The other day while hacking at the Resistor space, I realized I was getting a crick in my neck sitting hunched over at my laptop. I needed some sort of laptop stand to get the screen up higher, and one that I could get my external keyboard under so my computer wasn’t too far away. I’d never seen exactly what I was looking for, so I figured I’d whip one up!

A little while later, with some help from Inkscape and our Lazzzor, I had this laptop stand. I’m putting it up on Etsy to see if anyone else is interested in having their own.

This recycled cardboard model goes for $8 and is sold 100% in support of the laser. Support your local hackers! Acrylic and wood models are coming soon. View the listing & more pictures

Andrew Schneider is a performance artist, body hacker, and inventor of Experimental Devices for Performance. His inventions are sublime while his performances are spellbinding. He recently lit up IgniteNYC  and the above video comes from the Wall Street Journal’s “Tech Dairy.” More information can be found on Andrew’s website.

We sort of took a break on classes in October, but we’re back in full force in November with a programming-oriented lineup. Here are the various classes we’re offering:

Arduino Programming 101: Hello World
Sunday, November 02, 2008
1 session, 2 hours

The Arduino is a simple yet powerful microcontroller board. More info here: arduino.cc

This is your friendly introductory class. We’ll cover what an Arduino is, how to program your arduino, what a variable is, what a function is, how to call a function, basic statements. Most importantly, we’ll cover where to get help if you need it. Once we get a handle on how everything works, we’ll go about writing a simple program to blink an LED when a button is pressed.

If there is time, we’ll keep adding features and doing cool things.

An Arduino and a Danger Shield will be provided for use, but please bring a laptop if possible.

Instructor: Zach Smith

Beginning PHP: Getting Started
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Instructor: Kelly Farrell
2 hours, 1 session

Learn the basics of PHP, one of the most popular languages for
creating dynamic web pages and web applications. In this class you’ll
learn what you need to get started with PHP. We’ll cover what you need
to pick a web host, how to work with PHP files, and some basic syntax.

This class is perfect for people with little or no web programming
experience. Please bring a laptop to work on. If you already know your
way around SFTP and have a favorite code editor, skip ahead to
Beginning PHP: Variables, Functions, & More

Arduino Programming 102: If Funky, Get Loopy
Sunday, November 09, 2008
1 Session, 2 Hour
Instructor: Zach Smith

Its recommended that you take the 101 class, but it is not required.

The Arduino is a simple yet powerful microcontroller board. More info here: arduino.cc

This class is focused on taking all the fundamentals of Arduino programming, and creating a useful program. We’ll dive into the wonderful world of if/then/else statements. We’ll traverse the ocean of loops and exit into a wonderful paradise of useful, functioning programs.

This class is based around the Arduino and the NYC Resistor Learner Shield, which is a fun device that has lots of cool, preset inputs/outputs for you to easily explore. We will be covering the basic functions of this device as well.

An Arduino and Danger Shield will be provided to each student, but please bring a laptop if possible.

Beginning PHP: Variables, Functions, & More
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Instructor: Kelly Farrell
2 Hours, 1 session

Learn the basics of PHP, one of the most popular languages for
creating dynamic web pages and web applications. We’ll cover
variables, functions, constants, handy tricks to make things easier,
and what you’ll need to get your first script up and running.

For this class you’ll need to be familiar with SFTP and basic HTML
concepts. If you’re starting from scratch consider taking Beginning
PHP: Getting Started. Please bring a laptop to work on.

Arduino Programming 103: Sensory Overload
Sunday, November 16, 2008
1 Session, 2 Hours
Instructor: Zach Hoeken

It is recommended that you take the 101 and 102 classes, but it is not required.

The Arduino is a simple yet powerful microcontroller board. More info here: arduino.cc

During this class, we will explore the many different ways of gathering information from the outside world. The NYC Resistor Learner shield has many interesting sensors including a light sensor, a temperature sensor, a knock sensor, and some sliders. We will be examining each of these sensors and showing you how to use them in your programs.

An Arduino and Danger Shield will be provided to each student, but please bring a laptop if possible.

It’s very likely we’ll add more classes very soon, so make sure you check our updated class list!

They have been encarcerated in the EVIDENCE ROOM for over three month now, they seemed to be lost forever but they survived all procedure: my breathing books. In June I had been detained by TSA, Police, FBI and CIA in Newark Airport on my way back to Germany for more than 4 hours.  The reason for the official’s irritation was that I tried to carry a fully assembled electronical mechanism hidden in books. Given that that is not the smartest idea ever, it escalated over the top. I had been questioned, examined and interrogated, they ran a test on me and offered their result afterwards: “we think by now you must be a good person, ’cause now we know how often you change your underwear.” Humiliating!

Lost my flight, lost my project, couldn’t take part in an exhibition in G.

After most official attempts (governor’s letters etc.) failed to get my stuff back over the past months, I tracked down the Officer that had been in charge that day. Suddenly, when I finally managed to get hold of him, it seemed so easy: I was allowed to go and pick up my properties.

It involved a handover situation of semi-professional drugdealer level: At Terminal A of Newark Liberty International Airport I had to get into Mr. Napolitana’s allover white car (laquered from the outside and powdered from the inside, since on his way to our meeting point his fire extinguisher went off in his trunk!) After we agreed on business – I had to give a few signatures- I was handed a big black garbage bag – equally dusted-  and he drove off into the bureaucratic void he came from.

Each of the books has now been refined with the Officer’s name and the very case number.

I am trying to make an exhibition happen soon -with all evidence material – and you are all invited, I keep you posted!

Over at my personal blog I’ve written up the epic history of the blinkenlights project as well as the fantastic and imminent arrival of blinkenlights in Toronto. Check em.