There’s a lot of discussion going around on the web about the controversial new device placed onto the free market by Apple Computers, the iPad. I was thinking about the app store approval process, and the potential for how shall we say, abuse that might occur through such a system. That’s when it occurred to me, Apple is right. Developers should be able to safeguard the experience of their users. So I opened up the terminal.

Here’s the PHP code that you might want to use on your web applications to let iPad users know that their device might not meet the user experience requirements that you feel are necessary for the full enjoyment of your applications. You know, requirements such as screws on the device, or the ability to multitask, or install software without an approval process controlled by some megalomaniac in Cupertino. I’ve modeled the response to be somewhat familiar in wording to Apple developers. You know, just to show that I care. It can very well be inferred that websites and web pages are complicated, and one needs to seek help only from experts—whether it’s a web designer or an ios app developer—when it comes to their design. Just so that are aware, if you are someone who is looking for great websites for small business enterprises, just follow the link given | small business web design perth

Anyways, if you like me feel that the iPad is ruining the web experience for users, and don’t want to see your web applications tainted by it’s inferior design choices use the code below to protect yourself and your work. You aren’t making a tool, you are creating an experience. Remember place the code such that it executes before your page data is displayed. If you have a header include or something that would be an awesome location.

The venerable and highly esteemed Mr Stabby. An orphan robot found upon the streets of new york, and eventually dropped off at NYC Resistor has found a home in our hearts. Luckily we’ve kept him thus far from plunging a knife into that home. We did however decide that since Mr Stabby means so much to all of us, that we’d celebrate his birthday. This year stabs got to take out a pinata shaped like a penguin.

Here’s a video of stabs showing us that even the surliest robots can sometimes find a home full of love, and support if hackerspaces are willing to open their doors to them.

Stabs… this one’s for you man.

(Updated: Photos from the event posted to Flickr)

Our new space is pretty amazing, but there was one thing we still needed. We are on the 4th floor of our building, and the stairs were a little hard for first time visitors to find. We had a temporary remedy:

but obviously this would not do as a permanent installation, especially with our big event on Saturday!

So here is the new sign.

Thanks to Ryan for help with the circuit design, and thanks to Adam for the Arduino code (yes the Arduino is overkill but we decided it was appropriate considering the theme of the art show!). Let me tell you, this sign was fun to make!

Adam wrote the Arduino code in about 2 minutes, and here it is:
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We’ve got a lot of friends here in New York, and we like to mention when they’re doing awesome things.  Here’s one of them, a Bioelectricity class run by HTINK over at Bug Labs this Wednesday night.

http://bioelectricity.eventbrite.com/
Bug Labs – 598 Broadway (at the corner of Houston) 4th floor, New York, NY
Wednesday, 3/23/2010, 7PM, Bug Labs

Have you ever wondered how living organisms create and control electrical energy?  Come learn how living cells use nanopumps and ion channels to generate and transmit signals that control everything from how hard you click a mouse to how quickly your heart beats.  Matthieu and Krystoff, biomedical engineers with the world.s largest implantable medical device manufacturer, Medtronic, will discuss these principles and more, as we cover everything from neural signal processing to heart rhythm control.

Explore the rapidly growing field of bioelectronic devices and get a chance to build your own EKG machine.  Come learn how implantable pacemakers and defibrillators track and control heart rhythms, and allow doctors to hack patient biorhythms remotely via a combined internet and RF communication channel.  Additionally, the science of pacing and defibrillation therapies will be discussed along with a demonstration of the effects of therapeutic electrical shocks.

There will be a kit available to build. Purchasing the kit is not required. If you do purchase a kit, you will want to bring a windows laptop to view the output from the ECG. No tools are required.

NYCResistor has a new space and it’s beautiful and we’re nearly done fixing it up. Maybe you’ve heard that we’re having an Arduino Art Party? It’s going to be featuring the superstars of the Arduino world! This show is important because while the arduino has been a growing factor in the cutting edge art scene, an art show that showcases the full capabilities of it as the main focus of the art show has never been done. This will be a landmark event in the history of mechanized and programmable art!

So what will be at NYCResistor on March 27th from 8-12pm at 87 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn?

wind-up birds (hc gilje 2008) from hc gilje on Vimeo.

HC Gilje’s wind up birds. Cyber woodpeckers, need we say more about that?

Arron Koblin will display data crashes transformed into art. (Not pictured above)

Laura Greig‘s arduino powered painting machine.

Hernando Barragán – The creator of the wiring board will display Infomatic driven LEDs.

Things – Edith Kollath Creates Books that Breathe from Bre Pettis on Vimeo.

NYCResistor Member Edith Kolath
Jan Borches and REne Bohne’s Luminet Jacket will be on display and blinking.

Becky Stern‘s interactive embroidery will be blinking.

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Oscar Torres and Jackoon the painting robot will be doing their thing.

Raphael Abrams has a twitchie. Half doll, half robot. It’s a dollborg.

Joe Saavedra – Will be displaying a jacket that has the game of life displayed over LED matrix based on your pulse!

Ok, now you know the awesomeness that is in store for you! Get your tickets now!