monkeys, computers, ukuleles, robots, games. What's not to like?

21 Oct 09 ‘Evil Robot Monkey’ sci-fi short story

‘Evil robot monkey’ is a short science fiction story about a clay modelling chimp. It was written by Mary Kowal and was nominated for a Hugo award in 2009.

Sly scowled and yanked his hands free. “I’m not like the other chimps.” He pointed to the implant in his head. “Maybe Delilah should have one of these. Seems like she needs help thinking.”

You can download this awesome short story for free as a PDF or a mp3 from Mary’s site. Definitely worth the read.

Link: http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/evil-robot-monkey/

Tags: monkey, Monkeys, Robots

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19 Oct 09 D&D on Microsoft’s multi-touch Surface table

This is a work in progress tech demo from a sextet of CMU students that touches on some of the more superficial, but supercool, portions of running a D&D campaign on one of the world’s more expensive monitors.

Surfacescapes Demo Walkthrough from Visual Story TAs on Vimeo.

via: Kotaku

Tags: Computers, D&D, Games

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19 Oct 09 Noodle cooking robot overlords

An industrial robot maker in central Japan (where else!!) opens a ramen noodle shop where two robot arms work as hi-tech chefs that feed and entertain customers.

I for one welcome our ramen cooking robot overlords!

Tags: japan, Robots

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16 Oct 09 Chord Friday: Two Margarines – John Shuttleworth

I love the Sheffield versatile singer/songwriter John Shuttleworth. This song explores the trauma of having two tubs of margarine on the go at the same time – eeep!!

Two Margarines – John Shuttleworth

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14 Oct 09 Beautiful papercraft ukulele playing monkey

A rather clever chap called Matt Hawkins has designed this beautiful papercraft model of a monkey sat on a half-moon playing a ukulele. Im sorely tempted to make a purchase, but dont know if could do it justice. It reminds me of the Woody Allen film ‘Sweet and low down’

Its a limited print of 200, available to buy and build yourself here

Tags: Monkeys, papercraft, Ukuleles

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13 Oct 09 Operation Flashpoint 2 – Hardcore Mode

Wow – The Hardcore mode of the new Operation Flashpoint game looks ace. Im planning on giving it a go at the weekend

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12 Oct 09 Make a ukulele from a margarine tub

In the real world, part of my job involves funding Family Learning and Family Literacy, Language, and Numeracy projects. Its great to see that a project down in Corby have used their funding to get parents and children to make their own ukes – out of margarine tubs, fishing line, and recycled wood

Tags: ukulele

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10 Oct 09 This robot is scarier than Big Dog!!!

Remember Big Dog? – This thing freaks me out far worse. Its HORRIBLE!!

Funktionide Part II from eltopo on Vimeo.

“Based on EAP-technology “Funktionide” is a concept for an emotional robot that substitutes human contact. In a future where technology will play a huge part in our lifes it is very likely that some day it will shift from satisfiying our basic funtional needs to include our emotional needs as well.

How will this future be? How do we want it to be? Will it affect our human interactions if we start to fall in love with machines? Will the machines fall in love with us?”

KILL IT, KILL IT NOW!!!

Tags: Robots

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09 Oct 09 Chord Friday: I’m looking through you – The Beatles

This weeks tune is ‘Im looking through you’ by The Beatles, and what better way to create a bit of syncronicity than you show you the version from ‘Beatles Rockband’