2024-10 :: Kai Ruhl :: link to article
Ycombinator points to a Piotr Migdal article on teaching scientific concepts through interactive games: Hyperrogue [debian] for non-Euclidian geometry, Velocity raptor for Newtonian physics, a mini-games collection from Explorables, or just a colored Fourier transform explanation. Related and also via Ycombinator: Alexander Zvonkin accompanying 5 year olds with math puzzles, in russian social circles.
2024-09 :: Kai Ruhl :: link to article
Ycombinator links to a Liliputing article on e-ink alternatives LivePaper, NXTpaper [de1] [de2] and ecoVision Paper, all of which seem to be transflective LCD that can use incoming light well. They have higher refresh rates but presumably less good reflectance. See also my e-ink phone list.
2024-08 :: Kai Ruhl :: link to article
As Hisense quits making e-ink phones, Bigme starts producing the Hibreak, both in monochrome and color, as notebookcheck reports. So far only the basic version is available at 250 EUR, with the 5G version announced for end of 2024. Google play service is present. Liliputing, Android police and goodereader have additional coverage. See also my e-ink phone list.
2024-07 :: Kai Ruhl :: link to article
On a chorded keyboards you press multiple keys to produce a letter or other character, so you need only few keys; however the method is rather slow. As an example, Hackaday reports on the Sexy Artsey by Gleb Sabirzyanov, a one-handed, ten-key input device with integrated knob.
2024-06 :: Kai Ruhl :: link to article
Ycombinator points to web-based coloring math puzzles by Rahul Ilango, starting with labeling countries such that neighbors always have different colors. Though intuitive, the four color theorem was difficult to prove. On the max, we arrive at torus coloring as described e.g. by Wolfram, for which only a conjecture exists, the Heawood conjecture. Also more puzzles by Simon Tatham.
2024-05 :: Kai Ruhl :: link to article
iFixit reports on notebook RAM variant CAMM (compression attached memory module), which uses screws for pressure at contacts to allow good signal transmission for RAM pins in notebooks, without soldering but at the same speed and low power (LP) usage. Replaces the previous SO-DIMM (small outline dual inline memory module).
2024-04 :: Kai Ruhl :: link to article
Hackaday reports on Wareya building their own gaming mouse [vid] [git] by 3d printing and salvaging a cheaper mouse because mouse manufacturers do not sell parts. See also my input devices, 3d printing and FreeCAD guides.
2024-03 :: Kai Ruhl :: link to article
Surfertoday with the eminent question in wave surfing: Given a break spot near shore and a swell-generated breaking wave with a shoulder, which position and surf direction is optimal on the wave slope (face)? Depends on what you want: High on the face and smaller vertical variations for speed-up, big vertical variations for maneuvers, and straight on for relaxing.
2024-02 :: Kai Ruhl :: link to article
Hackaday reports on the Svalboard, a keyboard with minimal finger travel by having switches all around each finger, instead of key surfaces only pointing upwards. Similar to the datahand (1990) [archive] [hackaday] and the Azeron (2021) speedpad. Comes with a pointing stick as mouse replacement, popularized by the ThinkPad laptop line. Costs 800€. See also my input devices list.
2024-01 :: Kai Ruhl :: link to article
Pascal Getreuer writes on building custom keyboards ("hand-wired") with QMK as firmware: You can have mouse control, more Shift keys ("layers"), built-in unicode characters, and 50 words of auto correction for your favorite mistakes.
2023-12 :: Kai Ruhl :: link to article
Surfer Today and Dose report on inflatable skate ramps by Evolution Ramps that are portable and flex on impact. A velcro-attached top layer provides a rollable surface e.g. from HDPE. The high air pressure needed presumes some drop stitch variant, as used in SUP, wingfoil and bodyboards. Loosely related, S-wing fins seem a fun surfing variant.
2023-11 :: Kai Ruhl :: link to article
Hackaday reports on the Ploopy Adept Trackball, which runs QMK so you can modify the behaviour on the firmware level; and all specs for 3d printing the parts are GPL on github. Costs 80€. See also my input devices.
2023-10 :: Kai Ruhl :: link to article
Surfer today reports on wave surf games and in particular the beta stage Barton Lynch Pro Surfing (2022) [steam] by Bungarra, unfortunately Windows only. Previously, the best wave surf game was Kelly Slater Pro Surfer (2003) [review] [abandon], again Windows only.
2023-09 :: Kai Ruhl :: link to article
Daniel de Kok reviews the Glove80 keyboard from MoErgo having a "key well" or bowl similar to the Kinesis keyboards, while being lower and more adapted to each finger. Costs about 500€. Similar keyboards without key wells are SplitKB Kyria and Keyboardio Model 100. Hackaday also has coverage. See also my input devices list.
2023-08 :: Kai Ruhl :: link to article
Dax Montilla on the motors that can go onto skateboard trucks: Integrated hub motors with reduced wheel thickness are silent and can be pushed; belt-drive motors with good torque have moving parts near the ground; enclosed direct drive motors with good torque have fixed parts near the ground; sealed gear drive motors with good torque are loud and expensive. Also use dual motors (per truck) whenever possible. See also my skate part shortlist.
2023-07 :: Kai Ruhl :: link to article
Having an Android phone without Google is challenging when many banking apps rely on GMS. The Pixel-only GrapheneOS has better banking support than LineageOS, and comes with a banking apps compatibility list. See also my Pocket PC and Android details.