Resisting your e-mail is futile. When Jamie Matthews gets an e-mail, he just has to be notified. Receiving a glowing cube from Linden Labs at a job fair, Matthews just couldn’t resist turning it into something a little more worthwhile.

A simple python script runs on his computer, periodically screen-scraping his Gmail inbox looking for new mail. It then outputs a message to the serial port, indicating the mailbox status. On the other end of the serial connection is a Boarduino, which receives the message and toggles power to the cube.

There’s a highly detailed how-to guide on the main link below, check it out if you’re interested in having a cube light up after every 5 seconds of spam for Viagra you receive.

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For those not familiar with the storage device known as N5 let me be the first to tell you: it’s illegal to use this device for downloading Nintendo DS games off the ‘net. Of course, that doesn’t mean you won’t do it. 100-percent of the gamers interested in purchasing the N5 or it’s predecessor the R4 have every intention of downloading a slew of DS games. It’s pretty much its only use aside from loading up shitty Robert Palmer MP3s.

It does have the capability of storing other data types, after all it has a card slot for Micro SD and supports FAT16 or FAT32 filesystems. Don’t be worried about online or multi-card play either, as the N5 supports it so finding people to play against shouldn’t be hard if you grab the Metro-Wardrive with it. A one time fee of 70 bucks only to have access to every DS game in existence? What a steal. Literally.

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Remember when you were a kid a the Viewmaster 3-D was the coolest fucking thing since the hot fudge sundae? Of course you do. Now imagine if a hip artist with a keen liking for Kafka came up with her own set of Viewmaster film wheels. Such is the case with Portland-based artist Vladimir.

Vladimir first takes 3-D pictures of miniature, hand-built scenes. After the film is developed, it’s glued to the Viewmaster wheel and is ready for viewing. Each Vladmaster set comes with four reels for a Viewmaster 3-D, instructions and an audio CD to accompany the tale. Stories range from $18 and up.

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Here’s an idea that seems so simple once someone has actually pulled it off. A lot of people have rewards cards or membership cards for various stores they shop at. Instead of carrying around a bulky amount of cards in your wallet, try scanning them and putting the image on your iPhone or comparable mobile device. You’ll save yourself time, space and a headache on your next trip to the store.

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There’s nothing I love more than making good electronic music from classic video game consoles. This video is a great example of someone using circuit bending techniques to generate sounds from an old Atari 2600. Using Paul Siocum’s Synthcart, the user is able to create original pieces using the 2600’s built-in sound chips.

Nothing beats the DIY instrument movement. If you have an 2600 collecting dust in your home, you should seriously consider getting yourself a Synthcart. At $25, it’s a dirt-cheap investment that will allow you to get started at creating your own chiptunes. The author even offers a downloadable ROM for free in case you want to try before your buy.

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My birthday was on Tuesday and I got about three musical cards this year. Though they were good for a short laugh, I felt bad that my siblings had spent $5 on a card just because it looped a sound over and over again. Luckily, Justin from Instructables has come up with a way to turn your useless birthday card into a sweet speaker for your MP3 player.

Essentially, you’ll be dismantling the card and wiring it up to a pair of headphones. Once that’s done, you’ll do a little cutting, wiring and next thing you know, you’ll be the proud new owner of a piece-of-shit speaker. Congratulations! It’s DIY!

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So you want to turn a corner and finally upgrade to an eco-friendly vehicle? If you were to take the words “green” and “environmental” to a literal conclusion, you might end up with something that looks pretty similar to this AstroTurf covered Niva.

Clearly, the artificial grass does nothing to improve the state of the environment. For all we know, the production of AstroTurf is completely detrimental to the green cause (though any car that closer resembles a baseball park to a automobile is cool in our book.) Best of all, there’s no mowing necessary. (more…)

While it’s not the work of untooning master Pixeloo (the artist behind the untooned versions of Jessica Rabbit, Homer Simpson, and Super Mario), this untooning attempt, which was an entry to a Worth1000 “Reality Cartoon” Photoshop contest, comes pretty damn close to the master himself.

If the producers over at Family Guy were to one-day let Peter Griffin star as a live-action character, we can only assume he would look something eerily similar to this untooned version of everybody’s favorite father from Quahog. Hit the jump for a larger shot of the untooned Peter. (more…)

Skateboarding isn’t for everyone, though Ryan is pretty decent at it. Take Tougher Than Leather - a Greek-inspired skateboard that is made to order from Greece Is For Lovers. Though it looks beautiful and the strap-in style deck is similar to snowboarding, I can see a lot of ankles getting twisted trying to pull off tricks on this board.

They don’t list a price and considering that the board features intricate writing, stitching and craftsmanship, I bet it isn’t cheap. Skating in New York with this board? Not a chance. Stick to the Enjoi.

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Don’t go pissing off Ian Taylor anytime soon. The Tredworth native has sawn his car in half with an angle-grinder after law enforcement put a boot on his car. Taylor claims just a small part of his back tire was sticking out of the driveway and was on the sidewalk, which is what prompted police to fine him.

Not happy about getting a $100 crap car booted, Taylor took an angle-grinding tool and cut his Ford Fiesta in half, instantly making him a local hero of sorts. He originally bought the vehicle for his stepson with the intention of fixing it up, but eventually gave up and must have said “Fuck it.” He must have just stopped caring, just like the designers of this monstrosity did.

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