available For Sale

The New Mac Mini

Yep, it was true, Apple is now selling a ‘budget’ computer.
Being that these little gems are tiny, 6.5″x6.5″x2″, it might as well be portable.
When I get one, I’m going to use this sucker on trips! Pack a little VGA to NTSC scan converter, the keyboard, mouse, power adapter and your set! I’ll have to either work with the video in on a TV at where I’ll be staying or I’ll use my little LCD screen. It supports 640×480, if the mini works at this rez I”ll be in business. I don’t expect I’l be doing anuthing other than saving images to the HD from my camera so the low rex should work.
I see the future peppered with docking stations with built in monitors, speakers, and whathave you in them.
Heck, use one in your car. Car dock anyone? Get a nice little IR USB remote and pump your iTunes into your stereo.
It would make a nifty brain for a robot. Anyone have a Firewre/USB based motor controler? Run it with Java… Use a DV camera as your image capture device as your vision system input…
Lots of market space for cool designer covers and skins (al la iPod).
Turn it into a DVR with a USB tuner device.
Clustering?
Wow… I’ll take six please!!!

-John