DIY Life

I suppose some computer keyboards are more expensive than a wallet itself, but if you've got a spare one laying around, this is a super fun project that requires a bit of know-how and a lot of creativity! Ready to get started?:



Here's a few more tips from the expert himself!:

1. PC keyboards work best, since you can open most of them with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Macs generally require a tiny Allen wrench that can be hard to find.
2. If the rubber key springs are attached individually to the circuit sheets, remove each one carefully with a razor blade.

And of course, a bit of history to enhance your keyboard knowledge!:
The history of the keyboard dates back to the first typewriter, which New York-based Remington Co. mass-marketed in 1877 to compensate for the drop in gun sales after the Civil War.

Cool, right? You'll have the oldest (and coolest!) technology-inspired wallet in town.

Graduation day is coming at us fast. For those graduating from college, and some from high school, this ceremony is the final hurrah before settling into the world of labor and taxes. Yuck. So it's generally traditional to get a little crazy.

At my high school graduation, the gimmick was this: the first person to fake tripping while strolling across the stage to accept his or her diploma would be awarded a jug of rum. Somebody beat me to it, darn it! Here's a great idea, though: make a spinning graduation cap.

To prepare for this nifty stunt, you'll need a CD-ROM motor, a switch, batteries, wiring, and a good sense of humor! Put it together and wow your friends. Um, you might want to be in physical possession of your diploma before activating the magic mortarboard!

These days, when something breaks, people are more apt to just throw the item away rather than try to find a way to fix it. In the old days, I remember my dad constantly tinkering around with something that was broken, and he always managed to get it fixed, even if it was by making our ears ring with words that were better left unsaid.

If your electronic gadgets are still under warranty, it is best to have the professionals give it a look-see, otherwise you'll void the warranty if you open it up yourself. If your gadgets are no longer under warranty, try FixYa, a website that provides tech help and support for electronics, consumer products and gadgets of all shapes, sizes, makes and models.

FixYa stores manuals and trouble shooting guides for over half a millions products. Founded by a frustrated consumer who noticed that manufacturers weren't providing adequate technical support for their products through their websites, even though the products were becoming more technologically advanced, FixYa is based on real life problems that consumers have with their items, and they share and discuss how to fix the problem.

If you have a broken item in your home, or an item performing sluggishly, check out FixYa. It is a great site that will provide you the best possible quick fix, and best of all it is FREE!

Do you remember Heathkit? Hard to miss them if you happened upon a copy of Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, or any number of magazines in the 70's, including Rolling Stone. Heathkit once sold DIY kits of all stripes, designed to teach you electronics while you built consumer electronics. TV repair, HAM radio, ultimately even calculators and robotics were all packaged and promoted by the venerable supplier. Heathkit today is largely an educational supplier, and doesn't market to the average consumer like they used to. One could argue, with the ready supply of cheap electronics from all over the world, are people really interested in DIY electronics? Based on what I've seen from companies like Bug Lags and CrowdSpirit, I certainly hope not.

At any rate, I found a neat site that is an homage to an earlier time, when Heathkit's bread-and-butter was the DIY electronics gizmo-- the Heathkit Museum. Unfortunately I couldn't find any 70's era kits at this particular museum, the stuff I remember, and nothing on what may be the coolest Heathkit of all: the HERO robot. But there is a pretty good timeline of Heathkit's evolution here. Heathkit turned 60 this year, which is pretty outstanding, given the changing tastes of our electronic lifestyles.

The interiors of automobiles are becoming increasingly complex these days. Hookups for iPods, built-in satellite radio systems, subwoofers, LCD screens and Bluetooth capability for that cellphone are just some of the most recent additions to the electronics-laden auto interior.

How about a windshield-mounted camera system that records car crashes - as in, your own car crash. The amount of litigation messes alone would make the Clarion DriveEye appeal to those who have been involved in many car crashes or who live in areas where traffic congestion makes an accident likely to happen. Tired of trying to convince a traffic judge or court that "you're in the right" just based on your word? Video proof changes the game.

Only available in Japan for now, the DriveEye turns on before a crash occurs by sensing emergency braking and records footage before, during and after an accident has occurred. Packed in n alloy housing, the device will resist extreme pressures and records up to 15 seconds before an accident and up to 5 seconds after. Not that it would be viewing pleasure at all, but it may just help a driver involved in a crash where actual proof is needed later on. Say, to that favorite insurance agent of yours.

Your PDA's swaddled in suede, your cell's clad in couture and your laptop's loving its sleek new custom case. Meanwhile, those are mere decorations and only protect you from scratches -- how do you protect your gadgets from water?

Ever dropped your gadget in a puddle, had your toddler pour coffee on your laptop (ah, the perils of a working parent), or worse ... you leaned over to flush the toilet only to have your cell phone slide out of your pocket and right into the bowl? Usually it means that you have to replace your gadget ... but sometimes if you act fast, you can save yourself from another expensive purchase.

Follow these steps to avoid a trip to the gadget graveyard.

Step 1: Turn off your gadget and immediately remove the battery -- no matter what you do -- DO NOT TURN IT BACK ON. If you dropped your phone and it has a SIM card, remove that too. Some or all of your valuable contacts (along with other data) could be stored on it. To some people this could be more important than the phone itself.

Step 2: Dry it off as much as you possibly can. Even take a Q-tip and get into the cracks and crevices. You can never be too thorough.

Step 3: Put the gadget and battery in a dry, warm spot and wait. Don't try putting the battery back in to see if it works as this would risk damaging the phone with a short circuit. Remember: Water and electricity don't mix ... don't let your short patience get the best of you. You will have to wait this one out and your best bet is to let it dry for two to three days and not a minute less!

Step 4: Put your batteries back in and cross your fingers. With a little luck, your gadget will be back in working order. Note: This can work for your kids' electronic toys too.

Tip: If something other than water (like coffee or soda) was the culprit, you may need to add another step ... after drying you will want to take your Q-tip and clean the gadget with alcohol (use sparingly) and then dry again. Unfortunately, liquids other than water will corrode the inside parts and the longer it dries without being cleaned out, the more concentrated the substance will become.