Category Archives: Uncategorized

Some Useful ffmpeg Incantations

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

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New project – dancing mic stand for Justin Timberlake

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

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Affordable Affordances

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

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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The Making Of Skull Face 2013

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Vote With Your Wallet

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

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Inevitability and Proximity

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

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Not Robot Compatible

USPS, Glendale, CA. With proliferation, the increasing confusion around this important property – robots becoming more human in their capabilities. Normals become more aware of robots. The point on the graph where those two curves meet, embodied in this homely … Continue reading

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Bright Lights

Outdoor lumber yard, Eugene, OR. The net was installed to inhibit pigeon infestation- but made a home for spiders and a beacon for insects. The unintended tendency of “free” power and services to enable and ensconce predators. The statistical distribution … Continue reading

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Point Of Sale Adaptations

At Jerry’s in Eugene, OR: ceiling mounted lumber racks,  to hold lumber for POS scanning. Interesting compromise between material length and human height. Also some implicit assumptions about cart usage. Also, note the “lane free” arrangement.

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Spring Clamp Door Stop

Clever re-use of a spring clamp in Eugene, OR. Lever action compensates for uneven cement. Rubber ends provide grip.

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Reasons To Exist

Elevator phones will be among the last legitimate uses for landlines.

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Power, Access

The forces that form conduit. The locks that keep the curious out. The drops – free and clear, save for high amperage Hubbel plugs you’re unlikely to carry. No charging mobiles here, you can’t plug in your hair dryer – … Continue reading

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Cut To Fit

I have the biggest phone. It takes the smallest SIM. I bought a pair of flush cutters, trimmed the excess, and gave the tools to Scann.

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Hunger, Incentive, and Timing

I’d eat the damned thing. Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Worldwide Light Pickups

Spotted in Buenos Aires – a breed of light truck long absent in the US. Like a Brat or an El Camino.

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It’s A Juki!

Welcoming a new machine into my life.

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Meals Ready to Eat

MREs for dinner. Gather ’round for SPAGHETTI W/  MEAT SAUCE 901234-08:

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Public Facilities

The old Metro polymer bus benches are being removed. They had three molded concave “seats”, and also three convenient corresponding concavities on the back side of the back rest. While the process of bench replacement is mostly about money, it … Continue reading

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