doomerz posted on Fri. April 25th 2008 at 05:33 AM PST
Canonical has launched its latest creation; Ubuntu 8.04 Long Term Support codenamed Hardy Heron (and several of its derivatives). This release includes both desktop and server editions.
The desktop edition comes with many new features including Mozilla Firefox 3, the lastest Gnome desktop with all the features, an enhanced photo manager, better phone/camera recognition and better video support.
The server edition comes with advanced network infrastructure applications, integrated AppArmor policies and increased kernel hardening for advanced security. It also comes with integrated host firewalling and LikeWise Open for Windows Active Directory integration.
If you are thinking about giving linux a try at all, I highly recommend getting this version (if you have a previous release you should upgrade). I am already using Kubuntu myself. And if you are afraid of wiping out your Windows installation, do not fret! The ubuntu live cd is a great option to try before you install, and as an added bonus; if you like the experience, Ubiquity (the automatic installer) will resize your windows partition to make room without wiping it out.
The Canonical group is doing a great job at providing a linux version for the linux enthusiast, the power developer and the average user. You can get the versions here: http://www.ubuntu.com/
s1axter posted on Fri. April 4th 2008 at 12:40 PM PST
I was browsing youTube last night and came across this video for this homebuilt waste vegetable oil filtering & de-watering setup. The guy uses 2 55-gallon drums, heaters and an array of filters to get the waste vegetable clean enough for use in a diesel vehicle.
I've always been a fan of cheap renewable fuels and plan on doing a WVO/SVO vehicle...when I get a garage.
s1axter posted on Thu. March 27th 2008 at 10:27 AM PST
Found this little project on Make today about powering a small fluorescent light from a 1.5 volt AAA battery using a disposable camera. Cool stuff to know if you are ever in a crazy MacGyver situation.
s1axter posted on Wed. March 19th 2008 at 09:00 AM PST
Sorry for the delay in posting for a while, my server burned down, there was a traffic jam, I had to save a school bus full of kids, my dog died, my dead dog ate my posts....pick an excuse, :-).
There are a bunch of computer controlled Etch-a-sketch projects out there such as these:
However none of these projects is a clock! Saw this on Makezine today and thought it was post worthy. Check out this project which turns an Etch-a-sketch into a working clock using an Arduino:
doomerz posted on Wed. March 12th 2008 at 06:13 AM PST
Embedded.com has posted a 20 year old article on Programmable Logic Device (PDL) design that has stands the test of time. This article was released in 1989 when FPGAs were only 5 years old and continues to still be a great read for anyone who is considering PLD design and learning a Hardware Description Language (HDL).
From the article: "Rather than using a general-purpose language to program an embedded processor, you can use an HDL to configure a programmable logic device (PLD). A number of special sets of HDLs are specifically designed to configure PLDs."
s1axter posted on Thu. March 6th 2008 at 10:13 AM PST
Yesterday the the Trossen Robotics Team dropped us a tip letting us know their fourth project contest came to a conclusion on February 29th. Trossen Robotics contest is a general technology project contest showcasing cool projects dealing with "robotics, automation, art, RFID, DIY, mods, inventions, and anything else demonstrating some form of technological creativity". In the submitted tip they say "We run this contest to help promote and encourage innovation and ingenuity.", (sounds just like what we here at GI strive for!)
Projects are scored on "Wow" factor, Ingenuity, Creativity, and Presentation (graphics, videos, documentation, explanation, etc.) and submissions are open to anyone who has something to enter. While the fourth contest ended last month, you are in luck, they are running another one right now that ends in May 2008. Over $800 in prizes were given out last contest, and there will probably more for this one, so make something cool and submit!
I took a look at some of the projects entered in the fourth contest and I really liked the servo based Johnny-5. Reading the specs the thing runs Windows XP on a Pico-ITX board @ 1GHZ! Not exactly what I whould have done but it is still cool. Check it out
Ubuntu 8.04 LTS Hardy Heron
Doomerz Tech Log
Canonical has launched its latest creation; Ubuntu 8.04 Long Term Support codenamed Hardy Heron (and several of its derivatives). This release includes both desktop and server editions. 
This video was released back at the beginning of 2008 by 
Today is April fools day and because of that I have some links to simple pranks you can play on people
Found this little project on 
Sorry for the delay in posting for a while, my server burned down, there was a traffic jam, I had to save a school bus full of kids, my dog died, my dead dog ate my posts....pick an excuse, :-).
Yesterday the the 
