For some reason, this old Dr. Fun comic popped into my head. I found out that ibiblio.org keeps these all archived, complete with a search engine.
Daily Archives: 2/18/2005
Scientists find tsunami produced 90-foot wave
I was reading this article from the San Francisco Chronicle, which says that last December’s tsunami create a wave 90 feet high. They said that the wave would have reached the clock of the San Francisco Ferry Building (not the top, which is 248 feet, but the lower edge of the clock face). Here is a picture of the building from 1898. I reckon that entire scaffolding would have been underwater.
Ouch.
Build Your Own All-Terrain Robot
Today’s book recommendation is Brad Graham and Kathy McGowan’s Build Your Own All-Terrain Robot. Brad and Kathy are the authors of a book which was highly recommended to me, Atomic Zombie’s Bicycle Builder’s Bonanza. I’m not all that interested in building strange bicycles, but robots, hey, that seems like more up my alley.
I’ve got quite a few books that concentrate on making robots which are little more than toys, but I was beginning to think of a bit grander project: a robot that could navigate outside over realistic if not rugged terrain. And this book delivers! It gives detailed descriptions of two different robotics projects, and tells you what you really need to know to get going. You won’t find chapters entitled “how to solder” or “PIC assembly code”, but you will find lots of information on finding the right motors, batteries, how to design and fabricate a welded steel frame, how to get it all working with remote control, and how to mount cameras and even a FRS radio to allow you to see what your ROV is doing.
Great book, highly recommended.
Watch as America becomes covered with bedsores!
Apparently now Everquest (lovingly referred to by those in the know as “crack on a CD”) will allow you to order Pizza Hut with just a simple few keystrokes. I’m not sure how you are supposed to answer the door when they arrive with your piping hot pepperoni, though. Might actually have to get up off your chair.