Time Unknown (Entries tagged as making things)

A photon in need is a photon indeed

nospam@example.com (Lynoure) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 19:06:41 +0200

Next time you are bored (but you never are, are you, dear reader...) take a roll of cellophane tape, locate the end of it, and go into a dark room. Really really dark room. Then just pull and enjoy the friendly photons.

If this was interesting, now thing about this: If the same is done in vacuum, you get enough xrays to take xray pictures. Very cheaply. Now, how cool is that?

A Trangia short of a camping trip

nospam@example.com (Lynoure) — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 08:05:14 +0300

If you happen to want to go camping, and forgot to buy a Trangia, you can probably construct one from stuff you have by following these simple instructions.

Feather

nospam@example.com (Lynoure) — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 16:50:39 +0300

Today I switched to a new theme on my lappy, one using a background image that I actually made myself. It's very different from the previous theme, but of course I like it anyway.

When uploading this screenshot I started thinking what it would be like to have the screenshot as the background image on some of my desktops. I bet it would look just like I had those windows open that way, as all the panels would align nicely.

Wallpapermania

nospam@example.com (Lynoure) — Thu, 03 May 2007 07:49:30 +0300

Yesterday I got tired of there not being many desktop wallpapers for the resolution I use (1680x1050), so I have one. Please take a look at them and rate them according to your opinion.

Another paper wallet

nospam@example.com (Lynoure) — Wed, 02 May 2007 07:44:00 +0300

Now I have made another paper wallet.

I learned that thicker paper is not necessarily better: it will fold less flat and unlocking the locked cards is more hassle. Width of the paper is very important: if you have too wide wallet with too short flaps the 'locked in' cards will just weasel their way out of their compartments.

Update: Now, 4 months of daily use later it is starting to need a replacement. Quite good, huh?

My little paper wallet

nospam@example.com (Lynoure) — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 18:10:00 +0300

I folded a paper wallet today. It was easier than I thought and forced me to think about all the cards I carry with me as this one takes 'only' 6 cards and I have about that many membership cards already.

Maybe I'll make another wallet for those cards, as this one turned out about 1/5th of the thickness of my normal leather wallet.

The design has no coin pocket, so I'll have to find some way to deal with coins, and I'm still sceptical about the durability. We'll see what happens. If I like the design in daily use, maybe I'll get some fancy handmade paper and fold it out of that.

A language of my own

nospam@example.com (Lynoure) — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 12:06:11 +0300

I have decided I want to design a programming language of my own. I'm undecided on some things about it still, but at least it should be lazy, have macros like Lisp does, the maximum execution time thing from e.g. PHP and multiple inheritance like in Eiffel. I like the clarity of Eiffel in general and want the language to be very readable.

No idea of the name yet. Any ideas?

Edit: This of course was my participation of April Fool's day.

Burn baby burn

nospam@example.com (Lynoure) — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 18:45:14 +0200

For reasons unknown even to me, I made a Feedburner feed of my blog.

Royal Coat decoupage varnish not suited for coasters

nospam@example.com (Lynoure) — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 10:29:00 +0200

I finished a pretty set of Luis Royo coasters but now it turned out the Royal Coat decoupage varnish I used was not suited for anything hot (sticks to hot mugs) or moist (turns whitish). I'll have to find some varnish to use on top of the Royal Coat to make the coasters usable.

Seikkailupeli-raakile Hesarissa

nospam@example.com (Lynoure) — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 02:14:07 +0300

Helsingin Sanomien Retromania-blogin eilinen artikkeli sisältää luonnoksia ja tarinan keskenjääneestä seikkailupelistä nimeltä Alienation. Sääli ettei pelistä tullut valmista.

Obstructed linear plot

nospam@example.com (Lynoure) — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 10:23:17 +0300

One of the most irritating plot formats in an adventure game is what I call an obstructed linear plot. In some ways it's even more annoying that a strict linear plot.

In an obstructed linear plot nothing you try goes right the first time around. The spell you want to cast is missing from the book. When you find it, the stuff you need is a hassle to get and even more hassle to prepare. The bridge between you and your destination is broken. Nothing, absolutely nothing gets done on the first try and the whole plot is two steps forward, one step back.

Give the player (and the character) occasionally a little break. Let them achieve at least some steps easily without obstruction, please. It gives them some of that false sense of accomplishment that makes games so fun.

Kardemummatee

nospam@example.com (Lynoure) — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 13:16:33 +0300

Kardemummatee tehdään yksinkertaisesti ottamalla pussi mustaa irtoteetä ja sekoittamalla siihen noin 3 teelusikallista jauhettua kardemummaa. Ravistetaan ja annetaan tekeytyä päivä tai pari, niin että tuoksu pehmenee.

Namia, ainakin minusta.

Gimp and Blender in action

nospam@example.com (Lynoure) — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 13:55:00 +0300

Elephants dream is a glorious example of what people can do with Gimp and Blender when they put their hearts into it. The entire short film is under Creative Commons, and even the production files are available. I think those could possibly be used for the adventure game.

The importance of the central map

nospam@example.com (Lynoure) — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 08:34:00 +0300

In the adventure game Keepsake there is a whole lot of running as the game is situated in a huge building and there is no central map to teleport with. At first, and again with new areas it is frustrating as I spend extra time trying to find my way.

Pieni kivi

nospam@example.com (Lynoure) — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 13:59:43 +0300

Tänään kompastuin viemärinkanteen juostessani ja ruhjeiden lisäksi pieni kivi teki polveen reiän. Koomisesti kivi löytyi vaatteeseen polvenkohdalle takertuneenä kotiin päästyäni. Mitä sille tekisi? Säilytänkö kunnes polvi on parantunut, viskaanko roskiin vai pistän talteen, vaikkapa väännän pieneksi riipukseksi. Kaunis se ei ole, tavallista harmaata graniittia, mutta kuriositeettiarvoa sillä toki on.