Ray!

A change is as good as a holiday. Cheers Ray

Probably the most interesting thing that I've made started out as something simple, but then took over a life of its own until this eventuated: What it is, is a flatbed microscope, which I've called the Olympus Electric Macroscope (mainly because it contains Olympus camera bits). It all started with a set of macro bellows and a simple sheet of steel that I wanted to use as a sturdy, anti-vibration, base. Then I saw some stuff on the web about Steampunk (modern devices converted to look like things from the early 1800s) and that was it. Everything was hand built from raw materials except for the camera, bellows, an old microscope base and the electronic controller. The whole unit is about 700mm x 250mm x 250mm and weighs abouty 25kg. I've only used it in anger a few times to test it out and it certainly works, but now it's more an ornament/feature thingamabob. I've also built a more modern vertical assembly, which I plan to start using once I get more settled into our new digs. Cheers Ray

I've often wondered what the point is about displaying post counts. It really is a forum thing, no matter what the forum. Is it something that simply exists in the software and can't be turned off, or modified, to display something less geeky? Cheers Ray

I requested the deletion of my post in the political section, as I saw what a mistake it was (and didn't it attract the flies). I did agree that the political section was pretty much a waste of time and don't miss it at all; there's another place where I'm sure it'll continue hammer and tong for a long time yet, but with one less conservative arsehole around, the socialist agenda can get into full swing. Cheers Ray

So, what do you really think? It's also interesting that you comment about other topics; the only thing that's been removed/restricted are the political discussions. For one who raised a fair share of those on the other forum and was regularly abused by many, as if it was the only thing I posted, I don't miss them at all really. Other than that, there's not really much restricted here, other than what you might imagine. Cheers Ray

More info on the Pi: http://video.news.com.au/2234387697/35-computer-changes-the-game Cheers Ray

That's weird. IE9 finds it no problems, but Firefox can't find it. Cheers Ray

This is not tongue in cheek. I believe an English gentleman by the name of Sir Loin may have more news and he doesn't mince his words. Cheers Ray

What did you get? Cheers Ray

http://www.1112.net/lastpage.html Cheers Ray

I herd there's going to be a stampede for this and some will try to be very bullish and horn in before others; there's definitiely a moovement here. Cheers Ray

They connect to the internet via wifi in the home and could most likely work off a public wifi network, but failing that, would need a mobile internet connection. Cheers Ray

These things need to connect to the internet from what I read, so I don't think they'll work remotely unless you devise a data connection. Cheers Ray

I've seen something similar, but I can't rememebr eaxactly what it affected either PC or phone. Cheers Ray

Why not an apricot? Cheers Ray

And more stuff for the inner geek in you: http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2012/05/this-is-how-you-will-connect-everything-in-your-home-to-the-internet/. Cheers Ray

Whenever getting snatched,or snatching, do it gently first. If bogged to the chassis, even snatching won't usually work. Winching is always gentler, so it doesn't create the sudden stress that snatching does and the stress is usually taken up by the winch. More often than not, it depends on the angle of pull that puts stress on components. Cheers Ray

Yes you can, if it has an appropriate breaking strain, nominally about 4.5t or so. In fact, it's a much safer option than using a chain. Cheers Ray

No bullocks, veal just have to see how it goes, but I think I'll just hoof off now. Cheers Ray

No! I don't want to be the meat in the sandwich and I don't have any beef about this article, but I wil steak out this report until the cows come home. If you've herd anything, milk it for what it's worth. Cheers Ray

No, battery went boom in the heat and took revenge on the dash. Cheers Ray

The aftermath of a not so happy GPS: http://walyou.com/gps-explosion/ Cheers Ray

I used to use a RAM mount on a previous small notebook, attached to the windscreen via the RAM mount suction cup system, but it's simply not very good because the laptop sits too high and obscures visibility. I wanted something a lot better and which would sit low so that visibility was not obscured, yet gave good visibility to the screen. As it turned out, I found the near perfect solution. OK, this is partly DIY, because the main component has been purchased pre-made, but their is some modification required to suit the dash of the Patrol, which I have yet to fully design and make for the moment, to warrant a DIY moniker. What I bought was a Kropsson HR-P850FTP tablet holder. It was a bit of a risk not knowing exactly how durable it would be, but for versatility over anything else I've seen, it couldn't be beaten. Anyway, when it arrived, I was pleasantly surprised at how well constructed it turned out to be. Some parts appear as if they would not be strong enough, but I think overall it will easily stand up to holding just about any tablet and my tablet, being a Windows 7 platform, is heavier than most. As I said, I haven't fully fitted it yet and that's because the dash of the Patrol is curved and won't accept the flat suction cup assembly, so I'm going to have to build a platform on the dash so that it has a strong, flat, surface to adhere to. Here are a few shots of the holder placed on the dash to give an idea of how it sits and will work. As you can see, it sits perfectly on the top of the dash and allows you to lower the tablet so that it will rest on the pen tray (I intend to place some foam in the pen tray to provide an absorbent buffer). While the assembly that holds the tablet doesn't look substantial enough, I've had the holder face down and given it a solid shaking and the tablet has not budged, so I don't have any concerns regarding it coming adrift while off-road. When all the components are locked in, the unit becomes pretty sturdy overall. Visibility over the dash is unhindered and visibility of the screen is perfect. Once I work out the ideal solution for the suction cup mount, I'll provide an update on how it all comes together and works in real life. My idea is to get a sheet of stainless steel and build a platform from the front of the dash to the bottom of the windscreen, so that it's removeable, but solid when attached. Cheers Ray

Never mind, I get it now. Cheers Ray