Faceless Blog

Augen's $150 Android tablet hits Kmart circular, coming to stores later this week

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 02:20:53 -0400

Augen's $150 Android tablet hits Kmart circular, coming to stores later this week:

Shared by Jeff
I’m keeping an eye on this. I’ve been waiting since the arrival of the iPad for an Android tablet, and this might be it. We’ll have to wait to see some video of it in action, or at…

Computer Stuff : ProMini Wireless Keyboard with Trackpad

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 02:20:53 -0400

Computer Stuff : ProMini Wireless Keyboard with Trackpad:

Shared by Jeff
The concept behind this little thing is fantastic. I’ll be able to give a better opinion once I get my hands on one.

Keyboard, touchpad, and laser pointer in the palm of your…

Measurement Day!

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:06:44 -0400

Well, today was the big day, and it couldn’t have gone better! We got there on time and were introduced to Harry, who would be doing the casting of my leg and building the actual prosthetic. We spent what must have been close to two hours talking about care for the prosthetic, the kind of activities I’d be able to start up, the kinds I shouldn’t, etc. The actual casting of Leeroy only took about a half hour or so. They decided to go with a plaster cast, rather than use the laser, so I didn’t take a video. (Somehow, watching plaster dry didn’t seem as interesting as a handheld laser would have.) With all that out of the way, I can pass along some of the details of my new cyber-foot.

1) The carbon fiber socket will be suction fit, meaning that it will slide on over the gel liner on my leg. A one-way air valve near the bottom of the socket will allow air out, but not back in. Combined with a second gel sleeve at the top of the socket which will prevent air from getting back in to the socket, this will hold the leg tightly in place without putting all the stress on the end of my leg.

2) The foot will most likely also be carbon fiber and will probably have some sort of vertical shock absorption as well as allowing for some twisting, making every day activities a bit easier.

3) I will be going back next Wednesday to be fitted for a brace on my left leg, then it’s off to PT.

So, in summary…I AM COMPLETELY EXCITED. For two years now, I have been struggling and fighting to get back to “normal,” and I have never been closer than I am right now. I’ll definitely be keeping you all updated as we go through this. Talk to you later!

30 free programming eBooks

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 22:32:26 -0400

30 free programming eBooks:

Learning a new programming language always is fun and there are many great books legally available for free online. Here’s a selection of 30 of them:

Lisp/Scheme:
How to Desing Programs
Let…

Fund Raiser Idea?

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:32:59 -0400

So, for those of you who are just tuning in, I’m going to be getting fitted/measured for my prosthetic this coming week. I also greatly enjoy raising money for Child’s Play when possible. Since I won’t be able to make it out to PAX Prime, I’ve been thinking of ways to contribute without being there. I have an idea…but I’m looking for input on it.

You have, no doubt, seen those fund raiser sites before where you donate X amount of money and get 50x50 pixels of ad space, or something like that. Similarly, there are many examples of selling ad space on vehicles, and even more…unusual stuff like selling sponsorship of private events and selling ad space in the form of a tattoo, for example. Well, my idea is a sort of mash-up of several of those ideas.

CONCEPT #1

Bidding would be opened up on a certain date and run for a predetermined amount of time. Throughout the process, the top X bidders would be listed on a web site that would be updated as new bids are submitted. At the end of the bidding phase, the twitter names of the top X bidders would be printed out on vinyl lettering and attached to my prosthetic socket. They would stay there until that socket needs replacing, which could be anywhere from six months to a year. During that time, it’s a rare and unique form of advertising and/or publicity.

CONCEPT #2

This is similar to the first concept, except instead of bidding, space would simply be purchased on a per character basis. (with some sort of upper limit, most likely) In this method, the purchaser would not be limited to their twitter username, but could place whatever message they want, within the specified constraints.

Constraints: No profanity, hate speech, etc. I have to walk around with this 24/7, so I don’t want to be embarrassed to go outside or risk arrest. :)

All proceeds, from whichever concept is chosen, would go to Child’s Play. So, any ideas out there? How can I do this in the best way? Does anyone know a business that would donate some vinyl lettering for the end result? When the time comes, I’ll also be asking everyone for a lot of retweets to spread the word, too…but we’re not quite ready for that just yet. Send your ideas to @Facelesscog or facelesscog@gmail.com

It's New Foot Time!

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:23:16 -0400

I met with the plastic surgeon that did the skin graft on my left foot yesterday, and he said that, with the inclusion of a brace for that leg, I’m now cleared to get fitted for my prosthetic foot and begin physical therapy!

The process will start with me going in to Hanger (the prosthetic company that I’m working with), where they will make a plaster cast of Leeroy. They also have a handheld laser scanner that they’ll be using to make a 3D computer model of him. This information will be used to create a clear plastic “test socket.” (The socket is the plastic shell that goes over the end of my leg.) This clear socket will let the prosthetics guys determine whether or not it’s a good fit. If everything is fitting correctly, they’ll make the final mold and give me my real socket within a week or two. During this time, I’ll also be going through some intense in-patient physical therapy to get me back up on my feet and teach me how to use my new foot.

From what I was initially told, this in-patient PT usually only lasts around three weeks. However, since it’s been such a long time since I’ve been on my feet, I wouldn’t be surprised if it took a week or two longer. Even so, the next step in this long process is now underway. I cannot wait to pick out my new foot. I plan on keeping a video journal during my PT, which will go up here. I also hope to record the measuring process and/or anything else related to this. I find it interesting and I’m sure there are at least a couple people out there who might think the same.

Later people!

Kondo aims lower down the food chain with cute turtle robot kit (video)

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:49:14 -0400

Kondo aims lower down the food chain with cute turtle robot kit (video):

Shared by Jeff
For being a (pretty basic) collection of servos, a battery and a simple control board, this little bot is pretty cute. It’s also surprisingly quick! Described as a “turtle bot,” I…

App Inventor for Android

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:31:00 -0400

App Inventor for Android:

Big news today from Google, when they announced “App Inventor.” While the web based program is still in Beta, it should prove a very interesting resource to the Android community. It allows the user to quickly design and download Android applications, regardless of their previous level of experience with programming. As seen in the sample video, it somewhat resembles the programming method used with the Lego Mindstorm system, with the user dragging and dropping blocks of code.

The concern, of course, is that this is going to flood the market with what is affectionately known as “crapplications.” Much like the internet in general, however, among the piles of average (or less than average) apps, I’m sure there will be those that are worthwhile.

As for myself, I’m going to see what sort of RPG apps I can write and get running on my Nook. :)

Google Quietly Invests Over $100 Million in Zynga, Readying Google Games [Google]

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:24:38 -0400

Google Quietly Invests Over $100 Million in Zynga, Readying Google Games [Google]:

Shared by Jeff
Google continues to expand into new territories. This is the first I’ve heard of “Google Games,” but it makes sense.

Whoa. TechCrunch reports that Google has…

Tesla's 154th Birthday Gift: Tesla Fanboyism [Electricity]

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:24:38 -0400

Tesla's 154th Birthday Gift: Tesla Fanboyism [Electricity]:

Shared by Jeff
Because my friends are geeks (and I love ‘em), I know there are at least a couple that will greatly enjoy the concept of “Tesla Fanboyism.”

Today is inventor…

Nook: First Thoughts

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:25:13 -0400

Pros

Comfortable in the hand
Sharp display
Long battery life
Easy to transfer media on to device
Expandable with microSD card
Web browser (Beta version) now included
LendMe feature allows you to lend a book to another Nook user for 14 days.

Cons

Touch screen is a little laggy
eInk display refreshes slowly (compared to LCD displays)
Can be a little touchy connecting to WiFi
LendMe feature, apparently allows you to lend a book ONLY once.

Can’t Decide

The weight - It’s a solid feel, but I don’t think it’s heavier than a normal book would be, and certainly not unreasonable for a device that contains a battery.

Convert a Regular Bicycle into a Cargo Bike for Gas-Free Grocery Hauling [DIY]

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 19:29:03 -0400

Convert a Regular Bicycle into a Cargo Bike for Gas-Free Grocery Hauling [DIY]:

Shared by Jeff
Every now and then, a DIY “Green” project really jumps out at me. Though it’s not immediately clear how you steer this thing, it seems like it’d do a great job at hauling groceries,…

The Life of a Turtle, Through the Eyes of a Turtle [Turtle]

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 09:22:39 -0400

The Life of a Turtle, Through the Eyes of a Turtle [Turtle]:

Shared by Jeff
Part of me wants to try this on one of our cats. Depending on which one I choose, it’d either be a whirlwind of activity throughout the entire property, or eight hours of sleeping…

Scottevest's Carry-On Coat houses all of your portable electronics, stolen hotel shampoo bottles

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 09:22:39 -0400

Scottevest's Carry-On Coat houses all of your portable electronics, stolen hotel shampoo bottles:

Shared by Jeff
I’ve always been a big fan of clothing with extra (potentially hidden) pockets included. As such, this thing is right up my alley. No price or release date yet, unfortunately…but…

Wicked Lasers S3 Arctic Spyder III

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 22:32:16 -0400

Wicked Lasers S3 Arctic Spyder III:

Shared by Jeff
This thing is ri-goddamn-diculous…and yet fascinating to watch.

First video of Arctic in action!!!

Life on Wheels; Part 4

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 08:55:44 -0400

It’s been a while since I’ve done a Life on Wheels entry, and I figure I better get them in while they’re still relevant!

I tend to be a morning person, nearly always getting up before my wife. Now, ever since I did my time in the hospital, I don’t like to be in bed any more than I have to be, so as soon as I wake up, I need to get out of bed. It was this morning, as I was sneaking around trying not to wake her up, that today’s topic popped into my head. Being sneaky in a wheelchair is totally different from being on foot.

You’d think, with wheels on a carpeted surface, that I’d be pretty quiet. For the most part, that’s correct. However, in the still of the morning, before the normal background noises of the day start to intrude, you have to be a little more careful. First, I have to use only the tips of my fingers and thumbs. This doesn’t make sense at first, but trust me. When I’m moving around normally, during the day, my wedding ring clinks against the metal rim of my left wheel on every “stride.” It also helps that I know my chair very well by this point. I know that if I move in certain ways, it will creak. I have a very good “wheelchair sense,” so I can avoid running into other objects in the room and making a racket that way.

Interestingly, I’m going to have to learn how to “sneak” all over again, once I start walking again…but I couldn’t be happier about that prospect.

Mario Marathon

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 11:17:47 -0400

Mario Marathon:

I’ve talked about the Child’s Play marathon before, but what I possibly haven’t stressed is the lengths that its followers will go to to raise donations. Following in the foot steps of desertbus.org, the guys at MarioMarathon.com have, for the past several years, been holding a fund raising event in which they cycle through more Mario games than you can shake a stick at, all the while raising money for Child’s Play. They’re currently at a little over $32,000, and they’re only two days into the effort. Head over to their site and watch the live feed, be entertained and, if you’ve got some spare cash, donate to Child’s Play.

Going to start doing custom embroidery, dice bags, etc on Etsy...

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:40:33 -0400

Going to start doing custom embroidery, dice bags, etc on Etsy soon, and this is my first effort. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Dr. Steel, I highly recommend his particular flavor of music.

Sorting through pictures from my cellphone and found a few good...

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:54:16 -0400

Sorting through pictures from my cellphone and found a few good ones:

Before surgery, my wife and I agreed to give the doctors and nurses a bit of a laugh. (If you can’t laugh at your own amputation, whose can you laugh at?!) So, I chose a color from the vast selection that my wife brought in, and she painted the toenails of my right foot. While I don’t have any memory of actually being in the operating room (so I don’t know their reactions), I know the folks who gave me the spinal block found it hysterical and were sure to cover my foot back up so that the people in the OR could be surprised by it. :)

Web Site Idea?

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:26:51 -0400

Ok, folks. I’m looking for opinions on this one. I was talking with a buddy of mine this morning about my new foot. For those of you who don’t know, I recently had my right foot amputated and will soon be getting a prosthetic replacement. He jokingly asked if I could buy just one shoe at a time from now on, or would I be forced to buy pairs of shoes. (as if it were some sort of discrimination against the one-footed) We shared a laugh, then I started thinking…there have to be a bunch of people out there with only one foot, or those who have differently sized feet for whatever reason. Those people, in theory, would end up with a closet full of extra shoes over the years. My thought was to start up some sort of spare-shoe-matchmaking site.

People would sign up to the site and be matched with someone…a shoe partner, if you will. (They would have to be the same gender and shoe size, and have spare shoes of the correct foot to be a match.) From then on, when one of them buys a pair of shoes, the spare shoe is sent to the partner. Partners can stay in touch via the web site, or select a new partner if the individual they’re paired up with doesn’t match their shoe preferences.

Now, what I’m trying to figure out is…Would this actually be a valuable service? I’ve done research after the initial idea, and found out that people with prosthetics are supposed to wear a shoe at all times on their cyberfoot, so I suppose I won’t be using only one shoe at a time…but could I, or others in a similar situation, use a service like this? (It’s entirely possible that my prosthetic won’t be the same size as my left foot, meaning that instead of buying only one shoe, I would, in fact, have to buy four. This means I’d have two extra shoes every time I bought new ones, making this service even more valuable.

So, what do you think? I welcome any thoughts and opinions on the topic through Twitter at @Facelesscog or through my email. Whether you’re an amputee who wants to chime in or just someone who wants to throw their two cents in, just let me know.