] I've modified an Epson LQ-500 dot matrix printer into a
] musical instrument. The project has now evolved into two
] different versions. The original project had two
] independent sound generators: a tape based sound
] generator similar in concept to a mellotron and tones
] generated from the print head. The new version of the
] software is written with the concept of turning the
] printer into an instrument without any physical
] modifications to the printer. Since the tape mellotron
] setup does require some modifications to the printer, it
] is not part of the new version.
]
]
] Most of the changes to the printer operation are done by
] changing the software. The printer is controlled by a NEC
] 7810 microprocessor that runs off code on an EPROM inside
] the printer. I have reverse engineered most of the basic
] operation of the printer and now have control of the
] paper feeder motor, the print head, the lights, the error
] beeper, and can read the buttons.

Dot Matrix Synth

Bookmarked for future reference

Police State Story

Dementia wrote:
] ] Monast, 44 - the mom of five kids aged 11 to 24 and
] ] grandmother of one - was attacked inside her Chester Le
] ] Boulevard townhouse, allegedly by a machete-wielding
] ] neighbour, Wednesday afternoon.
] ]
] ] "Both hands are on. The right one doesn't look too
] ] promising but they're hopeful about the left one," Irwin
] ] said. "I just hope the woman who did this can never get
] ] near her again."
]
] Proof that Canadians are nuts. I wouldn't be smiling.

That's not her... That's the morphine drip smiling.

Laughing Boy

RE: Woman smiling after hands - cut off in attack- reattached

] Monast, 44 - the mom of five kids aged 11 to 24 and
] grandmother of one - was attacked inside her Chester Le
] Boulevard townhouse, allegedly by a machete-wielding
] neighbour, Wednesday afternoon.
]
] "Both hands are on. The right one doesn't look too
] promising but they're hopeful about the left one," Irwin
] said. "I just hope the woman who did this can never get
] near her again."

Proof that Canadians are nuts. I wouldn't be smiling.

Woman smiling after hands - cut off in attack- reattached

] Wild Oats Markets Inc. became the first grocery store in
] the United States to roll out a new type of "green"
] packaging which looks like plastic but turns into compost
] after disposal.
]
] Unofficially called the "Corntainer" in the natural food
] chain's 11 Pacific Northwest stores where it is being
] tested, the clear packaging is made from corn rather than
] petroleum.

Corny.

CNN.com - 'Corntainer' plastic hits the market - Jun. 13, 2003

] U.S. President George W. Bush (news - web sites) is
] pictured in this combo image falling off a Segway
] personal transporter on the front driveway of his
] parents' summer home June 12, 2003 in Kennebunkport,
] Maine. Bush arrived from Washington to spend the weekend
] with his father, former President George Bush, who
] celebrates his 79th birthday today and his mother
] Barbara. Bush was not injured in the fall.

Oh this is hysterical - tipping these things really takes some doing! But then we aren't talking about the sharpest tool in the shed either.

"'being able to ride a segway' is akin to 'being able to ride an escalator' -- what's remarkable isn't that someone can do it, it's only remarkable when somebody can't"

Laughing Boy

Bush falling off a Segway!

] Cable operators say they may soon be able to offer
] services that would crush their satellite and phone
] competitors following introduction this week of a simple
] device that could free up massive amounts of bandwidth.
]
] These devices, about the size of two cigarette packs,
] could enable cable systems to transmit lots of
] high-definition TV (HDTV), video phone connections, video
] on demand and far faster high-speed Internet connections.
]
] "It allows you to dream, create and do things differently
] than you've ever done," says Comcast Cable President
] Steve Burke.
]
] Operators envision buying millions of these converters
] or similar ones planned by Motorola and others
] and putting them on virtually every TV owned by
] their nearly 72 million customers. Then operators can
] stop transmitting analog signals and go all-digital.
]
] That's a big deal. Analog TV channels consume about 65%
] of the bandwidth on most modern systems and
] operators can squeeze as many as eight digital channels
] into the bandwidth that each analog channel now fills.
]
] That's key for adding HDTV.

Adios analog.

Laughing Boy

Device could change cable

] Investigators into the space shuttle Columbia accident
] said Thursday that they have uncovered flaws in the
] shuttle's system of explosive bolts that could do
] catastrophic damage to the remaining spacecraft.

*sigh* so much for flights resuming this year. :(

USATODAY.com - Inquiry finds new threat to shuttles

The ones you cry because you are watching a frail but spirited Ray Bradbury sing the praises of his longtime friend Ray Harryhausen as the latter gets a star placed on Hollywood Blvd.

The crowd was small, but packed with people from every creative part of the film industry. Forrest J. Ackerman, Rick Baker, James Cameron and animation guys of every stripe cheered as Ray's movies were listed.

The most fun was telling people wandering by what was going on...although few people knew him by name, almost everyone of every age remembered Sinbad's skeletons.

Frank Darabont (director of Shawshank Redemption and Green Mile)told a story about asking Tom Hanks why he had wanted to become an actor. Tom replied that as a boy, when he saw Sinbad fighting those skeletons he knew that was exactly what he wanted to grow up and do.

Ray H. looks strong ang robust and it was a great event.

What Are Real Geek Tears?

This scheme allows Alice to ask Bob if Bob is a warez site, but if it turns out that Bob is the RIAA he cannot prove that Alice asked for warez, and if it turns out that Alice is the RIAA she cannot prove that Bob is a warez site.

Secret Handshakes from Pairing-Based Key Agreements