Laser Pointer Tripod Mount, Arca-Swiss Compatible.

I’m really having fun inventing new objects with my 3D printer. Much more on this shortly.
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JPIV Throwing Exceptions

If you are trying to do some particle image velocimetry, and JPIV starts, but throws exceptions, you probably need to install the Java Advanced Imaging Library (agh!). This is because Java Webstart, despite it’s best efforts, cannot install the JAI(L) automatically.

I installed all three installers from this page, which is a pain to find. After that, the errors stopped, and the velocimetry began.

Much of my career has revolved around Java/Android/Webstart projects. Why is Java still such a horrendously high-friction thing? It’s sad.

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Like Mother Like Son

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Jeff Nielson’s DIY Book Scanner Presentation

Great work here – I’m really excited to see his software comparison matrix.

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Details Inside

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I’ve taken to placing a schematic inside of electronic devices as build them. This was commonplace in consumer electronics up until the late seventies, but was replaced by the ubiquitous “no user serviceable parts inside” label. Utter bullshit. Anyhow, this simple technique keeps me from having to look things up, even though looking things up is usually very, very easy. In this particular case, it keeps me from having to log into an obscure and poorly managed Yahoo Group. Aaahhh.

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DIY Book Scanner in Business Insider

Here it is! Big thanks to Dylan Love for doing a great job on the article.

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When All You Have Is A Shopping Cart, Everything Looks Like

Carts_2013-01-22 17.30.49

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Brother HL2270DW Toner Cartridge Reset Procedure

Have a Brother HL2270DW laser printer. Great printer, except that the starter cartridge lasted a measly 210 pages.

First, I tried this. Which didn’t work.
Then I ordered these inexpensive replacement cartridges from Amazon. Wish me luck.
Then I found this solution, which works. The post, originally by Phiolle, says:

Please do the following steps to reset the toner sensor.

- Open the front cover and leave open while completing the following steps.
- Turn the printer off.
- Hold the ‘go’ button while turning the printer on. All lights should be on.
- Release the ‘go’ button (or “start’ button).
- Press the ‘go’ button (or “start’ button) 2 times.
- Pause. All panel lights should be on.
- Press the ‘go’ button (or “start’ button) 5 times.
The toner light should be off. (error may be flashing)
The paper light should be on or flashing.
- Close cover. The ready light should be the only light on.

It works. Quoted here for posterity and google-ability.

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Cleaning Laser Cutting Residue From The Bed Of An Epilog Zing 24 CO2 Laser

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Hakko 936 Fix

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I have a Hakko 936 soldering iron. The base unit is factory original, however the pencil is from eBay. As it turns out, the pencil is either a factory reject, or it is a counterfeit.The knurled section on the bottom did not mate with the section below – the threads were too large. I’ve suffered this for several years, simply pressing it back on to the base after it pops off. However today it annoyed me enough to necessitate a fix. I I drilled two holes through the outer knurled section, and inserted two self tapping screws. I also wrapped a band of copper wire around the base to prevent the two screws from becoming a cantilever upon which the tip could pivot. Works beautifully. Now I can get back to real work.

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The Lockpicking Possibilities Intrinsic in Hard-Wear Plastics

Night is rarely so revealing as with light. Lock_2013-01-06-23.59

 

The total combination space of a new lock is huge – orders of magnitude, exponents. Log scales. Billion combinations. But a code never changed wears itself in. Specular reflection will buy you access when even the heat of a hand has faded.

 

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Things That Won’t Exist For Long

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Opened up a television today and found this “User Manual”. I was surprised at the sheer number of languages represented. In an age of smartphones, there should be a single block of digital data in the middle that auto-translates to all possible grammars. And a human-readable, machine-translatable text version from a single ur-language like Mandarin or English.

I can see a strong case for a new breed of diacritical mark – one that helps machines disambiguate difficult grammar.

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The Ultimate To Do List

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No question about it, workflowy is the ultimate online to do list.

Do you do things in your life? You should use it.

I use it constantly and paid for the pro version so I could share lists with friends.

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Borsch

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We made Borsch, Russian-style. Tutorial on the way. Special thanks to the Bakkums and Gaponenkos for my first tutorial.

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Twenty Twelve; Thirty One.

2012 is, roughly speaking, over.

It was equal parts sunset and surprise.20121213_090847

I learned about wishing. About wanting.20120720_220637

About flying high. Dana_Chopper_DSC02105

Crashing hard,20120812_211835

Burning mistakes.DSC01372

About the meaning of preparedness; about always being ready. 20121209_091530

About homecoming.
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But I couldn’t expect this; my expectations were too low.
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Blame that on a lot of things, most of all myself.T_Fire

But the flip side of blame is credit. I wear the marks to show it.
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Yes, I made this happen, a few hundred times.
DIY_Kit

And this.
shielding

And this.
WallofTaPE

And this. birch2012-09-16-18.41.37-21

And this.
20121221_132131(0)

And this.
Enclosures_20121215_225652

And this.
CNC_Controller

And this.
20121222_131136(0)

And this.
Array_Proto

And this.
New_Bag_DSC00945

And this.
HandInjury

And this.
Reetz_2011_Daniel_Skull_2012_DSC03027

Yeah, I can claim credit for a lot of things. But what is the value of this -
20121123_182800

Without this?
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I thought I knew, but – I didn’t. Couldn’t.

I thought I knew about ties.20121115_105141

About family.
Family

About partnership.
SONY DSC

Not really. Turns out it was all better than I expected. Easier. Faster. Clearer.
DSC02103

With enough lensing,
Beers_With_Bernd_and_Thabo_DSC00435

enough vision,
dana_DSC00302

some dumb luck, and a sixth sick sense of enjoyment,Modelo

multiplied by endless
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choices,
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the messy, pricey bounty
hamnswissdate_DSC00724

of
zurichDSC00582

the Big City
ketch_DSC00540

we made a time20121223_202836

and a place20121223_202846

special to more than just us.
Ben_Letter

Justice, self served, soft-served
food_DSC01032

with a knife
godsauce_DSC00976

on ice
Memories_20121006_120548

and shared aims
Shooting

coming together
Portland

over sunset.
picnic_DSC01015

Parents.cec_rod_and_the_sea_IMG_20120614_213326

Sister, Nephews,
Ben_20121115_142646

Brothers,
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Friends,Eclipse

Inspirations,
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Muses,
KitchenTable_20121006_131633

Yeah, Friends,
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It was great.
ali_pehr_wedding270

Better than I expected. Deeper.
LU_number_one_DSC01635

Bigger hauls.Ben_20121116_113537

Better visuals.
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Smarter projects.
dana_soldering

Louder sounds.
gungho

More saturated sunsets.
bird_DSC02671

Bigger love.
halloween_DSC02954

Yes.

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Brown Colored Glasses

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Happy Thanksgiving

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Celebrating with my bird. And two other birds.

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Nevermind The Razor Wire

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The Last Bookstore

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Los Angeles, CA

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