Hasta La Gadget!

Systems such as the ColecoVision, TurboGrafx-16 and 3DO may have been ousted from most home entertainment centers long ago, but they still have shelf space at the University of Michigan’s Computer and Video Game Archive. Slashdot caught up with Engineering Librarian and Video Game Archivist Dave Carter and took a look inside the repository, which has curated around 35 classic and current-gen platforms and more than 3,000 different games. Having “one of everything” is the project’s ultimate goal, but the logistics of acquiring every new game make achieving that feat a stretch. “Our realistic goal is to be sort of representative of the history of video games, what was important — what was interesting,” Carter said. “And then, not only to preserve the games, but also to preserve the game playing experience.” As a “useable archive,” patrons of UM’s library can dig in and play at different stations with era-appropriate monitors and displays. While many visit for leisure, students have used the resource to research topics ranging from music composition to the effects of texting while driving (using an Xbox 360 racing title and steering wheel peripheral, of course). You can catch a glimpse of the collection in the video below or visit the archive’s blog at the more coverage link.

Continue reading University of Michigan’s Computer and Video Game Archive houses over 3,000 different games, roughly 35 unique consoles (video)

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University of Michigan’s Computer and Video Game Archive houses over 3,000 different games, roughly 35 unique consoles (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 20:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Some people think that books are slowly going ‘obsolete’ because of Nooks, Kindles, and iPads. To them, I say: think again. While I have nothing against these digital readers, I think that there’s just something different and special about reading a physical book with pages you can actually turn and feel in your hands.

Now it’s time to cue the Little Free Library, which is a movement that aims to make books more accessible in neighborhoods all over the world.

Basically, people build tiny ‘libraries’ and put the structures on their front lawns. Most of the Little Libraries I’ve seen look like bird houses, but you can put your own unique (and creative) spin on it and come up with one that looks like a miniature phone booth or double-decker bus.

Here’s how it works: you put your own Little Free Library up, stock it up with books, and tack on a sign that tells people take a book – but come one to leave one of their own the next day. It’s kind of like paying it forward to random people who all love to read.

It’s also fun and totally random too, because you never know what books your little library will end up with the next day.

Find out more about the movement and how to build your own little library by checking out the Little Free Library website.

[via Instructables]