car

Apr 27 2009

Gifts I gave, Gifts I got

(republished from The
Inner-workings of the Merc Mind)

This Christmas I found a few choice items under the tree while also putting
a few there for others to enjoy. Here are a few I can recommend for those of
you looking to spend your returned gift money or the cash Aunt Martha gave you
this year.

iPod
Skin from Speck Products I am usually a big fan of iSkin
products, but for rubberized iPod sheaths my nod goes to the iPod
Skin from Speck Products. It’s not as sticky as the iSkin so it goes in
your pocket with less of a fight and the flip out bottom on the 3G model
allows for access to the docking port without stretching or disfiguring
the Skin. The cut-out on the top of the sheath also allows you to add
an iTrip with very little modification to the iPod Skin.

+: Protects the slick iPod surface from scratches. Isn’t as sticky
feeling as the iSkin
Exo and offers easier access to the docking port.
-: Also hides the slick iPod surface from view. Does not include
a screen protector or belt clip like the iSkin
Exo

Griffin
iTrip FM Transmitter for iPod Anything that makes the world a
little more cordless is a good thing. 2 or more cables left beside each
other without supervision will eventually braidÃ³it’s a fact. It is also
a fact that, in many parts of the world, it is illegal or al least dangerous
to drive while listening to music on headphones, so being able to transmit
your iPod music over an FM signal to your car radio is terrific. The good
news and bad news is that the transmitter isn’t that powerful: bad because
you need to find just the right place to put your iPod while it transmits
but good because, most likely, the guy waiting for the light to turn green
in the lane beside you won’t be listening to your tunes on his radio.

+: Wirelessness rocks! FM signal not strong enough to be stolen
by cars in the next lane.
-: FM signal sometimes not strong enough to be used by the car carrying
the iTrip.

iSkin
ProTouch PB Finally, the people at iSkin have released a keyboard
protector for the PowerBook layout. What? You thought the “PB” stood for
“peanut butter”? Well, it might. Since the ProTouch keyboard protector
will stand between your keyboard and your sticky, greasy “PB&J” fingers
and protecting the fragile keys from subatomic
toasticles. I bought this for my
roommate, CJ.

+: I love these things! No more crumbs and hairs in my keyboard.
-: The texture takes some getting used to.

The
Official eBay Bible by Jim Griff Griffith (not exactly inkeeping
with WDW’s mobile theme) I had already bought a copy of this book
for myself to find out how I might scuttle the parts of my now defunct
iBook on the World’s Online Marketplace. But as I read through it, I kept
thinking to myself, “George needs to read this.” George
is a SCUBA diver and likes to collect bottles that he find on his
dives. He’s always wondered what it would take to sell a few of these
items or at the very least find out what they’d go for. This book goes
into all of that and more. If you’re an eBay addict or are thinking of
cultivating an addiction, this book will have you freebasing Beanie
Babies in no time.

+: Tips for buying, tips for selling. Tips on everything from
setting up your eBay account to leaving feedback.
-: PC-centric informationÃ³nothing to worry about though.

Gotta go, I think the folks at the Future Shop just figured out that someone
is scamming their wifi signal.

Happy New Year!?

-Rick

By admin • Articles, Wardriver Wednesday • Comments Off • Tags: aunt martha, car, car radio, choice, docking port, Exo, fm signal, gift money, griffin itrip fm transmitter, iSkin, iskin exo, lane, Merc, port, screen protector, sheaths, signal, speck products, surface, year

Apr 27 2009

I’ve Locked My Keys In The Car

Brought to you by: James Huff

Have you set-up an OS X password or Open Firmware password on a now out-of-use computer? Have you found some reason to go back to it, but now realize that you’ve been locked out because you can’t remember what password you’ve used? Here’s a quick round-up of two useful solutions.

If you’ve forgotten your OS X password, just reboot from your OS X install CD, go to the “Installer” menu and choose “Reset Password”. At this point, set your password to something easy as this won’t change your keychain password. Now, return to your OS X and login triumphantly. Make your way to the “Accounts” System Preference pane. Now, change your password to your desired password. This will also change your keychain password.

If you’ve forgotten your Open Firmware password, just shut-down your computer, remove one RAM module and zap the PRAM 3 times (restart holding down command-option-P-R until you hear the start tone 3 times). The Open Firmware security is now disabled. Feel free to re-enable it and set a new password.

*MacMerc.com is not responsible for loss or damage of data and computer hardware.

By admin • Articles, Power User Monday Tip of the Week • Comments Off • Tags: accounts system, car, change, command option, computer, Installer, james huff, keychain, Login, Open, password, pram, ram module, reason, reset password, security, system preference, tone 3, use computer

Apr 27 2009

AirPOOT Express Remote Control Fart Machine

I’m sure most of you have seen or been pranked by the Remote Control Fart Machine. It’s a two piece toy that consists of a transmitter about the size of a car alarm key fob and a receiver unit that you turn on and hide somewhere in the vicinity of your intended victim. Then you simply wait for the right moment, press the button on the transmitter and the speaker plays a pre-recorded fart sound effect. Juvenile and amusing. I’m sure if Apple made a fart machine, it would be something to behold…

reinvented AirPOOT Express Remote Control Fart Machine

Here’s how to make your own overpriced and overproduced, Apple-styled remote control fart machine. The tools you will need are as follows:

category 02 AirPOOT Express Remote Control Fart Machine

category 04 AirPOOT Express Remote Control Fart Machine

1 AirPort Express Base Station with AirTunes (USD$129)

1 Macally PodWave (IP-A111) Portable Stereo Speakers (USD$39.99)

Mac OS X v10.3 or later (USD$129)

1 AirPort or AirPort Extreme-enabled computer (

iTunes version 4.6 or later (FREE)

category 06 AirPOOT Express Remote Control Fart Machine

category 08 AirPOOT Express Remote Control Fart Machine

airpoot AirPOOT Express Remote Control Fart Machine

All totaled, this almost entirely Apple produced remote control fart machine will set you back at least USD$896.99. That’s almost as competitive in the fart machine market as the Apple Leather Case for iPod is in the iPod accessory market!!

Before you use the AirPOOT to toot your own flatulent horn, you will also need at least one “fart” sound effect in an audio format compatible with iTunes. There are many ways you might go about acquiring such sounds:

You could visit CreateFarts.com and tailor-make an air brick for the occasion and have it emailed to you.
There are sound effects CDs available with high quality, lowbrow effects on them. Get some and rip one off into iTunes.
You could employ the use of iFart… yes, there is actually already a freeware application in release for the sole purpose of composing fart-like noises.
Or, if you have no shame and nowhere else to turn, you could record your own “bottom blast” using Garage Band and a microphone you will never use again …ever.

In any case, you will need at least one such sound effect. More is better, as it will afford you the option of choosing the right sound for the right occasion and will also allow the sounds to vary from poot to poot.

The Set-Up:

Load the AA battery into the Macally PodWave.
Connect the Macally PodWave to the AirPort Express using the stereo mini-jack on the base station.
Turn on the Macally PodWave.
Plug the AirPort Express into an appropriate wall outlet that is concealed, near your intended victim and within wireless signal range of the Mac you will be using to trigger the “sound effects”.
Use the AirPort Admin Utility to create a new network. (consult your manual for details)
Open iTunes on your computer and choose your AirPOOT from the speakers pop-up menu in the lower right of the iTunes window.

Now, you need only wait until your victim is near the AirPOOT and the focus of attention, and then simply play one of your “fart” sound effects from iTunes. Don’t be in too much of a rush though. The element of surprise is as important as any other part of a prank like this. You don’t want to come crawling out from behind the filing cabinet where you’ve hidden the AirPOOT, then run to your MacBook Pro across the office and then cut the digital cheese all at once–it’s too suspicious–you have to be subtle. Set up the AirPOOT and let it lie in wait for a while. Then spring the trap later in the day.

TIPS:

Set up the AirPOOT in the Airport Admin Utility at home, in private, and then unplug the unit and bring it to the prank location and plug it in. It will remember its settings.

You might want to set up the Airport Express with Password protection on just to prevent anyone else using the “AirPOOT” before its time has come to make itself known. It is also wise to note that once the prank is played, this USD$300 Fart Machine receiver unit may easily fall into the hands of your victim. Putting password protection in place may not ensure its return to you, it may not even prevent the unit from being used against you in the same manner, but it may just delay the retaliation, giving you opportunity to snatch the unit back.

As the PodWave was designed for use with the iPod, it was assumed that one would adjust the audio volume via the iPod’s click wheel. So, for use with the AirPOOT, you will control the loudness of the flatulence via the volume control in iTunes. You may want to practice at home to establish the perfect volume setting for your prank.

You don’t have to plug it directly into a wall outlet, you can use an extension cord if that helps the subterfuge.

adminut AirPOOT Express Remote Control Fart Machine

By admin • Articles, Hacking and Tech Mischief • Comments Off • Tags: AirPort, airport express base station with airtunes, base station with airtunes, car, car alarm, Control, Juvenile, mac os x, moment, press, receiver, receiver unit, remote control fart machine, right moment, sound effect, Station, stereo speakers, transmitter, vicinity

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