DIY 40W laser cutter

DIY 40W laser cutter: "

Bdring of buildlog.net built this 40W laser engraver cutter from scratch. The goal is to make a laser cutter for under $1000. Excellent work!

The recent Epilog Laser Challenge at Instructables.com got me thinking about building a low cost CNC laser. The engraver they had as the prize had a list price of about $8,000. The income tax on that would be quite a lot. I thought a larger more powerful machine could easily be built for less than the amount you would have to pay for the tax. The Epilog Zing 16 is 30W with an area of 16' x 20'. Try to beat that for less than $1,000. I understand that a huge part of what you get from Epilog is software, safety, support and a guarantee, so it is not a really fair challenge.

[via Hacked Gadgets]

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Developing Android Apps with Java: Building a Twitter | creativeLIVE.com

Developing Android Apps with Java: Building a Twitter | creativeLIVE.com

eBuddy IM

eBuddy IM: "

Get the best instant messaging experience with eBuddy! Features: Fast and reliable messenger, Chat with multiple MSN, Facebook, Yahoo, AIM, ICQ, GTalk & MySpace accounts, All IM friends in one buddy list, Run in background & new message alerts, Messages sent as data, not SMS/Text.

Price: Free

AndroidTapp.com Android App Review:

Pros & Cons:

Pros

• Multiple instant messenger chat client


• Includes Facebook chat


• Some battery saving considerations when enabled however delays messages

Cons

• eBuddy account required to connect to other messenger clients (understandable part of their business model)

Features:

eBuddy IM Android App integrates many messenger and chat clients plus allows you to navigate through each with ease. Features multiple messenger clients, start chats, view friends quick profile, see friends status, change eBuddy status, emoticons and even send a buzz. For those whom griped about Facebook apps for Android does not include chat, here is an app for it!

Initially you need to sign up for an eBuddy ID (typical information required is username, password and email). Choose whatever messenger client you commonly use as it gives access to them simultaneously. For instance, Yahoo IM will show all your friends who you have in your contact list and who may currently be online. Allowing you to chat and message with them from the app, the upper tab has all the messenger clients listed. Once signed in, you receive notifications in the window shade, updates and messages all from one app.

Usefulness & Ease of Use:

This is highly recommended for those who use multiple messenger clients. After logging in you have the freedom to constantly switch between different messenger services with ease.

Frequently Used:

User dependent on instant messenger chat needs

Interface:

The user interface is well organized and makes mobile chats easy.

AndroidTapp.com Rating

(3.9 out of 5)

Should you Download eBuddy IM? Yes! Chat on Multiple Platforms with eBuddy IM!

"

Pixels take over in this cute animation

Pixels take over in this cute animation: "

PIXELS by PATRICK JEAN.
Uploaded by onemoreprod. - Watch original web videos.

What happens when pixels are set free from an old TV? PURE CHAOS!

'Pixels' was created by Patrick Jean and follows a swarm of pixels as they take over New York all while set to some pretty groovy music. The pixels create some iconic videogame characters to help in their pixely destruction of the city to the point the entire planet is consumed.

You know, if you really think about it, everything we see in real life is nothing more than trillions upon trillions of pixels. Snap!

Amazing Pixels Video for Old School Geeks [Walyou -- Thanks, GrumpyTurtle!]

"

Animals That Can Live Without Oxygen Discovered, Aliens Basically Guaranteed to Exist Now [Science]

Animals That Can Live Without Oxygen Discovered, Aliens Basically Guaranteed to Exist Now [Science]: "

Scientists have just discovered the first multicellular animals that can survive entirely without oxygen. They live in the L'Atalante Basin in the Mediterranean Ocean, a place with salt brine so thick it doesn't mix with oxygen-containing waters above. More »

The Thrill of Flying the SR-71 Blackbird [Airplanes]

The Thrill of Flying the SR-71 Blackbird [Airplanes]: "The Thrill of Flying the SR-71 Blackbird [Airplanes]: '

I can tell you about the SR-71 Blackbird's titanium frame, its Pratt&Whitney J58-P4 engines, or its genesis. But that's not important. What really matters is the thrill of flying it in an extremely dangerous mission, as remembered by this pilot.-JD More »

USB Memory Support for the Xbox 360 coming April 6th

USB Memory Support for the Xbox 360 coming April 6th: "

On April 6th, we will be releasing a system update over Xbox LIVE for your Xbox 360 that will allow USB flash drives to be used for storing profiles, game saves, demos and more.  I’ve been testing this feature out for a few weeks, and I have to say it’s really great. Once you take the system update on April 6th, you’ll be able to connect your USB flash drives to your console and head over to the memory section to configure your new storage device. Once you do that, the system will conduct a one time performance and integrity check to confirm the drive is working properly. You will then be able to configure how much storage to use on the device, up to 16 GB. The remaining space on the flash drive will be accessible by your PC or Mac. USB Hard drives may work, but like flash memory, you’ll only be able to use up to 16GB of space. Since performance on flash based USB storage is usually better, I highly recommend using flash based instead of spinning media like a hard drive…it’s just going to give you a MUCH better experience.

 

We’ve also enhanced the memory management functions, so you’ll be able to have better control on what you want to copy or move between storage devices.

 

A couple of points: 

• You can have 2 devices connected to the console at a time, enabling up to 32GB of simultaneous storage.
• The system won’t just configure the device once it is connected to the console. You’ll need to head to the memory area in system settings, select your USB Device, and choose from Configure Now (Format and Configure the Full Device), or Customize (you can choose how much memory you want configured for Xbox360 from the free space on the device.) 

While any flash drive can be used, we are partnering with SanDisk to release an Xbox 360 branded USB flash drive in May that comes pre-configured out of the box and ready to go. I’ll provide links to those drives once they’re available. Until then, starting April 6th (when we release the system update) you can pop any flash drive over 1GB into your Xbox 360 and configure it as storage.

 

I’ve posted a bunch of screen shots that show you what the experience is like with a USB flash drive, as well as a look at the new memory management screens.

 

 

We hope you’ll enjoy this flexible new way to manage your Xbox 360 profile and game data.