Tilted Twister
I found this video of a Lego Mindstorm robotics project that built a little robot that can solve a Rubik’s Cube. I haven’t ever seen the complexity of the algorithm to do that but I think it is cool to see this kind of stuff. I had heard of the Mindstorm product but had not ever seen it in action nor did I have an real concept of what you could program with it. As for algorithms to solve a Rubik’s cube, it appears there are a few out there.
God’s Algorithm
Optimal Solutions
Speed Cubing
On the Tilted Twister Website: they also have a section where you can download instructions, executables and codeto build your own.
Tags: lego mindstorm, rubik's cube
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Scale of Space
Posted on June 26, 2008 by Isi
I have watched this image rotate dozens of times and for each I am amazed at what I see. I cannot comprehend objects so big. Suns as big as our entire solar system, other suns that make and invisible spec out of the those. It makes me think of our significance as a planet and race in a realm so vast that things so large are mere pin pricks of light unimaginable distances away.
Click on the image below. It takes a minute for the animated part of the gif to start but once it does you will see our planet, sun, and solar system get slowly compared and quickly dwarfed by other giants out there in the cosmos.
Tags: scale, Space
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One Hundred Push-up Challenge
Posted on June 25, 2008 by Isi
I am always up for a challenge and sometimes find they are the best way to get me motivated to do something. Recently Missy, John, and myself started the “One Hundred Push-up Challenge” as a way to push ourselves toward some personal fitness goals. That and because it was a challenge. The challenge itself is to prepare your body to perform 100 push-ups after 6-weeks of training.
In preparation I did 15 push-ups. This put me in the third rank for determining how many push-ups I would do each day of the challenge. Day 1, which we just completed was 5 sets of push-ups with a 60 second break between each (10 / 10 / 8 / 6 / Burnout). I was able to complete day 1 with a total of 56 push-ups (15 initial / 10 / 10 / 8 / 6 / 7) before collapsing on the floor in a tired, worn out heap. Arms, chest and abs burning.
If you are looking for a good add on to your exercise routine, this program, at least the concept of it, and the first day have been entertaining for the three of us.
Tags: challenges, exercise, fitness, push ups
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Solar Panels: ROYGBIV Style
Posted on April 13, 2008 by Isi
I read all kinds of stuff about solar power. I hope one day we can harvest it well enough to supersede the needs of coal, natural gas and other environmentally harmful ways to generate electricity.
Recently I came across this article that I thought was interesting. I love the fact that continued experimentation takes us to these advances in science but I don’t understand the breakthrough here. We have been able to break light down to its primary colors for a long time. Has no one thought to do this with solar collectors. I am sure there is more to it technically than that but this seems like a simple leap in logic to assume that we might be able to get energy from voltaic cell from more than just white lights.
Perhaps the materials or the process or the manufacturing were not up to the task but I hope that long ago - long long ago - some scientist thought / new that sunlight, in all of its colors might be harvested, should the technology be invented to generate electricity in this manner.
Don’t read this as frustration but more of amazement that we have not seen this breakthrough long before now.
In the article, however brief it might be, there is mention of a new Eco City being built in the UAE. Pretty amazing to see that they are taking advantage of sunlight and good design to make the city environmentally friendly.
Tags: Eco City, Solar Power
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B-29 RC Launches X-1
Posted on April 13, 2008 by Isi
This is a video of a large RC plane, a B-29, taking off, flying for a bit, releasing a X-1 from under its right wing, and landing after a few risky maneuvers for such a large plane. Loving both real and model planes and having tried many time, unsuccessfully, to pick up flying RC planes as a hobby, I thought to share this everyone else.
Tags: B-29, Model Airplanes, Viral Video, X-1
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LOTRO announces new expansion
Posted on April 13, 2008 by Shadowmage
The new Lord of the Rings Online expansion was announced. The Mines of Moria.
If you go over to the newly opened Mines of Moria site you can unlock information by registering and playing mini games to unlock trade mark Deeds, similar to the ones you can unlock in LOTRO. With the new expansion you will be able to get new weapons that will level up with you, the level cap will be raised to 60, new lands will be added to explore, as well as 2 new classes, The Rune-keeper and Warden.
Tags: Computer Gaming, Lord of the Rings Online
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Forgotten Realms: Spellplague
Posted on April 13, 2008 by Shadowmage
While checking out the Online Dragon Magazine I found some info on the Spellplague and the sweeping effect it had on the Realms. One think of note, I am not sure of the current date of the Forgotten realms but from looking at the dates listed in this article they seemed to have jumped time forward a lot.
Tags: Forgotten Realms, Role Playing Games, Wizards of the Coast
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G.I. Joe Live-Action Movie
Posted on April 13, 2008 by Shadowmage
I just found out about the new G.I. Joe movie slated for next Summer. Another one of my childhood favorites, I watched G.I. Joe all of the time and hope, as a fan, the producers do it some justice. I hope it does not go the way of The Hulk, Underdog and other bad remakes of my childhood favorites.
I was also able to find the first released pictures of Snake Eye’s. It looks like they are going the way of the Batman with the bulked out body suit. Overall I like the look they have given him and I hope the others turn out as good.
Tags: Comic Books, G.I. Joe, Movies
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Playing to Win
Posted on March 25, 2008 by Shadowmage
I found this interesting article on the mental process of going from playing games and playing to win. It is an interesting little read and I can see what he means about having to leave behind the mental crouches of what is fair and not fair. Just like in Love and War, All is fair in wining a game.
Read more
Tags: Computer Gaming, counter strike
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Banned XBOX Commercial
Posted on March 25, 2008 by Isi
This is a brilliant commercial. It’s to bad that it never made it to the mainstream after hours programming. You would think if they could advertise something like Girls Gone Wild 24×7 that this wouldn’t have trouble finding its way onto cable.
Regardless, I love the lady that throws the grenade, and the guy with the shotgun - shk shk bang - shk shk bang.
Tags: commercials, xbox
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Posted on July 21, 2008 by Isi