Brian gutted the old ZX Spectrum and replaced its innards with an updated motherboard, running Debian Linux. In order to keep within the constraints of the machines’ form factor, the system runs off of an 8GB SDHC memory card instead of a hard drive. He even managed to get the old ZX chiclet keyboard to work as a proper USB device by rewiring it to the controller circuitry of a new keyboard.

Amazingly, Brian was able to fit not only a full PC motherboard inside the case, but a 4-port USB hub and even HDMI video out. The trick was to use the diminutive 3″ square Beagleboard mobo at the heart of his system. There’s even a little bit of room to spare inside the case. He even managed to power the system with the same old power brick that the original ZX Spectrum used back in the day (with a little voltage step-down wizardry).

Here’s a little shakycam video comparing an original ZX (or as most of the world knows it the “zed X”) to the upgraded Linux ZX Spectrum, complete with the requisite demo of a Sinclair ZX emulator running under Linux, thus completing the circle of life.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

For more pictures of Brian’s nifty ZX Spectrum casemod, head on over to Flickr and check out the complete build gallery.

The Genso Kukan Aurora simulates the beautiful atmospheric phenomena known as the Aurora Borealis and projects the images on your wall or ceiling.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

I’m pretty sure that its using LEDs and other optical trickery to generate its relaxing patterns of animated color. The machine measures about 6″ x 6″ x 4″ and should run for about twenty hours on three AA batteries. It even has a 30-minute sleep timer so you can set it to go right before you head off to slumberland. The projector even comes with a complimentary CD of new-age music to complete the chill-out effect.

The Aurora light can be found from Japanese importer HimeyaShop for $61 plus shipping. I have one of these on order for myself so I’ll let you know how it really looks in action once I receive mine.

[UPDATE 4/8/2007: I received my Aurora projector today, and it's pretty underwhelming. You'll need a pitch black room to really see the effect, and it really isn't effective at projecting anything more than about a two foot area of color. In my opinion, you'd be better off with a Laserpod or some Morpheus fixtures if you're looking for something more dramatic.]