] 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.

This is really neat. I never would have thought to try and make music from one of those old noisey things.

Dot Matrix Synth

Scottish Courage, the big U.K. brewer, last week began selling to British consumers ice cream that tastes like Newcastle Brown Ale, one of the company's flagship brands. The product is made via a joint venture with Doddington Dairies, which, like the beermaker, is located in Northeast England.
...
The ice cream's taste is said to reflect the nutty, caramel flavors of the namesake ale.

Beer flavored ice cream

] Rigoberto Martinez, 20, of Long Branch, was putting
] branches into the machine at a home on Cedar Avenue when
] one of the branches got stuck, First Assistant Prosecutor
] Robert Honecker said.
]
] Martinez kicked the branch to get it into the chipper,
] but somehow his right foot ended up in the machine,
] Honecker said. Eventually, his left leg also was pulled
] in.
]
] Martinez died at the scene, Honecker said.
]
] "This was a horrible accident," Honecker said.
]
] When they arrived, the chipper was turned off, but
] "unfortunately too late to save Mr. Martinez," Honecker
] said.

Asbury Park Press | Man dies in wood chipper accident: Legs pulled into machine

] Having difficulty finding that SUV with 3 DVD players, six
] TV screens, a PlayStation 2 and vibrating seats?

] Combs expects to sell 100 of the customized Navigators
] through yet-to-be-selected dealerships beginning Aug. 1,
] 2003. The customized Navigators will feature special
] 22-inch wheels designed by Boyd Coddington, black chrome
] paint treatment, a back-up camera and a heated, vibrating
] driver's seat.

Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs to offer his own line of Lincoln Navigators beginning Aug. 1.

] According to federal court records, Wendy Glass and Yuma
] neighbor Larry A. Framness confessed to plotting to use a
] hand grenade to kill James Glass.
]
] Investigators said the motive was a life insurance
] policy, as well as the defendants' sexual relationship.

She plots to kill him yet "He considers their relationship, their marriage, in good standing. He is not afraid of her," Someone needs to have this guy's head checked. There is more than a little shrapnel damage wrong here.

Yuma Marine stands up for wife accused of plotting his murder

] 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."

This is crazy!

Woman smiling after hands - cut off in attack- reattached

] 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

] 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.

Laughing Boy

Bush falling off a Segway!

] The Johnnie Walker Journey of Taste kicks off with
] cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, and features a guided
] whisky education led by a qualified Johnnie Walker
] Ambassador. You'll have the chance to sample some of the
] extraordinary single malts used in Johnnie Walker Black
] Label Scotch, and learn everything you need to know about
] this exquisite blend.

Nashville isn't listed but Atlanta is.

Johnnie Walker Journey of Taste

] Some of the signs, because of what's written on them, are
] being replaced more than once. "The two signs stolen most
] often are 'Booger Hollow Road' and 'That Ain't It Road,'
] says Cook. "Those signs have been replaced upwards of 45
] or 50 times."

What county planner would name a street "That Ain't It Road" anyway?

Thousands of Street Signs Stolen in Tallapoosa County