‘Secret Knock’ Door Lock defends home from rhythmically-impaired perps (video)

November 4, 2009

The Arduino board has been the engine of many wild and wacky projects over the years, from bakery tweeting to various musical instruments. For its next trick, our man Steve Hoefer has taken his microcontroller and, along with a piezoelectric speaker, a gear reduction motor, and some PVC pipe, programmed it to listen for a preset sequence of knocks — a secret knock, if you will — and unlock the deadbolt upon hearing the right combination. Although this might not be the security system you want to put in place for your home, this definitely looks like a fun weekend project. Check out the read link for instructions and schematics, but not before you see the video of the thing in action. It’s after the break.

[Via Hacked Gadgets]

Continue reading ‘Secret Knock’ Door Lock defends home from rhythmically-impaired perps (video)

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

‘Secret Knock’ Door Lock defends home from rhythmically-impaired perps (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How-To: Install Windows 7 and live to tell about it

August 11, 2009

So you’re thinking about going to Windows 7, eh? Chances are your head is swimming in a sea of TLAs and confusing charts — enough to have the most adamant Microsoft defender reaching for a something with an Option key. Fear not, noble purchaser of legal software. Though XP users have been punished for skipping Vista by not being able to directly upgrade now, the process of backing up your data, formatting and installing Windows, and then restoring your goods again has never been easier — even if you’re on a netbook with less storage than your smartphone. Vista users have even less to worry about. We’ll have our full impressions of the finally finalized OS later this week, but for now let’s journey hand in hand down the gently sloped path of the upgrade process.

Continue reading How-To: Install Windows 7 and live to tell about it

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Software

How-To: Install Windows 7 and live to tell about it originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How to install a browser in Windows 7 E

July 15, 2009

Windows 7 E will be launching in Europe without a browser due to legal issues with the European Union. A lot of people wonder how they’ll be able to install a browser since it wouldn’t come with one. Well, here’s the solution from Microsoft’s own website:

Windows 7 launches in the UK on the 22nd October and the main version sold within the UK will be the “E version”. This includes Windows 7 E Home Premium, Windows 7 E Professional, Windows 7 E Ultimate and Windows 7 E Starter editions. This version of Windows 7 (along with the N version) will not include a browser (for example: it will not come with Internet Explorer 8). We recommend therefore you have an Internet browser from Microsoft or from another software manufacturer saved onto a CD/DVD or another medium before you install Windows 7.

Step One: Back up your files and personal data

Step Two: Save your preferred browser (e.g Internet Explorer 8 or a browser from another software manufacturer)

Step Three: Install Windows 7

Step Four: Re-install your browser

Step Five: Re-install all your personal data

So, if you’re in Europe, I’d suggest for you to start downloading your favorite browsers’ setup files and back them up to a CD or USB drive so that you wouldn’t have to go hunt for a CD/DVD from anyone else.

[via Paul]

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Sharp’s new AQUOS lineup eyes-on

July 7, 2009

We just crashed Sharp’s AQUOS launch party and got a nice look at the new AQUOS panels, along with a bit of a peek at the LEDs behind the curtain. In a lot of senses, Sharp’s new panels are a collection of last generation technologies: the LEDs aren’t locally dimmed, the 120Hz refresh rate falls short of the 240Hz that’s been bandied about of late, and the internet services don’t offer video playback or WiFi connectivity. That said, the picture is looking pretty great. Sharp credits its specialized LEDs for increasing the color gamut, and new LCD tech for improved blacks and improved brightness due to better controls and less electronics getting in the way. As for 120Hz, Sharp says that its engineers found that 240Hz introduced noise, and on a personal note we don’t think we need many more Hz in our lives. There aren’t really any excuses for the shortage of internet services, but we should be seeing some new stuff at CES next year. Localized dimming is also due for the next generation, but Sharp sees the next big step for LCD tech being the RGB backlight available in its XS1 top-of-the-line set. In practice the blacks look great and the colors look great, but we’ll have to sit these new sets down next to competing TVs to really get a good idea of where Sharp’s at with this gen.

Gallery: Sharp’s new AQUOS lineup eyes-on