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Oooo…I always wanted one of these…!

Uncle B got me a soft new seat cushion, a trackball mouse and three games (Witcher, Deus Ex and Skyrim). I think it’s pretty obvious: he never wants to speak to me again.

Oh, also some enticing bath products, because if I’m going to be a permanent piece of kinetic livingroom sculpture, probably best if I don’t stink too bad.

And this thing, which is one of those wacky plasma orb things. I have ALWAYS wanted one of these, but could never justify buying it. Only, this one’s USB powered! w00t! (I really, really miss being a stoner).

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m sure there’s something I have to…kill or…drink…or rescue from ghouls. Or something.

Comments


Comment from S. Weasel
Time: December 26, 2011, 11:36 pm

I’ve used a Microsoft trackball — you know, the kind with the ball under your right thumb — for a thousand years. Until the ball-bearings that the trackball floats over have worn flat.

Does Microsoft make this top-selling item any more? No. They do not.

Only Logitech makes one with the ball to one side, at an eye-watering price (don’t tell Uncle B I know that).

It’s a splendid mouse, though.


Comment from Oceania
Time: December 27, 2011, 12:03 am

DON’T!!!

I have one – they emit terrible amounts of RF – and destroy computers, lap tops, hard drives and LCD displays ….

I soldered a 7805 onto a USB socket and plugged a 9V in remotely … keep away from your computer …


Comment from David Gillies
Time: December 27, 2011, 12:39 am

Now I have to buy a hi-def TV, a PS3 and a copy of Skyrim. Boo!


Comment from S. Weasel
Time: December 27, 2011, 12:45 am

Oh, great. Oceania gave me a liar’s paradox for Christmas. 😮


Comment from Mono The Elder
Time: December 27, 2011, 1:00 am

friggin sweet sweasel! Going to have to look into that wierd shock hazard. That is, A 9 volt counter part. )becuase while oceania’s politics are bullshit. He seems to be rather a intelligent person. ( Still going to research it first though XD)


Comment from Can\’t hark my cry
Time: December 27, 2011, 1:01 am

Oceania gave me a liar’s paradox for Christmas.

Ain’t he just the cutest lil thang?


Comment from Steamboat McGoo
Time: December 27, 2011, 1:45 am

…A 9 volt counter part.

A 7805 is a 5V linear regulator chip(i.e. 9V in and 5V out).

I haven’t looked into the inner workings of the globe, but chances are it a) has its own hi-V switcher inside to convert the 5V USB voltage to the necessary hi-v for the globe, and b) the switcher will probably take the raw +9 just fine without stepping it down to +5V.

But good PC and peripheral design today effectively shields and blocks precisely the kind of conducted and radiated trash the globe probably generates – so the question is, just how cheap and lousy is Oceania’s equipment?


Comment from lauraw
Time: December 27, 2011, 1:54 am

I got a bottle of Tupelo honey from my aunt. Tastes pretty nice.


Comment from sandman says what the heck???
Time: December 27, 2011, 2:06 am

So the question is, just how cheap and lousy is Oceania?

You can use the USB compatible standard 110v plug adapter for a cell phone to power your stoner plasma gizmo. USB plugs in and then into regular power. RF bleed over issue solved. I use one that came with my LG phone for everything but charging the phone. I use it to recharge a lap top and tablet. It doesn’t have to be soldered to function away from close proximity to your computer. IN which case Mr McGoo is correct and it shouldn’t interfere with your gear to begin with. If it does, the adapter is a cheap alternative.


Comment from j2
Time: December 27, 2011, 2:22 am

hey wait… how the hell would oceanitis know that…. i thought he had an NT machine…?


Comment from Mitchell
Time: December 27, 2011, 2:36 am

Among the things I got this year was a small set of Buckyballs. I can NOT put the damn things down! They’re just too much fun to play with. But, now I’m chafing at the limit of just 125 balls. I ordered four new sets but they won’t be here until Thursday at the earliest. Grr.


Comment from Oceania
Time: December 27, 2011, 2:55 am

Well then.
Plug one in and try. They come in 3 sizes. But when you notice noise rectifying in your system, or your LCD flickers, then you will know. Just remember some semiconductors don’t like RF.

PCs and shielding? Pull the other one …


Comment from ermine
Time: December 27, 2011, 4:14 am

Skyrim eh?….and so it begins.

“I used to be an adventurer like Sweas, then I took an arrow to the knee.”


Comment from Steamboat McGoo
Time: December 27, 2011, 4:24 am

“….noise rectifying in your system…some semiconductors don’t like RF…”

Weak.

Stick with a subject you have some depth in, O’. Like, how ’bout them Cowboys?


Comment from Mono The Elder
Time: December 27, 2011, 5:55 am

Meh, I’ll probablly ignore it and then read how someones cat knocked one of those things over and fried his entire system and then forget it. Meh, I’m just going to get one at a yard sale, take it home, and smack it with a hammer. Just to satisfy some primeval urge. That is, the urge to smack that globe thing with a hammer while its on and see what happens.


Comment from SCOTTtheBADGER
Time: December 27, 2011, 6:59 am

So, Spencer Gifts is still in business? They always had that sort of thing.


Comment from Ghost
Time: December 27, 2011, 7:43 am

I miss being a stoner, too…
*bubblebubblebubble**deep inhale*
That’s better.


Comment from Oceania
Time: December 27, 2011, 11:57 am

Hmmmm lets see VLSI design in H and F CMOS, ECL, and MOVCD reactors for Bragg laser diodes and simple fabrication.
ADSP signal processors, FPGA for radar apps and ARM (icky) … is that HF in your eye or do you want Double or Quits?


Comment from Mr. Dave
Time: December 27, 2011, 1:05 pm

And flashbacks. They promised me flashbacks dammit.


Comment from Some Vegetable
Time: December 27, 2011, 3:45 pm

Being a stoner? I don’t remember being a stoner…

My favorite Christmas toy this year is the tiny tiny remote control helicopter Santa brought me (musta been Santa cause Mrs. Vegetable swears she didn’t put it under the tree and after her reaction no one else is taking blame credit for it – least of all me.)

So far I’m having trouble mastering it – controls are very subtle. Mostly I’ve just spent my time fishing it out of the Christmas tree or smacking the ceiling fan. It does scare the Hell out of the cat though, so I’ve got that going for me

🙂


Comment from sandman says : nothing to see here
Time: December 27, 2011, 4:43 pm

Okay, you’re convinced you’re a genius type person, Oceania. we get it. You can put your pointlessly swollen ego back into whatever shoe box you keep it in there in your mom’s basement and go back to trolling blogs. You’ve validated your ticket on the Pollock Express this year.


Comment from Some Vegetable
Time: December 27, 2011, 5:37 pm

While we’re on the subject of potentially problematic electrical devices, does anyone else have a first generation iPod Nano?
Apple is recalling them and replacing them with a new generation Nano because they (potentially) will burn your ass (or whatever is closest to the pocket you keep it in).

Just stumbled across the news the other day and it turns out that Mrs. Vegetable’s old Nano is one of the ones being recalled. So, she’s getting a new Nano for Chinese Christmas…

Here’s the official Apple website with the info.

http://www.apple.com/support/ipodnano_replacement/

By the way, Stoaty, I’ve used the Logitech track ball for several years now. I was doing a lot of spreadsheet work and found it easier to control precisely. That fact, combined with a perpetually messy desk led me to use it. Ended up buying a couple for the house . Never tried the Microsoft version, so I can’t compare the two, but I did find that the Logitech was pretty precise. Being left-handed (surprised?) I didn’t care for those specifically designed by hand-bigots. The Logitech is dexterously/sinisterly neutral.

Finally, at the risk of running against the mob, I’ll defend Oceania on his attempt to actually be helpful in his own way. He may have been wrong but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt in his motives in this case. Hey, it’s the holiday season and I admit to some pretty steady drinking, but that particular post just didn’t seem to come up to his usual standards of mischief. I hate to see him get pounded for stuff that may have been sincere when there are so many of his posts that are much easier targets. Remember the Jennifer Flowers rule: Just because she was a slut didn’t mean she was lying about Bill Clinton waving his dick around.

Sigh… now decision time: Whiskey or Cognac with the coffee and Christmas cookies?


Comment from Uncle Badger
Time: December 27, 2011, 5:58 pm

I’m with you on the remote control chopper. Some Vegetable! I bought one a few years ago and had to give up in shame.

No doubt you need to be eight.


Comment from Alice
Time: December 27, 2011, 7:04 pm

I got one of those helicopters, also. I must be doing something wrong, though. My cat, who is skittish about everything, is entirely unimpressed with my efforts.


Comment from Redd
Time: December 27, 2011, 7:54 pm

stoaty: I’d be interested in how your cat and chickens react to your magic globe.


Comment from sandman says : nothing to see here
Time: December 27, 2011, 8:41 pm

Finally, at the risk of running against the mob, I’ll defend Oceania on his attempt to actually be helpful in his own way. He may have been wrong but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt in his motives in this case.

Okay, i can admit he/she/? was trying to be helpful albeit with snide sanctimoniousness. Is that a word,I wonder?

Anyway, SV has the right of it. Whatever you think about O’s imperious snideness, he/she/? is often right, if only in technical terms. Politics and reality aside.This was a hapless attempt at being helpful, and I,for one, can see that.

Due to that fact, I publicly admit Oceania actually did something nice, or tried to. The resident troll actually came out from under the bridge for a good reason. I think this is the first armageddon indicator for 2012…

On matters of politics and real life, O remains with head wedged in rectum. But he/she/? was being helpful this time.I cannot believe I agree on this but I do.

*excuse me while I go rinse my skull out. thanks. whattaday*


Comment from Christopher Taylor
Time: December 27, 2011, 9:50 pm

Deus Ex was surprisingly good, I still replay it once in a while, very clever game. The conspiracies are goofy but its played as just a big fable, so you don’t take it seriously


Comment from Uncle Badger
Time: December 27, 2011, 10:35 pm

“…so you don’t take it seriously”

Oh…. my…… God.

You mean all this is for reals?

Badger <———— more confused than ever.


Comment from beasn
Time: December 27, 2011, 11:23 pm

The son was given one of those remote control helicopters for Xmas. So long as he keeps it away from the blown glass ornaments, it’s all good.


Comment from beasn
Time: December 27, 2011, 11:24 pm

Steamboat McGoo, how have you been sir?


Comment from bad cat robot
Time: December 28, 2011, 3:33 am

Sounds like we should recall BillT from Afstan to do a quick course on mini-helicopter piloting (cat-harrasing section extra). Whaddya say, Bill?


Pingback from What I’m Really Trying to Say | Daily Pundit
Time: December 28, 2011, 7:31 am

[…] I’m Really Trying to Say Posted on December 27, 2011 11:30 pm by Bill Quick S. Weasel Uncle B got me a soft new seat cushion, a trackball mouse and three games (Witcher, Deus Ex and […]


Comment from JuliaM
Time: December 28, 2011, 8:01 am

“I have ALWAYS wanted one of these, but could never justify buying it. Only, this one’s USB powered!”

Ditto!


Comment from David Gillies
Time: December 29, 2011, 1:30 am

I hit up Radio Shack for more doodads like caps and transistors and now I’m happy playing more fun games with my Arduino. It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up. $30 buys a lot of discrete components. Wish I hadn’t lost my huge collection of 74LS parts in the UK, though (I think my mother binned it in one of her manic attic-cleaning forays.)

Oceania may know whereof he speaks, or he may just have good Google fu. H and F CMOS are a bit long in the tooth and ECL is positively old school.


Comment from Oceania
Time: December 29, 2011, 5:22 am

Oh no you didn’t buy one of those boards also? I prefer writing code for my trust old ADSP2181 via a RS232 boot loader. A whole 512k EPROM to boot!

I must see if they give a assembly compiler and have decent processors .. none of those fancy crappy C compilers.
Never use a C compiler to do a serious processors bidding.

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