Blog Archives
R2D2 Wireless Adapter
What I own (left) versus what I want (right).
We switched to wireless internet recently, so I got one of these Wireless Adapters (the D-Link DWA-130, pictured) that came with a USB cradle for my workstation. Its blinking light and leaning stance reminded me of a certain Star Wars character, so of course I thought wouldn’t it be neat…
R2 used this antennae at the beginning of Empire, as he searched for signs of Luke. The antennae continuously spun in the film, but for this gadget it would need to be static (who wants to hear a little motor non-stop?). A USB would plug in the front of the droid. He’d also tilt to help get a better signal.
It would be nice if Belkin and D-Link made some fun accessories like this (also see this wireless router I designed a while back), but for now their lines of vanilla-yet-functional products will suffice, I suppose.
Share this:
Wii U External HDD Cases Part 2: Metroid
Enlisting the Save Station platform from the Metroid Prime series seems like a fun way to designate an external drive if I may say so. Metroid has one of the more ‘showy’ saves in all video games, ideal for a device that stores games and save files.
When a save or data transfer occurs, the LED lights on the platform would pulse (sorry no GIF this time). Samus could also have an LED in her visor, but that might be tricky to do with her being so small.
I feel the Samus figure could be sold separately. Some people might prefer different eras of the character or different colors even.
Other variants: the drive case could also the Gunship which Samus could stand on. Samus could also stand in a glass capsule a la Super Metroid. The HDD could be jettisoned altogether, so you could have a Metroid figure on a stand that intercepts a USB feed to the external drive.
Share this:
Wii U External HDD Cases Part 1: Super Mario
I haven’t been following the Wii U too much these past several months, I figured I knew all there was to know about Nintendo’s new console. But then recently I learned the system is allowing for external storage (either SD Cards or external hard drives) to help with capacity. How great is that? No proprietary hardware and easy-to-maintain data. Kudos to Nintendo.
What got me excited about this storage system are the possible external hard drive enclosures we could be seeing, be it from Nintendo or a third party (like Mad Catz). I think we could be seeing some pretty cool cases to park our hard drives in, because they’d enlist video game themes as opposed to looking like drab bricks.
First up is this really simple Mario block design. I have a few more designs in the pipeline, but I wanted to start with this one because it would compliment the Wii U console in appearance.
It features a Mario question block that operates as the power button (illuminates when powered-on). Above it are coins that animate in a light sequence to denote data is being transferred or a write is taking place (like saving a game). It would play the coin chime sound when the device is turned on, in sync with a single coin animation.
I’m 99.99% sure we’ll see a few fun HDD cases like this, because they’d appeal to both Wii owners and those who would want a geeky external case for their desktop computer. And that kind of market reach would be difficult to ignore from electronics companies.
Share this:
Heavy Duty Office Chair
Just like the Sith, some of my ideas are born of hate. I loathe office chairs because despite their initial good looks and comfort, they are not durable. How companies not factor in this wear-and-tear into their chair designs is beyond me.
That said, I have designed what I feel is the one chair to rule them all. This heavy duty chair is a monster: steel frame, redundant wheels, shock absorbers, and tension springs. It is painted yellow to alert your co-workers of its presence; a trait symbolic of its construction equipment pedigree. Essentially a Tonka chair! Read the rest of this entry
Share this:
Ideas To Combat Software Piracy
Usually when I work on the more graphics-intensive art pieces for this here blog, I will listen to the radio instead of iTunes to help with PC performance. And lately I’ve been hearing an extensive ad campaign that is asking listeners to blow the whistle on workplace software piracy, even offering cash rewards for information.
Yikes! Software conglomerates are resorting to getting their message out over the airwaves. Clearly software piracy is out of control. I think asking people to snitch will yield a few catches, but in no way will it solve the issue.
Here are a few ideas to help:
1. Software is priced TOO DAMN HIGH! Seriously! Some software packages cost way more than the computer you are installing it on. If Nintendo asked me to buy a Wii for $200 and then Super Mario Galaxy for $1,000, I would laugh hysterically and walk away. Solution: If you aren’t going to come down on the overall price, then offer a few affordable solutions. Lease a program for $40 a month. Allow customers to pay in installments - on their terms. Maybe even a pay-per-use program.
There is a lot of compatible freeware available to download online. Lowering the price should be taken into consideration first and foremost.
2. Longer lifespan for each version. Offer downloadable content instead of a new iteration. It’s discouraging to buy premium software because a newer, better version will be released within a year. And the upgrade offer isn’t cheap either. Solution: Software companies should take a cue from video game companies, and only release a new version when the software is a big leap forward. In the meantime, you can offer customers optional downloadable upgrades they can buy. Support your software to last 3-5 years, and people will invest for that kind of term.
3. Reward customers for their loyalty. Wouldn’t it be awesome if Adobe sent you an email saying “Dear customer: We noticed that you bought Photoshop CS3 and upgraded to CS4 and CS5. For your patronage, an upgrade to CS6 will be provided free of charge. Hugz! -Adobe”. Those kinds of rewards acknowledge customers who have been legit, and ensures their continued business.
4. Cloud-based software usage. I have multiple computers, but don’t want multiple licenses. I should be allowed to use one instance of Microsoft Word on any computer at any single time. Solution: A client like Steam would allow this type of framework, where I would sign-in to activate my one license on any of my computers. This type of flexibility would carry a lot of appeal for many users who aren’t monogamous with computers.
5. Provide a number of options for customers that will lower the price of the software. Examples: If you participate in our monthly survey, we will reduce the cost by $200. If you decide to use our DRM program, we will reduce the price by $100. If you agree to turn on issue reporting (for bugs) it is $200 off. If you enable our peer-to-peer suite to share downloads of our program, it is $100 off. The program can be subsidized by ads…if you participate in out next Beta, etc. By assisting the developer in some form, you should be entitled to a discount. I’ll endure a few trade-offs for cheaper software.
If I think of any more, I will update this list.
Share this:
If IKEA Made Geeky Furniture Part 12: The Sandbox
The IKEA Geeky Furniture series are only designs, and do not exist (yet). They are not for sale. The images are meant to parody the IKEA catalog, hence the prices.
At first glance there is nothing geeky about this desk (well, computer desks are inherently geeky, but I digress), however this normal-looking desk enables geeky behavior. If you look closely you’ll see a model train set beneath the glass top.
This desk has a display case underneath the desk surface to store all your geeky wares, which is an amplification of glass desks that allow you to put photos or posters underneath the glass top.
Imagine all the things you could put in here! A Lego town perhaps. A Warhammer board game. A Civil War diorama. A formation of Stormtrooper figures. Me? I’d put a table hockey game in there, so I’d feel like I’m overlooking a hockey game.
This design could be applied to a dining table or coffee table. I think it would be cool to turn a functional surface into a display case that shows off your geek spoils. At least you’d have room for that train set.
Share this:
Games That Should Be Ported To Facebook
I don’t play Facebook games. It’s not that I am a video game snob - I’ll play whatever catches my attention, regardless of platform. But so far there is nothing on the social network that would entice me.
Here are a list of suggestions (in no particular order):
1. EA Sports 16-bit games. Games like NHL and Madden enjoy big budget outings on modern consoles, so why not release these throwback games on Facebook? One thing is key: they have to be online multiplayer. With EA releasing new offerings on Facebook like Tiger Woods Golf, it’s not a long shot. NHL ’94 is a must!
2. SimCity. With games like CityVille cloning the classic SimCity, it’s time for the original and best to debut on Facebook. I imagine SimCity 2000 being able to run in a browser with little effort. (UPDATE: Well this happened but it didn’t last).
3. Final Fantasy I - VI. While this series is constantly being updated and ported to consoles and handhelds, I can see these RPG’s residing nicely at home on Facebook. Would need to be the original 8 or 16-bit versions.
4. You Don’t Know Jack! The trivia game is a blast to play. I think an online multiplayer game could be had here. To maintain the voice-over production, the questions could reside in Youtube clips. UPDATE: Now on Facebook.
5. Pokemon. If Nintendo ever ventured outside of it’s hardware devices, I could list all of their properties here. But the one that would be a runaway smash would be Pokemon, as the collecting and trading of pocket monsters would reduce the Facebook servers to a crawl.
6. Bomberman. This would be the ultimate online multiplayer game. The old 16-bit versions would run effortlessly in a browser.
7. Railroad Tycoon and Rollercoaster Tycoon. These games predate the Zynga titles, yet have that same kind of management appeal.
8. Advance Wars. Nintendo’s RTS series for the GBA and DS handhelds would be ideal for Facebook. Sort of like Chess on steroids.
9. Animal Crossing. Another Nintendo property that has born for Facebook.
