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	<title>technabob &#187; retro</title>
	<atom:link href="http://technabob.com/blog/category/retro/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://technabob.com/blog</link>
	<description>cool gadgets, gizmos, games and geeky gadgets</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:55:25 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>snes + genesis + nes + portable = snegenes p</title>
		<link>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/11/08/snes-genesis-nes-portable-snegenes-p/</link>
		<comments>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/11/08/snes-genesis-nes-portable-snegenes-p/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:32:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>technabob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[hacks + mods]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mobile tech]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video games]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[16 bit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[8 bit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emulator]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[genesis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[handheld]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mod]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nintendo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[portable]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sega]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[snes]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://technabob.com/blog/?p=22691</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Want to play all your favorite classic retro console games? Sure you could cheat and buy yourself a Dingoo, but what fun would that be? This custom-built portable uses hardware from a couple of other devices to create a system that plays games from the Nintendo NES, SNES and Sega Genesis.

Modder Trstn18 created his&#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Want to play all your favorite classic retro console games? Sure you could cheat and buy yourself a <a href="http://technabob.com/blog/2009/04/23/multi-platform-handheld-videogame/">Dingoo</a>, but what fun would that be? This custom-built portable uses hardware from a couple of other devices to create a system that plays games from the Nintendo NES, SNES and Sega Genesis.<span id="more-22691"></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-22692  aligncenter" title="snegenes_portable_video_game" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/snegenes_portable_video_game.jpg" alt="snegenes_portable_video_game" width="600" height="460" /></p>
<p>Modder Trstn18 created his SNEGENES P handheld with the parts from an authentic &#8220;mini&#8221; SNES, and a <a href="http://technabob.com/blog/2007/12/29/gen-x-dual-station-plays-sega-genesis-and-nes-games/">Gen-X</a> clone machine. The whole thing is set into a custom see-through case so you can see all the electronic goodness inside. While I wouldn&#8217;t necessarily call a system that&#8217;s 8.6-inches wide, 5.4-inches tall and 1-inch thick &#8220;handheld&#8221;, it&#8217;s still a pretty great mod job.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-22693  aligncenter" title="snegenes_portable_console" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/snegenes_portable_console.jpg" alt="snegenes_portable_console" width="600" height="423" /></p>
<p>The SNEGENES P is powered by six 2600mAh batteries, which let it play for somewhere around 5 to 7 hours on a single charge. There&#8217;s also composite video and stereo audio outputs, which let Trstn play his favorite games on a TV. Here&#8217;s a brief video clip showing off the SNEGENES P in action:</p>
<p><a href="http://technabob.com/blog/2009/11/08/snes-genesis-nes-portable-snegenes-p/"><strong>Click to View Embedded Video Clip</strong></a></p>
<p>Now why the video clip is backwards, I have no idea. Maybe it&#8217;s because &#8220;snegenes&#8221; sounds like a backwards chant you&#8217;d hear in a subliminal message on a Beatles record. Just hold your computer up to a mirror and you can watch it properly.</p>
<p>[via <a href="http://forums.benheck.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&amp;t=34492">Ben Heck Forums</a>]</p>
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		<title>cylon centurion rings: what the frak?</title>
		<link>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/11/07/cylon-centurion-rings-battlestar-galactica/</link>
		<comments>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/11/07/cylon-centurion-rings-battlestar-galactica/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:27:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>technabob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[geek art + craft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Battlestar Galactica]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cylon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fun]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[geeky]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[jewelry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ring]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://technabob.com/blog/?p=22648</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Here&#8217;s a sure-fire way to tell if your girlfriend really loves you. Get down on one knee -there ya go &#8211; then whip out the velvet ring box &#8211; yep, that&#8217;s it &#8211; then give her this awesome Cylon Centurion engagement ring and ask her for her hand in marriage. If she says &#8220;yes&#8221;, it&#8217;s&#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Here&#8217;s a sure-fire way to tell if your girlfriend really loves you. Get down on one knee -there ya go &#8211; then whip out the velvet ring box &#8211; yep, that&#8217;s it &#8211; then give her this awesome Cylon Centurion engagement ring and ask her for her hand in marriage. If she says &#8220;yes&#8221;, it&#8217;s true love.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-22649  aligncenter" title="cylon_rings" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/cylon_rings.jpg" alt="cylon_rings" width="600" height="600" /></p>
<p>Each one of these chunky retro Cylon Centurion rings is made from a silver-toned metal, with an inset red glass scanner eye. Unfortunately, it doesn&#8217;t move back and forth. Too bad there&#8217;s not enough room to hack in one of these <a href="http://technabob.com/blog/2009/01/03/tiny-cylon-led-kit/">LED eyeballs</a>.</p>
<p><em>Galactica</em> fans, you can find the Cylon Centurion rings over on <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-3165705-10356324?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thinkgeek.com%2Ftshirts-apparel%2Fjewelry%2Fc283%2F" target="_top">ThinkGeek</a><img src="http://www.ftjcfx.com/image-3165705-10356324" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /> for $39.99 to $49.99 (USD), depending on size.</p>
<p>&#8230;oh, and if she tells you &#8220;no&#8221;, just whip out your <a href="http://www.tecr.com/galactica/weapons/weapons.htm#blaster">laser blaster</a> and evaporate her.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>dos 2.0 pillow by art lebedev gets an upgrade</title>
		<link>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/11/06/dosugus-2-0-dos-pillows/</link>
		<comments>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/11/06/dosugus-2-0-dos-pillows/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:05:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>technabob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[computing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[geek art + craft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[quickpix]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[art lebedev]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dos]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[embroidered]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[funny]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[microsoft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[old school]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[operating system]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pillow]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://technabob.com/blog/?p=22617</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[These clever Dosogus 2.0 pillows by designers at Art Lebedev Studio are embroidered with a directory listing from everyone&#8217;s favorite command line operating system &#8211; DOS.

All your old favorites are there, including AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS. But if you look carefully, there are directories for WINDOWS and a HIBERFIL.SYS file, so this pillow must actually&#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>These clever Dosogus 2.0 pillows by designers at Art Lebedev Studio are embroidered with a directory listing from everyone&#8217;s favorite command line operating system &#8211; DOS.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-22618  aligncenter" title="art_lebedev_dos_pillow" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/art_lebedev_dos_pillow.jpg" alt="art_lebedev_dos_pillow" width="600" height="512" /></p>
<p>All your old favorites are there, including AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS. But if you look carefully, there are directories for WINDOWS and a HIBERFIL.SYS file, so this pillow must actually be running Windows XP or a newer version. And watch out for the PRON directory &#8211; you never know what&#8217;s hiding in there. The pillow also appears to have been infected with a trojan, so you might not want to actually sit your butt on this pillow.</p>
<p>The Dosogus 2.0 is actually an upgrade of Lebedev&#8217;s earlier <a href="http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/dosugus/">Dosogus pillow</a>, and I have to say the new model crashes a little less frequently than the original. Want one? Head on over to <a href="http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/dosugus2/">Lebedev&#8217;s online shop</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>13 minutes and 42 seconds of 3d dot game heroes gameplay</title>
		<link>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/11/05/dot-game-heroes-video-game/</link>
		<comments>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/11/05/dot-game-heroes-video-game/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:43:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lambert v.</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[geek art + craft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[strange + wonderful]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video games]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[adventure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[awesome]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dot game heroes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fun]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gaming]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[geeky]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pixel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[playstation 3]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ps3]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[role playing game]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rpg]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://technabob.com/blog/?p=22535</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The folks at Gamersyde were handed some footage of the opening minutes of the PS3 game <em>3D Dot Game Heroes</em>, From Software&#8217;s upcoming homage to classic RPG/Adventure games. The graphics are really neat &#8211; it&#8217;s like everything is made of cardboard LEGO dot things.

If you&#8217;ve seen the trailers before then you&#8217;re probably familiar with the&#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The folks at <a href="http://www.gamersyde.com/news_the_first_10_minutes_3d_dot_game_heroes-8718_en.html">Gamersyde</a> were handed some footage of the opening minutes of the PS3 game <em><a href="http://www.3d-heroes.net/">3D Dot Game Heroes</a></em>, From Software&#8217;s upcoming homage to classic RPG/Adventure games. The graphics are really neat &#8211; it&#8217;s like everything is made of cardboard LEGO dot things.</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-22536" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/3d-dot-game-heroes-1.jpg" alt="3d-dot-game-heroes-1" width="600" height="339" /></p>
<p>If you&#8217;ve seen the trailers before then you&#8217;re probably familiar with the graphics, but I believe this is our first glimpse at the HUD and controls of the game. Also, BIG-ASS SWORD!</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-22537" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/3d-dot-game-heroes-2.jpg" alt="3d-dot-game-heroes-2" width="600" height="338" /></p>
<p>I don&#8217;t know why this dude and his MegaBastard Sword only appears at the very beginning of the game &#8211; although it seemed like whoever was playing could control Sir Huge Sword here, note that the HUD is absent &#8211; but according to <a href="http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3175855">1UP</a>&#8217;s Kevin Gifford, players will be able to customize and  swing huge swords. But of course, even heroes have to start somewhere &#8211; here&#8217;s the puny little fight stick the king gives the hero as he starts on his quest:</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-22538" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/3d-dot-game-heroes-3.jpg" alt="3d-dot-game-heroes-3" width="600" height="339" /></p>
<p>According to the same 1UP article that I linked to above, players will be able to choose from three archetypes &#8211; the Hero, the Prince, and the Adventurer. If you like none of those three, you can make your own hero, dot by dot, and even customize its animation. Going back to the footage, here&#8217;s the world map, which is very reminiscent of Link&#8217;s Map in the first Zelda, except that this one is pseudo-3D:</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-22539" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/3d-dot-game-heroes-4.jpg" alt="3d-dot-game-heroes-4" width="600" height="342" /></p>
<p>All in all, the game does have a very old school feel, but the cute graphics will probably lure in kids as well. Gamersyde is have bandwidth problems so they&#8217;ve disabled embedding for now, meaning I can&#8217;t post the video here, but all you have to do is go <a href="http://www.gamersyde.com/stream_13528_hq_en.html">here</a> to watch the high quality version, and <a href="http://www.gamersyde.com/stream_13528_lq_en.html">here</a> for the low quality one. You can also download the video if you want.  The Japanese version of <em>3D Dot Game Heroes</em> just dropped this week; a North American release is coming, but we don&#8217;t know when exactly.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>multipin digital pinball machine offers 17 tables in one</title>
		<link>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/11/04/multipin-digital-pinball-machine/</link>
		<comments>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/11/04/multipin-digital-pinball-machine/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:20:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>technabob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[cool toys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home entertainment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video games]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[1970s]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[1980s]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[arcade]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[awesome]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cool]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[digital]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lcd]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[multipin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nanotech]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pinball]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://technabob.com/blog/?p=22529</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Let me start out by saying I&#8217;ve always been a closet pinball fanatic. I can&#8217;t tell you how many hours of my youth I spent dropping quarters, flipping flippers, and nudging bumpers in that quest for that almighty extra ball or two. So when I saw this modern day revamp of the classic pinball machine,&#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Let me start out by saying I&#8217;ve always been a closet pinball fanatic. I can&#8217;t tell you how many hours of my youth I spent dropping quarters, flipping flippers, and nudging bumpers in that quest for that almighty extra ball or two. So when I saw this modern day revamp of the classic pinball machine, I was stoked.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-22530  aligncenter" title="multipin_digital_pinball_nanotech" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/multipin_digital_pinball_nanotech.jpg" alt="multipin_digital_pinball_nanotech" width="600" height="1015" /></p>
<p>Nanotech&#8217;s <a href="http://nanotechent.com/multipin.php">Multipin</a> is a digital pinball simulator, mashed-up with the physical look of a classic pinballer. The game is a full-sized pinball machine that provides electronic renditions of 17 pinball machines in a single cabinet. The system comes loaded with a number of original pinball games, as well as several modern remakes of classic Gottlieb pinball titles from the 1970s and 80s. And if 17 games aren&#8217;t enough Nanotech plans on offering upgrade packs with additional tables you can load in later.</p>
<p>Games are played on a large 32-inch 720p high-def LCD monitor that&#8217;s set into the playing surface under glass. Multipin not only looks like a pinball cabinet, the game is controlled with all of the classic trappings, a mechanical plunger, clicky flipper buttons, and a realistic audio experience which includes all of the sounds you&#8217;d expect to hear coming from a mechanical pinball machine. There are even digital motion sensors in the cabinet that let you nudge and shake the ball around (and eventually tilt the machine if you go too far). There&#8217;s also a second LCD screen under the machines backglass that&#8217;s used for displaying scores, game graphics, and the occasional mini-game.</p>
<p>Here&#8217;s some video from a recent episode of NBC&#8217;s TechNow showing off the Multipin in action:</p>
<p><a href="http://technabob.com/blog/2009/11/04/multipin-digital-pinball-machine/"><strong>Click to View Embedded Video Clip</strong></a></p>
<p>The best thing about the Multipin? You can buy one for yourself &#8211; now. This isn&#8217;t vaporware, it&#8217;s a real thing. The $6000 (USD) machine is available now over at <a href="http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-3165705-10370380?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hammacher.com%2FProduct%2Fpinball&amp;cm_mmc=CJ-_-2490938-_-3165705-_-Hammacher%20Schlemmer%20-%20Redirect%20Link" target="_top">Hammacher Schlemmer</a><img src="http://www.ftjcfx.com/image-3165705-10370380" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" />. Sure, you&#8217;ll need some seriously deep pockets to buy one, but if you&#8217;re a serious pinball addict, you might want to put Multipin on your Christmas list this year.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>sound egg chair gets full 5.1 surround upgrade</title>
		<link>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/11/04/sound-egg-surround-sound-chair/</link>
		<comments>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/11/04/sound-egg-surround-sound-chair/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:05:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>technabob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[audio]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home entertainment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[strange + wonderful]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[5.1]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chair]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cool]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[furniture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home theater]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sound egg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[speakers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[subwoofer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[surround]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[weird]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://technabob.com/blog/?p=22512</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This egg-shaped chair may look like a serious throwback to the 1970s, but it&#8217;s actually a brand new home entertainment plaything designed to be integrated with modern media rooms. The Sound Egg chair is a completely self-contained 5.1 listening booth, perfect for a private home theater watching experience.

Acousticom&#8217;s Sound Egg is an acoustically-insulated pod,&#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This egg-shaped chair may look like a serious throwback to the 1970s, but it&#8217;s actually a brand new home entertainment plaything designed to be integrated with modern media rooms. The Sound Egg chair is a completely self-contained 5.1 listening booth, perfect for a private home theater watching experience.<span id="more-22512"></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-22513  aligncenter" title="sound_egg_surround_chair" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/sound_egg_surround_chair.jpg" alt="sound_egg_surround_chair" width="600" height="703" /></p>
<p>Acousticom&#8217;s Sound Egg is an acoustically-insulated pod, loaded up with a 5.1 surround sound system. In addition to the 5 precisely positioned satellite speakers, there&#8217;s also a hefty 10-inch subwoofer right under your seat. Talk about some serious rump-shaking. The guys at Acousticom claim the speaker system offers solid frequency response all the way from 20Hz up to 20KHz. As you can see from the photo below, you&#8217;ll still need to B.Y.O. home theater system and amp, but the chair has all of the speakers built-in.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-22519  aligncenter" title="sound_egg_connectors" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/sound_egg_connectors.jpg" alt="sound_egg_connectors" width="600" height="454" /></p>
<p>Originally created for audio testing and home theater demonstrations, the Sound Egg is designed to provide a completely enveloping audio experience, that&#8217;ll have you never wanting to head out to the theater again. At least not when you&#8217;re by yourself, since there&#8217;s not really a good way to have multiple people share in the Sound Egg experience at the same time.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-22520  aligncenter" title="sound_egg_surround_chair_2" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/sound_egg_surround_chair_2.jpg" alt="sound_egg_surround_chair_2" width="600" height="709" /></p>
<p>Ready to sit inside a giant egg and chill out to the latest blockbuster movies and video games? Don&#8217;t care for red and grey. No worries &#8211; the Sound Egg&#8217;s outer shell is available in 7 different colors, and you have 11 choices for the sound-deadening foam lining (a few colors cost $25 bucks extra). You can sit your butt in your very own Sound Egg for $1450 (USD) over at <a href="http://store.acousticom.com/index.php?route=product/product&amp;product_id=107">Acousticom&#8217;s online store</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>namco meet zippo: classic arcade game lighters</title>
		<link>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/11/03/namco-zippo-arcade-game-lighters/</link>
		<comments>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/11/03/namco-zippo-arcade-game-lighters/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:34:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>technabob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[retro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video games]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[8 bit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[banpresto]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[collectible]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dig dug]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[galaxian]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[japan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lighter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[namco]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pac man]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[xevious]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[zippo]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://technabob.com/blog/?p=22437</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Having cut my gaming teeth on the classic Namco arcade games of the 1980s, I just had to give these new Namco 8-bit video game cigarette lighters a mention.

Created in celebration of Pac-Man&#8217;s impending 30th birthday (boy, I feel old), these limited-edition series of Zippo lighters from Banpresto includes shiny, butane-filled versions of Pac-Man,&#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Having cut my gaming teeth on the classic Namco arcade games of the 1980s, I just had to give these new Namco 8-bit video game cigarette lighters a mention.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-22439  aligncenter" title="namco_arcade_game_lighters" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/namco_arcade_game_lighters.jpg" alt="namco_arcade_game_lighters" width="600" height="1103" /></p>
<p>Created in celebration of Pac-Man&#8217;s impending 30th birthday (boy, I feel old), these limited-edition series of Zippo lighters from Banpresto includes shiny, butane-filled versions of <a href="http://www.tanomi.com/shop/html/items05575.html">Pac-Man</a>, <a href="http://www.tanomi.com/shop/html/items05576.html">Galaxian</a>, <a href="http://www.tanomi.com/shop/html/items05577.html">Xevious</a> and <a href="http://www.tanomi.com/shop/html/items05578.html">Dig Dug</a>. Each one features the pixelated likenesses of the classic 8-bit games &#8211; although I have to say I like the tiny little tactile Galaxians the best. Although I would argue that <em>Galaga</em> was the true classic. And while I don&#8217;t smoke, I&#8217;ll buy just about anything with Dig Dug on it, so I&#8217;m sold.</p>
<p>They sell for ¥8400 (appx. $93 USD) each, so I guess I&#8217;ll have to skip meals this week so I can afford one. For now, I&#8217;ve only found these in Japan, but hopefully somebody will export these for all to enjoy. Smoke &#8216;em if you got &#8216;em.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>stained glass mario mushroom powers up ordinary windows</title>
		<link>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/11/02/mario-mushroom-stained-glass/</link>
		<comments>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/11/02/mario-mushroom-stained-glass/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:22:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>technabob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[just plain fun]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video games]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[8 bit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[craft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[etsy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[handmade]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mario]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mushroom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nintendo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pixel art]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stained glass]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[super mario bros]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://technabob.com/blog/?p=22396</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Who here among us doesn&#8217;t like super mushrooms? After all, they&#8217;re red, delicious and give you plenty of extra strength. This handmade stained glass power-up mushroom is sure too remind give you a jolt of happy whenever you look at the light of day through it each morning.

Created by stained glass artist Radiant Art,&#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Who here among us doesn&#8217;t like super mushrooms? After all, they&#8217;re red, delicious and give you plenty of extra strength. This handmade stained glass power-up mushroom is sure too remind give you a jolt of happy whenever you look at the light of day through it each morning.<span id="more-22396"></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-22398  aligncenter" title="super_mushroom_stained_glass" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/1_up_mushroom_stained_glass.jpg" alt="1_up_mushroom_stained_glass" width="600" height="711" /></p>
<p>Created by stained glass artist Radiant Art, this stained glass super &#8217;shroom was created as an homage to the classic 8-bit <em>Super Mario Bros.</em> series. Instead of being made from pixels, it&#8217;s made from colorful glass. The piece was created from over 80 individual pieces of glass and comes in a 15-inch square zinc frame &#8211; I&#8217;m pretty sure there was no zinc in the Mushroom Kingdom. All I remember is <em>gold</em> coins. So much for accuracy. Feh.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-22399    aligncenter" title="power_up_mushroom_stained_glass" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/power_up_mushroom_stained_glass.jpg" alt="power_up_mushroom_stained_glass" width="600" height="601" /></p>
<p>So if you&#8217;re looking for some art to complement your other <a href="http://technabob.com/blog/2009/07/31/mario-rug-and-question-mark-block-ottoman/">Mario decor</a>, you can find the super mushroom stained glass window over on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5343416">Radiant Art&#8217;s Etsy shop</a> for $175 (USD). While you&#8217;re over there, be sure to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30532849">say hello to Pac-Man</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>this is a tribute: led mega man</title>
		<link>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/11/02/led-mega-man/</link>
		<comments>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/11/02/led-mega-man/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:19:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>alisha k.</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[geek art + craft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video games]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[8 bit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[led]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mega man]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pixel art]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tribute]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://technabob.com/blog/?p=22339</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Mega Man fan Nicholas may not have scored the top spot in Capcom Unity&#8217;s Mega Man tribute contest, but he has certainly won my heart with his colorful and pixelated light-up figure.

Now, at this point, you may be thinking &#8220;colorful? huh?&#8221; I know, the two shades of blue does not a rainbow make. But&#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Mega Man fan Nicholas may not have scored the top spot in <a href="http://www.capcom-unity.com/jgonzo/blog/2009/10/29/the_mega_man_tribute_top_30_countdown_2">Capcom Unity&#8217;s Mega Man tribute contest</a>, but he has certainly won my heart with his colorful and pixelated light-up figure.</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-22340" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/tb-megamanled.jpg" alt="mega man led " width="600" height="653" /></p>
<p>Now, at this point, you may be thinking &#8220;colorful? huh?&#8221; I know, the two shades of blue does not a rainbow make. But not only does this particular little Mega Man glow oh-so-brightly, his color scheme can be changed as well. Sometimes, you just have to power up.</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><img class="size-full wp-image-22341  aligncenter" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/tb-megamanled2.jpg" alt="tb-megamanled2" width="600" height="198" /></p>
<p>The tiny (less than an inch and a half!) Mega Man LED fashion plate was made simply, from construction paper and plastic from CD cases, which means you can do this yourself if you can handle a little pixel art (and also put in the LEDs).</p>
<p>[via <a href="http://tinycartridge.com/post/227900546/led-mega-man-statue-by-capcom-unitys-nicholas">Tiny Cartridge</a>]</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>sonic the hedgehog slot car racing system has no loop de loops</title>
		<link>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/11/01/sonic-the-hedgehog-slot-cars/</link>
		<comments>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/11/01/sonic-the-hedgehog-slot-cars/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:55:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>technabob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[cool toys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video games]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[car]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[impact innovations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[racing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[slot cars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sonic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tails]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://technabob.com/blog/?p=22332</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[While it&#8217;s not really an accurate reenactment of the way Sonic the Hedgehog plays, this slot car racing set still looks like it could be fun for at least 3 or 4 minutes.

The set comes with a pair of wired remote controls, and wheeled versions of Sonic and Tails to race around the 4-foot&#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>While it&#8217;s not really an accurate reenactment of the way Sonic the Hedgehog plays, this slot car racing set still looks like it could be fun for at least 3 or 4 minutes.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-22333  aligncenter" title="sonic_hedgehog_racing_set" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/sonic_hedgehog_racing_set.jpg" alt="sonic_hedgehog_racing_set" width="600" height="725" /></p>
<p>The set comes with a pair of wired remote controls, and wheeled versions of Sonic and Tails to race around the 4-foot oval loop track. The guys over at Sonic fanblog <a href="http://emeraldcoast.co.uk/super-sonic-racing-system">Emerald Coast</a> got their hands on a set, and weren&#8217;t that thrilled with how frequently Sonic goes flying off the rails though. Somehow Tails manages to stay on the track better. Go figure. I blame Dr. Robotnik.</p>
<p>The Super Sonic Racing System is available from UK retailer <a href="http://www.play.com/Gadgets/Gadgets/4-/12123565/Sonic-The-Hedgehog-Sonic-Racing-System/Product.html#">Play.com</a> for £8.99 (appx. $15 USD). Frankly, I think this would have been way cooler if it had some crazy loops and corkscrews on the track. Oh well, what do you want for $15 bucks?</p>
<p>[via <a href="http://nerdapproved.com/approved-products/sonic-the-hedgehog-sonic-racing-system/">Nerd Approved</a>]</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>star wars gets new tv games from jakks</title>
		<link>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/10/28/star-wars-tv-games-from-jakks/</link>
		<comments>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/10/28/star-wars-tv-games-from-jakks/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:25:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>technabob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[cool toys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video games]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cheap]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[jakks pacific]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[plug-and-play]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[star wars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tv game]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://technabob.com/blog/?p=22165</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Here&#8217;s a couple of fun games for <em>Star Wars</em> fans to play on their TVs. The guys over a Jakks Pacific (makers of all of those great retro TV game systems) have recently released two new standalone TV games from the <em>Star Wars</em> universe.

The first of the game systems is called <em>Classic Battles</em>, which features a&#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Here&#8217;s a couple of fun games for <em>Star Wars</em> fans to play on their TVs. The guys over a Jakks Pacific (makers of all of those great retro TV game systems) have recently released two new standalone TV games from the <em>Star Wars</em> universe.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-22166  aligncenter" title="star_wars_classic_battles_tv_game" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/star_wars_classic_battles_tv_game.jpg" alt="star_wars_classic_battles_tv_game" width="600" height="312" /></p>
<p>The first of the game systems is called <em>Classic Battles</em>, which features a controller that looks like Darth Vader. The plug-and-play game includes <a href="http://jakks.com/sites/default/files/03566_StarWars%20Classic%20Battles.pdf" target="_blank">five Jedi-themed battle games</a>, including ship flying, lightsaber wielding, and battle droid blasting among others. Keep in mind that most of these games look like they&#8217;ve been recycled from <a href="http://www.digitalmonkeybox.com/star_wars_tv_games.htm">an earlier version</a> of the system.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-22169  aligncenter" title="classic_battles_star_wars" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/classic_battles_star_wars.jpg" alt="classic_battles_star_wars" width="600" height="312" /></p>
<p>The second console is brand new and looks like a major improvement over the <em>Classic Battles</em> system. <em>Republic Squadron</em>, which consists of a <a href="http://jakks.com/sites/default/files/Motion%20Star%20Wars%20Final.pdf">series of flying missions</a>, played with a unique ship&#8217;s yoke style motion-sensing controller that let&#8217;s you really get into the action.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-22167  aligncenter" title="star_wars_motion_sensor_tv_game" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/star_wars_motion_sensor_tv_game.jpg" alt="star_wars_motion_sensor_tv_game" width="600" height="416" /></p>
<p>While <em>Battles</em> features mostly retro-style sprite-based games, <em>Squadron</em> appears to have graphics that look nearly as good as what you might find on a PS2 or Wii console. At least that&#8217;s how it looks from these screenshots. I haven&#8217;t had a chance to see the games in person.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-22168  aligncenter" title="star_wars_republic_squadron_tv_game" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/star_wars_republic_squadron_tv_game.jpg" alt="star_wars_republic_squadron_tv_game" width="600" height="487" /></p>
<p>You can find these and other Star Wars TV Games over on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&amp;location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26x%3D0%26ref%255F%3Dnb%255Fss%26y%3D0%26field-keywords%3Djakks%2520star%2520wars%26url%3Dsearch-alias%253Daps&amp;tag=technabob-20&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957">Amazon</a><img style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=technabob-20&amp;l=ur2&amp;o=1" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" /> for about $30 bucks each.</p>
<p>[photo credit: <a href="http://www.kidstechreview.com/2009/10/review-star-wars-republic-squadron-tv-games">kidstechreview</a>]</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>ion tape express converter: play your cassette tapes one last time</title>
		<link>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/10/27/ion-tape-express-cassette-tape-converter/</link>
		<comments>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/10/27/ion-tape-express-cassette-tape-converter/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:58:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lambert v.</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[audio]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gadgets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[media players]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mobile tech]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cassette tape]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cheap]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[converter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mp3]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[player]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[portable]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[usb]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://technabob.com/blog/?p=22058</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Immortalize your mixtapes with the Ion Tape Express, an easy to use device that converts your favorite songs to mp3 files. Just pop in a tape, connect it to your computer via USB, and let the bundled EZ Tape Converter Software work its magic.

As you may have guessed from its looks, the Tape Express&#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Immortalize your mixtapes with the Ion Tape Express, an easy to use device that converts your favorite songs to mp3 files. Just pop in a tape, connect it to your computer via USB, and let the bundled EZ Tape Converter Software work its magic.</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-22066" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ion-tape-express-12.jpg" alt="ion-tape-express-1" width="600" height="633" /></p>
<p>As you may have guessed from its looks, the Tape Express is also a portable cassette tape player. So if you just can&#8217;t let go of your tapes even after recording their contents, you can still use them with the Tape Express. Pop in a couple of AA batteries and take it with you wherever you go, just like old times.</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-22064" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ion-tape-express-21.jpg" alt="ion-tape-express-2" width="600" height="365" /></p>
<p>You can get the Ion Tape Express at <a href="http://www.firebox.com/product/2540/USB-Tape-Express">Firebox</a> for £50 (approx. $80 USD). Nostalgia guaranteed.</p>
<p>[via <a href="http://www.popgadget.net/2009/10/dont_throw_away.php">popgadget</a>]</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>sega zippo lighters: hey man, your console is on fire!</title>
		<link>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/10/24/sega-console-zippo-lighters/</link>
		<comments>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/10/24/sega-console-zippo-lighters/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:27:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>technabob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[just plain fun]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video games]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[genesis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lighters]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mega drive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[miniature]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[saturn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sega]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tiny]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[zippo]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://technabob.com/blog/?p=21942</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Now I&#8217;m not a smoker, but the fact that these Zippo cigarette lighters look like retro Sega consoles might be enough to get me to start. Actually, no. But they might be enough to convince be to buy a lighter that looks like a retro Sega console anyway.

They&#8217;re available in both a 16-bit (Mega&#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Now I&#8217;m not a smoker, but the fact that these Zippo cigarette lighters look like retro Sega consoles might be enough to get me to start. Actually, no. But they might be enough to convince be to buy a lighter that looks like a retro Sega console anyway.<span id="more-21942"></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-21943  aligncenter" title="sega_lighters" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/sega_lighters.jpg" alt="sega_lighters" width="600" height="364" /></p>
<p>They&#8217;re available in both a 16-bit (Mega Drive aka Genesis) and 32-bit (Saturn) versions. And while they will light your cigarettes, they won&#8217;t play any games &#8211; unless you manage to find a shrink ray and miniaturize your carts down to size. Of course if you had said ray, you&#8217;d probably just shrink your entire console collection and stick them all in your pocket. But then you&#8217;d be too big to press any of the buttons, and you&#8217;d have to shrink yourself. Lather, rinse, repeat until you and your consoles are at subatomic particle size.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-21944  aligncenter" title="sega_lighters_zippo" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/sega_lighters_zippo.jpg" alt="sega_lighters_zippo" width="600" height="460" /></p>
<p>But I digress. Want these awesome Sega lighters? You&#8217;ll have to save up ¥10,500 for each one (about $114 USD), get out your Japanese-to-English dictionary and head over to <a href="http://www.net-you.net/sega/">NetYou</a>. While you&#8217;re doing that, I&#8217;ll be working on my <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Mad_Scientist_Shrink_Ray/">shrink ray</a>.</p>
<p>[via <a href="http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2009/10/23/sega_console_zippos">andriasang</a> via <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/sega-lighters-set-on-fire-what-nintendont/">joystiq</a>]</p>
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		<title>behind the scenes of a star wars psa reveals c3po &amp; r2d2&#8217;s secret</title>
		<link>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/10/24/r2-d2-c-3po-revealed/</link>
		<comments>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/10/24/r2-d2-c-3po-revealed/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:42:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lambert v.</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[retro]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[actors]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://technabob.com/blog/?p=21928</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I headed to the Star Wars blog after reading about the impressive Tauntaun wedding cake, but I became more interested at this old footage. It&#8217;s a clip showing a bit of behind-the-scenes of a Public Service Announcement released in 1977, shortly after <em>A New Hope</em> came out. If your kid is a Star Wars fan, think&#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I headed to the Star Wars blog after reading about the impressive <a href="http://www.boingboing.net/2009/10/24/taunton-grooms-cake.html">Tauntaun wedding cake</a>, but I became more interested at <a href="http://starwarsblog.starwars.com/index.php/2009/10/19/rare-star-wars-psa-behind-the-scenes-video/">this old footage</a>. It&#8217;s a clip showing a bit of behind-the-scenes of a Public Service Announcement released in 1977, shortly after <em>A New Hope</em> came out. If your kid is a Star Wars fan, think twice before showing this to him or her because this is quite an eye-opener. I guess it&#8217;s a bit like seeing proof that Santa Claus isn&#8217;t real (Or so they say):</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21929" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Anthony-Daniels-as-C-3PO-and-Kenny-Baker-as-R2-D2.jpg" alt="Anthony-Daniels-as-C-3PO-and-Kenny-Baker-as-R2-D2" width="600" height="463" /></p>
<p>There are humans inside! YouTube user sowtime444 posted the video and said that the public service announcement was one of the several Star Wars ads that his grandfather produced (Grandpa sowtime is also in the video; he&#8217;s the chap with the red-orange vest). This is actually the first time that I saw Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker in what I call &#8220;cyborg mode&#8221;, i.e. in their C-3PO and R2-D2 suits respectively, but with their faces still showing.</p>
<p><a href="http://technabob.com/blog/2009/10/24/r2-d2-c-3po-revealed/"><strong>Click to View Embedded Video Clip</strong></a></p>
<p>Here&#8217;s the public service anouncement:</p>
<p><a href="http://technabob.com/blog/2009/10/24/r2-d2-c-3po-revealed/"><strong>Click to View Embedded Video Clip</strong></a></p>
<p>Maybe Kenny Baker was saying that <em>he</em> had whooping cough?</p>
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		<title>moto g4 mac mod speeds down the road</title>
		<link>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/10/23/moto-g4-mac-motorbike-casemod/</link>
		<comments>http://technabob.com/blog/2009/10/23/moto-g4-mac-motorbike-casemod/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:54:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>technabob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[computing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hacks + mods]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[apple]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[casemod]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://technabob.com/blog/?p=21919</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Now in all my research of the old Apple PowerMac G4, I can&#8217;t find anything in the spec sheets that mention a 49cc, 2-stroke petrol engine. I must have missed that part somewhere. As a matter of fact, this is the first Mac I&#8217;ve ever seen that measures its speed in MPH, not MHz.

This&#8230;]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Now in all my research of the old Apple PowerMac G4, I can&#8217;t find anything in the spec sheets that mention a 49cc, 2-stroke petrol engine. I must have missed that part somewhere. As a matter of fact, this is the first Mac I&#8217;ve ever seen that measures its speed in MPH, not MHz.<span id="more-21919"></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-21920  aligncenter" title="mac_moto_g4_casemod" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/mac_moto_g4_casemod.jpg" alt="mac_moto_g4_casemod" width="600" height="453" /></p>
<p>This ridiculous mod combines an old G4 with the guts of a tiny motorbike. The <a href="http://motog4.110mb.com/index.htm">MOTO G4 &#8220;BURAN&#8221;</a> can hit a top speed around 30+ miles per hour. It&#8217;s got front and rear disk brakes, and a windscreen made from a hacked up original Apple Pro keyboard.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-21921  aligncenter" title="mac_moto_g4_casemod_2" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/mac_moto_g4_casemod_2.jpg" alt="mac_moto_g4_casemod_2" width="600" height="453" /></p>
<p>Apparently the Buran is just the first vehicle created for the new MOTO G4 &#8220;extreme sport&#8221;, which involves turning old G3 and G4 cases into high-speed deathmobiles.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="size-full wp-image-21922  aligncenter" title="mac_moto_g4_casemod_3" src="http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/mac_moto_g4_casemod_3.jpg" alt="mac_moto_g4_casemod_3" width="600" height="453" /></p>
<p>Unfortunately, they couldn&#8217;t figure out a way to keep the computer functional. I think it would have been cool if they figured out a way to do that, and mounted an LCD monitor into the handlebars. Maybe they can do that for the MOTO G4 2.0.</p>
<p>God, that seat looks uncomfortable.</p>
<p>[via <a href="http://www.macmod.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&amp;t=3566">MacMod Forums</a>]</p>
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