Author Archives: danreetz

Some Useful ffmpeg Incantations

Posted on 2019/05/23 by danreetz

ffmpeg, if you haven’t heard of it, is a free, open source video multitool. I use it for many different things, but just infrequently enough to forget the commands. Thought I’d write a few of them here. Here’s how to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

2018

Posted on 2018/12/31 by danreetz

Still dark at the start. Work in the dark. Leave in the dark. Ready for those bright lights. Hard fights Long nights It wasn’t easy But it was worthwhile. It wasn’t simple But it was satisfying. It wasn’t just me … Continue reading →

Posted in Oversight | 2 Comments

RIP Aaron M. Clarke

Posted on 2018/12/02 by danreetz

Aaron Clarke and I met in 2007 at NDSU, during our Ph.D. work. Aaron was immediate. Bright, funny, goofy – and smart as hell. On top of that, he was imaginative and warm – rare in frozen Fargo, North Dakota, … Continue reading →

Posted in bummer | 14 Comments

New project – dancing mic stand for Justin Timberlake

Posted on 2018/03/13 by danreetz

I left Apple last year to start my own prototyping business. I knew I’d find interesting work, but I didn’t know how interesting. As Vice Chief, I designed and built the dancing mic stand that Justin Timberlake used in his … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Exit Criteria

Posted on 2017/05/26 by danreetz

I spent two years at a big tech company, and in that time I learned a lot about leadership – both how to inspire people to do their very best (and only that), and how to squander their efforts and spoil … Continue reading →

Posted in Oversight | 8 Comments

Two Thousand Sixteen

Posted on 2016/12/31 by danreetz

We spent 2016 in Silicon Valley. What a fever dream. Such a bait-and-switch. What to do but organize.  Bring all capabilities online, And get everything on wheels. It’s a good time to be bright, sturdy, and sharp: It’s a good time to listen, … Continue reading →

Posted in Oversight | 4 Comments

Internet Dan Seems To Be Dead

Posted on 2015/12/31 by danreetz

It does seem that way, though I’m not. Biche would know; she was in the shop with me when Internet Dan became my identity, calling, and full-time occupation. Dead is the wrong word. I retired this year – and in the process, I published … Continue reading →

Posted in Oversight | 8 Comments

Anti-Intrusion/Anti-Graffiti Measures

Posted on 2015/01/24 by danreetz

Check out this standpipe. Above it, there is a fire escape which has obviously-painted-over graffiti. On it, there is a mess of thick, black grease, and next to it is a coil of razor and barbed wire. Hadn’t seen this … Continue reading →

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Struggling to pay rent. GoPro to the rescue.

Posted on 2015/01/01 by danreetz

Like any reasonable person, my landlord wants a check shoved under an unmarked door in the basement. Problem is, at night an on the weekends, the door leading to the basement is locked. I am so motivated to pay my … Continue reading →

Posted in HardwareHacking, Oversight | 1 Comment

2014 Ends and Pieces

Posted on 2015/01/01 by danreetz

2014 in three sentences: Designing, manufacturing, promoting, and documenting new book scanners consumed every waking minute. In spite of a great 4-year run, I lost my enthusiasm for my professional work as an Imagineer and Disney Researcher, so I moved … Continue reading →

Posted in Oversight | 3 Comments

Affordable Affordances

Posted on 2014/09/21 by danreetz

I use a bicycle wrench to tighten the collet on my CNC router. It has 32mm and 30mm box-end openings – 30mm fits the nut on my collet. About half the time, I put the wrong side on the collet … Continue reading →

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DIYBookscanner on Exhibit in Paris

Posted on 2014/05/28 by danreetz

Pierre Vanni dialed up the foldout scanner an order of magnitude. The gorgeous monster is part of Pierre’s exhibit Google Raconte at Les Arts Décoratifs in Paris. Thanks to him (right) and his accomplices JS (left) and Valerian.

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Two Thousand Thirteen Seconds B-Sides and Rarities

Posted on 2013/12/31 by danreetz

Consider this my 2013 photo essay; it started as an experiment in taking a one-second video every day and ended up a pretty and personal thing. I only removed work-related videos; there are pieces of around 460 videos in this … Continue reading →

Posted in Oversight | 8 Comments

The Making Of Skull Face 2013

Posted on 2013/10/31 by danreetz
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Every Year, I Draw A Skull On My Face With Eyeliner Pencil (2013)

Posted on 2013/10/31 by danreetz

2013: 2012: 2010: 2009: 2008: 2007: 2006:

Posted in Oversight | 2 Comments

Vote With Your Wallet

Posted on 2013/10/29 by danreetz

Whether you mean to or not. Los Angeles, California, 2011.

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Inevitability and Proximity

Posted on 2013/10/29 by danreetz

I keep hearing “It will happen” or “It’s gonna happen”, referring to inevitability in a social context.  These predictions are likely to be correct, if only because things are set up badly – in a negligent way, even – and … Continue reading →

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Recently Hauled A Bit Of Foam

Posted on 2013/10/27 by danreetz
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Sewing Kit

Posted on 2013/10/27 by danreetz

I made a sewing kit for Dana, who is on the road with JT. It’s a 3D printed, laser cut box with a wide assortment of garment repair and management stuff jammed inside. Here, it is pictured with the lid … Continue reading →

Posted in Oversight | 5 Comments

Egress Axe

Posted on 2013/10/27 by danreetz

I was impressed to see the glow-in-the-dark grab handle, and doubly impressed to see a handy fire-axe available for chopping out of a locked freezer cabinet. So impressed, in fact, that I was apparently unable to take a focused photograph. … Continue reading →

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