Archive for category Uncategorized
Inverted Uselessness!
Posted by Brett in Uncategorized on August 10, 2010
Inspired by the Make article, John Gomm has come up with this design. Well done, John!
Via Makezine
Most Useful Machine
Posted by Brett in Uncategorized on August 2, 2010
Prolific inventor and Instructable member randolfo has come up with the Most Useful Machine. I really should build one of these, but that means having to get up off the sofa…
Fantastic Article/Review of the Two Ultimate Machine Apps
Posted by Brett in Uncategorized on August 1, 2010
jusido daruma square
Blogger/Philosopher/Zen Master Steve left a comment on my last post with a link to an article he posted yesterday: The Most Useless Review (EVER).
Like myself, Steve is fascinated with the concept of a machine with only one function: to turn itself off.
Steve’s article begins with a history of Ultimate/Useless Machines including links to other useless articles and goes on to review the two Useless Machine apps available for the iPhone/Pad. I’ve mentioned one of the apps in a previous post, but the second one is news to me.
For those interested in UM’s I highly recommend that you check it out.
If you’re wonder about the drawing to the left, it’s Steve’s favicon. For an explanation look here.
Concerning Useless apps, I don’t own an iPhone/Pad so I haven’t had a chance to try these programs. One is free, and the other costs a whopping 99 cents.
If Steve Jobs is listening, please know that I would gladly trade a handcrafted UM for an iPad. If Stephen Colbert can beg for an iPad, I don’t see any reason why I can’t! (Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more…)
Useless Machine in Make Magazine!
Posted by Brett in Uncategorized on July 18, 2010
WooHoo, I be a real author, now! Check it out: makezine.com/23/uselessmachine/ . I can’t wait to get my print copy.
Please note, if you don’t have a subscription to Make you’ll only be able to view limited content. The full build instructions however, are available for all and can be found here
Useless Machine in Make Projects!
Posted by Brett in Uncategorized on July 16, 2010
MakeProjects
I had mentioned earlier that the Useless Machine will be featured in the upcoming Volume 23 of Make Magazine. In anticipation of this momentous (for me, anyways) event I’ve been checking out Make Magazine’s digital counterpart MakeZine.
MakeZine is a fantastic site. In addition to the great articles from the printed magazine, there is a daily blog, a projects section, how-to videos, a community forum, and a spin-off site: The Maker’s Shed (an on-line store selling cool kits). I highly recommend that you check it out, if you haven’t already.
They are also beta testing a new website makeprojects.com which is a user generated how-to library and instructions for building a Useless Machine are now on this site and can be found here.
Even though the site is new it already has lots of cool projects, and is growing. If you are a techno-geek/maker like myself, or if you would just like to learn how to make really cool things, then this site’s for you!
Alternative Energy Powered Uselessness!
Posted by Brett in Uncategorized on July 7, 2010
More than 50 people have made videos of Useless Machines that they’ve built, and I’ve been showing some of the very creative ones. Youtubers TheBoysFromTheBlue sent me this video response. I was so blown away by the alternative technology employed that I had to ask for build instructions. He was kind enough to post them at his blog!
Here’s the other 50 or so Machines that folks have built: The Most Useless YouTube Playlist EVER
Devolution is Useless
Posted by Brett in Uncategorized on June 19, 2010
It turns out that Mark Frauenfelder gave the Useless Machine to Stephen Colbert. He had fun showing it to DEVO.
Colbert Shows Devo Machine
I’m hoping Stephen makes room for it on the shelf next to his photo of House!
House on the Colbert Report
The full story can be found at the NoFactZone
More Clockwork Uselessness!
Posted by Brett in Uncategorized on June 17, 2010
Useless Cat Toy!
Posted by Brett in Uncategorized on June 15, 2010
When your cat gets bored of the laser pointer…
Via Make Online
And this tweet was sent…
Posted by Brett in Uncategorized on June 9, 2010
@StephenAtHome: so tired. i stayed up all night trying to get mark frauenfelder’s machine to stay on. but it was worth it. I think I almost have it
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