Print 3D Buildings from Google Earth

SketchUp and 3D Printing the Disney Concert Hall - Sweet Onion Creations

Another company has come out with a solution for making 3D prints from Google Earth. This time the solution is actually based on SketchUp 3D models. The company is called Sweet Onion Creations, and they describe how to click on a 3D model seen in Google Earth (or any found in the Google 3D Warehouse) and using their "3D printing" service get back an actual physical model. Here's a video they've made showing how it works:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLiReajlXrg

SlideShare...a great tools for user groups

SlideShare is a great tool for user group members to make slide presentations available to others. There is now a plug-in for Keynote as well as powerpoint.
Here is a video that shows how to upload a keynote presentation.

Upload Keynote to SlideShare

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: keynote slideshare)

MacGourmet Deluxe

Recipe & Wine management application from Mariner Software
http://www.marinersoftware.com/sitepage.php?page=130

Awaken your taste buds!!!!
Fine tune your dining experiences
with MacGourmet Deluxe

In today’s world, there are a vast number, and variety of restaurants to avail yourself of when deciding to dine out or dine in. However, if you choose to dine in then someone must decide what to cook? Do I have the ingredients? And most importantly, do I have enough time to prepare it?

Luckily, a solution is at hand with the application MacGourmet Deluxe. It is very easy to install and begin to include recipes from your collection as well as from other sources. New users will find a collection of recipes ready for them to use with the recipe manager (mac users think of it as your IT support for the kitchen). For those who must read a manual first (definitely not long time mac users) MacGourmet Deluxe comes with a manual on cd and a downloadable .pdf online. However, the user interface is so intuitive that most users will leave the manual to rest in peace. It is so enticing that I found myself inputing recipes before I even looked over the application. I might add that my family didn’t get a good meal that night because I couldn’t get my nose out of the computer. I also plan to take advantage of the fact that you can import from other programs such as MasterCook, MasterChef, and others. The application provides a recipe exchange forum where there is a wealth of information and additional services. In no time at all I found the recipes from a favorite mystery writer (Joanne Fluke) who includes some yummy recipes in each story. I’ve never had the time to type them out; but, I downloaded them from the forum and imported them in minutes. Every time I use it I find something new and inviting.

MacGourmet is versatile in appearances. The default view is MyRecipes; however, there are many other choices such as category, ingredients, meals, wine lists, and the left side column on the screen that works like an iTunes playlist. My favorite aspect of the program is that I can go into the menus and plan a meal with what I have available in the refrigerator or pantry. This comes in handy when you are late, tired and can’t think straight. It is so nice to have a helper think for you.

See the full review at:

http://pacsnet.org/groupsatpacs/mac/Reviews/macgourmet.html

My Clipmarks

My Clipmarks http://clipmarks.com/
What are you finding on the web?
On Clipmarks.com, you can see clips of text, images or video about all sorts of topics that other people find while surfing the web.
The idea is that through each other, we can learn more, know more and enjoy more than we could possibly do alone. As you find people who post clips that interest you, make them a Guide. Think of your Guides as a team of web editors you choose to consistently deliver you clips of things they find on the web.
Clipmarks anywhere!
You can easily syndicate your clips to FriendFeed, Twitter, Facebook, Delicious, and more. You can also read, pop, and comment on clips from your iPhone (m.clipmarks.com), iGoogle, or Netvibes homepage.

BEANIECHAIR-TEAL

Lugtravel BEANIECHAIR-TEAL Beanie Chair for Cellphone Ocean Teal

Your cellphone is your constant and faithful companion yet you toss it on the counter like so much junk mail. Not anymore. Give your phone the perch it deserves, a comfy beanbag cell phone chair. You'll always know where your phone is and it'll be ready to go next time you head out the door.

iphone ocarina: go blow (into your iphone)

http://technabob.com/blog/2008/11/07/iphone-ocarina-wind-instrument/
I’ve seen all sorts of musical instruments running on the iPhone, but this is the first one I’ve come across that might involve getting a little spit on your screen.
Smule’s new iPhone app, Ocarina turns your iPhone into a fully-functional musical wind instrument. This amazing little application works very much like the real deal, combining touch, tilt, gestures and human breath to create ethereal sounds which bring out your inner Zelda.
Just place your fingers over four virtual “holes” on the multi-touch screen, and blow into your iPhone’s microphone. What’s really cool about the software is that none of the sounds are pre-generated, rather they’re built in real-time based on your exact gestures and movements.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhCJq7EAJJA

Sky Factory’s SkyV HD Virtual Skylight

The company that made the SkyV HD Virtual Skylight is Sky Factory, and it allows the user to have a realistic skylight without putting a hole in their roof. These three HD LCD screens allow you to watch skies, birds flying over, trees swaying in the breeze, or just about anything else you want to program in it.

If it were me, I wouldn’t mind seeing spaceships fly over. I would count them instead of sheep. Of course, if you wanted a little realism, you could probably just mount a waterproof camera on your roof and get a realtime shot of the sky. Hopefully it would look like a real skylight. So real, you might have to tell others your skylight is a fake.

I’m not certain how much this particular item will cost, but I’m guessing it isn’t cheap. I’m also not certain how you program the SkyV, either. Hopefully it has some wireless feed that you can program from your computer. You can find out as the SkyV will be seen at trade shows and expos later this year, and should roll out sometime next year.

Wooden Mouse from Actbrise Electronics

So what is this sphere that we see here, some new ball for croquet? No, what you are seeing here is a mouse for the computer, and yes, it is made of wood.

This is the Jupiter Mouse, created by a company called Actbrise Electronics. You can clearly see the four buttons on the mouse, and it is not exactly designed to roll around on the side of the desk.

I have included a YouTube video so you can see it in action. The Jupiter mouse works on a gesture-based motion. Essentially, you roll it in a certain direction, and the cursor moves. As you can see on the video, the ball-shaped mouse comes in handy for 3-D graphics.

SmartLock uses color dye to prevent theft

I’m sure all of you have seen movies where special dyes are used to catch criminals who have stolen valuable items. Remember at the end of Speed when Dennis Hopper is on the subway after he thinks he has made a clean getaway with lots of cash? He goes to check his loot, and gets a face full of purple dye.

Considering there is a whole show devoted to non-existent technology used to catch criminals, I was surprised to discover that this technology actually exists. The Smartlock takes this crime-fighting technology and puts it on a more commonplace item: a bike lock.

The SmartLock is a bike-lock cable filled with compressed air the special liquid dye. So if someone tries to cut open the cable with a file or bolt cutters, there will be sudden squirt that the criminal won’t forget.

Best of all, the dye has a distinct residue that works as an “invisible forensic property marking liquid”. I’m not certain what that means, but I’m guessing the dye is not only hard to wash off, but leaves some sort of stain that is visible only under certain lighting.

The SmartLock is just concept at this present time, but it is one of those that should be rushed to production due to its usefulness.

Get rid of Winter blues

The goLite Blu
from Phillips gets rid of winter blues

Gloomy winter days can get to even the most cheerful of people eventually, so companies have started making light therapy clocks. It triggers your release of “active” hormones and keeps you feeling more cheerful. Oddly the light can even help you sleep better at night. Since it gives you so much more energy during the day, it makes it so that at night you’re a lot more restful. Which just about anyone could do with a better nights sleep. Apparently the key is with the blue light itself, due to our bodies reactions to a bright blue summer sky.

All you have to do is flip on the light for 15 minutes a day. Which would be easy to fit into a morning routine. Whether it be while eating breakfast, or for the ladies while putting on makeup and fixing their hair. The light comes with a two year warranty, but unfortunately it is a bit expensive. To pick up the light it will cost you $279. However, if you tend to get really down every winter it might end up being worth it to spend the money.