Hasta La Gadget!

If you liked the idea of the MakerBot Replicator 2 3D printer that launched a couple years ago, but didn’t want to spend the money the thing costs, check this out. MakerBot has announced that it is now taking pre-orders for the cheapest 3D printer it has ever offered. The new printer about half the cost the Replicator 2 demanded when it launched.

The printer is called the MakerBot Replicator Mini and it will sell for $1375(USD). The 3D printer is sized for use on cluttered desks at home or in the office. It is also aimed at use in educational environments. The Mini has a bed that doesn’t need to be leveled. It can create objects up to 3.9″ L x 3.9″ W x 4.9″ h.

Default print resolution for the device is 200-microns, though its motors are capable of stepping at just 11 microns on the X/Y axes and 2.5 microns on the Z axis. The Mini is optimized to use the MakerBot PLA Filament that comes in over 17 colors. It’s also got an onboard camera so you can monitor prints remotely. The printer is also compatible with print projects on Thingiverse.

While it’s certainly not the cheapest small 3D printer, it is made by one of the most experienced 3D printer manufacturers, and its build quality, industrial design and feature set look very good. The Replicator Mini will ship sometime this spring.

Ash Vickers of Megacynics drew this image in remembrance of the amazing comedian/director/writer Harold Ramis, who passed away yesterday at the age of 69. It is a fitting tribute to a man who gave us so much laughter and joy.

She explains how this piece of art came about:

When I drew this, the scene popped into my head of Egon actually wanting to know what it was like to go into the trap. I never meant to imply that they’d stick him in the containment unit with the other ghosts ;P. He’s smiling and saying good-bye like ‘no… it’s fine, guys. I’ll be fine!’ More importantly, I was just sad today after finding out that Harold is gone. I just wanted to draw something in tribute to him and this is what popped in to my head.

A fitting tribute indeed. Harold Ramis was a large part of many of our childhoods and he will be missed. The man portrayed Dr. Egon Spengler in Ghostbusters and that is how I will always remember him.

[reddit via Neatorama]

They say that a person’s eyes are the windows to his or her soul. But what about the windows to your home? They’re literally windows to your life, but could they also be windows to your psyche? That could be the case for those who have fancily-decorated blinds and drapes, like the ASCII curtains and 35mm film curtains.

Hopefully, that won’t be the case for the folks who have these Nosferatu curtains hanging on their windows, though.

Most people associate “nosferatu” with vampires, but did you know that it was derived from the Greek word “nosophoros,” which means “plague carrier”? People in the olden times associated vampires as being carriers of diseases, which explains why both are used interchangeably when referring to one or the other.

These hand-painted curtains incite fear and they’ll most likely scare off potential burglars from entering through windows that’s shadowed by this menacing figure. If you don’t want to go the Nosferatu route (which is most likely too creepy for many people’s tastes), then you can always get the stealthy Ninja curtain for the same deterrent effect and geeky vibe ala Ninja Assassin.

These curtains are handmade and are made from soft 100% polyester fabric, so they’ll flow every which way when a cool breeze blows by. They can also be used as shower curtains, as headboard decor behind your bed, and as wall art wherever you feel like it.

For example, this Superman curtain would be awesome for a kid’s bedroom (bathroom, or window, too), don’t you think? If these designs aren’t up your alley, then you could always go the DIY route (ala the 35mm film curtains) or get some custom window blinds made especially for you. Customization would be ideal if know what you want to end up with, but just don’t have the time to make it yourself or shop around for it.

These curtains are available online starting at $40.99(USD). Prefer to make your own? Then check out this do-it-yourself guide found here for some tips, tricks, and a comprehensive how-to.

[via Geek Alerts]

Jeff Highsmith is an amazing dad. The proof is right here. He built this awesome Mission Control desk for his oldest son. His kid needed his own desk so he could do his homework, so he used MDF (medium-density fiberboard) to construct a basic desk. Then, he designed a control console that is loosely based on NASA examples.

He used Arduino and Raspberry to program the numerous lights, LEDs and switches. It even makes all sorts of cool noises when flipping its switches and pushing its buttons. As you can see from the video below, it isn’t going to be easy, but you can follow along and create something similar if you want a cool desk of your own.

Good luck concentrating on your homework, kid. Don’t worry, it won’t be too much of a distraction. The top of the desk folds down and covers the controls for study time.

[Make: via Kotaku via Nerd Approved]

The day that a lot of singles dread has now come and gone. While more and more unattached people choose to go out and spend the night with friends when February 14th rolls around, there are still those who stay home and sulk over their singlehood.

Then there are those who choose to have a little fun with the situation, like Instructables user Emily Grace King. After finding a bunch of CPR dummy mouths in a dumpster by her apartment building, Emily was inspired to create the Make-out Pillow.

Staying true to its name, it’s a pillow that lonely people can make out with (ew) if they feel the need to, well, make out. While it looks pretty simple, making the Make-out Pillow requires a bit of work.

You’ll need a sewing machine (yeah, you gotta work for that kiss!), some scissors, thread, embroidery floss, glue, felt or fabric, pullow stuffing, some cardboard, and of course, the CPR dummy mouth.

Want to make one of your very own? Check out Emily’s Instructables page to see how she did it.

[via Incredible Things]