Monthly Archives: July 2011

Free Software July 25, 2011 posted by

Use DiskMark to benchmark your hard drive

When you install a new piece of hardware on your computer, how do you know that it runs any faster than the one it replaced? If its something like a graphics card, you can usually see obvious results when playing games. However, if you upgraded to a new hard drive, you’d have to analyze read and write times, which aren’t always easy to compare. What you need is a good benchmarking tool, which can give you a nice set of…

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Use DiskMark to benchmark your hard drive
Eco Friendly July 25, 2011 posted by

Flower Grenades

There are some areas of town that the the city council has decided to neglect. Not because they don’t wan to tend to that area, merely that they don’t have the funds to beautify it as they do for places like town square. If you’ve ever wanted to help these areas out, but know don’t want to go through the hassle of obtaining permits and being asked questions, you could always take the option of Flower Grenades. A Flower Grenade…

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Flower Grenades
reprise July 24, 2011 posted by

Ferret posts this week

Here’s a quick round-up of Red Ferret posts from the past week for those who missed them. Enjoy. Funnel-It lets you get the most out of your old ketchup bottles – I share a house with several… Steampunk Record Player lets you rock out like it’s 1899 – I have a deep fascination with the… Shocking Hot Potato Game revives an old classic – We have all played games where we… Cyber Snipa USB Dog Tags are a mini toolkit…

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Gadgets July 23, 2011 posted by

Design-An-Umbrella – cheer up your rainy days with your own custom cover

Why put up with depressing grey above your head on rainy days? Banish the clouds with your very own Design An Umbrella product. The kit includes stencils, paint brush and instructions, in fact all that’s missing is your creativity and a rebel streak. It’s supposed to be for kids, but we’re thinking it’s the perfect antidote to dismal days on the city commute. £20.37.  Design-a-Umbrella is a unique umbrella design project perfect for every child with cabin fever (as long as…

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Recommended July 22, 2011 posted by

Solar-powered lamps that can help prevent car accidents

Driving in foggy conditions can be scary and, at worst, extremely dangerous. The problem is not only being able to see what’s right in front of you but also what’s further down the road. Chinese designer Da Wei Xing has created an innovative solar highway lamp called SafetyDistance that use motion sensors that, after detecting passing cars, will trigger a set of warning lamps to notify the following car about the vehicle that’s ahead and how far it is. Positioned…

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Solar-powered lamps that can help prevent car accidents
Fun & Games July 22, 2011 posted by

The Bubble Collection lets you enjoy Nature and do no harm to it

Usually being outdoors and reveling in Nature involves camping of some sort. That usually means tents and other camping gear. But French designer Pierre Stephane Dumas has created the Bubble Collection – a unique space that promises to be quieter, cleaner and a bit more panoramic in scope. Designed to serve as a temporary retreat, the BubbleTree, CristalBubble, BubbleLodge and BubbleRoom are ergonomic “huts” geometrically designed to encourage calm and quiet conversation. Easily installed, the Bubbles utilize a blower that…

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The Bubble Collection lets you enjoy Nature and do no harm to it
Fun & Games July 22, 2011 posted by

Titanium Straw is unnecessarily strong, yet still desirable

When I don’t feel like doing any dishes, I generally reach for a paper plate and a plastic utensil. However, I do have strong, washable versions of these kitchen necessities. What I find odd is that if I want a straw, all I seem to find are disposable ones (unless it’s a wacky straw with loops and curls). ThinkGeek knows this, and have come to the rescue once again. The last time was when they granted me a Titanium Spork….

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Titanium Straw is unnecessarily strong, yet still desirable
diy July 22, 2011 posted by

Build your own laser guided slingshot

A slingshot is hardly considered a weapon by today’s standards. Sure, it can inflict damage upon someone if used in a violent manner, but they’re more used for fun target practice than anything. Part of the fun of using a slingshot is actually making it yourself, since it is rather simple. You need little more than a stick and a rubber band to craft a crude model. However, if you really want to go all-out, you can make one with…

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Build your own laser guided slingshot
cool tech July 22, 2011 posted by

Griffin Helo TC Helicopter is controlled by your iPhone

Remote controlled planes and helicopters are toys that tend to fill you with a bit of wonder. The allow you to send something soaring through the air with only the push of a button or two. These days such toys are getting a bit more high-tech, like this Griffin Helo TC, for instance. This R/C helicopter isn’t controlled by some bulky remotes, but rather an iPhone. This allows you do do more than just tell it to go up and…

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Griffin Helo TC Helicopter is controlled by your iPhone
Free Software July 22, 2011 posted by

Volume 2 gives you more control over your system volume

Volume can be a difficult thing to control. It’s time consuming and quite the hassle to meander through settings to try and adjust sound for different purposes. Volume 2 is a great way to have customizable sound control that is easily accessible to users. You can choose from a variety of volume sliders, and designate hot keys or use the mouse to control system volume. This program even has event schedulers that can be programmed to go off on start…

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Volume 2 gives you more control over your system volume
Fun & Games July 22, 2011 posted by

R2-D2 Lunch Kit will be the geekiest at the table

In the school lunch room, there is only one thing that determines your �cool� status. That’s right, your lunchbox. The other kids are always more than aware of what your lunch is being stored in, so naturally, you want something that stands out a bit. If I were still in school, I’d probably be begging my parents for this R2-D2 Lunch Kit. This fancy meal carrier is not only made to look like your favorite Star Wars droid, but it…

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R2-D2 Lunch Kit will be the geekiest at the table
Free Software July 22, 2011 posted by

Snail Mail project transforms an email into a handwritten letter

It seems that we have lost some of the human touch with this uprising of technology. Our grandparents are always saying �I never hear from you� when it’s really just a matter of your grandparents not having an email, and you not having the patience to sit down and write a letter. Some wonderful people with a good heart have started a service called Snail Mail My Email. This service is completely free of charge, and is a very personal…

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Snail Mail project transforms an email into a handwritten letter
Eco Friendly July 21, 2011 posted by

Sprout Biodegradable Watches

It�s always nice to have a hobby. A common hobby is to collect something; oftentimes it is very materialistic, such as hats, shoes, or watches. It seems that there is a growing want to become a �greener� country. However, if we really want to embrace such an endeavor, we need to support products that have the environment in mind. At least watch collectors out there can breathe easy with Sprout Biodegradable Watches. These come in a myriad of colors, and…

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Sprout Biodegradable Watches
cool tech July 21, 2011 posted by

Phantom Keyless Home Entry System

Coming home from the grocery is almost like trying to compete in the Olympics. You are expected to juggle your groceries, rummage around for your keys to unlock the door, and manage to turn the knob with no extra hands to help. Seeing as smart phones have an app for just about everything, it only makes sense that mobile software would be created to replace a physical key for your door. The Phantom Smart Home�s Keyless Home Entry system is…

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Phantom Keyless Home Entry System
diy July 21, 2011 posted by

Build your own Hover Puck and play life-size air hockey

A few years ago I had an air hockey table in my basement. It provided many hours of fun fun for my friends and myself. During one of my moves, I found that I no longer had the necessary space and got rid of it. Well now I’ve found a way to bring air hockey back to my house, without the need for a special table. Granted, it will still take up a lot of room. By following this Instructable,…

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Build your own Hover Puck and play life-size air hockey