A lot of email programs still give you a tiny little ding to alert you whenever you’ve received a new email in your inbox. But how would you like to hear that ding from outside the confines of your computer speaker?

You won’t be able to buy one of these USB bells anywhere, but you can make one yourself. The bell itself is pretty easy to find; if you don’t see any at your local stores, then filch one from the public library or from some hotel or restaurant. (Just kidding!)

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Seriously though, this little contraption might look pretty simple but a whole lot of work went into turning this plain old bell into an email alert sounding device.

You can find complete and detailed instructions on how to construct your very own USB bell from Instructables.

[via Slippery Brick]

Rather than using hands or digits, the Audocron uses a series of beeps and flashing lights to indicate the current time.

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In automatic mode, the chrome plated metal clock offers up a chime on the half hour and hour. Otherwise, you can switch to manual mode, which tells the time with a series of “dings” upon your touch. Different tones indicate hours, ten minute intervals and individual minutes.

So if you’re looking for a truly unconventional clock, you can pick up an Audocron from ThinkGeek for just $19.99.