Pee-Powered Generator
Alex Wilhelm, writing for the next web, African girls have created a pee-powered generator
Embedded Buffer
Many of my projects include a microcontroller or digital signal processor of some kind. Because I program these chips in C and use similar chips across projects, I seem to be reusing a lot of code. This isn’t necessarily a problem, but there are better ways to re-use code than simply copy-pasting the source from one file to another, as I have been.
Sketching Designs
The learning process gives us some appreciation for the unfathomable plasticity of our brains. Many of the skills we acquire throughout life are learned, rather than instinctual. For example, although I can’t draw, over the years I have learned how to make a convincing sketch. I understand that even this — admittedly unimpressive — ability is rare. As I age I am increasingly convinced that artistic talent is not instinctive, but a skill honed through practice. For those unfamiliar or uninterested in sketching, bear with me; I am not speaking about sketching per se, but the way we create.
Richard Rogers's House
From Deborah Copaken Kogan’s Lessons from a Surprise Visit to Richard Rogers’s House, recently published in the New Yorker
Emerging Democratic Majority
I am puzzled by this passage from Ruy Teixeira’s piece The Emerging Democratic Majority Turns 10, in the Atlantic
Pocketing Instapaper
Recent history is replete with tech companies competing for our hearts, minds, and wallets. Ultimately, competition is good for consumers, but only if we set aside our loyalties and choose the better product. I recently decided to weigh up alternative read-later services. First, let me describe what they are and why I use them.
Imperfection in Design
Like many left-brain people, I am constantly frustrated by imperfection. But I’ve decided that perfectionism is totally irrational.
Amplifier Version 4
I have been designing and building audio amplifiers since high school. I don’t have a cogent justification for this hobby since it would be cheaper, easier, and better to buy a professionally made amplifier (admittedly, most hobbies are somewhat irrational). Nevertheless, I get a kick out of designing circuits, and for some reason, amplifiers in particular.