Rez to return in 2008 on Xbox Live Arcade

Abstract on-rails shooter and cult hit Rez is to make a long overdue return when it hits Xbox Live Arcade in Q1 2008. Developer Q Entertainment confirmed the return of one of the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2's most critically acclaimed titles in a press release earlier today, announcing that the title would return as "Rez HD," a direct port of the original, but with high-definition visuals and 5.1 surround sound.

(I'm shocked that I can't find an animating userpic of the Rez life stages anywhere.)

Cell Phone Jammer

Blocking distance: 5 - 10 meters
Blocking frequency: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz
Size: 6 x 6.8 x 2 cm
Weight: 70 g

$166.00

I bought one of these last week. It seems to work pretty well! The reception in the back office at DNA has always been crappy, but after running the antenna cable up to the 3rd floor, I reliably get 3+ bars instead of 1 bar or less. (There's 3 bars at the spot where the antenna is, just inside the corrugated steel roof. I really ought to punch through and put it outside, but I haven't yet.)

I wish it had more range on the other end. I wrote the manufacturer asking if it's possible to replace the base-unit antenna with a bigger one, but they haven't written back yet.

So there's this Kurzweil vaporware from 1998 (I guess NeuroSonics is just a holding company for a patent):

Brain Generated Music: The user attaches three disposal leads to her head. A personal computer then monitors the user's brain waves to determine her unique alpha wavelength. [...] Music is then generated by the computer, according to an algorithm that transforms the user's own brain-wave signal. [...] the fact that the sounds are synchronized to the user's own alpha wavelength to create a resonance with the user's own alpha rhythm also encourages alpha production.

The music itself feels like it is being generated from inside your mind. Interestingly, if you listen to a tape recording of your own brain-generated music when you are not hooked up to the computer, you do not experience the same sense of transcendence. Although the recorded BGM is based on your personal alpha wavelength, the recorded music was synchronized to the brain waves that were produced by your brain when the music was first generated, not to the brain waves that are produced while listening to the recording. You need to listen to "live" BGM to achieve the resonance effect.

And now there's this brand new vaporware:

Project Epoc is a headset that uses a set of sensors to tune into electric signals naturally produced by the brain to detect player thoughts, feelings and expression. It connects wirelessly with all game platforms from consoles to PCs. Project Epoc now makes it possible for games to be controlled and influenced by the player's mind.

Are any of these electrical drugs actually on the market? Or does the fact that people have been playing with this stuff since the 70s and there are still no products more sophisticated than X-Ray Specs mean it has about the same mental effect as watching screen savers with your nose on the glass?

Still waiting for that Brainstorm / Strange Days tech... (Previously.)

DEATH TOAST.

I was all set to buy one of these, and I was looking at the picture trying to figure out whether the slots were wide enough for bagels, when someone pointed out that the skull would be over the bagel-hole.

Dammit.

Some guy is trying to sell a salvaged Boston Mooninite on eBay, but eBay has pulled it for "Encouraging Illegal Activity". It seems like every time I ever click an eBay link, the auction has already been pulled for some similar reason.

Also, Aqua Teen Hunger Force is a terrible and unfunny show.

Ok, this time for sure. A year ago I posted about how I want to build a photo booth, and I think it's time to actually build it.

(Well actually, first I mailed the Photoboof guy saying "hey I want to give you money" but he ignored me. Oh well.)

Anyway, I see three possible approaches:

1. Use a Mac Mini.
   Pro: Hardware and software are trivially easy.
   Con: Costs at least $600.
   Con: Will last four months, due to heat and dust... and then cost another $600.

2. Linux netboot, with a video webcam of some kind, grabbing stills.
   Pro: Costs around $200.
   Pro: Can show live video before taking picture.
   Con: Software will be a monumental pain in the ass.
   Con: Firing a flash is a bit more work.

3. Linux netboot, with a real digital photo camera plugged into USB, with "take a picture" under computer control.
   Pro: Costs around $200.
   Pro: Higher quality images.
   Con: Software will be a monumental pain in the ass.
   Con: No live video.

So my question for you, dear Lazyweb, is this: do any of these conditions apply to you?

1. You are running a recent-ish Fedora; and
2. You have a USB webcam on it that takes reasonable pictures.

Or,

1. You are running a recent-ish Fedora; and
2. You have a cheap-ish digital photo camera; and
3. You are able to tell that camera to take and return a picture via USB (perhaps with an incantation like:
   gphoto --capture-image; gphoto --get-all-files)

If so, tell me all about it: what model camera, what software, what resolution, how crappy is it in low light. No rumors or third-hand anecdotes, please.

Update, 2 days later: Wow, none of you have webcams on Fedora?

This rotating Stargate is 19 inches tall with light-up chevrons. An RCX drives a treadmill, which spins the inner ring randomly for x seconds, then reverses direction, seven times. Won best medium space award and best brick mod at BrickFest 2005.

The law of the dead complete with squeaky toy! This faithful plush adaptation of the Necronomicon is modified for a slightly younger audience. It features a squeaker and a gloved hand for rolling human bones! This extreme high quality, collectible plush "book," has detailed and interactive features on 6 different pages, 4 inside plus the front and back covers. It measures 15-inches tall x 12 1/2-inches wide x 3 1/2-inches deep. Limited edition of 1,200 pieces.